75. Swimming Pool (2003)

The next time you consider getting some weak Hollywood murder mystery at your local video store, put it down and rent this. An exhilarating thriller that slowly builds up to two unexpected twists while showcasing top-notch performances by Charlotte Rampling (playing a reticent writer) and Ludivine Sagnier (as the sexpot whom Rampling has a love-hate relationship). The build-up of the final act is pure Hitchcock. Even after the film ended, I found myself pondering it and being continually surprised.

74. Marie Antoinette (2006)

Sofia Coppola divided critics and audiences with her surrealistic tale of the 18th Century French Queen. She added a new wave soundtrack and took risks with the casting but I was deeply intrigued right from the opening scene. This film could have been a stuffy period piece, but instead Sofia Coppola breathed life into it and gave the period piece a new spin. While greatly underappreciated by most, this film will continue to find its audience in coming years and in the not too distant future will be studied in film schools for its inventiveness.

73. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

When I went to see this film, my wife turned to me and said "It's a road trip movie, it has to be good!" She was dead on. You laugh, cry and feel deeply for each of these characters. Their lives may be turned upside down, but they bond together and find a way through with each other, with some hilarious high jinks along the way.

72. Into the Wild (2007)

When I saw Sean Penn would be directing this film about a loner and Eddie Vedder was doing the music, I thought this would be highly pretentious, but it's not. The brushstrokes Penn utilizes while painting this film are stunning and the images of the film, along with the powerful soundtrack, perfectly fit the source material.

71. The Man From Elysian Fields (2002)

This is simply one of the decade's most underrated films. It's a straightforward story of a struggling writer played by Andy Garcia who will do anything to support his family…even if it means becoming a male escort. Mick Jagger, whose performance should have been nominated for an Oscar, runs the head of the agency Garcia works for. What ensues over the next two hours in an enjoyable film, but what takes it to another level is the presence of Jagger. He is natural in his acting skills. Even though his screen time is limited, it is the most effortless acting of the decade with great essence and presence, which can be felt throughout the entire film, even when he is not on screen.

70. & 69. United 93 / World Trade Center (2006)

Two distinctly different films about the same day with Paul Greengrass taking the lead with the docudrama style in ‘United 93'. One is a shot like a docudrama and the other is a drama shot in a straightforward storytelling manner. Both are deeply profound and while some audiences are not ready for them today, they are important documents for future generations.

68. V For Vendetta (2006)

This film still resonates deeply within me. The futuristic action film is full of ideas of how to tear down a fascist British government. The answer is given to the people by a freedom fighter named "V". I see plenty of action films and always find them enjoyable but this film is so much more. There is a profound sense of hope and determination from these characters. In the end, it is a story of the triumph of the human spirit while helping the Wachowski Brothers (who were producers and writers) gain ground after the dismal "Matrix" sequels.

67. Michael Clayton (2007)

Corporate greed, murder and the dilemma of being in the middle of it all proves to be a moral tale that isn't flashy but haunts you for weeks after seeing it. The metaphorical imagery is awe-inspiring and a slew of tour de force performances.

66. Children of Men (2006)

A bleak, menacing look into the not too distant future in a world where women are barren and no one has given birth to a baby in eighteen-years. This dark noir stayed with me for weeks. The haunting and disturbing imagery made me think twice about how much we take for granted on this Earth. Could one imagine a world without children or no future? Director Alfonso Cuaron has made a film I believe will be viewed as the ‘Blade Runner' of the 21st Century.

65. Crash (2004)

The issues of race in America are at the forefront of this brutally honest film. The multi-arc story is a vital and important one and is why it upset ‘Brokeback Mountain' for film of the year. This is one of the most engaging and thought provoking stories seen in recent years.

64. Brokeback Mountain (2004)

I enjoyed the film however it's one of unfulfilled hopes and dreams which makes it heartrending to watch. Ang Lee may be the best and most versatile director working today with credits such as ‘The Hulk', ‘The Ice Storm', ‘Sense & Sensibility' and ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. At its core, ‘Brokeback Mountain' is a compelling love story of two men who couldn't come to terms with their feelings deep from within.

63. Sideways (2004)

Is this film overrated? No way, from the moment it ended right up until this very moment, these characters and their journey have stayed with me. Director/ writer Alexander Payne does not write in a black and white world, but one where real people deal with genuine issues. The metaphor of a great wine and how it affects your life is driven home beautifully in the film with breakout performances from Virginia Madsen and the always underrated Paul Giamatti. Madsen's haunting eyes say so much in this performance that it will linger with you for weeks afterward.

62. About A Boy (2002)

A film defined as a romantic comedy but is more or less a movie about maturity and the insight that comes from it. I loved this film to pieces (based on Nick Hornby's book) about a bachelor for life who lives off of his inheritance and the relationship he forges with a 12-year-old boy. No, this is not a story based on Michael Jackson's life, but a cavernous relationship built out of admiration where Will (Hugh Grant) teaches as much as he learns from Marcus ( Nicholas Hoult). The film does not have a cookie cutter ending, but this only adds to the films charm.

61. Spirited Away (by Hayao Miyazaki) (2002)

An involving an inexplicable tale of a young girl who finds adventure and maturity with animated images are so authentic that when I saw it in a theater the younger children were timorous like the Hobbits upon first view of the Ents. This is a film for children 7 and up. The real motive behind the Japanese master of cinema, Hayao Miyazaki, making animated films is because his imagination is so immeasurable and spacious; he could not conceive live actions films that could physically be filmed with the technology available today. This is the man that all Disney animators point to as their muse. This film is the all time box office champion in Japan (yes, it sold more tickets and made more money than ‘Star Wars',' Harry Potter' or ‘Titanic' ); one of the decade's most original and inventive stories.

