As a loose spinoff to the movies suddenly no one likes thread, I’m wondering about recent movies that we think are likely to last. Not necessarily the best movies, or your favorite ones, but ones that you suspect will still be discussed in 20 years. Discussed by the general public, by serious film buffs, or by academics. Preferably discussed in a positive way, not as an example of the terrible films of the 2000s
I’m going to say 2000-2009, because anything 2010 or later is likely too new for us to have a real perspective on. That said, the criteria aren’t hard and fast, so if you have a great contender from 1998 or 2011, throw it in.
These aren’t the best films, as you said, but films I think people will still be talking about in 20 years are (especially film scholars etc.):
The Lord of the Rings Films.
District 9
Inception
Momento
The Passion of the Christ.
The Dark Knight
United 93
I was looking at a partial list of films that came out over that time frame and that is what I came up with in no order (I probably shouldn’t have numbered them)
Eta: I think I included at least one from 2010…oops.
Lord of the Rings - Yes. The books have withstood the test of time and the movie trilogy is solid enough to do the same. In fifty years, the special effects will look cheesy but the central story will endure.
Spirited Away - Yes. Another timeless story.
Momento - Yes. Will age like a fine Hitchcock.
United 93 - No. A well-made film but too much of its time. It will eventually no longer resonate with an audience when 9/11 is seen as just another historical event.
Brokeback Mountain - No. Another movie of our era. Social attitudes will move on and this will some day seem as dated as Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? or Gentleman’s Agreement. Future audiences will not be able to understand what the problem was.
Some other movies I think will be remembered in fifty years:
The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain - Solid character driven movie
Sexy Beast - Also a solid character driven movie. Which shows two very different movies can have the same strengths. And while some things may change, human character is timeless. So these movies will still be relevant in fifty years.
Pirates of the Caribbean - A good adventure film. Will be remembered the way movies like The Adventures of Robin Hood or Raiders of the Lost Ark are.
I think Brokeback will serve as a reminder of how severe social attitudes were. So, yeah it will hopefully date itself, but still stand the test of time as a time capsule of sorts.
I think people will still be talking about The Avengers and its prequels, mostly due to the franchise that will exist by that time if they play their cards right.
ETA: Okay, fine. Iron Man. They’ll be talking about Iron Man, and the franchise that followed it, and nobody will like Edward Norton’s Hulk except me.
There’ve been some great movies since 2000. Some of my favorites - all of which have the potential to become classics, although who can tell? - include:
Limitless
Pride & Prejudice
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Iron Man
The Avengers
No Country for Old Men
The Incredibles
Up
Gladiator
Memento (note spelling)
Movies that were innovative in their narrative approach will be remembered, or at least acknowledged by future film scholars. In this group I would include Blair Witch Project (1999) and *Irreversible *(2002). As the average budget for a feature film continues to increase - to $100 or $150 million or whatever it might be - Blair Witch will also be remembered as a rare counterexample - a low budget movie ($60,000) that was able to break the system and make millions.
Also, don’t laugh, but I think certain Will Ferrell comedies like Talledega Nights, Casa de mi padre, and The Campaign will be remembered for their cogent sociological commentary.
It’s been a Golden Age for documentaries, including Fog of War, Capturing the Friedmans, Fahrenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, Dear Zachary, Grizzly Man and many, many others.
Of the above, Zachary and Grizzly will likely stand the test of time the most.
I can see Ferrell becoming a classic comedy icon, like Chaplin, Keaton, Tati, etc - like them, he’s got his own individual style that carries his films.
And put me down for The Dark Knight, No Country for Old Men, Children of Men, Gladiator, Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Allow me to add Spider-Man 2, The Prestige, Taken, Casino Royale, and Love Actually.
