Zodiac; the best film of the past 10 years? If not, what is?

IvaBigWun

Im about to watch it for around the 10th time which is some going considering its only out for 6 years or so.

Its cinematography, its mood, its attention to detail in the different eras, its tension.

Oh boy, the tension.

Its as close to a non horror Horror film you'll get with, most of the time, the viewer's imagination running riot, eg: when we think

the Zodiac throws a baby out a pickup truck's window

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEvnwKFUnI0

It has a solid 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and is by far Fincher's most under-rated work in a career where all his movies - bar The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - have been glorious home runs.

So is it the best film of the past 10 years? For me, yes. With Gone Baby Gone and Fincher's other recent The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo taking the silver and bronze.

What do you think is the best film of the past 10 years?

Poll to follow

Technocentral

Downfall or The Lives of Others would get my vote instead.

Evelyn Cusack

End of Watch.

Had its flaws but it entertained the hell out of me and I really cared about the characters and their friendship

IvaBigWun

Poll added

IvaBigWun

PS; when you vote post a few thoughts on your choice

Gamb!t

Bourne Trilogy
Music plot and action fantastic.

There will be blood seriously ?
Id have to put that as the worst film Ive seen in 10 years from that list.

IvaBigWun

Gamb!t wrote: »

There will be blood seriously ?
Id have to put that as the worst film Ive seen in 10 years from that list.

So far its running second so I think plenty of people will disagree.

There's lots of variety for all tastes on the poll

nyarlothothep

I voted for No Country, I felt it to be slightly better than There Will Be Blood which in my opinion is a fantastic film in its own right. I dont generally like Coen bros films, I really didn't get the hype around The Big Lebowski, the humour is strained, ie German stereotypes which were cliche, it's an ok film, well written and filmed, a lot of craftsmanship but that's about it and that's the feeling I get with most of their own films. It's hard to discern a great film from a great actor however, which is the problem with No Country, I still dont know whether I was awed by Bardem's performance or the actual film itself and I was initially wtf?! with the ending but in retrospect the ending perfectly suited the film. It's a film that makes no compromises and doesnt negotiate or bargain with the audience, kind of like its main villain Anton Chigurh, and that's why I like it. It's heavy going and loaded with philosophical themes and has one of the best scenes ever in a film, the coin toss scene. So for that reason No Country gets my vote. Where's Let the Right One In though? Or Moneyball? Or any number of James Franco, Danny Mc Bride and Jonah Hill comedies?

Gmol

I would pick beautiful(think spelled different) with Javier Bardem, a classic little film and well worth a watch. He was excellent in it.

Daz24

I have to agree with OP on this, The Zodiac is one of my favourite films ever, and as I am typing this I have put the DVD on again just after watching The Great Gatsby with the OH as it's been awhile since I've watched it. I always thought I was the only one who thought it was a great film. It's a film which is beautifully shot, great performances from the actors, it's very suspenseful and the amazing part is, it's all based on a true story. As I'm about to post this the OH has just said not this again, ah well I truly enjoy this film and recommend any one who hasn't watch this to pick it up and watch.

The Glass Key

I think I've watched Zodiac at least 4 times its a cracking good film but sticking with the voting list I had to vote for Downfall. To me its was the a film that could have been a bad cliche but instead it worked very well.

IvaBigWun

nyarlothothep wrote: »

Where's Let the Right One In though? Or Moneyball? Or any number of James Franco, Danny Mc Bride and Jonah Hill comedies?

With the horror genre I plumped for Rec as it had me absolutely gripped. The original Saw came close to making the cut too.

Moneyball wouldnt be in my top 100 of the last 10 years, a very over-rated film but thats just my opinion.

Comedy wise I chose mainstream classics; Borat,The Hangover and probably the most quoted film of the last 10 years (and some would say the most over praised) - Anchorman.

Thanks for your feedback

WatchWolf

Gamb!t wrote: »

There will be blood seriously ?
Id have to put that as the worst film Ive seen in 10 years from that list.

There Will Be Blood is widely considered to be a masterpiece

What didn't you like about it?

wet_dog

Zodiac by far.

A top five off the top of my head might be:

Zodiac
Hot Fuzz
I Don't Want to Sleep Alone
You, the Living
House of Tolerance

Dave147

Best movie of the last ten years isn't on that list, The Secret in Their Eyes. For anyone who hasn't watched it yet then you really need to see it, what a bloody film!

toodleytoo

For pure enjoyment I have to say Django Unchained would be up there for me.

