IMDb's top 10 from the last decade

As you all know, IMDb is the place to go whenever you need to look up a director, a quote, a review, actor names and so on. It is heaven for film lovers and provides crucial information for and of the entertainment industry.

Short history: IMDb was launched in 1987 by English film enthusiast Col Needham; first post talked about actresses with beautiful eyes. It later started forming the data base and encouraged the users to contribute- in late 1990 it already had 10.000 movies and television series. Bought in 1998 by Amazon, IMDb faced an interesting challenge last year, as it was sued by an unknown actress for more then 1 million $ for revealing her age(40).

Yesterday, I stumbled upon an interesting article about IMDb: they have just released its top 10 most viewed actors, film, TV shows and in production movies of the last decade* and there are some surprises. 

Top 10 Stars of the Last 10 Years*

1. Johnny Depp
2. Brad Pitt
3. Angelina Jolie
4. Tom Cruise
5. Natalie Portman
6. Christian Bale
7. Scarlett Johansson
8. Jennifer Aniston
9. Keira Knightley
10. Emma Watson

*Highest average IMDbPro STARmeter ranking over the last 10 years.

Ok, I can complete understand the top 3, but Tom Cruise on the 4th position? Besides his reappereance in 2011 with Mission:Impossible 4, the man has been MIA for at least 4 or 5 years before that, not having any big, influential parts! Maybe I am wrong! Continuing, we have an undeserving number 5 for Natalie Portman, but justifiable 6 and 7 for Bale and Johansson, but number 8 for Jennifer Aniston? Again, it's beyond me why this woman is still famous- her career choices in the last 5-6 years have been horrible. 9 and 10 are also normal, considering the love that Pirates and HP got in the last decade. 

Where are Robert Downey Jr, George Clooney, even Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart?- I was sure either one of them would make the top 10. 

Top 10 Films of the Last 10 Years*

1. The Dark Knight
2. Donnie Darko
3. Pulp Fiction
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
8. Twilight
9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
10. The Godfather

*Highest average IMDbPro MOVIEmeter ranking over the last 10 years.

1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are understandable choices, but Donnie Darko? On the second position? Am I missing something this huge, should I see it right way? 

Top 10 TV Series of the Last 10 Years*

1. Lost
2. House M.D.
3. Grey’s Anatomy
4. Heroes
5. How I Met Your Mother
6. 24
7. Glee
8. True Blood
9. Dexter
10. Gossip Girl

*Highest average ranking over the last 10 years.

Lost, Grey's Anatomy, How I met your mother, 24, Glee, True Blood- all obvious choices, but I am a little bit surprised to see Heroes so high up on the list; maybe it's due to the fact that it was a huge international success and continues to be one of the most illegally downloaded TV series out there. 

Top 10 Most Anticipated In-Production Movies*

1. The Dark Knight Rises
2. Men in Black III
3. The Dictator
4. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
5. The Expendables 2
6. Battleship
7. The Avengers
8. Rock of Ages
9. The Hunger Games
10. Prometheus

*Highest average IMDbPRo MOVIEmeter rank of all films currently in production.

First and foremost- where is The Hobbit? Other than that, why is The Dictator on 3rd position and Avengers on 7th- it should be the other way around, considering the large fanbase. Also, are people really that desperate to see Battleship and Rock of Ages? Why?

Top 10 Highest Rated Films of the Last 10 Years*

1. The Dark Knight (8.8) – All-Time Ranking: 8
2. The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King (8.8)  - All-Time Ranking: 10
3. Inception (8.8)  - All-Time Ranking: 13 
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (8.7) – All-Time Ranking: 15
5. City of God (8.7) – All-Time Ranking: 18
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (8.6) – All-Time Ranking: 29
7. Memento (8.6) – All-Time Ranking: 31
8. Toy Story 3 (8.5) – All-Time Ranking: 42
9. Spirited Away (8.5) – All-Time Ranking: 45
10. Amelie (8.5) – All-Time Ranking: 51

*Highest average rating /10 as voted for by IMDb’s most regular voters.

Only surprise for me was Spirited Away (again, a movie I haven't seen and don't know too much about it), and I am kind of sad to see all of the Lord of the Rings movies on the list- I am sure there are better films that could have occupied at least 1 or 2 of those spots. 

What do you think about the list?

