Favorite Films of the Decade 2000-2009

I'm a little surprised more indies didn't make my list, but when you think about it  -- most of my picks are independent in style and spirit.  And while digital filmmaking brought down budgets and sped up schedules this decade, I'm still drawn to visual, cinematic storytelling that is carefully planned out and well executed.  I don't think it's a coincidence that most of these were shot in 35mm. And if they shot digitally (28 Days Later, Dancer in the Dark) none used their preferred format as a license to follow actors around and improvise dialogue.

After Gus Van Sant made the predictable Finding Forester, he was driven back to his indie roots.  First came the Palme d'Or winner Elephant followed by Gerry, Last Days and Paranoid Park.  All four were filmed this decade and each belong to a similar aesthetic.  Van Sant shows what a master can do when budget challenged.  These "small" movies remain cinematic and powerful even while unabashedly playing with time and structure.  And with the exception of Gerry, all were made without movie stars.

And as far as movie stars go, they are a little overrated when evaluating why a film might stand the test of time.  Who would call Adapation a Nicholas Cage movie?  (even though he's brilliant here) And don't tell me Eternal Sunshine is a Jim Carey movie.  I'm not star bashing -- actors become movie stars because they are insanely talented/beautiful/unique/lucky.  But as far as these films go, the movie star "image" isn't expected to carry them.  The films, in fact, can carry themselves just fine.

While being a famous director or having a respectable budget makes the filmmaking process easier, I guarantee these filmmakers (famous or not) fought every step of the way to preserve their visions and make their work as good as possible.   Think about what Peter Jackson went through on Lord of the Rings?!  His journey is arguably the decade's biggest example of "independent spirit".

The inclusion of HBO shows was hard to resist.  Many of the best filmmakers are moving to cable television for the stability and the chance to tell sprawling, uncensored stories with instant distribution. The Office BBC and Deadwood both struck me as the most exceptional and stood out as two of my favorite TV shows since the cruel dismantling of Twin Peaks in 1991.

I would've liked to include more Pixar films.  In particular, Monsters Inc. and Up.  But The Incredibles is the one I love most so here it represents everything I love about Pixar.  Year after year they continue making hugely popular, four quadrant movies that don't feel produced by committee.  Somehow each film contains a voice, unique (bizarre/cool!) creative choices and lasting emotional power.  The very things that are routinely developed out of stories by other studios.

Sure, many of these filmmakers have clout, but they still had to quarrel and collaborate with producers, financiers, movie stars, agents, studios, distributors, and even audiences.  Somehow these films overcame the hundreds (thousands?) of obstacle to get from script to set to screen.  Then, out of the 25,000 or so films distributed this decade, they ended up near the top.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Mulholland Drive
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
4. Adaptation
5. Sideways
6. The New World
7. Punch Drunk Love
8. No Country For Old Men
9. Sexy Beast
10. There Will Be Blood
11. High Fidelity
12. A History of Violence
13. Dancer in the Dark
14. Requiem for a Dream
15. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
16. 28 Days Later
17. Deadwood / The Office BBC
18. The Incredibles
19. Lord of the Rings (trilogy)
20. Elephant / Gerry / Last Days / Paranoid Park

Wow and Flutter

Here's my little Christmas present to anyone out there who reads this blog.  A hi-res QuickTime download of our 2004 short film WOW AND FLUTTER.  (195 MB)

This 17 minute calling card was instrumental in helping get Calvin Marshall made.  It was shot with a tiny crew in a few days on 35mm short ends.  We used an old ARRI BL-2 -- the same kind of camera Kubrick used on the Shining.

It's been five years since finishing Wow and Flutter and I feel somewhat removed from the experience of making it.  I can now watch the film objectively and enjoy it for what it is, almost as if someone else wrote and directed.  Over all, I love the tone and subtext in this movie and I'm a sucker for any film about infatuation expressed through a mix tape.

Like Calvin Marshall, this short has a soundtrack I still love.  The use of The Orchids was a dream for me -- not to mention Red Red Groovy, Damien Jurado and of course The Go-Betweens.  (I passed a copy to Robert Forster and Grant McLennan at their Troubador gig in 2005.  Less than a year later Grant tragically died of a heart attack)

Also on the soundtrack are quite a few indies.  It's so cool to think Tracker, Petracovich, Buellton, Manta Ray and Brown ended up on David's mix tape.  This fourteen year-old kid had a preternatural taste in music.

