I am gonna start doing lists for each entire decade, ending in the thirties. To cover a larger period of time, it will take longer for me to compile all my stringent data (i.e. getting movies for free at the library, which is really the only way to "rent" movies if you ask me), so I am only going to do one of these decade lists every two months instead of every month. So in the between weeks, I will do shorter blogs, with lists, or thoughts, or maybe just general questions for you guys to answer in the comments section. What do ya think?
So, enough housekeeping. Here is my last list of the new millennium! By far the hardest list I have ever had to make. Three years of movies is hard to narrow down...I am not looking forward to doing whole decades!
So, enough housekeeping. Here is my last list of the new millennium! By far the hardest list I have ever had to make. Three years of movies is hard to narrow down...I am not looking forward to doing whole decades!
10. THE BOUR
NE IDENTITY (2002) (Doug Liman) - A man with an extreme form of amnesia (Matt Damon), in which he can't even remember his name, slowly begins to discover that the life he lead was far from normal. The starting point for what is quickly becoming a brilliant action-espionage franchise. One of the highlights of this series is that the acting, directing, character development, story-telling, and action sequences all rival each other as being the winning element of the film. Damon is the most unexpected action star in years and the innocence in his eyes adds to the naivety of Jason. Oh, and the fight scenes are fast and furious...by the way, can you believe that they just took out the "The's" in the title of the original "Fast and Furious" instead of thinking of a new title? Shameless. FAVORITE SCENE: I love when Jason first defends himself against some policeman in Zurich who wake him up from his sleep on a park bench. CAUTION: PG-13 for language, a scene of edited sensuality, and some stylized action, but very little blood or explicit gore.
9. I AM SAM (2002) (Jessie Nelson) - Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a Beatles-
loving mentally retarded father, along with a hard-hearted lawyer (Michelle Pfeiffer), fights for the custody of his seven year old daughter. Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role (2002). This movie is far from perfect. In fact, there are some movies that could have easily been in this spot that didn't even make my five "Runner's Up" list (the underrated Orange County, a music-lovers favorite High Fidelity, the cult classic Donnie Darko). But Penn as the heartbreaking and lovable Sam is one of the most impressive performances of the new millennium. It also gave us our first glimpse of Dakota Fanning, who I believe will be great once she gets through her awkward phase. Not to mention it makes me cry every time I watch it. FAVORITE SCENE: Sam and his friends getting together to buy new shoes for Lucy. Hilarious and heartfelt. CAUTION: PG-13 for language and guaranteed inducing of water from eye holes.
NE IDENTITY (2002) (Doug Liman) - A man with an extreme form of amnesia (Matt Damon), in which he can't even remember his name, slowly begins to discover that the life he lead was far from normal. The starting point for what is quickly becoming a brilliant action-espionage franchise. One of the highlights of this series is that the acting, directing, character development, story-telling, and action sequences all rival each other as being the winning element of the film. Damon is the most unexpected action star in years and the innocence in his eyes adds to the naivety of Jason. Oh, and the fight scenes are fast and furious...by the way, can you believe that they just took out the "The's" in the title of the original "Fast and Furious" instead of thinking of a new title? Shameless. FAVORITE SCENE: I love when Jason first defends himself against some policeman in Zurich who wake him up from his sleep on a park bench. CAUTION: PG-13 for language, a scene of edited sensuality, and some stylized action, but very little blood or explicit gore.9. I AM SAM (2002) (Jessie Nelson) - Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a Beatles-
loving mentally retarded father, along with a hard-hearted lawyer (Michelle Pfeiffer), fights for the custody of his seven year old daughter. Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role (2002). This movie is far from perfect. In fact, there are some movies that could have easily been in this spot that didn't even make my five "Runner's Up" list (the underrated Orange County, a music-lovers favorite High Fidelity, the cult classic Donnie Darko). But Penn as the heartbreaking and lovable Sam is one of the most impressive performances of the new millennium. It also gave us our first glimpse of Dakota Fanning, who I believe will be great once she gets through her awkward phase. Not to mention it makes me cry every time I watch it. FAVORITE SCENE: Sam and his friends getting together to buy new shoes for Lucy. Hilarious and heartfelt. CAUTION: PG-13 for language and guaranteed inducing of water from eye holes.8. DARK 
DAYS (2000) (Marc Singer) - In an abandoned subway station under the streets of New York, homeless people have created their own makeshift village of particle-board houses and tents, and some have lived there for close to 20 years...but they may soon be forced to leave by city's officials. Multiple Sundance and Independent Spirit Award wins (2001). A pleasant surprise. Shot entirely in black and white, Singer's touch adds a sense of ultimate despair to these sweet but essentially desperate, forgotten people. While sad at times, the depiction and point-of-view of these people is completely satisfying. FAVORITE SCENE: One of the guys depicted is hilarious, foul-mouthed, but fairly intuitive and any scene with him in it was great. CAUTION: Fair amount of bad language and some explicit drug use.
