According to Simon Dillon

To qualify it was not enough for the films in this list to merely be brilliant. They also have to mean something to me personally (which I may or may not go into in each case). Choices are not in any particular order of merit:

The Incredibles

The Incredibles
Pixar's output this decade has been so consistently brilliant that choosing just one film was agonising. However, I've decided to go with The Incredibles. Not only is it brilliantly animated, extremely exciting, funny and insightful but it's also a textbook example of how to poke fun at a genre whilst simultaneously making a genre classic in its own right. As far as I'm concerned, Brad Bird is the Steven Spielberg of animation. Oh - and it's got the best "Baddie's Base" this side of You Only Live Twice.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
This remarkable western was much criticised on its initial release and a box office flop but I suspect it is destined for classic status. An embarrassment of riches in that it contains not only Brad Pitt's finest performance as Jesse James but that he is upstaged by Casey Affleck's skin crawling Robert Ford. Proof that slow and long does not necessarily mean boring, this is a magnificent, elegiac, melancholy piece of work packed with unforgettable images and - most importantly - a hugely relevant meditation on the nature of celebrity and PR.

Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is hated as much as it is loved but I am firmly in the latter category. Baz Luhrmann's audacious, surreal and visually stunning masterpiece shouldn't work, but somehow it does. Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman have never been better, and they sing amazingly too. I first saw it with my wife the weekend after 9/11 happened, and after such a horrible tragedy, it was like a breath of fresh air. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we went to see it again the following day. A wonderful slice of pure romantic escapism set to classic pop songs and ultimately as moving as it is hilarious.

The Lives of Others

The Lives of Others
The utterly compelling tale of an East German Stasi officer (brilliantly played by the late Ulrich Mohe) who rediscovers his humanity when assigned to spy on a playwright and his girlfriend. This powerfully affirms, in wonderfully understated fashion, much of what I believe about faith (the power of redemption), politics (a timely and riveting condemnation of the "if-you've-done-nothing-wrong-you've-got-nothing-to-fear" argument) and cinema (a strong contender for the best film I've seen this decade though probably pipped to the post by The Lord of the Rings movies). One of those all too rare cinematic experiences that nags, tickles and thrashes around in the subconscious long after it has been seen, this is a film that I know will haunt me for the rest of my life.

United 93

United 93
Paul Greengrass' ruthlessly unsentimental, astoundingly tense and stunningly powerful piece of work utilized a documentary style that all but removed the barrier between the audience and the film in its mercilessly realistic speculation on the events that took place about United flight 93 during the 9/11 tragedy. The decision to use the actual air traffic controllers who were on duty that day, and FAA controller Ben Sliney as himself was a masterstroke and adds to the extraordinary authenticity. Like The Passion, this is a film some found horribly depressing. And yet I left the cinema uplifted rather than depressed because this has a phenomenal spiritual message that shows the very best overcoming the very worst of human nature. When the passengers pray the Lord's Prayer and stand as one to confront the terrorists, overcoming lies, fear and intimidation, it is impossible not to be deeply moved by their immensely courageous and heroic actions. So one of the most upsetting experiences I have ever had in a cinema also became one of the most profound spiritual experiences I have ever had in a cinema.

Memento

Memento
One of the greatest directors to emerge this decade is Christopher Nolan, responsible for The Prestige, Insomnia, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. But the film that brought him to my attention was the extraordinary and totally unique thriller Memento, about a man who cannot remember anything beyond the last ten minutes of his life. The entire story is told backwards, and features an astonishing, career-best performance from Guy Pierce. Innovative, gripping and endlessly rewatchable, but definitely a film that requires one's brain in gear.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
All the Lord of the Rings films are equally brilliant, but I have selected the first for its initial "wow" factor. Not since the original Star Wars trilogy had there been such a monumental, influential and groundbreaking work in the fantasy genre. A great screenplay, perfect casting, innovative direction, staggeringly beautiful locations, phenomenal visual effects and a wonderful music score all add up to a textbook example of how to adapt an "unfilmable" novel. Since it also happens to be my favourite novel of all time, anticipation was high to say the least, and I remained a sceptic right up until the opening titles rolled and I suddenly found myself being introduced to what felt like old friends. Throughout all three films, I saw beautifully rendered images of scenes I had previously thought impossible to place on film: Hobbiton, Rivendell, The Mines of Moria, Lothlorien, Fangorn Forest, Isengard, Helms Deep, Minas Tirith and the fiery skies of Mordor. In short, after nearly fifty years of waiting, Tolkien's masterpiece had finally been given the treatment it deserved.

The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ
An extraordinary, controversial, shocking, bloody and profoundly moving affirmation of the Christian faith. Mel Gibson's decision to film in Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic ultimately proved a far less eccentric an idea than some thought, and added a tremendous sense of authenticity. There have been many films about Jesus but none that focussed so relentlessly and unflinchingly on his physical and spiritual suffering. Some criticised it for not showing enough of the rest of Jesus ministry but there is just enough in flashbacks to provide context. Any more would have diluted its power. It's not an easy watch and certainly a film in which a post viewing lie down in a darkened room is recommended, yet I believe it is also an ultimately triumphant piece of work which leaves one profoundly grateful for everything Christ endured.

Gran Torino

Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood's extraordinary film may prove his last performance in front of the camera, in which case it's a brilliant swansong. Although it begins like Dirty Harry in retirement, the screenplay evolves into something altogether different and unexpected, containing brilliant performances, old fashioned wisdom about mentoring and a strongly redemptive central theme. Of all Clint's outstanding work this decade, this film was my favourite for that reason and as such it feels like the culmination of the life's work of an American legend.

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire
Essentially It's a Wonderful Life meets Oliver Twist in Mumbai. At heart this is a love story, but it's also an ironic fable about money and destiny. Tremendous performances (especially from the children), vivid locations, amazing music, brilliant direction and editing mean that for once the Capra comparisons are justified. However, like Capra's best work, the feel-good finale is undercut by some extremely harsh earlier material ensuring our sympathy with the protagonists is never shaken. Danny Boyles best film, and the best British film of the decade.