Ten + Ten = The Best Of 2000
May 17 '01
The Bottom Line My Top 10 and honorable mentions highlight the best films of last year. Make a trip to the cinema or video store to see what I mean.
The film year 2000 didn't have a lot of superlative work, but it had its share of fine films (a couple of which I saw only recently). Whether you rent a film on video or pay to see it on the big screen, you are rewarded any time you can find the positives in a release.
I have already reviewed most of my favorites at length on Epinions, and I hope to eventually change that to be all-inclusive. Singling out ten favorites is hard, so I will also include ten honorable mentions in alphabetical order (but, by no means, my order of preference):
Cast Away. Tom Hanks goes from a man always pressed for time to one with nothing but time on his hands. It's a poignant tale of a man whose life is, indeed, cast away.
Chicken Run. Who would have thought Mel Gibson's best performance in 2000 would be as a chicken? It's the animated tale of a fowl "Great Escape" that pays humorous tribute to a number of films, including Gibson's Oscar-winning "Braveheart."
Disney's The Kid. Bruce Willis stars as a 40-year-old executive who gets a visit from the boy he once was, and how he sold too many of his dreams. It's a sweet and heartwarming journey of discovery and rediscovery.
The Family Man. Nicolas Cage stars as a stockbroker who says he has everything, but then gets a vision of what life would have been like had he married Tea Leoni. It may be another spin on "It's A Wonderful Life," but Cage and Leoni work well together in another movie that says money isn't everything.
Finding Forrester. Rob Brown and Sean Connery star as two outsiders with common interests who teach each other about the joys of writing and life. Brown (in his film debut) is impressive not only with Oscar winner Connery, but also in scenes with F. Murray Abraham and Anna Paquin, who have also won Oscars for their work.
The Life And Times Of Hank Greenberg. This is a heartfelt tribute and documentary about the Detroit Tigers star of the thirties and forties who was baseball's original "Hammerin' Hank."
Men Of Honor. Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Robert De Niro star as Navy men who start as rivals during an era of armed forces integration, but learn to accept and admire their common bonds. This based-on-fact story is about Carl Brashear, who became the first African American to attain the rank of Master Chief.
Shanghai Noon. Jackie Chan is always pleasing as a member of the Chinese Imperial Guard sent to America in the days of the old west to return his nation's princess to the Forbidden City. There's not much of a story, but Chan compensates for that with humor, action, and good buddy chemistry with Owen Wilson.
Unbreakable. Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson star in a tale of men who have clear differences, yet are brought together when Willis becomes the sole survivor of a train derailment. It's another strong tale of suspense from N. Nyght Shyamalan, who also wrote and directed "The Sixth Sense."
Wonder Boys. Michael Douglas stars as an aging college professor who experiences as series of personal crises which force him to face his responsibilities. It's a smart comedy from "L.A. Confidential" director Curtis Hanson.
Now, here's a look at what I consider to be 2000's best achievements on film:
10. Amores Perros. This Oscar-nominated film from Mexico tells the tales of groups of people who seem more interested in their dogs than they are with human relations. The movie's storytelling style is reminiscent of "Pulp Fiction," but its tone is sad. Despite that, the characters find a way to reach out to something, even though it's hard for them with the most important relationships in their lives.
9. Billy Elliott. Jamie Bell stars as the title character, a 12-year-old who finds a passion for ballet in a working class English town. It's a film reminiscent of, and much more believable than, "Flashdance." Gary Lewis and Julie Walters are wonderful in supporting roles as Billy's father and teacher. It's a wise tale of a family coming of age together.
8. Nurse Betty. Renee Zellweger stars in a woman undergoing a journey of self-discovery under unusual and trying circumstances. Morgan Freeman co-stars as a man in pursuit of Betty, and Chris Rock is along for the ride. It's not a film for every taste, but I found its humor to be better and sharper as almost any in a film from last year.
7. Sunshine. Ralph Fiennes stars as three men of different generations who live through and deal with the political changes in Hungary. Each man foolishly believes they can change life through positions of authority, only to find their ideals dashed. It's a fascinating look at a century of Hungarian political and religious history which says that the more things change, the more they remain the same.
6. You Can Count On Me. Laura Linney stars as a single mom dealing with changes on the job and a visit from her brother (Mark Ruffalo), who has not done a good job of keeping in touch. She also learns something about herself as she criticizes her sibling for not behaving responsibly. It's a quiet, understated, refreshing look at life from writer-director Kenneth Lonergan (who wrote "Analyze This").
5. Pollock. Ed Harris directs and stars in this film biography of Jackson Pollock, who created the art form know as abstract expressionism, despite his battles with alcohol. Harris gives one of his best performances as a man who never seemed comfortable in his own skin. Marcia Gay Harden won an Oscar for her role as Pollock's wife, Lee Krasner, who does what she can to meet his personal and artistic needs. Together, they created a legacy that appeals to many art lovers.
4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The Oscar winner for best foreign language film stars Chow Yun-Fat as a weary warrior who helps to investigate the theft of a sword once owned by his master. Michelle Yeoh is a fellow warrior who helps on the case, and Zhang Ziyi is a governor's daughter living out a life far different from the one expected of her. It's beautifully photographed, with amazing action sequences and a poignant romance. Director Ang Lee has crafted a fantasy of both beauty and power.
3. Traffic. Based on a "Masterpiece Theater" mini-series, Steven Soderbergh won for his direction of a stark look at the drug trade from all angles throughout North America. Michael Douglas is a prosecutor appointed to be the U.S. drug czar seeking answers to the pervasive drug problem, and finding out just how pervasive it is. Benicio Del Toro won an Oscar for his portrayal of a Mexican cop fighting corruption to help both nations. It's a film that offers no easy answers, but it acknowledges that the "enemy" of drugs is everywhere.
2. Almost Famous. Cameron Crowe won an Oscar for the story based on his own life of a precocious writer (Patrick Fugit), whose love of music wins him the opportunity to interview a band for "Rolling Stone." Along the way, he learns learns lessons about his work, music, and love from a groupie called Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). Frances McDormand is wonderful as the writer's protective, college professor mother, and Billy Crudup and Jason Lee also impress in this ensemble as the quarrelling leaders of the band. It's a realistic portrayal of the seventies music scene, and treats both sides of the generation gap with respect and heart.
1. High Fidelity. The adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel changes its locale from London to Chicago, but John Cusack makes the change of scenery work well. He stars as Rob Gordon, a record store owner has Top Five lists for every occasion, including his biggest failures in relationships. His latest relationship ends as a result of his dwelling on the failures. Rob spends the movie trying to turn his failures and interests into something positive. This is Cusack in one of his very best roles, an acting tour de force that failed once again to garner him any Oscar recognition. It co-stars Jack Black and Todd Louiso as friends and employees who share Rob's love of music. It's a comedy that offers an insightful and funny look at men and the things they love.
Happy viewing!
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Epinions.com ID:
pmills1210
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Member: Pat Mills
Location: East Chicago, In.
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"Nothing in moderation." - Ernie Kovacs. Read and enjoy!
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