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And here it is.  After a long but great decade full of tragedy and triumph in the world, pop culture and film seemed to carry us through the good times and the bad.  One of the most enjoyable aspects to writing about movies is the debates that they spark.  There is no right or wrong, but creating lists always forces some fun banter, and this is no exception.  With that, here is my top 5-1 movies of the past decade.

5. Crash (2004)

Crash is the equivalent to the little engine that could.  This independent movie with a star studded cast took the country by strong in a down year for Hollywood and brought us a fresh and original movie that made everyone think.  With multiple story lines running parallel and intersecting with one another, this strong movie crossed many lines and wasn’t afraid to be out there.  A movie that dealt with those from different walks of life.  The thieves trying to survive, the immigrants, racists, wealthy, and others as their lives intertwined with one another.  This powerful movie was one for the ages, and certainly a highlight of the decade.

4. Almost Famous (2000)

This wonderful coming of age tale loosely based off director Cameron Crowe’s teenage years tells the story of William, a young wannabe journalist who gets caught up in the behind the scenes tour of an up and coming rock band in the 1970′s as he sets to write an article about them for the Rolling Stone.  Caught in the middle of following his favorite rock band and the wildness that happens behind closed tours takes him into this world he could only imagine, a world that is imaginative to those involved, and one he is undecided on whether he wants to be part of or not.  Kate Hudson shines in her breakout role playing a groupie to the band.  This fun and moving coming of age movie shows Williams as he deals with love, life, and the unknown of reality.

3. City of God (2002)

Arguably one of the greatest foreign films of all time, this gem focuses on 1960′s Brazil in the slums of the City of God.  A young boy has dreams of becoming a photographer and narrates the story of the rise of violence and gang life in the slums.  He exposes his horrors of the harsh reality the people are living in through his pictures and the portrayal of complicated life through his perspective.  This is one of those movies where you watch and you are shocked by what you have seen, shocked in a good way, shocked cause of the horror that existed.  His narrative perspective through his art is one that should not be missed by anyone.

2. The Departed (2006)

And the winner is….Martin Scorsese!  After getting robbed in Oscars past for Best Director, Scorsese finally grabbed the honors after this excellent movie involving the Irish-America organized crime scene in Boston.  Two men with different lives, one good going undercover to act as part of the mob, one being scouted by the head boss and going undercover for the cops.  Their lives intertwine in this cat and mouse game trying to outshine the other to gain information for their respective parties.  The two are in danger as their covers are in jeopardy, but are they willing to rat out their friends or go along just a little bit further?  The cast shines as well with DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson, Wahlberg, Baldwin, Sheen and others.  An incredible movie with A+ acting and a script that is top notch.  This movie has everything you want to make it a lasting crime movie for the ages.

1. Gladiator (2000)

“Are you not entertained?”  Well I hope you have been for this entire list.  Maximus (Crowe) is arguably one of the best protagonist in a movie of all time.  The ultimate “guys” movie, he portrays the general who is enslaved, and then tries to take down the corrupt empire.  Russell Crowe was a solid actor and name before this, but playing Maximus and winning Best Actor for this role made him a Hollywood A-list star that allowed him to pick and choose his next roles for years to come.  Joaquin Phoenix playing Commodus, the corrupt king may be the best supporting acting role I have ever seen alongside Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York.  There is that one scene when Commodus first realizes the Gladiator is Maximus and trembles like no other.  Of course like Lewis, he was robbed from the award, it was given to Benecio Del Toro for Traffic which did not deserve it at all.  This movie is a rarity.  Not only was it a critically acclaimed movie by all the critics and had incredible acting, story, and dialogue, but it was a summer blockbuster.  This movie was released in May of 2000, making it the first real summer blockbuster of that year.  How often do you see an Oscar worthy movie act also as a summer blockbuster?  Never.  This movie crossed all boundaries for the masses and critics alike and made for one incredible movie.  Not only is this the best movie of the decade, but could easily be put on any list of best movies of all time.