Juan: A Life in Movies

2000 – Almost Famous

Great performances from everyone leaving us a memorable and entertaining story. It makes the best use of music that I’ve seen in a long time, truly making the soundtrack work flawlessly with the film.

2001 – Moulin Rouge!

I have no qualms in saying this is my favorite movie of all time. The cinematography is gorgeous, the acting is marvelous from everyone in it, and Baz Luhrmann really delivers one of the most spectacular shows of all time. It’s got just the right amounts of romance, tragedy, and comedy — making for an enjoyable musical extravaganza that will leave you in tears on more than one occasion.

2002 – Chicago

Outstanding performances from the entire cast, especially Zeta-Jones and Zellwegger. Rob Marshall really does excellently with this film, giving us a sexy musical with plenty of laughs that throws us right into the roaring twenties.

2003 – Lost in Translation

Sofia Coppola’s filming style has always been so appealing to me, and her writing even more so. It’s always impressed me how much her movies get across with how little her characters actually say. I also consider this one of Murray’s best performances, as well as Johansson’s.

2004 – The Aviator

This has to be one of my favorite Leo & Marty movies. It’s aesthetically pleasing as hell, especially the lighting and coloring, and Cate Blanchett’s supporting actress Oscar was well-deserved for her performance.

2005 – Brokeback Mountain

Fantastic film about two men who just happen to fall in love with each other. Ledger and Gyllenhaal both give stunning performances. Beautifully shot, well scored, and ultimately robbed of the Best Picture Oscar for this year.

2006 – The Devil Wears Prada

The guiltiest of all my pleasures. Meryl Streep is pretty much perfect in this and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more quotable movie in my life.

2007 – La Vie en Rose

Marion Cotillard at her best. She truly brings out the essence of Edith Piaf and it’s plain to see why she won her Oscar for this film. One of the most magnificent and tragic biopics I’ve seen.

2008 – Vicky Cristina Barcelona

One of the latest Woody Allen releases that I can genuinely say I enjoyed. Not his strongest movie at all, but definitely a good one, with an amazing performance by Penelope Cruz, as well as the rest of the cast.

2009 – Away We Go

I was tied with two for this year (A Single Man was my alternate), but I decided on this simple romantic comedy by Sam Mendes. It’s packed with emotions and laughs and truly provides outstanding performances — not only from Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski, but from the supporting cast as well. I’ve always felt the strange connection with it, from the first time I saw it in theaters and my feelings really haven’t changed at all since then (I even still tear up whenever I listen to Alexi Murdoch’s songs used in the film).

2010 – Never Let Me Go

One of my favorite book to film adaptations of all time. Mark Romanek really doesn’t let up with this one, letting the scenes blend beautifully together and delivering a film that’s as romantic as it is heartbreaking.

Juan Barquin

Just yer average twenty-something college student with no time on his hands who ends up watching (and writing) too many movies and shows for his own good.

3 Responses

  1. love this list! I was so hoping someone would do Hook! but but but Moulin Rouge! should have the exclamation point. it’s part of the official title!

  2. also also, I thought you would have L.A. Confidential for 1997. and I think it’s “Cristina” and not “Christina”

    • Juan Barquin says:

      @Cinema Fanatic, haha I may love L.A. Confidential, but The Game is just so overlooked I couldn’t help myself. And oh god you’re right on “Cristina” and I hate myself for not adding the ! on Moulin Rouge

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