By Andrew Perez
10. Wall-E
In an age where global warming and pollution seem to be at their polemical high, Wall-E explains that there are some ideals that will last forever, even if the world may not. Thrust in a world that has been destroyed and is left with nothing but trash, Wall-E is able to find love with the most peculiar of species against the perils of sadistic, lazy world. Through Chaplin-like humor and a daring script, Wall-E catapulted the film to heights never before seen in animation. Well, you might say, many Pixar movies have already done this. Au contraire. Although many of the the studio’s other films have been excellent, none have been so poignant and relevant as the one that is the love story which a social conscious and equally matches the spirit of the times so vicariously.
9.Traffic
In the 2000s Steve Soderbergh officially stepped out of the art-house and into major motion pictures. Fortunately, what could’ve turned to a watered-down product instead became the basis of his ability to create large yet aesthetically pleasing powerhouse films. Soderbergh, who has been hailed as “the poster boy of the Sundance generation”, released this telling story of the drug trafficking between the Mexican-American border(seems pretty popular, See #5) that not only earned him numerous Oscars, it cemented his place as one of the preeminent directors of the era. With top-notch cinematography that documented the lives of dealers, users, and the politicians who desperately try to halt both of them, Traffic never falls into the easy traps of being too preachy and outlandish. Instead the film offers excellent performances across the spectrum including Benicio Del Toro, who won his first Oscar, as well as strong cast from the likes of Michael Douglas and Selma Hyak. It all adds up to a realistic picture of the complex, ruthless scene of drug trafficking that is as impactful today as it was at the start of the decade. Read the rest of this entry »
