Previously on Adam Riff™:
21st century mixtape. Our favourite songs. One per year.
I thought it might be fun to do the same exercise with films.
Our favourite films of the 21st century. One per year.
The Participants
A. Me
B. Drew, who is a professional film critic
C. Steven, who runs a film website
D. Adam Robot, who gives this exercise someone native to each direction and time zone of America
Note: If applicable, you could select a film for the year it world premiered, or for the year it opened theatrically in North America.
2000
Drew: American Psycho
Nearly picked Almost Famous because it was the movie that made teenage me want to be a writer. But Bateman has slightly more staying power, overriding nostalgia…and of course it's a better movie overall. It's one of those "comes up multiple times a week" movies.
Steven: Memento [world premiere]
Do I lie to myself to be happy? Yes.
Adam Robot: Snatch
Jon: Chicken Run
I published a list of my favourite films of 2000 on this website in December 2000 —
— and, as I don't feel strongly about any of 2-10, I stand by my 18-year-old self.
2001
Drew: The Devil's Backbone
When people want to talk about movies that make them cry, this is always the one I bring up.
Steven: Bully + In the Bedroom
This was a tie 'cause I think Nick Stahl was incredible in both of these films. First time I heard of Tom Wilkinson and I've kept up ever since.
Adam Robot: Memento [theatrical release]
Jon: The Royal Tenenbaums
To me, Wes Anderson "made the leap" with this film. He has not reached its height since.
2002
Drew: Adaptation
Saw it at the Bala Theatre, a really cool, sadly closed historic cinema just outside Philly, when I was a freshman in college. I start thinking about ghost orchids every time I'm in that part of town.
Steven: Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
I felt for both main characters. This is the only movie I'd ever want to remake if I could. I'd want Tom Cruise as the dad.
Adam Robot: City of God [world premiere]
Jon: The Believer
I love films about Nazis or neo-Nazis, and I adore this one. I'm probably the only person who owns a copy of its accompanying book, The Believer: Confronting Jewish Self-Hatred.
2003
Drew: Kill Bill: Vol. 1
This is my favorite movie so had to pick it for '03, which is tough since so many other of my favorites came out this year, too…Beat Takeshi's Zatoichi, American Splendor, Shattered Glass…
Steven: City of God [theatrical release]
I knew I was seeing something great when they show the kid crying as they want him to shoot his buddy.
Adam Robot: Oldboy [world premiere]
Jon: [The] School of Rock
Feel good movie of the aughts.
2004
Drew: Shaun of the Dead
Another tough year, since I love both The Incredibles and Eternal Sunshine as well…had to go Shaun, though. I say "you got red on you" to people all the time.
Steven: Undertow
The best dialogue I heard all year.
Adam: Shaun of the Dead + Primer
You'll have to deal with 2004 having two.
Jon: Primer
Shane Carruth took from his surroundings what was needed and made of it something more – mind-bogglingly more.
2005
Drew: A History of Violence
Is this an overrated, underrated or just-right-rated movie? Me, I'd vote for underrated.
Steven: C.R.A.Z.Y.
I have two films that are interchangeable as my favorite film of all time. This is one of them. The dynamics of the mom and her maybe gay son are what get me.
Adam: A History of Violence
Jon: Oldboy [theatrical release]
While Steven was visiting me in Los Angeles, we rented this film on Adam Robot's recommendation, watched it, and then immediately returned to Cinefile to rent another Park Chan-wook film (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), so impressed were we.
2006
Drew: Children of Men
Could be for cinematography alone but it's also a great/super-depressing movie.
Steven: The Departed
I didn't think Martin Scorcese could remake a great film into something better. He did. Dropkick Murphys in the scene where they are driving was on point.
Adam: Children of Men
Jon: The Descent
This is the last film (and one of only a few films*) to genuinely scare me. To this day, I am uncomfortable driving behind a motor vehicle bearing poles or similar objects on its roof.
* The Descent, Buried Alive (TV Movie 1990), Die Hard 2
2007
Drew: Sunshine
One of the best casts. There Will Be Blood seemed like a strong contender here too, but I consider Sunshine one of my favorite movies pound for pound, sci-fi or otherwise.
Steven: There Will Be Blood
10 minutes into the film, no dialogue. Incredible acting. I'm your brother…from another mother.
