What Could Have Been: Obsession: A Taste for Fear

Back in 2020, I decided that it would be a good idea to post a top ‘25 Films of the Decade’ list to celebrate some of the best films of the 2010s... it took some tinkering (lots of crossing this one off and adding that one) – but I’ve got to say, the response made it absolutely worth it. With all that feedback, many asked if I could do the same for the decade before... it has taken longer than expected, but good things come to those who wait. So, without further ado, here are the best of the 2000s ... with a short description as to why each film made the cut.

It’s hard to believe that the Christmas comedy Just Friends (2005), directed by Roger Kumble, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary already this year. Not a big success at the box office at the time (only earning 50.9 million), it has slowly built a bit of a cult status over the last two decades. Though not received particularly well by critics at the time either, its joyous comedy, romantic elements, and Ryan Reynolds centred ensemble cast make for a most entertaining watch each and every holiday season.

A blackmailing scheme that leads right to the top, plenty of political tomfoolery, a black militant causing many an issue on the darker side of life, a smut king involved with numerous dirty coppers, and more all revolve around a dynamic robbery in the Roger Donaldson directed film The Bank Job (2008). Set in London, England circa 1971 and loosely based upon numerous real and rumoured happenings from the time, the main narrative follows Terry Leather (Jason Statham – The Beekeeper; Snatch.), a small time former crook and now used car dealer/garage who is still down on his luck thanks to owing money to the wrong sort of people.

Leaning heavily into some outrageous sight gags best described as over the top slapstick, co-writer and director Blake Edwards reunited with star Peter Sellers for this, the fifth feature of their illustrious comedy franchise, titled Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978). As always, Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Sellers – Being There) continues to be a thorn in the side of the criminal underworld – despite his klutzy ways. Infuriating Philippe Douvier (Robert Webber – 12 Angry Men), a French businessman as well as the secret head of the largest drug conglomerate in the country, as the New York Mafia feels like their Parisian counterparts aren’t pulling their weight, he decides to okay the assassination of Clouseau.

There are so many things that go into making us who we are as individuals – from our parents and our past experiences, to our job and where we live, with even something as simple as our name becoming a big part of forming our identity as a human being... but, if those things are taken away from us, how might someone prove who they are when there is no evidence of what is being claimed. Infusing post-war themes within a kidnapping/murder mystery melodrama with film noir motifs, My Name is Julia Ross (1945), directed by Joseph H. Lewis (Gun Crazy) and based upon the novel “The Woman in Red” by Anthony Gilbert (the pen name of Lucy Beatrice), entraps us in the strange predicament of the titular character... though no one is calling her by that name. Following Julia Ross (Nina Foch) in post World War II London, England, she is in a rather difficult predicament – as she falls behind on her rent, she can find no work no matter how hard she looks.