7. MEET THE PARENTS (2000) (Jay Roach) - Greg Focker (Ben Stille
r) goes with his soon-to-be-fiance (Teri Polo) to meet her loving mother (Blythe Danner), her overbearing ex-CIA father (Robert De Niro), her ex-fiance (Owen Wilson), and the rest of her family, and ends up experiencing the weekend from hell. Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical (De Niro) (2001). One of the greatest romantic comedies of all time. De Niro's intensity against Stiller's false confidence is perfectly matched. Great script, fully capable cast, a poop joke...what more could you want? FAVORITE SCENE: So many classic ones. One of my favorites is the Catholic blessing that Greg, who is Jewish, is asked to speak over their first dinner with Pam's parents. CAUTION: PG-13 for language and some sexual situations and jokes.
6. MONSTER
'S, INC. (2001) (Pete Docter) - Pixar's take on a world in which the screams of human children are the source of electricity for a city of monsters who must sneak into the kid's rooms at night to scare them and get their needed screams...the only problem is a child's touch is thought to be toxic to a monster! Four Oscar nominations including Best Animated Feature (2002). I have been asking people the question, "Which do you like better: Shrek or Monster's, Inc?", seeing as how they both came out about the same time and were both nominated for Best Animated Feature the same year. To me, there is no competition. Shrek was funny, but Monster's, Inc. is original, hilarious, well voiced, well-executed, and the animation, unlike Shrek, is gorgeous. I am still shocked that so many people, including the Academy Awards, think that Shrek is a better film! Psh! Whatever...just...ugh! Some people.... FAVORITE SCENE: Any scene where there isn't a talking donkey. CAUTION: Some mildly scary images.
5. MURDER ON A SUNDAY MORNING (2001) (Jean-Xavier de Lestrad
e) - The real life courtroom drama of a 15-year-old African American who is accused, possibly falsely, of the murder of a white tourist, exposing the corruption of parts of the police department. Oscar win for Best Documentary (2002). By the way, it's set in DUUUUVAAAALLL! You can't help but be proud (sarcasm) of our law enforcement after watching this enthralling courtroom thriller. We just have to pray that the sort of injustice shown in this documentary isn't the norm and that most policemen and women do their job thoroughly enough...I'd like to think that most probably do. FAVORITE SCENE: When Sheriff Nat Glover's son, who "handled" the "investigation", takes the stand and is legally ripped a new one. CAUTION: Some quick disturbing images and maybe some language...nothing much worse than watching the local news.
4. O BROTH
ER, WHERE ART THOU (2000) (Joel Coen) - A slight remake of Homer's The Odyssey set in the South in the 1930's: three escaped convicts (George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson) are on a search for some buried treasure and meet many colorful characters along the way. Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe win for Clooney for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical (2001). Really the first of four number ones. The most quotable Coen brothers movie ever ("We thought you was a toad!" "Oh George, not the livestock." "I am the paterfamilias!"). This is probably my favorite Clooney role ever, and Turturro and Nelson are both hilarious. The relationship between the three of them rivals classic buddy comedies of the 30's and the digital transfer, which made the sepia tone throughout the film, is beautifully classic. FAVORITE SCENE: When Clooney's character finally gets home to find his wife is with a new man...by the way, her new "fee-on-say" is my cousin...it's kind of a big deal. CAUTION: PG-13 for language, sexual innuendos and some violence.
3. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (200
1) (Peter Jackson) - The first film in the Lord of the Rings saga of Frodo Baggins and his companions' journey to Mordor to destroy a Ring that brings power and evil to whoever possesses it...plus there is a lot more stuff that happens. Four Oscar wins and 13 nominations including Best Picture (2002). You've probably never heard of this film. It's a fairly small-budget picture that made very little moves at the Box Office. But seriously, I really don't know what to say...This series is beautiful, loving, powerful, exciting, [other nice descriptions here]. Watch the whole series from start to finish in a week and try not to fall in love with the characters and their mission for peace. FAVORITE SCENE: Gandalf's (who is played by the brilliant Ian McKellen) epic fight against a giant fire devil monster thing. CAUTION: PG-13 for lots of scary images and violence.