Favorite Albums of 2009

It's been a good year for music and these are the records I played the most.  They lived with me through the ups and downs of writing screenplays and finishing the film.  (Our Calvin Marshall soundtrack should be #1 but it's a 2010 release!)

1. The Antlers - Hospice

2. Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies

3. Dark Was The Night (Red Hot Compilation)

4. The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

5. Fever Ray - Fever Ray

6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

7. XX - XX

8. Jason Lytle - Yours Truly, the Commuter

9. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

10. The Veils - Sun Gangs

11. The Mountain Goats - The Life of the World to Come

12. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

13. Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

14. Petracovich - Crepusculo

15. Moby - Wait For Me

16. Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul

17. Eels - Hombre Lobo

18. Grand Duchy - Petits Four

19. Loney Dear - Dear John

20. AC Newman - Get Guilty

21. The Church - Untitled #23

22. Where the Wild Things Are OST

23. Steve Earle - Townes

24. (Reissue) The Beatles: Remastered

25. (Reissue) Big Star - Keep an Eye On the Sky

Hospice is a mesmerizing, emotional record. While you could call it conceptual, the story-line is personal and subtle enough so the listening experience stays magnetic and fresh. There is a cast of characters, a cancer ward. There are ghosts and haunting grief.  Here's the video for "Two":

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

While sitting down at the multiplex over Thanksgiving I wasn't prepared for the most emotionally satisfying Wes Anderson film since The Royal Tenenbaums.  Mr. Fox is also the most dynamic lead since Royal so I shouldn't be that surprised.  Lajos Egri made a fairly convincing case that character is plot back in 1942. Here is further evidence that he may have been on to something.

I'm confident TFMF is a film that will continue to get richer and more satisfying over time so go see it in theaters while you can.  The Fox family is resilient and special.  The script is sharp, sincere and well-written.  The animation is beautiful.  I hope this does big business but the quirkier aspects will probably narrow its appeal.

But even when you strip away the more polarizing aspects of this film (which I really do love), you're still left with a story that's ultimately about survival and fighting for what you want in life.  And so I still have to believe (hope) that this movie will be irresistible to a wider audience, even if it doesn't do Pixar-type box office.

Interview

Reposting this because its been archived and the link changed.  It was done in correlation with Cucalorus a few weeks back.

ENCORE INTERVIEW

Thanks Cucalorus

The first three days in Wilmington were a little glum and drizzly but it didn't hold Cuclaorus back.  The festival was well attended and run by some really cool, enthusiastic people.  I made new friends -- the days were full and the nights were long.  (Sleep deprivation established early!)

I saw many great films over five days including the House of the Devil which gloriously lived up to all my expectations.  Masterfully directed with a strong cast and shot in only 18 days.  (Would love to cast Tom Noonan someday)

Being a long time Mekons fan, I was excited to hear Joe Langford play a surprise set at the opening night party.  He started with Millionaire from "I (heart) Mekons" and even broke a string on a ferocious acoustic version of "Never Been In a Riot".  He also played a track from Fear and Whiskey which was pretty unbelievable being I was only five feet from him.  Langford's appearance was connected with New York based filmmaker Joe Angio's excellent new Mekons doc which was screening as a work in progress.

Our two Calvin Marshall screenings went well with Alex Frost attending both.  Even though the film seems to be playing well, the screenings in general aren't comfortable yet for me. There usually comes a time with a movie where you feel (almost) completely separated from the film and it takes on a life of its own. When this happens, screenings are much easier to sit back and engage.  Anyway - not quite there yet.

The sun finally came out for the weekend and it was fun to see Cape Fear and the ocean.  Very cool to walk around downtown Wilmington.  It reminded me a little of Ashland, Oregon where we shot Calvin.  Quaint downtown with culture, nice people and memorable restaurants like Deluxe.

I found myself whistling the Lumberton theme as I walked by the Dorothy Vallens Deep River apartment building.  Within walking distance is the Beaumont Hardware Store and also the big, beautiful church that Jeffrey and Sandy once upon a time parked beside.  I looked up at the stained glass and wondered when the Robins would come.  I wanted to venture down to Lincoln but decided against it.

Friends in Florida?

Over the next week, Calvin Marshall will screen three times for the Sarasota Film Society.  If you have friends in the area, thanks for passing on the details!

CINE-WORLD IN SARASOTA

Friday, November 6 at 1:00 p.m - Burns Court Cinemas.

Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. - Burns Court Cinemas

Thursday, November 12 at 7:45 p.m. - Lakewood Ranch Cinemas