There have been a plethora of fantastic and important films in this new millennium. This sequential list, in my opinion, identifies 10 of the most important movies thus far based on the cinematic impact, messages and thought-provoking nature of the films. It is not to say these movies are the best of the 21st century but they are definitely some of the best of the last 16 years.
10. “When Marnie Was There”
Possibly Studio Ghibli’s last film and one of their best, “When Marnie Was There” is a story of a shy introverted young girl named Anna who attempts to find out who she is and where she comes from while trying breaking free from the isolation that consumes her world. What makes this movie so important is that it is able to manifest clearly what isolation and introversion feels like. As an introvert I had not yet seen a movie that truly encapsulates what it feels like to be introverted and experience a sense of isolation. However, this movie changed that for me and it gave me a clear catharsis to be able to see that I am not alone in this feeling and if I am one to feel as Anna does, I know there are other moviegoers who share this empathy and feel relieved and connected just the same. More importantly is that it is a children’s movie. Children aren’t stupid. They mustn’t be coddled with crappy animated features that have no point to it; children comprehend storytelling and are especially drawn to good storytelling. To expose them to such a poignant and great story will only benefit them, and when watching with their parents they will only be more intelligent of the world in which they live in.
9. “12 Years A Slave”
This is one of the most brutal movies one may ever see. It’s raw and realistic depiction of slavery will make anyone sick to their stomach and regret to know that this country was once a country that used slavery. The story of Solomon Northop being captured and sent into slavery for 12 long and gruesome years before returning home to see his how far his family has grown and the realization of how long it truly has been is not one for the faint of heart.
What makes this movie so imperative is its realism. Steve McQueen brilliantly makes the most realistic slave narrative ever put to screen. It is a perfect learning tool to those who want to learn about what the institution of slavery really was in the United States. Not to mention, it’s one of the best movies of this millennium and is able to entertain while conveying such a heavy and dreadful theme such as slavery.
8. “Blue Is The Warmest Color”
“Blue is the Warmest Color” is a French film that is an impactful and realistic depiction of homosexuality and the acceptance of one’s sexuality. The story involves a French high school student, Adéle, as she discovers after being with a man that she isn’t attracted to men and soon strikes up a relationship with a free-spirited blue-haired woman named Emma whom she meets as she stumbles into a lesbian bar. The film then chronicles their relationship together as Adéle transitions into adulthood and her career as a schoolteacher.
From Adéle’s coming out to the ambiguous ending the movie perfectly captures the struggles and the still ignorant views of others about coming out as gay in high school but shows that it does get better for Adéle as the movie progresses. It also shows the love and infatuation that Adéle and Emma have for one another not in a way that would be different from any heterosexual couple because love shows no bounds or restrictions. Love is what it is; it’s not different just because one is in love with someone of the same gender and this movie is able to perfectly encompass that.
7."Beasts Of No Nation"
One of the biggest Oscar snubs of 2015, “Beasts of No Nation” tells a heart-wrenching tale of a child from a West African village who is inevitably forced to become a soldier as militants have come and wiped out his village, including his family. It provides shocking exposition to the lives of child soldiers, warlords and the brutality of their situation.
There really hasn’t been a movie about this topic that isn’t a documentary. Sure there are a few movies floating around but they are not as impactful as “Beasts of No Nation.” It makes anyone from a privileged and well-sustained country open their eyes and realize what horror is surrounding the world. That these people especially kids fighting don’t have a choice, it’s either fight or die. This movie not only makes one grateful to live in comfort but understand that nations such as the unnamed nation depicted need help and that it’s through the will of prosperous nations that change will come about
6. "City Of God"
Taking place in a housing project in the outer parts of Rio de Janeiro, “City of God” follows Rocket throughout this story, based loosely on real life events in the 1980s. Rocket is determined through his photography to grasp a new, safe and comfortable life from the impoverished gang-ridden world he is living in but unfortunately, Rocket is thrown back into the mess he was trying to escape. Rocket is ultimately part of the city whether he likes it or not and is not able to escape until the final battle between the two opposing gangs ends, forcing the two gangs to disband and freeing Rocket from the ties he had there. This is a relief and what seems to end optimistically that there will be no more violence but in the end a group of kids take power after killing the vulnerable and isolated gang leader Li’l Zé. This unfortunately real life of violence in these slums of a city will never cease to end when they’re neglected so much. Unless the government of countries like this intervene and assist those who truly need it, violence will take control and ravage the outside communities before making its way into the big and luxurious cities. It is an important example of what happens when a country doesn’t pay attention to the lower class that ironically makes up the majority of the country.
