Its become conventional wisdom that the year 2000 was a bad year for movies. In many ways, I agree.
Despite a strong ending and a couple of solid entries, my most common reaction to films in the year 2000
was one of profound indifference. Though theres no doubt that it would be hard to follow 1999, a great year for movies, mediocrity was rampant in 2000, and I found it very difficult to choose the 10 best because there
were so few truly great films this year.
Below is a list of my favourites, some notes, and some movies I should have probably seen before attempting this list.
Top 10 Movies of 2000
In no particular order*
- Gladiator: Ridley Scott's overrated sword-and-sandals "epic" was still a good film. Set in the times of a corrupt Roman emperor, Gladiator manages to complement its action sequences with a solid story line (though not half as "epic" as it so obviously tries to
be). An exciting, well directed and acted, but ultimately flawed film.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Unbreakable: The ending isn't as spectacular as The Sixth Sense, but the overall film is at least as good if not better. Its a story
of origins and self discovery, and it is handled deftly by director Shyamalan, who seems to have a genuine sense of respect
for comic books. Full Review
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- State and Main: Sharply written and acted, this film is amusing and fun. David Mamet takes on Hollywood with his usual smart, witty charm.
And the actors, Philip Seymour Hoffman and William H. Macy in particular, are able to perform Mamet's clever dialogue with
enough energy and style to make the film enjoyable.
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- O Brother, Where Art Thou?: The Cohen Brother's manic film based loosely on Homer's Odyssey. And its partly a musical. One of the more entertaining
and original efforts of 2000, though it suffers a bit from a lack of focus.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Wonder Boys: Its hard to explain why I enjoyed this movie so much. It employs a recently popular plot line - an older, wiser father
figure who both teaches and learns from his protege - but is surprisingly different in tone and in style than its competition
(such as Good Will Hunting and Finding Forrester). In many ways, it plays out like a restrained sitcom; and I think that its restraint is what makes it great. Its able
to switch from comedy to drama while avoiding the awkwardness that usually goes along with that sort of transition.
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- The Mission: This is my wildcard for the year, as it is a foreign film and had no real popular release (and its probably not in your local
video store, either) A Hong Kong gangster flick from director Johnnie To, notable for its absence of John Woo-style over-the-top
shootouts. Just a bunch of bodyguards systematically going about their duties, and it works.
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- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Breathtaking action sequences coupled with some serious drama and a subtle feminism theme that was ignored by the mainstream
critics. I can't see why, though, as the feminist themes are particularly relevant to the struggle of the modern woman.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Almost Famous: One of the funnest movies of the year, yet there is also a deeper, more thoughtful feel to it which sets it apart from the
crowd. Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical movie about a young writer for Rolling Stone didn't fare to well at the box
office, and its really a shame.
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- Traffic: An eye opening look at the drug problem from all angles, driving home the futility of the "War on Drugs". Steven Soderberg
saturates the film with an absorbing visual style, making excellent use of color in particular.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Requiem For a Dream: A fascinating and brutal study on addiction. Director Darren Aronofsky sets his sights, throws every visual trick in the
book at you, and is utterly merciless in driving the film to its brutally disturbing conclusion. Fantastic, adventurous,
and forceful filmmaking at its best.
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* This is, in fact, only partially true. The films are roughly listed in order from worst to best (Requiem for a Dream being
my favourite).
Honorable Mention
- The Way of the Gun: Christopher McQuarrie, best known for his script for the Usual Suspects, writes and directs this unique, intentionally dry,
shooter in the style of Sam Pekinpah. It has a slightly convoluted plot, one that defies many action stereotypes, but also
some inventive and brilliant shootouts (notable for the relatively few shots fired) including one well executed slow-speed car chase.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- The Contender: A good political thriller with some excellent performances by Joan Allen and Gary Oldman (as well as Jeff Bridges) and a
story that is, at turns, frustrating and exhilarating (in a good way).
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- X-Men: Given all the problems that plagued its production, X-Men turned out to be a well done, genuinely fun, comic book movie
(a very rare occurrence, indeed). Hugh Jackman stands out with his excellent portrayal of Wolverine.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Pay it Forward: Based on a very neat idea: You do big favors for 3 people, but instead of those people paying you back, they "pay it forward"
to three other people. While this appeals to the naive optimist in me, I think it could have been executed better, especially
the ending, which slammed its point home a little too hard. Full Review
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Quills: An entertaining and thoughtful piece portraying the exploits of the Marquis de Sade. Interestingly, de Sade is shown as
something of a free speech advocate, which helps us relate to him (despite the... excesses of his prose). Full Review
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
Worth Commenting
- Best in Show: I had heard many good things about this mock documentary concerning dog shows, but, sadly, I didn't find myself enjoying
it very much. I don't really know why - perhaps the humor was just too dry for me? I generally like quirky films like this,
but this one just didn't do it for me.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Cast Away - If this movie consisted entirely of Tom Hanks on the island, it might have made it into the top 10. The hour or so that
Hank's character is stranded on the island is exceptionally well done, but both the beginning and ending of the film are disappointing.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
Sequel by another name
- Finding Forrester: (Good Will Hunting, part 2) Unlike Wonder Boys, this film is very similar in tone and style to its predecessor, but that doesn't make this a bad film. In fact, I thought
it to be one of the better films of the year, despite its tired plot device.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Erin Brockovich: (A Civil Action, part 2) This Julia Roberts vehicle is certainly a more entertaining watch than Travolta's Action, and while it is a "formula" film, it is damn near perfectly executed, but I still found it lacking something.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
- Patriot: (Braveheart, part 2) William Wallace in America! More formulaic and stereotypical than its predecessor, The Patriot lacks the character development, tension and emotional involvement that punctuate most period war films. The film doesn't
seem to have a clear focus, nor do any of its big emotional arcs really ring true.
Buy this Movie: [VHS][DVD]
Should have seen
- Pollock
- Shadow of the Vampire
- Chicken Run
- Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
- Snatch
- Croupier
Links
Any comments or suggestions should be sent to tallman@kaedrin.com.
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