Atonement is one that was absolutely fantastically shot. I wouldn't say best in the last ten years by any means but it stands out imo.

delbertgrady

Zodiac is certainly the one that always springs to mind for me when assessing the high water marks of the last decade. It's truly exceptional film-making. Some time ago there was a thread here to discuss films that could be perceived as "modern classics", and I think I suggested Zodiac, Up, Let the Right One In and possibly The Secret In Their Eyes, but I was thinking solely of feature films. Of the poll currently listed here, the only film that would come close to rivalling Zodiac for me as a choice of Desert Island DVD from the last ten years is Man On Wire.

Pat Mustard

I have to say that The Dark Knight is one of the most entertaining films that I've ever seen.

The IMAX opening scene just drew me right into the action immediately.

The cast, the acting, the director, all top notch.

Heath Ledger was absolutely compelling. I enjoyed the darker interpretation of the Joker. Bale was excellent, of course.

Even the music was great. Good old Hans Zimmer.

FlashD

Zodiac, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, No Country For Old Men & The Dark Knight all stand tall for me, I would happily watch these multiple times.

.....but 'There Will Be Blood' is king.

A masterclass in acting from DayLewis, music from Johnny Greenwood set a hugely unsettling tone, can't see PT Anderson ever topping this achievement.

Devil08

the place beyond the pines

Fantastic movie

Goldstein

These things are so arbitrary that even while keeping things relatively mainstream and confining choices purely to direct replacements/similarly themed/equally high quality films to the ones you suggested you could still compose a totally different list. Neither one is right or wrong and if you took the confines off the choices others could make several more unique lists of contenders that might have a claim the that title too.

Zodiac The Prestige
Gone Baby Gone 25th Hour
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Let the Right One In
There Will Be Blood Oldboy
Mystic River Drive
The Departed Layer Cake
The Dark Knight Children of Men
No Country For Old Men I Saw the Devil
Casino Royale Skyfall
Pan's Labyrinth The Fall
House of Flying Daggers Hero
Toy Story 3 Wall-e
Transformers District 9
Man On Wire Senna
The Hangover Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Anchorman The 40 Year Old Virgin
Kill Bill Volume 1 & 2 The Raid
The Lives Of Others Un Prophète
Borat Clerks 2
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind The Fountain
The Bourne Trilogy Elite Squad
Rec Trollhunter

mikom

What do you think is the best film of the past 10 years?

Other (please spicify)

Spiceworld, the movie.

JaMarcus Hustle

I would find it very hard to look past The Prestige tbh. Have watched it countless times, just a marvellous film. Great story, great script and some fantastic actors on top form. It also looks brilliant.

ButtersSuki

Irreversible and Inside Job were both better for me.

Den_M

This was by far my favourite of the last decade, not saying it's the best, per say. But it's a pleasure to watch and I doubt I'll get tired of seeing it.

Kikin

Why is rec in your poll, it's alright but best film of the last decade

I voted dark knight but for me it would have to be David Lynch’s "inland empire", released in 2006. Absolute cinematic perfection. The plot is very confusing and difficult to follow and often dismissed as pretentious crap,but when you start to dig beneath the surface you can see how many levels the genius mind of DL is working on.

expectationlost

I'lls say Zodiac to sound smart

Bacchus

So many to choose from, I could pick one and another will pop into my head later. A couple that spring to mind as contenders....

Inception - mind bending plot, great visuals, great music (in before the horn became so popular), great cast.
The Departed - Amazing cast, great cop/gangster thriller.
Children of Men - Only got to see this recently, had me on the edge for most the movie. Great concept brilliantly executed.
Slumdog Millionaire - Just a wonderful rags to riches story told in a rather unique way.
Moon - Actually, this might be my frontrunner. Beautiful film in every way. Again, the soundtrack plays a large part in it for me. Sets the tone perfectly. Thinking of other "space movies", Sunshine and Gravity would be another two high on my list... Pity Armageddon was in '98, it would blow them all out of the water "Man, what are you doing with a gun in space?" Quality!

e_e

Had to vote for There Will Be Blood, but overall I don't think the list all that good a representation of the decade. Some great films to be sure but some that are just mediocre. Wouldn't even put The Hangover in my top 200, let alone top 20.

Soft Falling Rain

Of that list I'd go with Mystic River. Gripping story and stellar performances all round, especially from Robbins as the stunted adult due to childhood trauma.

AnonoBoy

WatchWolf wrote: »

There Will Be Blood is widely considered to be a masterpiece

What didn't you like about it?

I thought while it started well it descended into overblown self-parody by the end.

"I drink your milkshake" - I was laughing at how silly the whole enterprise was by the time that Dr. Suessesque scene happened.

Anderson has made far far better films that There Will Be Blood.