Top 5 of the Last 5 – Drama.

Part two of six. Again, below is a list of the top five movies from the past five years (in my opinion). Be sure to check back every Friday for the next four weeks to see my picks for the best of the best. This week: drama.
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There Will Be Blood. (2007)

Seriously, was there any doubt that Daniel Day-Lewis would win the Oscar for Best Performance in a Leading Role this year? I’ve heard people who felt like his performance as Daniel Plainview was too much like Bill “The Butcher” Cutting in Gangs of New York. I guess I can see that because they both had mustaches and were dicks, but thats where the similarities end. You need to see this movie if you haven’t yet.

Quote: “One night, I’m gonna come to you, inside of your house, wherever you’re sleeping, and I’m going to cut your throat.”

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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. (2007)

Best performance of Brad Pitt’s career so far? Me thinks so. His portrayal of a restless outlaw haunted by his past actions made the audiences uncomfortable at times, but also made you feel down right sorry and deep hearted compassion for the most famous outlaw of all time.

Quote: “I’ve been a nobody all my life. I was the baby; I was the one they made promises to that they never kept. And ever since I can recall it, Jesse James has been as big as a tree. I’m prepared for this, Jim. And I’m going to accomplish it. I know I won’t get but this one opportunity and you can bet your life I’m not going to spoil it.”
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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. (2004)

This movie was sort of like that episode of That 70’s Show (which was probably a rip off of something else), after Eric broke up with Donna and wished he had never been with her. Then he got to see what his life would have been like if that happened and realized it’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. I’m sure we’ve all experienced some sort of event in our lives that we would like to erase from our memory. I know I have. But Eternal Sunshine reminded us that memories (be it bad ones or good ones) helped to mold and make us who we are today.

Quote: “I could die right now, Clem. I’m just… happy. I’ve never felt that before. I’m just exactly where I want to be.”
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Brokeback Mountain. (2005)

Daniel Day-Lewis said it best, “In Brokeback Mountain he [Heath Ledger] was unique, he was perfect. Um-and that-that scene in the trailer at the end of the film is as moving as anything that I think I’ve ever seen.”

Quote: “Tell you what… truth is, sometimes I miss you so bad I can hardly stand it.”
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Crash. (2004)

We all get a little racist from time to time. Generally for me, it happens at the movie theaters when certain people of certain races (not going to say who) live into certain stereotypes. Crash personified how people of mixed races and cultures act towards one another when pushed to the limit and their lives intersect.

Quote: “I am angry all the time… and I don’t know why.”
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There were plenty of other movies I wanted to add to this list. Lost In Translation, 21 Grams, Mystic River, Big Fish, etc. But choices had to be made. If you disagree with any of my choices, leave a comment and then make your own blog. Check back next week for…COMEDY!!!

Tags: Brad Pitt, Daniel Day-Lewis, Heath Ledger, Oil, There Will Be Blood, Shooting, Top 5, The Assassination of Jess James, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Brokeback Mountain, Crash, Daniel Plainview, Casey Affleck, Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Matt Dillon, Ryan Phillipe, Terrance Howard, Ludacris, Assassination, Outlaw, Jesse James, Memory, Love, Memory Loss, Gay, Ang Lee, Cowboy, Racist, Race, Racism, Stereotype, Jake Gyllenhaal