* Source: http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/2012/01/27/imdb-releases-its-all-decade-lists/

A look back at 2011

Although I always try, I can never do a top 5, or top 10; I mean, I can not put them in order, decide which one is better or worse. That's why, this year, for my tiny blog, I decided just to showcase my movies of 2011: the ones I loved, the ones that shocked me, my favorite stars, the best directors, the coolest soundtracks and my regret of not seeing some movies I know would definitely make the cut for this year!

So, without further ado, here are my picks (in no particular order):

Midnight in Paris- for the simple, yet endearing script, the best references used in a movie, for its hidden treasures, the direction and lovely sight of Paris that it is showcased throught the film

Warrior- for being my surprise of 2011, for the amazing performances delivered by Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy, for making me bite my nails during the fighting scenes and for the emotional script

Melancholia- 1 of the 2 most controversial movies for me this year; it had its ups and downs, but I have to appreciate it for what it is and the performances delivered by Dunst and Gainsborough. Plus, for its grand ending

We need to talk about Kevin- for its darkness and the shocking finale

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2- for its beautiful end of series and all of its achievements

Fast and Furious 5- you might find it funny, but I am big FF fan and I love the reunion put together for this movie(especially Paul Walker and Vin Diesel)- the franchise is still delivering great action; plus the Don Omar song at the end was the running joke for me and my sister during the summer, so it will be forever stuck in my head

Jane Eyre- for re-inventing, yet at the same time, honouring, a classic; and for great performances by Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowsa

Hugo- one of the most flawless movies I have ever seen; beautifully captures the 1930s Paris and the birth of cinema

50/50- for a fantastic script and a enjoyable mix of drama and comedy

Restless- simply put, the movie that got the strongest and weirdest reaction from me this year. Check my review from October if interested

Drive- one of the best soundtracks ever, interesting first scene, memorable direction (Nicholas Refn), and two great performances (Albert Brooks and Ryan Gosling)

Tree Of Life- second of the 2 most controversial movies for me this year; like Melancholia, with a lot of ups and downs for me, but I have to appreciate Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain and its cinematography

AND
Horrible Bosses, Crazy, stupid, love and Bridesmaids- for showing Hollywood that there are funny, sweet, great script out there for comedy; for good performances that make you laugh

Last minute add:

Great Expectations- it's perfect in so many ways- if you have the chance, please see it!

Special mentions: Take Shelter(for Michael Shannon's performance), Martha Marcy May Marlene (great director and great first part for Elizabeth Olsen), The Help (strong characters, strong women, strong performances), Senna (one of the best and most innovative documentaries I have seen), Michael Fassbender (for three amazing performances he delivered this year- Jane Eyre, X Men, Shame and especially for the breakout role in Hunger, which I only saw this year), My Week with Marilyn (all rise for the lovely Michelle Williams), Life in a day documentary (innovative idea and well-edited), Carnage (best use of space in 90 minutes plus 4 amazing actors put together)

2011 movies I haven't seen, but are probably great/would have loved them: Shame, Weekend, The Artist, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, A separation, The skin I live in, Dangerous Method, Albert Nobbs, Into the Abyss, The Descendants, maybe War Horse

...and probably I have missed some things, but honestly, my whole film memory goes back to September, because that is when I started this blog, that's when I started to pay more attention to movies and its meaning and I analysed more. These last months have been fantastic and I am eager to continue my journey through the film experience in 2012 on this blog you helped grow and grow each day more and more. Thank you!

Hope you enjoyed it!

Have a great 2012! I love you all!
Diana

Christmas Eve

Hey,

Oh, Christmas, I just love this time of year! For my family, the 24th of December is the most important day! We get ready, set up a nice table, put on some carols and then, in the evening, exchange gifts, all followed by A LOT of great food prepared by my mom (sometimes I help, I try to do my best). It reunites us and makes us happy!

Anyway, I just wanted to wish you all Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I hope Santa brings whatever you wished for! Just relax and enjoy your time spent with the family; next year is going to be crazy good, busy, and yet amazing, I can feel it!

You can still find me online, if you need someone to talk to (I know a lot of people dissappear during the vacation), and if you are interested in my top 10 for 2011, come back on the 30th or 31st of December- I still have to watch some movies I think might crack my top 10 wide open!

Merry Christmas!
Aziza, but you can call me Diana- we're friends, right? :)