8. Boogie Nights (1997)
Told you there would be more Paul Thomas Anderson and this isn't even his last appearance on this list. Boogie Nights was not only his breakthrough film but a film so brilliantly directed that it is astonishing to consider that he had only directed once before. Boogie Nights begins with an incredible long take that introduces every main character in the time span of three minutes while completely bringing the audience into the world of porn and the dreams of Mark Wahlberg's Dirk Diggler. The film only gets better from the beginning and although it is 2 and a half hours long and very "talky" there is no shortage of narrative drive and wonderful moments. The cast is one of the best assembled and watching them play off of each other is the greatest joy to be had while watching Boogie Nights.
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
A strange and confusing film that only gets more and more rewarding with each repeated viewing. Eternal Sunshine is the strangest love story that the screen has ever seen, which is to be expected when it's written by the genius Charlie Kaufman. The way that the story explores love through Joel's memory is a brilliant way to represent the pain, ecstasy and desire that are inherent with love itself. Michel Gondry's direction of the film is also nothing short of amazing. Gondry weaves Joel's memories and experiences with his lost lover Clementine into one seamless whole that completely takes you by surprise at how daring it is. What is even more surprising is that Gondry is able to bring the script to life in such a way that the film captures the absurd elements perfectly and warps them into a truly heartbreaking story that is both honest and surreal.