| | OK, I know what you're thinking: "Oh no, not another
idiot who thinks we care about his opinions!!" Well, guess what, you're
wrong - I know you don't care about my opinions! But you don't think that's
going to stop me, do you? I mean, it's a time-honored tradition to pontificate
on the Internet, and I for one am a traditionalist. Just remember, if you
venture any further, it's your own fault.
Top Ten Movies of 2001
Top Ten Movies of 2000
- Traffic - Steven Soderbergh has been on a roll, and this film is
his strongest yet, and probably the best film of the year. An engrossing
examination of one the country's biggest problems, with no easy answers
given. Traffic also features the best ensemble cast of the year -
there are no weak links here.
- Almost Famous - Being the same age as Cameron Crowe (and at least
as geeky without the talent), this film resonated with me very strongly.
It's a coming-of-age tale that ultimately believes in the basic goodness of
people (even rock stars & groupies) - and what's wrong with that
anyway??
- Gladiator - One of this year's "love it or hate it"
movies, and I loved it. More than the simple revenge tale that some have
painted it as, the film's hero Maximus embodies courage, honor, and
self-sacrifice - character traits strangely undervalued by our society. I
can't imagine anyone other than Russell Crowe in this part.
- You Can Count On Me - I find myself a little amazed to see this
film at number 4 on my list, because I saw it somewhat reluctantly. But what
a charming and perceptive film this is!! Laura Linney is amazing in this,
and if there was any justice in the world she would have taken home the
golden guy last March instead of Julia Roberts.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Let's face it - most movies these
days we've seen before. Therefore what a joy it is to watch Ang Lee create
something new (at least for American audiences)! The very human performances
of Chou Young-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Zi Yi help ground the film
against the story's more fantastic elements.
- O Brother, Where Art Thou? - This joyous romp through a
Depression-era Mississippi in a slightly wierder alternate universe
eventually adds up to much ado about nothing. But the journey is so
inventive and so much fun that it doesn't matter. The Coens are at the top
of their craft here. This is the best-looking film of the year, and boasts
the best soundtrack as well.
- High Fidelity - A sly, funny look at modern guyhood. It shows us
how stupid we can sometimes be without ever stooping to male-bashing.
Another great turn by John Cusack, and Jack Black was robbed of a Supporting
nom.
- Pollack - Ed Harris lives up to the hype with his performance as
the tortured painter, and he was my pick for Oscar gold. That I expected
from this film. What I didn't expect was how entertaining the film was,
especially in its depiction of the physical act of painting and the world of
modern art & art criticism in the middle of the 20th century. I love it
when a film can help me gain appreciation for something I had little
knowledge of before, and Pollack accomplishes that beautifully.
- Sunshine - This criminally underpromoted film traces three
generations of a Hungarian Jewish family through the turmoil of the past
century. The film is anchored by Ralph Fiennes' expert triple performance.
It's a gorgeous film too - I'm glad I caught it on the big screen.
- Cast Away - Flawed, yet thought-provoking. Tom Hanks deservedly got
his fifth Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a man who loses everything -
but finds himself. Helen Hunt also does fine work in the last act of the
film as a woman who must make a choice that will break two hearts.
Just Missed It Award: Return To Me - The late addition of Pollack
bumped it off my Top Ten, but I still want to highlight this film here because I
doubt it will show up on too many other lists. And that's a shame, for Return
To Me is the best pure romantic comedy in many a moon. Bonnie Hunt makes a
promising directoral debut, and David Duchovny & Minnie Driver are perfect
as a couple who really fall in love (not just in lust as is too often the case
in movies these days). Rent this one for Valentine's Day - better yet, buy the
DVD, for you're sure to want to see this again many times.
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order) - The Big Kahuna, The
Cell, Remember The Titans, My Dog Skip, Wonder Boys, Chicken
Run, The Virgin Suicides, Dancer In The Dark, Unbreakable,
Snatch, All The Pretty Horses, Thirteen Days, The Legend
Of Bagger Vance, Best In Show, U-571, State & Main,
Nurse Betty, The Way Of The Gun, The Gift, The Tao Of
Steve, Space Cowboys, Finding Forrester, Chocolat.
Biggest Disappointments (highly touted films which just didn't work for me) -
Quills, Shadow Of The Vampire, The Contender.
Most Overrated Film - Erin Brockovich. Not a bad film at all, and
Julia Roberts & Albert Finney do great work. However, it's just not
Oscar/Top Ten quality.
Best Reissue - A Hard Day's Night
Worst Reissue - The Exorcist - The Version You've Never Seen (only for
the tacked-on ending - the rest was awesome)
For the record, I have seen (so far) 58 films that were released in calendar
year 2000.
Top Ten Movies of 1999
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October Sky
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The Iron Giant
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American Beauty
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Princess Mononoke
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Toy Story 2
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Limbo
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The Sixth Sense
-
The Straight Story
-
Magnolia
-
The Green Mile
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