2. OCEAN'S
ELEVEN (2001) (Steven Soderbergh) - A supergroup of criminal masterminds (including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle) join forces in order to pull off the biggest heist any of them have ever committed. This might be Hollywood fluff, but it is Hollywood fluff at its finest. I have never seen a cooler movie before in my life. The outfits, the dialogue, the editing, and the casting are all perfect for creating a world that any of us would want to be a part of. Equal parts funny and exciting. Rent it, watch it, be part of heist, get arrested, then watch it again while your in jail; it will be worth it. FAVORITE SCENE: The two drivers/extras (Casey Affleck, Scott Caan) of the crew of robbers are first introduced as they are racing each other in a unique way. CAUTION: PG-13 for language.
1. ALMOST FAMOUS (2000) (Cameron Crowe) - Set in the early 70's, fifteen-ye
ar-old aspiring rock journalist William Miller (Patrick Fugit) gets the chance of a life time when Rolling Stone magazine hires him to write about and travel with up-and-coming rock group Stillwater. Four Oscar nominations and one win for Best Original Screenplay (2001). Other than Murder On a Sunday Morning, I saw this one for the first time most recently of all of these movies. So don't put on me that this is just sentimental garbage, or that I am just picking something that has some sort of undeserving nostalgic value. It has been a LONG time since I sat down and watched a movie that completely contained my attention from start to finish without it feeling slow in parts. Is it possible my love for this movie is largely based on my love for Rock 'n' Roll? Perhaps. But anyone that loves a great cast, a fun script, complex relationships, and an amazing soundtrack will fall in love with this movie, which I personally consider to be Crowe's swan song. FAVORITE SCENE: The band, who has its share of squabbles (as most bands do), along with the crew of roadies and "band-aids", reconnects on their bus by belting out the Elton John classic "Tiny Dancer " together. CAUTION: Fairly strong R: bad language, some drug use, drinking, sexual situations, and one scene of brief nudity. BUT if you are an adult, please try and look past these hangups and enjoy the story-telling.
DAYS (2000) (Marc Singer) - In an abandoned subway station under the streets of New York, homeless people have created their own makeshift village of particle-board houses and tents, and some have lived there for close to 20 years...but they may soon be forced to leave by city's officials. Multiple Sundance and Independent Spirit Award wins (2001). A pleasant surprise. Shot entirely in black and white, Singer's touch adds a sense of ultimate despair to these sweet but essentially desperate, forgotten people. While sad at times, the depiction and point-of-view of these people is completely satisfying. FAVORITE SCENE: One of the guys depicted is hilarious, foul-mouthed, but fairly intuitive and any scene with him in it was great. CAUTION: Fair amount of bad language and some explicit drug use.7. MEET THE PARENTS (2000) (Jay Roach) - Greg Focker (Ben Stille
r) goes with his soon-to-be-fiance (Teri Polo) to meet her loving mother (Blythe Danner), her overbearing ex-CIA father (Robert De Niro), her ex-fiance (Owen Wilson), and the rest of her family, and ends up experiencing the weekend from hell. Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical (De Niro) (2001). One of the greatest romantic comedies of all time. De Niro's intensity against Stiller's false confidence is perfectly matched. Great script, fully capable cast, a poop joke...what more could you want? FAVORITE SCENE: So many classic ones. One of my favorites is the Catholic blessing that Greg, who is Jewish, is asked to speak over their first dinner with Pam's parents. CAUTION: PG-13 for language and some sexual situations and jokes.6. MONSTER
'S, INC. (2001) (Pete Docter) - Pixar's take on a world in which the screams of human children are the source of electricity for a city of monsters who must sneak into the kid's rooms at night to scare them and get their needed screams...the only problem is a child's touch is thought to be toxic to a monster! Four Oscar nominations including Best Animated Feature (2002). I have been asking people the question, "Which do you like better: Shrek or Monster's, Inc?", seeing as how they both came out about the same time and were both nominated for Best Animated Feature the same year. To me, there is no competition. Shrek was funny, but Monster's, Inc. is original, hilarious, well voiced, well-executed, and the animation, unlike Shrek, is gorgeous. I am still shocked that so many people, including the Academy Awards, think that Shrek is a better film! Psh! Whatever...just...ugh! Some people.... FAVORITE SCENE: Any scene where there isn't a talking donkey. CAUTION: Some mildly scary images.5. MURDER ON A SUNDAY MORNING (2001) (Jean-Xavier de Lestrad
