Best of the Decade: 25-21

Lost in Translation - 2003

A lyrical, melancholy character piece that helped everyone totally forget about "Godfather Part III," this Tokyo-set film is Sofia Coppola's exploration of aging, of hoping life's questions will be answered simply by growing up. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanssen give great, aching performances as two people who feel lost despite the fact that things are more or less going their way. They use each other to work through these pains and it's a stark, hopeful reminder of just how much of life is made up of relationships.

Michael Clayton - 2007
I just didn't think Clooney had it in him. The man's contagious charms have made many a movie work, but even "Syriana" didn't prepare me for his performance in "Michael Clayton." His iconic face is masked only by the weight of the character's dilemmas and I'll never forget the way that final shot left me speechless. "Clayton" is about the critical point in a life where one can choose to grow a conscience or not. Michael struggles to commit while navigating his way through an ugly corporate conspiracy and the terrific performances from Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson raise the game.

Murderball - 2005
This incredibly crafted doc helped spur forth a cult fanbase for wheelchair rugby, or murderball. And don't get me wrong, while the undercurrents of sensationalism while watching specially-designed wheelchairs pound into each other is addictive, this documentary works so well because it treats each player as an unfolding story, men who have to redefine their goals without redefining themselves as people. It's certainly inspirational (and rude, hilarious, honest, inventive...) but I feel like that's underselling it. It's simply great filmmakers working with fascinating subjects.

Far from Heaven - 2002

I won't claim to be proficient in the works of Douglas Sirk, but you kind of know an homage when you see one. And yet Todd Haynes' meticulously styled melodrama is very much its own living, dyanmic, current movie. As looming social forces start to creep into the Whitaker home, mother Cathy--Julianne Moore, who needs to takes some more great roles these days--suffers quietly at first. But then it's not suffering anymore; Cathy lets go of the notions of a pre-determined life and accepts the challenges of not knowing her future, but knowing her impulses. Slowly and quietly, you watch her grow a soul.

School of Rock - 2003

Is there a musical number more joyously infectious than the climactic title tune in "School of Rock"? I think it's pretty telling that when I Google Image searched "School of Rock" for screenshots, most of the results were from actual rock schools modeled after the film. The Jack Black-anchored "School" is funny and warm; every character has a good heart and a clever edge (except for Sarah Silverman). It's also one of the most honest movies about the experience of being a rock fan--as these amateurs/kids come together under the umbrella of fandom and homework, they pull inspiration from their predecessors and keep the evolution of art going.

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