The following list barely touches the tip of the iceberg, concerning the film industry’s highlights, over the past ten years. This is not a list of the best movies, or favorites (though, undoubtedly many of these would be included on lists in these categories). This is a compilation of ten films that mark pivotal developments, trends, and watershed moments in the state of the industry, as we move from this decade to the next.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): Peter Jackson forever changed the future of CGI, when he brought the tragic character of Gollum to the screen, with a combination of computer generation and live acting. Andy Serkis provided the voice and movements, which the director then brought vividly to life, through motion capture. His method not only brought an unprecedented realism to the technology, but also inspired another filmmaker, James Cameron, to plow ahead with a little film he was struggling with at the time – Avatar.
Chicago (2002): Moulin Rouge may have planted the seed, but it was this full on Hollywood musical that announced the genre’s return. Ingeniously adapted from the stage show, and translated to screen, Chicago was a mega-hit with audiences. Enter, Dreamgirls, Sweeney Todd, and Nine.