60. City of God (2003)

Take ‘The Godfather', ‘Goodfellas' and ‘Mean Streets' and you have possibly the three greatest gangster films ever made. Take the best elements of these three films, change the setting to the slums of Rio de Janeiro and you have one of the most exhilarating and awe-inspiring film experiences in recent memory. There is no authority on these streets as gangs and drug dealers control the society. The film is narrated by "Rocket" who tell the story which covers three decades of turbulence, struggle and gangland wars which are terrifying for no other reason than because they are never ending the decadence begins at a young age where children are murdering others in the streets. There is nothing Hollywood about this brutally truthful and inspired piece of work. It's as real and truthful as any film ever made.

59. Shrek (2001)

How often do you have a film that you can watch with your child and possibly enjoy more than they do? ‘Shrek' may be one of the most original characters ever to grace the screen. Everything about it is pitch-perfect. While its computer animation is wonderful, its brilliance lies in its script.

58. Vanilla Sky (2001)

While this film may not have the emotional impact of Cameron Crowe's other films, (‘Say Anything', ‘Almost Famous') it does pack a punch to the soul. The film deals with the emotional impacts of casual sex and the consequences of its actions. Is there such a thing as "Friends with privileges"? Or is there always one person faking it when the lights go out? This is the best film ever made about that particular subject. A film of consequences, regrets and the impact that certain people can have on our lives in such a short period of time.

57. In Bruges (2008)

I've now seen this film three times and it never ceases to make me laugh. A brilliant script delivered with subtle direction and spot on performances by Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. Twisted and bitter humor at its best as two mob employees try and make the best of their time in the wonderfully eclectic and untouched Bruges. Beneath all of the quick quips, jaunty smiles and top-tier acting is a story about redemption that makes this more than your typical crime caper.

56. The Princess & The Warrior (2000)

Coming from the team that brought us ‘Run Lola Run' is another thriller, of a different and longer kind. However, if ‘Lola' was quick in your face film of non-stop action that last 80 minutes with credits, this is the polar opposite. A film that runs close to 2.5 hours and is slow moving, but in the best way. Even though this film had some major plot holes, the imagery, imagination and most importantly, the characters rise above any problems I had with the story arc. You will be whisked away to a dreamy world, in which true love, however bizarre, is possible.

55. Minority Report (2002)

The futuristic noir-thriller view was half ‘Blade Runner' and half ‘Metropolis' . It has all the goods of all of the other action films from the last twenty five years, but this film above all else has a human element. This film is visually striking and the type of film that Hitchcock would have made if he were alive today. Spielberg proves that Hollywood can make truly entertaining action films based around complex and original ideas. Steven Spielberg has always been a great filmmaker and somehow very few other directors working today can make truly engaging pieces of art and be so ingenious and innovative in the process. Despite his incredible success he continually pushes the envelope and dares the mass audience to come along for the ride.

54. Iron Man (2008)

This is one of those rare films where everything is perfect from the casting, directing, script and the subtle yet honest directing of Jon Favreau. It's amazing how well comic films can come out if they stay true to the source material. Robert Downy Jr's performance is fearless and shows what can happen when you take a chance. More importantly, one aspect that always makes a great film is character study and there's no shortage of interesting characters in comics, it's whether or not they choose to look beneath the surface to see what makes them tick or whether they create a film with as many explosions as possible. Fortunately for ‘Iron Man', they have both.

53. Punch Drunk Love (2002)

There is nothing more depressing than a bewildered and secluded soul who walks through life by themselves without any cohort to disclose life's experiences with. Those who went into this film expecting to see an Adam Sandler film walked out disappointed. On the flipside...those who went in expecting to see a Paul Thomas Anderson film walked away on cloud nine. Sandler gives a bravura performance as a semi-lovable loser who finally discovers love with Emily Watson. This is not that different from his other performances. The difference this time is that he is not in the middle of some plot that involves him getting rich quick or inheriting a kid. There are side plots in this film involving extortion and a loop hole that involves Sandler's character (Barry Egan) to get over one million frequent flyer miles from purchasing pudding (yes, you read that correctly). I loved this idiosyncratic film because it so reminded me of how the outside world can be so callous, malicious and sadistic to insecure people. You then lose sight of your dreams, goals and ambitions because you feel no love or hope. Many found the actions of the characters in the film comical, when they should have been dismayed. I hope people are willing to give this movie another chance, as it is a film about finding a muse who can make you feel invincible.

52. High Fidelity (2000)

Rob Gordon, played with doe eyed sincerity by John Cusack, is the type of guy you would love to hang with but most likely not be in a long term relationship with. Based on Nick Hornby's book about an obsessive record store owner and how the music defines his relationships, for better or worse. The characters in the film are lively and animated and yet brutally truthful. Cusack nails this role to the extent that no one believes he was acting in it, but it's the films quieter moments where he ponders on past relationships that Cusack shows his worth as an actor. There is great helplessness in his eyes and his performance, making it unforgettable.

51. Superbad/Knocked Up (2007)

The two funniest films of 2007 and because it is my list and my rules, I am sharing the spot for them. Judd Apatow was behind both films and both brought tears to my eyes. All around hysterical laughter but heart as well. I have a feeling ‘Superbad ‘will be a classic and resonate longer, but if you need the release of laughter, look no further than these two.