Best of the Decade: Documentaries & Animation
All right, finally on to the next countdown of the decade. For this entry, I'll be counting down my picks for the best documentaries and animated features of the decade.
This has been a highly politically-charged decade and documentaries reflected the polarizing issues of the time. The genre also took a more populist turn this decade, which worked in favor of the issue-heavy films. In fact, at first glance it was rather difficult to think of films that didn't have anything to do with foreign politics or social issues. But upon further research, it was clear there were just as many Grizzly Mans as there were Inconvenient Truths. Here are the ones that are guaranteed to entertain and engage your minds:
10. DiG!
9. Control Room
8. Winged Migration
7. Spellbound
6. An Inconvenient Truth
5. Who Killed the Electric Car?
4. Fahrenheit 9/11
3. Murderball
2. Bowling for Columbine
1. Fog of War
Honorable mentions: Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, The Corporation, and Super Size Me
Even if you know nothing about any of these, I encourage you to check them out and add them to your Netflix queue - you won't be disappointed!
Now on to the Animated features. I know that some bristle at the idea of segregating them as a separate category. While I don't disagree that animation can masterfully tell stories of whimsy as well as heartache or horror, I just felt I had to honor them alone to give a better opportunity for some to be represented.
Now, I think it goes without saying that Pixar pretty much ruled the decade in the field of animation. No, I'm not being paid by them in any way. But if you look in terms of prioritizing character and story first then technical achievment second, Pixar always comes out on top in every way. However, there are a few non-Pixar animated movies that came out this decade that made quite a mark.
Briefly, I would note that when considering this category, I thought of the movies that had memorable characters, a story that makes you care, and that tried doing something different either on a technical or thematic level. For every Monsters Inc. there's a hundred Happily N'Ever Afters. Here we go:
10. Shrek
9. The Triplets of Belleville
8. Finding Nemo
7. The Incredibles
6. Bolt
5. Spirited Away
4. Ratatouille
3. Persepolis
2. Up
1. Wall-E
Honorable mention: Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
I'm sure you've probably seen most of these. But be sure to check out the one or two that have escaped your attention. They are all thoroughly enjoyable.
Right. Well, if there's a film you think I neglected to consider, please write in on the comments below. Remember, the order of these lists are somewhat rough so don't be offended if you thought The Incredibles was a slightly better film than Bolt or something. That being said, I welcome your feedback.
Next time I will be counting down the best in comic book and sci-fi movies. Enjoy!
This has been a highly politically-charged decade and documentaries reflected the polarizing issues of the time. The genre also took a more populist turn this decade, which worked in favor of the issue-heavy films. In fact, at first glance it was rather difficult to think of films that didn't have anything to do with foreign politics or social issues. But upon further research, it was clear there were just as many Grizzly Mans as there were Inconvenient Truths. Here are the ones that are guaranteed to entertain and engage your minds:
10. DiG!
9. Control Room
8. Winged Migration
7. Spellbound
6. An Inconvenient Truth
5. Who Killed the Electric Car?
4. Fahrenheit 9/11
3. Murderball
2. Bowling for Columbine
1. Fog of War
Honorable mentions: Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, The Corporation, and Super Size Me
Even if you know nothing about any of these, I encourage you to check them out and add them to your Netflix queue - you won't be disappointed!
Now on to the Animated features. I know that some bristle at the idea of segregating them as a separate category. While I don't disagree that animation can masterfully tell stories of whimsy as well as heartache or horror, I just felt I had to honor them alone to give a better opportunity for some to be represented.
Now, I think it goes without saying that Pixar pretty much ruled the decade in the field of animation. No, I'm not being paid by them in any way. But if you look in terms of prioritizing character and story first then technical achievment second, Pixar always comes out on top in every way. However, there are a few non-Pixar animated movies that came out this decade that made quite a mark.
Briefly, I would note that when considering this category, I thought of the movies that had memorable characters, a story that makes you care, and that tried doing something different either on a technical or thematic level. For every Monsters Inc. there's a hundred Happily N'Ever Afters. Here we go:
9. The Triplets of Belleville
8. Finding Nemo
7. The Incredibles
6. Bolt
5. Spirited Away
4. Ratatouille
3. Persepolis
2. Up
1. Wall-E
Honorable mention: Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
I'm sure you've probably seen most of these. But be sure to check out the one or two that have escaped your attention. They are all thoroughly enjoyable.
Right. Well, if there's a film you think I neglected to consider, please write in on the comments below. Remember, the order of these lists are somewhat rough so don't be offended if you thought The Incredibles was a slightly better film than Bolt or something. That being said, I welcome your feedback.
Next time I will be counting down the best in comic book and sci-fi movies. Enjoy!