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2000: The beginning of the end of great moviesJan 02 '06 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line My favorite movies of 2000. Billy Elliot This British dramedy tells the story of a boy who wants to be a ballet dancer while his father is against it and wants him to be a boxer. With the help of a dance teacher, Billy finds his inner-talent in dance. As a person who wanted to be a ballerina when I was young, I find this movie inspiring and wonderful. It's a feel-good movie with great performances that are real and the story is three-dimensional and even though it would be on the edge of unbelievable, it's still convincing and humane. Almost Famous High-schooler William Miller is writing a story for the "Rolling Stones Magazine" and travels cross-country with a band leaving his mother worried sick about sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Almost Famous is a gem. Cameron Crowe proves to a be master storytelling who knows how to make a great mixed tape of great music at a great time. The acting is superb. Patrick Fugit has never been better since and Almost Famous may be the highlight of his career. Frances McDormand gives a funny performance as the "mother" who is demanding but protective. Billy Crudup, Jason Lee, Kate Hudson, and Zooey Deschanel and really likable as well. You Can Count on Me This is definitely the surprise movie of the year. Laura Linney stars as Sammy, a struggling single mother whose brother's unexpected return to the town he hates, gives her a chance to know her brother again. You Can Count on Me is rather an awkward title, but really explains the film in one phrase. The performances are powerful and Laura Linney was snubbed for Oscar and Mark Ruffalo didn't even get an Oscar-nom. Even young Rory Culkin (who plays the son) is really good and he has moments with Ruffalo that are just priceless. Erin Brockovich Erin Brockovich is just a little like You Can Count on Me, even though I think Linney did a better job with her character than Julia Roberts did - Roberts wasn't bad either. Roberts also plays a single mom, but with three children and becomees a unexpected legal assistant and stops the pollution of a city's water supply. I liked this film - probably not as much as I liked You Can Count on Me, but I liked it and even though this isn't Julia Roberts's best performance (she was actually better in Pretty Woman) it's a good movie and Albert Finney was really good as well. Cast Away This is one of the saddest movies I have ever seen to be honest. This chronicles the 4 years of a Fed-Ex worker who has crashed into a deserted island and he must survive. I usually hate the genre of survival in literature or in movies - I don't care if it's one transforming themselves physically and emotionally, it's just not my genre. I can't stand Gary Paulsen novels but this movie has a good touch to it. I think one of the best relationships in movies in the past decade might be the one between Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) and Wilson (played by a Wilson volleyball). This is a great movie and I am really fond of it and it is a sad movie in a way - and that is what brings the film to its own powerful halt. The Emperor's New Groove This silly Disney animated film tells the story of an young, spoiler Emperor who is transformed into a llama by a administrator he has just fired, Yzma. With the help of Pacha, a local husband/father/llama herder, he tires and defeats Yzma. I have seen this film many, many times and I can't say that it ever gotten boring. Even though it's Disney, it's really a great movie. It keeps its audiences entertained and it's got a moral in store as well. It's a very charming film and I have to admit, I did laugh out loud more than once. Meet the Parents I think the films that make all of my top 10 lists are the feel-good movies that are soft and has a predictable and corny ending - but that's really all right with me because that's the kind of movies I want to watch when I get stuck on a deserted island. Meet the Parents is about a man going home to meet his girlfriend's father and has to overcome that kind of challenge of being accepted. This is a really a underrated comedy but I really enjoyed it. Even though it's considered predictable and corny, I fall for the jokes, and that's great. Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller are quite good together and you believe that they're in that kind of situation and they just give the best comedic performances. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon To be honest, I don't really like the story all that much. I prefer putting it on mute and just staring at it because this is one very beautiful film - one of the most visually enchanting films in years. The story consists of a sword that two warriors happen to be looking for. The martial arts scenes are beautiful. This isn't your classic martial arts movie. It's a great visual experience and the look to it is wonderful. The performances are great as well - Ziyi Zhang is surprisingly good as the young girl who is trying to sort out her life. Gladiator A story about a man who has lost his family and becomes a gladiator for revenge. That is how simple the story is but so much truth and soul in it. The storytelling in this film is fantastic. It's a truly great movie experience. Russell Crowe is fantastic as the hero of the film. He's really good and got a well-deserved Oscar for his performance - he really had his heart into the performance. I would also like to point out Joaquin Phoenix who was also great along and did not for a second stand in Crowe's shadow. Frequency This is a true thrill ride that puts you at the edge of your seats. A radio link travels back in time and while the son tries to save his father's life, there are more problems that may also lead to his father's death. Extremely entertaining. Maybe not one of my favorite but I found this movie captivating and is overly underrated. Dennis Quaid and James Caviezel are great together in the film and this is a action movie with quite a heart about family and life. Many overlooked this movie, but you can always watch it now.  |
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by George_Chabot
by luquillo