e) - The real life courtroom drama of a 15-year-old African American who is accused, possibly falsely, of the murder of a white tourist, exposing the corruption of parts of the police department. Oscar win for Best Documentary (2002). By the way, it's set in DUUUUVAAAALLL! You can't help but be proud (sarcasm) of our law enforcement after watching this enthralling courtroom thriller. We just have to pray that the sort of injustice shown in this documentary isn't the norm and that most policemen and women do their job thoroughly enough...I'd like to think that most probably do. FAVORITE SCENE: When Sheriff Nat Glover's son, who "handled" the "investigation", takes the stand and is legally ripped a new one. CAUTION: Some quick disturbing images and maybe some language...nothing much worse than watching the local news.4. O BROTH
ER, WHERE ART THOU (2000) (Joel Coen) - A slight remake of Homer's The Odyssey set in the South in the 1930's: three escaped convicts (George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson) are on a search for some buried treasure and meet many colorful characters along the way. Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe win for Clooney for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical (2001). Really the first of four number ones. The most quotable Coen brothers movie ever ("We thought you was a toad!" "Oh George, not the livestock." "I am the paterfamilias!"). This is probably my favorite Clooney role ever, and Turturro and Nelson are both hilarious. The relationship between the three of them rivals classic buddy comedies of the 30's and the digital transfer, which made the sepia tone throughout the film, is beautifully classic. FAVORITE SCENE: When Clooney's character finally gets home to find his wife is with a new man...by the way, her new "fee-on-say" is my cousin...it's kind of a big deal. CAUTION: PG-13 for language, sexual innuendos and some violence.3. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (200
1) (Peter Jackson) - The first film in the Lord of the Rings saga of Frodo Baggins and his companions' journey to Mordor to destroy a Ring that brings power and evil to whoever possesses it...plus there is a lot more stuff that happens. Four Oscar wins and 13 nominations including Best Picture (2002). You've probably never heard of this film. It's a fairly small-budget picture that made very little moves at the Box Office. But seriously, I really don't know what to say...This series is beautiful, loving, powerful, exciting, [other nice descriptions here]. Watch the whole series from start to finish in a week and try not to fall in love with the characters and their mission for peace. FAVORITE SCENE: Gandalf's (who is played by the brilliant Ian McKellen) epic fight against a giant fire devil monster thing. CAUTION: PG-13 for lots of scary images and violence.2. OCEAN'S
ELEVEN (2001) (Steven Soderbergh) - A supergroup of criminal masterminds (including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle) join forces in order to pull off the biggest heist any of them have ever committed. This might be Hollywood fluff, but it is Hollywood fluff at its finest. I have never seen a cooler movie before in my life. The outfits, the dialogue, the editing, and the casting are all perfect for creating a world that any of us would want to be a part of. Equal parts funny and exciting. Rent it, watch it, be part of heist, get arrested, then watch it again while your in jail; it will be worth it. FAVORITE SCENE: The two drivers/extras (Casey Affleck, Scott Caan) of the crew of robbers are first introduced as they are racing each other in a unique way. CAUTION: PG-13 for language.1. ALMOST FAMOUS (2000) (Cameron Crowe) - Set in the early 70's, fifteen-ye
ar-old aspiring rock journalist William Miller (Patrick Fugit) gets the chance of a life time when Rolling Stone magazine hires him to write about and travel with up-and-coming rock group Stillwater. Four Oscar nominations and one win for Best Original Screenplay (2001). Other than Murder On a Sunday Morning, I saw this one for the first time most recently of all of these movies. So don't put on me that this is just sentimental garbage, or that I am just picking something that has some sort of undeserving nostalgic value. It has been a LONG time since I sat down and watched a movie that completely contained my attention from start to finish without it feeling slow in parts. Is it possible my love for this movie is largely based on my love for Rock 'n' Roll? Perhaps. But anyone that loves a great cast, a fun script, complex relationships, and an amazing soundtrack will fall in love with this movie, which I personally consider to be Crowe's swan song. FAVORITE SCENE: The band, who has its share of squabbles (as most bands do), along with the crew of roadies and "band-aids", reconnects on their bus by belting out the Elton John classic "Tiny Dancer " together. CAUTION: Fairly strong R: bad language, some drug use, drinking, sexual situations, and one scene of brief nudity. BUT if you are an adult, please try and look past these hangups and enjoy the story-telling.RUNNER'S UP:
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), 9/11 (2002), Cast Away (2000), Memento (2001), A Beautiful Mind (2002)
OVERRATED:
About a Boy (2002), Shrek (2001), The Man Who wasn't There (2001), Ali (2001), Super Troopers (2002)
