1 russian ark (sokurov, 2002)

Now that this is done, 2009 is nearly done. As I've mentioned a few times, I don't put much stock in the order of this list, except in broad strokes, i.e. 1 is better than 20, 20 better than 40, and so on. I just love all these darned movies. Even - or should I say especially - the ones that were poorly received, or ignored, during their release.

There are a few exclusions that deserve mention:

The Wire [TV] - television work was deliberately excluded, although a few memorable and brilliant passages come to mind, in particular Joe Dante's "Homecoming" episode of the Masters of Horror anthology on Showtime, and two episodes from the fourth season of The Office: "Travelling Salesmen" and "The Return," which deserve mention as one unit since they aired consecutively and essentially comprise a two-parter, anyhow. (And, as a two-parter, is awesome in every conceivable way: direction, performances, character development, new spaces explored (Dwight at Staples), and emotional truth.) Above all else, however, is the 5-season, multilayered, always complex and riveting HBO series, The Wire. It would make the top ten, easily.

The Road (Hillcoat, 2009) - my encounter with John Hillcoat's brilliant arrival - if The Proposition was his calling card - occurred while this list was over half completed. It would be a strong contender for the top ten listees, but, alas, it's a little late to tear it down and rebuild it.

A Christmas Carol (Zemeckis, 2009) - same situation, although not with the same degree of force and enthusiasm as with The Road. If I rebuilt the list, it would go somewhere in the 40s or 50s. Wrote about it here.

2 pulse (k kurosawa, 2001)

3 esther kahn (desplechin, 2000)

4 dogville (trier, 2003)

5 werckmeister harmonies (tarr, 2000)

6 mulholland dr. (lynch, 2001)

january 1, 2010

List project gets underway. A rough timeline:

December 31, 2009: Introductory statement (with disclaimers)

January 1, 2010: 2009 titles

Throughout January: 2008 through 2000 titles printed / corrections made, more or less "on the run"

Throughout 2010: 1990s through 1900s titles printed / corrections... / marketing the great beast to film minds everywhere (tell your people!)

2011: Begin posting short-form essays on titles / corrections and additions continue in perpetuity

2012: World ends, so good luck

It all begins, in three days, on Unexamined Essentials!

7 code unknown (haneke, 2000)

8 eureka (aoyama, 2000)

9 father and son (sokurov, 2003)

10 the heart of the world (maddin, 2000)

11 primer (carruth, 2004)

12 inland empire (lynch, 2006)

13 bright future (k kurosawa, 2003)

14 hot fuzz (wright, 2007)

2010 just around the corner

January, 2010 will see the jump-off for my ambitious "list project," mentioned earlier this month and last. The lists are organic and open for additions, but it is not quite a free-for-all, community project. I'll act as gatekeeper, open to thoughtful suggestions. Titles from the 2000-2009 period will appear in January; the '90s in February, and so on. Watch this space for details!

That, my screenplay, and helping a friend produce his screenplay, will occupy my "project time" in 2010.

15 kill bill, vol. 2 (tarantino, 2004)

16 mouse heaven (anger, 2005)

17 speed racer (wachowski bros., 2008)

18 spirited away (miyazaki, 2001)