Acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino has revealed his choices for the top movies of the 2000s, enthusiastically naming Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” as his favorite Nolan film and celebrating Ridley Scott’s “Black Hawk Down” as the decade’s standout. Tarantino discussed these film selections in a recent interview on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast, offering passionate insights into his changing perspective on both films and reflecting on their significant impact within early 21st-century cinema.
Tarantino’s Insights on Christopher Nolan’s Work
During his conversation with Bret Easton Ellis, Quentin Tarantino admitted that his appreciation for Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” grew over time and repeated viewings. The 2017 war drama did not initially impress him, but as he continued to revisit the film, its craftsmanship became increasingly evident to him. Tarantino described being gradually captivated by the movie’s intricate storytelling and immersive filmmaking style, a hallmark of Nolan’s approach.
“Another film that I didn’t initially like […] What I now love about it is that I feel there’s a real mastery to it, and I came around to it watching it again and again and again,”
Quentin Tarantino, Director
He elaborated further, sharing the evolving nature of his response to “Dunkirk.”
“The first time, it’s not like it left me cold — it was so kind of gobsmacking, I didn’t really know what I saw, it was almost too much, and then the second time I saw it, my brain was able to take it in a little bit more, and then the third time and the fourth time, it was just like, wow, it just blew me away.”
Quentin Tarantino, Director
‘Black Hawk Down’ Earns Tarantino’s Highest Praise for the 2000s
When asked to pick what he believed to be the greatest film from the 2000s, Tarantino declared Ridley Scott’s “Black Hawk Down” his top choice. The Oscar-winning director commended the film for its visual achievements and relentless energy from start to finish. Specifically, Tarantino expressed admiration for how the film sustained a powerful intensity throughout its lengthy runtime and how Scott’s direction forged an unforgettable cinematic experience reminiscent of legendary war films.
“I liked it when I first saw it, but I actually think it was so intense that it stopped working for me, and I didn’t carry it with me the way that I should’ve […] Since then, I’ve seen it a couple of times, not a bunch of times, but I think it’s a masterwork, and one of the things I love so much about it is […] this is the only movie that actually goes completely for an Apocalypse Now sense of purpose and visual effect and feeling, and I think it achieves it,”
Quentin Tarantino, Director
He added further thoughts about his enthralling recent viewing of the film.
“It keeps up the intensity for 2 hours 45 minutes, or whatever it is, and I watched it again recently, my heart was going through the entire runtime of the movie; it had me and never let me go, and I hadn’t seen it in a while. The feat of direction is beyond extraordinary.”
Quentin Tarantino, Director
Tarantino’s Complete Top Ten Films of the 2000s
In addition to “Dunkirk” and “Black Hawk Down,” Tarantino provided a full rundown of his ten favorite films released between 2000 and 2009. These picks reflect his appreciation for boundary-pushing direction, intense storytelling, and cinematic craftsmanship that left a lasting impression during the decade. (List referenced from his interview on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast.)
Impact of Tarantino’s Endorsements on Modern Cinema
Quentin Tarantino’s enthusiastic praise for Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott highlights the lasting influence of filmmakers who push artistic boundaries and deliver unforgettable narratives. His candid reflections encourage both casual audiences and cinephiles to revisit and reevaluate landmark films such as “Dunkirk” and “Black Hawk Down,” recognizing their significance in shaping the industry’s modern era. With public recommendations from influential directors like Tarantino, these movies continue to attract new viewers and strengthen their status among the most important works of their time.
