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My Ten Best of 2001 (Yeah, 2001!)Feb 26 '02 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Uhh....read this list. Okay, it's been awhile since I have written a review, so pardon the rust on my dry wit. Also, there is no spot to put Top 10 lists for 2001, so don't be fooled by the contradiction between my review title and the spot it is located in. Okay, my Top 10 films of 2001. 1) Ocean's 11: This may not be the best made film of the year, but it was the most fun. Hollywood Golden Boy Steven Soderbergh ("Out of Sight" "Traffic") put together a Who's-Who of Hollywood, and created one of the few studio films of the year that lived up to the hype. 2) Memento: There were a few indie films that actually came close to the dreaded "O" word....original. "Memento" is actually seen by some as a companion piece of sorts to "Matrix." I don't want to believe that. Instead, I choose not to make that memory. Guy Pearce ("L.A. Confidential") gets to battle with Gene Hackman for most overlooked at the Oscars. 3) Royal Tenenbaums: Wes Anderson ("Rushmore" "Bottle Rocket") has to be the most lucky guy in Hollywood. Every movie he makes is great. The indie darling made his first "big" film and didn't miss a beat. Gene Hackman should be the favorite to win the Best Actor Oscar, but he didn't get nominated. Gwenyth Paltrow ("Shakespeare in Love") was at her best. The normally annoying Ben Stiller ("Zoolander") was less annoying. Everything and everyone about this movie was great. Also, if you pay real close attention, you get a rather interesting theological lesson as well. 4) Ghost World: Kudos to the Academy for at least giving Terry Zwigoff ("Crumb") first feature film a screenplay nomination. This comic book turned film really allowed Thora Birch ("American Beauty") and Steve Buscemi ("Reservoir Dogs") to show their stuff. 5) The Man Who Wasn't There: I have never disliked a Coen Brothers film. I've just liked some more than others. This black and white film noir is the first non-comedy from the brothers in years, and it is not perfect. It was, however, beautifully shot and Billy Bob Thornton ("Pushing Tin" "Bandits") was fantastic. Leave it to the Coen Brothers to make a movie about a barber entertaining. 6) Amelie: I can't believe a feel-good, whimsical film is making my list, but I just can't help it. This French feature is running neck and neck with "No Man's Land" for the Best Foreign Film Oscar. I guarantee you will find this film much more entertaining...and (gulp!) loveable. Amelie takes on the task of improving the lives of all those around her, and even has time to find happiness for herself. 7) Beautiful Mind: Say what you will about glossing over some of the seedy aspects of the life of mathematician John Nash. Russell Crowe ("Gladiator") is able to portray a man tormented by inner demons with stunning accuracy. I also give credit to Ron "Opie" Howard for finally making a film that isn't a total fluff-piece. I haven't seen all the films nominated for Best Picture, but I still like this one to win. 8) Tape: While the innovative style of "Waking Life" made the news, it was Richard Linklater's ("Dazed and Confused") that impressed me most. Shot on digital cameras and never leaving an economy hotel room, the trio of Ethan Hawke ("Training Day"), Robert Sean Leonard ("Dead Poet's Society") and Uma Thurman ("Pulp Fiction") have to get by on story and dialogue alone. The three pull off a dysfunctional high school reunion with ease and never leave a dull moment. 9) "Wet Hot American Summer": With a number of good-but-not-great films coming out this year, I've chosen a pair of quirky comedies to round out my list. Made by the creator's of MTV's "The State", this film takes place in the early 80's on the last day of camp. Camp Director Janeane Garofalo ("Reality Bites") must team up with astrophysicist David Hyde Pierce (Tv's "Frasier") to save the camp and campers from being hit by space debris. If you loved the obtuse comedy of "The State" then you will love "Wet Hot American Summer." 10) Series 7: The last two films of my list made my laugh harder than any film in recent memory. "Series 7: The Contenders" satirizes reality-based television by creating a "Real World" with guns. Real people are picked at random and given firearms and only one rule...the last one living wins. Brooke Smith (the girl in the pit in "Silence of the Lambs") stars as the quite-pregnant reigning champion. This film is most definitely on the must-see list. Films that I enjoyed but didn't make the cut: "Mullholland Drive" "Bridget Jones's Diary" "Training Day" "Sexy Beast" "Donnie Darko" "The Devil's Backbone" "Ginger Snaps" "Black Hawk Down" Movies I Haven't Seen (So don't e-mail me telling me what an idiot I am for not including them.): "Lord of the Rings" "Gosford Park" "In the Bedroom" Movies That I Hated, Hated, Hated: "Moulin Rouge" (The worst film of the last several years.) "Planet of the Apes" "Tomb Raider" "Freddie Got Fingered" "The Mexican" Movies I Hated That Weren't Such Easy Targets: "The Count of Monte Cristo" "Jeepers Creepers" (It's tough not to be bothered by the homo-eroticism in a film made by a convicted pedophile.) "Hart's War" (I got a funny feeling that only one war film is going to be any good this year. Sorry Mel Gibson.) "Don't Say A Word" (or re-make "Ransom" ever again) A special Honorary goes to "Godfather III" for its DVD release. Francis Ford Coppola earned himself a spot in Hades just for making that film. To force consumers to buy it as part of a Godfather package is pure evil. However, watching the film with Coppola's commmentary makes it one of the greatest comedies I've ever seen. Coppola is just a tad defensive about this film and his daughter's performance therein. Okay, there you go. I encourage comments. Please let me know what a buffoon or visionary I am.  |
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by George_Chabot
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by dangbro
