The ReelzChannel 100 began when we asked Leonard Maltin for his favorite Hidden Gems of the decade. His list led the web team into a general discussion about the best movies of the decade and — after no small amount of debate, arguing, and (we're not proud to say) some petty name-calling — we decided we'd better bring it to an end with a company-wide vote. Then it was just a matter of tallying up the votes and hoping for the best. Lucky for us, ReelzChannel is filled with a staff ranging from movie lovers to movie fanatics. What turned out isn't what you'll find on a critic's best of list — instead it's what movie fans really enjoyed.
Can Nick Frost and Simon Pegg do no wrong? Not so far. Of all their films thus far, this is my favorite because it perfectly satirizes (and then pays homage to) action movie clichés while avoiding the same stale fart jokes most comedies go for these days.
John Coffman, Production Assistant
I’m still a bit convinced that they somehow got into my mind and pulled out this movie. That quirky loner girl that no one gets? Yeah, she has feelings too, but maybe she’s the one that left you your favorite flower on your doorstop. Everything about this movie is tangible, from Amelie’s penchant for digging her hands into barrels of bulk beans to the way she turns into a puddle when her crush walks in the room. Few movies have made me happier to be alive.
Kristin Rakes, Producer
A perfect melding of comedy and heartbreak, with dozens of laugh-aloud quotes. Of all the great performances by the ensemble cast, Bill Nighy steals the screen with his Bryan Ferry–meets–Rod Stewart performance as a has-been rocker trying to turn a "festering turd of a record" into the number one Christmas single.
Jolene Gustafson, Managing Editor, reelz.com
This is the best road trip movie ever. While the premise isn't exactly new, the execution is fresh and fun. Even the things you know are coming are handled in a unique way. If you can, see it in the theater after a few beers with a bunch of other people in the same condition. You will not be disappointed.
Bob Bedford, SVP Web and New Media
I almost feel that this could also be a horror movie candidate because the premise is just so damn scary. Nonetheless, the humor is completely relatable by making fun of one of my greatest fears.
Blake Foley, Database Coordinator
Old School is a go-to movie. Even though you've seen it a hundred times, each time you watch it you'll find something new to laugh at. It’s a movie that’s still quotable even after all these years.
Casey Messer, Movies & Music Host
The surprise breakout hit of 2004 follows its title character as he does his best to navigate through an awkward adolescence. The setting and characters are shockingly realistic, and almost always hilarious. This honest and unconventional comedy, which spawned countless clones attempting to resurrect the same formula, proved that vulgarity and obscenity aren't necessary to produce a fan-favorite comedy.
Mark Jackson-Weaver, Web Designer & HTML Coder
Yes, this Judd Apatow comedy did veer dangerously close to romantic cheese as The Virgin gets into a relationship (with a super-hot Catherine Keener) in the third act, but up to that point it's a hilarious buddy-comedy raunchfest with sage advice for talking to women: just ask questions. It totally works.
Dack Ragus, Contributing Writer
Only one word to describe this movie: Legendary. The most quotable movie in ages: "I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
Adam Galanter, Producer/Editor
Never has there been a movie with more laughs per minute (LPM). The jokes may be juvenile, but Sacha Baron Cohen is a comical genius and is able to turn sophomoric humor into comedy gold. Very nice, I like.
Travis Oscarson, Host of Movie Mob and Saturday Morning @ Reelz