Top 5 Movies Since 2000

These are the Top 5 post-2000 movies that continue to haunt me time and again. I have purposely limited my search to the years after 2000; otherwise, there would be too many candidates vying for top honours.

For me, the essence of a good show lies in a good story with a powerful message. As a caveat, I have not watched all well-acclaimed movies (like The Dark Knight (2008) - which is on my watch-list - but by virtue of its genre, action-adventure, is unlikely to have made it to my list anyway) and so, my recommendation is limited to those movies that I have watched and have left an indelible mark on my mind.

1 A Beautiful Mind (2001)

"He saw the world in a way no one could have imagined."

A beautiful, beautiful show. The show traces the true story of John Nash, a mathematics genius, from his early days as a graduate student in Princeton, and how he overcame years of personal struggles to win the Nobel Prize for Economics. It is a story of determination, of fighting against all odds to achieve life's dreams. It is a story of unselfish love of a wife who stands by her man no matter what. It is a story of a supportive community that renders compassion to the weak and the sick in society.

2 The Pianist (2002)

"Music was his passion. Survival was his masterpiece."

Another true story of an exceptional man. The Pianist is Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew, who was regarded as one of the best concert pianist in Europe in the 30's. The movie retells the horrors of the Holocaust when Nazi Germany invaded Poland and how Szpilman survived the years of persecution. What sets this Holocaust movie apart from the rest is the fair reminder that the world is not black or white, but shades of grey. It ranks alongside Schindler's List and Sophie's Choice as one of the best Holocaust movies ever made.

3 Brokeback Mountain (2005)

"Love is a force of nature."

To me, the ending is the most critical part of any show. And in Brokeback Mountain, the ending is both touching and memorable. The show is touted as a romantic love story - and the fact that the lovers are of the same sex is a mere coincidence. That is the beauty of the movie and a tribute to the directing genius of Lee Ang. The movie stirs the senses and evokes empathy for the two leading characters - by doing so, it bestows a huge service to the entire gay community. That is the silent power of the movie and the reason it makes it to my list.

4 Crash (2005)

"You think you know who you are. You have no idea."

The show created a hoo-hah when it snatched the Best Picture award from Brokeback Mountain in 2005. That was a blockbuster year. In the show, several stories interweave over two days in Los Angeles involving a collection of related characters. The show is an in-depth exploration of bigotry and racial prejudices. There is a twist at the end of the show which is thought-provoking and is a damning verdict of human nature.

5 A History Of Violence (2005)

"Everyone has something to hide."

It's a violent show, no doubt about it, but it's not your typical dark, gangster show. The setting is a small peaceful American town; the protagonist is an owner of the local diner with a working wife and two young children. As events unfold, we see that things are not what they seem and a gripping story unfolds. The story is unsettling on the mind and questions the notion of destiny. The movie was a Best Picture nominee for the Golden Globe but was largely ignored by the Academy Awards. I guess it is either you like it or you don't. It certainly left a deep impression in me.