Bob Clark’s Top Ten Films of the Decade
January 8, 2010 by wondersinthedark
Bob Clark, who writes for The Aspect Ratio, is also part of the Wonders in the Dark staff, and he’s also a high-profile commentator at the site. He recently published his Top 100 of the Decade at TAR in three installments, culminating with his Top 10 countdown. From top left, are caps from his ten choices: Mary Harron’s American Psycho, George Lucas’ Revenge of the Sith, Ari Folman’s Waltz With Bashir, Steven Soderbergh’s Che, Martin Campbell’s Casino Royale, Satoshi Kon’s Paprika, Mike Nichols’ Angels in America, David Lynch’s Inland Empire, Richard Linklater’s Waking Life and Sergei Bodrov’s Mongol. The link to this Top Ten includes substantial commentary and can be accessed here:
To access Clark’s remaining 90 choices, one is asked to click on these links:
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Wonders in the Dark is a blog dedicated to the arts, especially film, theatre and music. An open forum is highly encouraged, as the site proctors are usually ready and able to engage with ongoing conversation.
Bob’s list is true ecclecticism in its most glorious constriction. His top choice, AMERICAN PSYCHO, is a film that many have issed effusive praise for, while a few others have deemed repugnant. With choices like WALTZ, CASINO ROYALE, CHE, ANGELS IN AMERICA, Lynch’s INLAND EMPIRE and Kon’s PAPRIKA, Mr. Clark has thumbed his nose at convention (a good thing) and has given a new meaning to diversity and personal taste. His choices are never less than thought-provoking and his capsule commentaries are typically erudite and polished.
A very interesting list, Bob. I posted my full comments at theaspectratio. ‘Personal taste’ is what it’s all about Sam and long may people have the courage to forge their own paths and be strong in their convictions.
Revenge of the Sith? Yes!
Interesting. Though we agreed on the demerits of some of the films on other lists, I don’t really don’t see eye to eye with you on these picks, at least the half I’ve seen (I haven’t seen Waltz, Che, Paprika, Angels, or Mongol). I love Lynch, but even I found Inland Empire baffling…still that’s probably my favorite among your choices. (Also I remember you slagging the film – surprised but kind of happy to see it in your top ten, however ambivalent your description!)
As for the others: Waking Life was imaginative and though I don’t think it would make my top ten it’s certainly a film I liked and respected. Casino Royale thoroughly entertained me on first view, not quite as much on second, but not top 10 material in my opinion. Revenge, while better than the other prequels, doesn’t touch the original trilogy in my memory, and American Psycho I strongly disliked, and I strongly dislike few films. So smug and vapid. But I look forward to reading your descriptions. Vive le difference!
Talk about ‘night and day.’ Sam and Bob are coming from opposite directions in assessing what are the best films of the decade. But it’s a further example of how people can put labels of quality on works that for others are anything but memorable. I like ‘American Psycho,’ but I wouldn’t think to put it at the top of any kind of list, much less a full decade. But I like your audacity, as it makes nothing any kind of a given, not that Sam played it safe either. The choice of the film by George Lucas won’t please many people, and ‘Che’ is one I can’t seem to get a grip on. My favorite of your top choices is Lynch’s ‘Inland Empire,’ one of the most disturbing films I’ve ever seen. I don’t see much overlap on Sam and Bob’s lists. ‘Children of Men’ was one.
Don’t care much for American Psycho, but I am a big fan of Waking Life and Mongol.
I’m surprised to see Angels in America on this list.
“Angels in America” is a powerful film, and I must say I am delighted to see it on this list. I don’t care much for ‘Sith’ and i am shocked to see ‘Casino Royale.’ But yeah, it’s taste, and it would be boring to see the same choices over and over again. Here people’s loves and hates are spurred.
It does take some chutzpah to declare that Christian Bale movie as the best of a ten-year period. But as I recall there were others who sang its praises too. Its a trenchant social commentary and psychological portrait with just enough self-parody. I never cared much for the recent Lucas science-fiction films, which don’t approach the originals. As to the others, I have seen most of them, but I admore “Waking Life.”
Looking at the extended list was a lot of fun. I like a number of those.
The inclusion of Mongol is cool, and that film may make my own list. Casino Royale is a great success at what it meant to do, and a good film besides, but I can’t see it on a decade list. As for Revenge of the Sith, Clark’s projection upon it of his own concerns is all too obvious. Episode Three is a nearly-complete debacle (I set aside the “Darth Plagus the Wise” scene between Palpatine and Annakin) that makes Return of the Jedi, my previous least-favorite Star Wars film, look like — well, like Star Wars. But allow me to throw my own credibility into question by confessing that I’ve seen NONE of the other seven films, though I intend to catch up with the Soderbergh soon.
A brief reply– If I’m projecting my concerns onto “Sith”, a lot of others were, especially when it was out (Hell, it was used as fodder in a MoveOn.Org ad). I’ll admit though, that being a New Yorker is influential– it’s kind of hard to loot at burning towers and hear lines like “you can see the smoke from here” and not think of the obvious…
“Casino Royale”– If I wind up having any second thoughts at all about my list, it may be about this. I feel incredibly strongly about it whenever I watch it, but do I feel a little self-conscious about my enthusiasm later on? Perhaps. But if I’m honest with myself, I can’t think of any reason not to put it on a list like this for any reason that has to do with the film itself. Sure, I can think of other films I like just as much that more people would find deserving, but where would be the fun in that?
And as for “Mongol”– well, we agree on that much, and it’s a film little-seen, and worth agreeing upon.
I can’t really understand having something like Casino Royale here, Mr. Clark, with all due respect. I understand it’s a gleeful entertainment, but is theer really lasting vvalue here, even from a stylistic standpoint. I would want such a list to be formed with films that stand as art or as outstanding examples of craftsmanship. Casino Royale is neither. Still, it’s your call, and everyone is entitled to their own aesthetic. Some of your other choices – including some that I see are also on Sam’s list – The Lives of Others, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Wall-e, Children of Me, these can’t be argued. And apart from the James Bond and your No. 1 choice have no problem with your other top ten choices.
Your write-ups at The Aspect Ratio are exceptional.
Oh, Bos sure is a real trail-blazer. His personal tastes rulr the roost here and, although I wouldn’t put one film from his top ten on my own count-down, I will say that his compiled essays are entertaining to be sure. My late night pal has done exceptional work here voicing his opinions and revealing his passions. Bravo! Bob-O!!!!!!!