Christopher’s Top Picks of the Decade (1/1/2000-1/1/2010)

It took all month but here are

Christopher’s Top 20 Picks (with 3 “Ties and an Honorable Mention) of the Decade

(1/1/2000-1/1/2010)

1. Lord Of The Rings (1 movie in 3 parts)
2. The Passion of the Christ
3. Unbreakable
4. tie – DISTRICT 9 Pride and Prejudice 
5. The Exorcism of Emily Rose  
6.  Signs
7. To End All Wars
8. The Village
9. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe 
10. Lars and the Real Girl 
11. Luther 
12. M. Night Shyamalan’s Lady in the Water
13. Napoleon Dynamite
14. In The Bedroom
    Note: “The Bedroom” in the title refers to a compartment of a Lobster Trap
15. Man On Fire
16. I Am Legend
17. The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
18. Phone Booth
19. tie Nanny McPhee Up
20. tie Danielson a Family Movie (or, Make A Joyful Noise HERE) Food Inc

Honorable Mention

Bella

Fireproof

This film was not the best done, or the most moving. Several films not on this list were better films. (The Spider Man films, Inglorious B——-s, Juno, Iron Man and even  Twilight, were all better films.) Still, a church got together and made a good film with a great message, and I think that should be applauded.

Lars and the Real Girl

 

What Is It?

This is a super quirky movie about a near agoraphobic young man, Lars (Ryan Gosling) who lives in the converted garage of his family’s house. He does some nameless office job, in a cubical, and is still dealing with the death of his parents. Not able to talk to people, he takes a step toward relationships. He buys a life sized female doll on the Internet. They make it very clear that his intentions and actions are never inappropriate. He thinks that Bianca (the doll) is real and is attempting to have a meaningful relationship. At the Doctor’s suggestion, Lars’ brother and sister-in-law talk to neighbors, friends, and the church that Lars attends. They ask each of these groups to “go along with it.”

How Was It?

You do not get much more original (weird) than this. At the same time, it has a classic feel that makes you just accept the weird plot point in a way that is magical. The acting is fresh and real, but the story is fun and odd, making this one of the best times you can have at the movies.

Is It Good For Kids?

Most kids, I do not believe, would be interested in a sentimental character based indie film. If they are, you will want to proceed with caution. The doll is from an inappropriate web page that Lars’ co-worker tells him about in suggestive detail. It is made clear that Lars is not interested in anything like that, but it is still talked about and is the punch line of a few jokes. There are also very tense family situations revolving around the death of parents.

The good part is that there are only 5 real cuss words. The sad part is that they are all misuses of God’s name. Most the time it is uttered by people outside of the church, but the last one is one of the girls who is a member of the choir.

Check out Screenit.com for a complete breakdown of what is on the screen.

How about Spiritual Issues?

This is a very exciting part of the film. The church slowly becomes the central point in town. Lars is the only member of his family who goes. As things progress, he draws more and more people there. There is a wonderful scene where the situation is being explained to the leading families of the church. Some don’t like it. It finally comes down to loving Lars like Jesus would.

Beyond that, though it is beautifully subtle, every major point and philosophy that guides the story comes from and finds it’s culmination in the church and the Scriptures.

What Is Your Recommendation?

This is beautiful and uplifting art. The only thing holding me back from begging you to go see it is the church girl taking the Lord’s name in vain. Still with the prominence of the church, the message that seems to rise from the film, is that living out the words of the Bible, even in the strangest situations, brings love and community. All this packed into a movie with the wit and reality of “Juno” and the odd magic and charm of “Babe, the Gallant Pig”, makes “Lars and the Real Girl” simply amazing.

ChristopherOuellette.com
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