Top Ten Movies of the Century So Far

BBC Culture recently asked 177 film critics from 36 countries to name their favourite films of the last 16 years.  Here are the top ten compiled from their choices:

1. Mulholland Drive (2001)
2. In the Mood for Love (2000)
3. There Will Be Blood (2007)
4. Spirited Away (2001)
5. Boyhood (2014)
6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
7. The Tree of Life (2011)
8. Yi Yi: A One and a Two (2000)
9. A Separation (2011)
10. No Country for Old Men (2007)

So here are a few stats from my point of view:

• Number of the top ten I have seen: 7
• Number of the top ten I enjoyed: 7
• Number of the top ten that make my top ten: 3
• Number of the top ten I have never heard of: 1
• Number of the top ten I own on DVD: 3

I have seen a few of these lists cropping up recently.  It seems like a strange time to compile the list, why not wait for 2020 or 2025?  I have no idea, but as the saying goes, if you can’t beat them join them join them.  Here is my top ten of the 21st Century so far*:

1. Oldboy (2003)
2. Mulholland Dr. (2001)
3. City of God (2002)
4. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
5. No Country for Old Men (2007)
6. The Dark Knight (2008)
7. Lost In Translation (2003)
8. Boyhood (2014)
9. Memento (2000)
10. Serenity (2005)

* criteria for choice: I decided to do no research, I didn't look back at what I had said in the past about a film, these are the films that immediately come to mind.   I set myself the limitation that if I didn't buy the DVD it didn't deserve a place on the list.  I didn't limit my choices to films I had seen at the cinema, but incidentally, all the films I chose, I did see for the first time at the cinema.