4. The Tree of Life
Again a film that divides people into two camps - plenty think of it as a masterpiece, while others dismiss it as pretentious and verging on self-parody - there's still no doubting that Terrence Malick's first film in 6 years (and only his sixth film in 42 years) doesn't want for ambition. After all, in trying to unravel the meaning of life, is it not trying to broach the most prominent question that has been taxing humanity since the dawn of time? It's not just Malick's thematics that make his film ambitious, though, it's his method; by way of splendid visual effects, he also depicts the beginning and end of the Earth, as well as the reign of the dinosaurs, before returning to the more organic human element (played superbly by Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain). Though it naturally doesn't come up with an answer - or at least allows it to percolate in the viewer's mind - it's a staggeringly impressive concept, and one which I'm amazed a studio ever allowed Malick to make.