Adam: There Will Be Blood
Jon: This Is England
Came for the neo-Nazis, stayed for its (and its two made-for-television sequels') staggering sense of place. I want to live in Shane Meadows' England.
2008
Drew: WALL•E
Another movie that comes up in my life multiple times a week, mostly in reference to humongous people I see in the mall or airport lost in their phones/drinking Slurpees/both.
Steven: Slumdog Millionaire
"Paper Planes" on the train? Danny Boyle hasn't come close to this film.
Adam: The Wrestler
Jon: Hunger
This film floored me. It's a masterpiece in all facets.
2009
Drew: A Serious Man
It's not the Coens' best movie, but I think it's their most original, and it has a really unique sense of time and place.
Steven: A Single Man
My other favorite film of all time. Both involve gay main characters.
Adam: District 9
Jon: Dogtooth
My spirit film.
2010
Drew: Winter's Bone
J-Law + Hawkes + the music.
Steven: The Social Network
This is gonna sound stupid, but I loved this movie for the very end. Just him refreshing the friend request.
Adam: Black Swan
Jon: Four Lions
Truly a film like no other. You can't not admire its audacity.
2011
Drew: Hanna
Tricky because I love Attack the Block and Martha Marcy May Marlene from this year pretty much equally…but Hanna is just so damn cool. One of those movies I still get excited about when I see it pop up on TV even though I've watched it a million times.
Steven: Take Shelter
Michael Shannon going crazy? Sold.
Adam: Drive
Jon: Michael
It's difficult to sell people on a film about a paedophile who holds a 10-year-old boy captive in his home, but imagine if Vince Gilligan made it. EH?
2012
Drew: The Raid: Redemption
What else?!
Steven: Beasts of the Southern Wild
Great soundtrack, great little girl. Great film. This is what Where the Wild Things Are should have been.
Adam: Spring Breakers
Jon: The Imposter
> The Jinx.
2013
Drew: Inside Llewyn Davis
I just love how it looks, feels and sounds. And the supporting cast is incredible.
Steven: Zero Charisma
Doesn't pull any punches. No happy ending. It's exactly how it is to be an outcast.
Adam: Under the Skin
Jon: Tim's Vermeer
An absorbing record of a triumph of the will.
2014
Drew: Only Lovers Left Alive
Such a cool, stylish, original and singular film…feel like it didn't get the love it deserved.
Steven: The Infinite Man
He knows his wants, he knows his faults, he knows how to overcome, but will any girl wait? I can relate.
Adam: Nightcrawler
Jon: Whiplash
An exhilarating depiction of a triumph of the will.
So.
Drew
2000: American Psycho
2001: The Devil's Backbone
2002: Adaptation
2003: Kill Bill: Vol. 1
2004: Shaun of the Dead
2005: A History of Violence
2006: Children of Men
2007: Sunshine
2008: WALL•E
2009: A Serious Man
2010: Winter's Bone
2011: Hanna
2012: The Raid: Redemption
2013: Inside Llewyn Davis
2014: Only Lovers Left Alive
Steven
2000: Memento
2001: Bully + In the Bedroom
2002: Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
2003: City of God
2004: Undertow
2005: C.R.A.Z.Y.
2006: The Departed
2007: There Will Be Blood
2008: Slumdog Millionaire
2009: A Single Man
2010: The Social Network
2011: Take Shelter
2012: Beasts of the Southern Wild
2013: Zero Charisma
2014: The Infinite Man
Adam Robot
2000: Snatch
2001: Memento
2002: City of God
2003: Oldboy
2004: Shaun of the Dead + Primer
2005: A History of Violence
2006: Children of Men
2007: There Will Be Blood
2008: The Wrestler
2009: District 9
2010: Black Swan
2011: Drive
2012: Spring Breakers
2013: Under the Skin
2014: Nightcrawler
Jon
2000: Chicken Run
2001: The Royal Tenenbaums
2002: The Believer
2003: [The] School of Rock
2004: Primer
2005: Oldboy
2006: The Descent
2007: This Is England
2008: Hunger
2009: Dogtooth
2010: Four Lions
2011: Michael
2012: The Imposter
2013: Tim's Vermeer
2014: Whiplash
No No Country for Old Men surprised me.