5. "The Dark Knight"
It is because of this Christopher Nolan trilogy that we are experiencing a massive infiltration of comic book movies. There were comic book movies in the past, but poorly translated to the screen, with the exception of Tim Burton’s Batman movies, these movies received much criticism because it had nothing to offer audiences except colorful characters and a way to pass the time. It was not until this Batman trilogy where comic book movies finally received exceptional and realistic treatment. Although “Batman Begins” was the first realistic treatment of comic book movies, it was the commercial and critical success of “The Dark Knight” that started this wave of comic book adaptions. It was the gritty portrayal of the bat and Gotham that stunned audiences and the depiction of the Joker that kept the viewer on the edge of their seat. The Joker was so perfectly fleshed out that he became real to the audience and believable that this psychopathic quarrel of both the Joker and Batman would exist. It is a comic book movie that was finally believable. It actually made sense and moviegoers couldn’t get enough, which has lead to the recent suffocation of comic book adaptions and has left “The Dark Knight” to be the best comic book movie and the best action movie of the new millennium.
4. “Zootopia”
The premise of a small town bunny who achieves her dreams of being a city cop in Zootopia and cracking the big case in the process may seem silly to be considered on this list but there’s so much more to Zootopia than its gorgeous animation and likeable characters. Themes of racism, prejudices, stereotyping, perseverance and over coming adversity all fit into the Disney Animations production and create a dialogue about these themes that no movie has done before. Like “When Marnie Was There,” “Zootopia” allows for children to be exposed to the realities of life and does so by showing the easy nature of blaming someone of another ethnicity (in this case specie) for the problems in the world, but reveals the consequences that come with that ignorant behavior. It’s animated movies like this that need to be seen by children everywhere. It encourages children to achieve their dreams because they have the right to do so and they should not let people tell them otherwise. It also perfectly communicates the idea of growing up to attain proactive ideals that cause for respecting other human beings so that these children can live in a better more accepting world in the future.
3. “Tomboy”
Another French film on this list, it follows the life of a 10-year-old transgender child named Laure whose family settles into a new neighborhood. Upon meeting other children in the neighborhood, Laure introduces himself as Mikäel and now Mikäel has to try and keep this a secret from the other children and his parents but is increasingly having trouble doing so.
Unbelievably truthful, “Tomboy” is able to discuss such a controversial topic in a most endearing way in the form of the 10-year-old Mikäel. It’s another movie that carefully and intricately shows viewer just how difficult it is for someone to be who they truly are. It allows for anyone unsure of how they feel towards the transgender community to empathize and understand that this process is not something done just because it’s fun, but because these people are feeling so tortured in a body that just isn’t theirs. It’s such a poignant movie about transgendered individuals and truly puts light on their situation that many people do not quite understand.
2. “Boyhood”
Arguably the best movie on this list, “Boyhood” is a coming-of-age film that chronicles the life of a boy, Mason, from the age of 6 to 18. What makes this film so important is just how it was made. It had Ellar Coltrane play the role of Mason for the film’s entirety along with other characters involved having to play that role for 12 years. When one watches the film they are literally watching Mason grow up before their eyes and see every other member of the cast age as years go by. It was revolutionary on director Richard Linklater’s part (he had also produced and wrote the film’s screenplay) because this act of storytelling had never been done before. Not only that, but instead of focusing on huge moments in one’s life it focused on the little moments we truly learn from and remember. It makes for a genuine coming-of-age film that has never been done before and it’s so realistic and personal in this regard that it easily the best coming-of-age movie of all time.
1. “Requiem For A Dream”
Finally, number one --and it sure is a doozy. “Requiem for a Dream” is quite honestly the most brutal and scariest depictions of drug addiction put to screen without it being a documentary. It follows two drug dealers, one of their mothers and a common drug addict who all succumb to the vices of drugs. The two drug dealers at first find success and much profit but soon run out of drugs after using it themselves and have to find a way to get a hold on another drug to sell. While doing so the two are arrested and sent to jail but one of the drug dealers develops a disgustingly black infection in his arm and the arm is eventually amputated. With the drug dealer’s girlfriend in need for drugs she leaves him to start a relationship with a king pin drug dealer so she can get her fix, but has to perform obscene sexual acts in order to get the drugs she wants. The drug dealer’s mother believes she wins an opportunity to participate on a game show so in order to fit in her fancy dress she goes to the doctor to get weight loss medicine but, unbeknownst to her, she is given speed and develops a strong addiction to the drug. She eventually has a hallucination from the drug and is institutionalized for her behavior. The mother then undergoes shock therapy in an attempt to cure her but ultimately loses all sanity. This movies powerful anti-drug message trumps any anti-drug campaign ever made because there has never been such a raw, vile and realistic approach as visualized in this movie. It will make anyone stay far, far away from any drug use and is a 100 percent must see for anyone - particularly the youth who eventually are mature enough to handle such content.
I implore everyone to see these movies listed above, especially “Requiem for a Dream,” to develop a more conscious mind and just to see some of 21st century's finest flicks.
