Top 10 Film Stock Risings 2001-11

Robert Sterling
Konformist.com
http://robalini.blogspot.com/

If films were stocks, some would scream "BUY!" Here's my list of ten movies that have risen the most in cultural appreciation over the last decade.

10. Pulp Fiction (1994)
In some ways, this one may be a surprise pick, since its always been a very well received film. Still, Pulp Fiction is a movie that has always had a chip on its shoulder, snubbed in 1994 Oscars by Gump fever and overtaken in Web popularity by another 1994 film, The Shawshank Redemption (probably the most popular film of the Internet age, and another film with high stock returns.) No matter: 17 years later, Pulp Fiction is decidedly now recognized as a landmark film which changed the entire film industry almost singlehandedly, and the fact that Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill & Inglourious Basterds were both so well received make his status as a supreme auteur unquestioned.

9. Suspiria (1976)
Perhaps the most obscure movie on this list, you'd be forgiven if you've never heard of this Italian-made horror flick by Dario Argento. But it seems every Halloween season when lists of greatest horror films are published, this one is always among them. There's a good reason, as even 35 years later, this film knows just how to scare the crap out of people.

8. Back to the Future (1985)
Though it was the box office hit of its year, you could perhaps be forgiven if you dismissed it as a second-rate wannabe Spielberg popcorn flick when released. (Though Spielberg was executive producer, the actual director and brains of the film was Robert Zemeckis.) After the adulation it received last year on its 25th anniversary, it's clear it has stood the test of time, and having Michael J. Fox as its star (perhaps the most personally beloved actor of his generation due to his fortitude in personal health battles) has certainly kept the film in a positive limelight.

7. The Matrix (1999)
While it was extremely well received upon release, it suffered some appeal after its sequels failed to capture the public imagination. Still, twelve years later, it's clear The Matrix is the most important sci-fi film since Blade Runner, which is no small feat.

6. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Being the sequel to what is arguably the most culturally important film in the history of cinema is a no-win situation. Yet 31 years later, there are many who think this is best of the Star Wars series.

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
John Hughes is a director whose work is increasingly more appreciated as time goes by, with films like The Breakfast Club, Home Alone and Planes, Trains & Automobiles all being recognized as classics. But the one Hughes film that seems most well received is his tale of a teenage hero with the luck of James Bond.

4. The Shining (1980)
Even from the start, this was considered one of the best horror films ever made. But over the last decade, enough film analysis and theories have been floated on the Web to put this on the top tier of Stanley Kubrick films along with Dr. Strangelove, 2001 and A Clockwork Orange.

3. Toy Story (1995)
The movie was a box office hit and beloved from the start. But with the ridiculous run of hits released by Pixar since this was released has turned this film into a defining moment in the history of cinematic animation.

2. Fight Club (1999)
When the movie was released, it was considered a flop and passed over during Oscar season. Now, it is widely viewed as the last great movie of the 1900s.

1. The Big Lebowski (1998)
Could anything besides this be number one? Here is the latest and biggest cult film hit, the Rocky Horror for lazy stoners. Drink a White Russian and press play on the DVD!!!

Honorable Mention: Movies from the last decade aren't on this list, but Donnie Darko, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Hangover are definitely on the rise...