PorcheRacer
07-14-2002, 12:30 PM
This list is from a website, Leisure Suite, or something like that. The're supposed to be a macho guy review site, like moviesforguys.com. But just look at there top ten of 2000 list. Are they gay?
Ten Best Movies of 2001
10. Dinner Rush (dir: Bob Giraldi)
A fun comedy/drama about the goings on at a trendy Manhattan restaurant on a very eventful night. There's Danny Aiello, mobsters, and lots of yummy yummy food on display.
9. Memento (dir: Christopher Nolan)
Ultimately not completely satisfying, but its clever told-in-reverse structure is pretty cool. Credit the movie with pulling off something pretty damn challenging, screenplay-wise. Read my original review.
8. Gosford Park (dir: Robert Altman)
It took me the whole damn picture to figure out which actor was Lady Such-and-Such and who was wife or daughter to who . . . I guess that's what makes it a mystery. Regardless, this class comedy from Robert Altman (who had a film on my "Worst" list last year) is a hoot.
7. With a Friend Like Harry (dir: Dominik Moll)
Attention young filmmakers: a movie with a propeller-headed monkey flying through a dentist's office gets an automatic nod on my top ten list. Hence the inclusion of this French comedy/thriller about choosing your friends carefully. Read my original review.
6. The Anniversary Party (dir: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming)
Lots of fine acting and big stars (Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow) on display, but more of an actor's showcase than a major motion picture. Still, any movie that's about so little and still manages to be this entertaining gets extra points.
5. Mulholland Drive (dir: David Lynch)
What's it about? It's about David Lynch being nutty. When Hollywood conventions have you down, it's bracingly therapeutic to watch David Lynch doing whatever crazy thing pops into his head. Plus this flick has lesbians, and it's no secret that I like lesbians. Read my original review.
4. Sexy Beast (dir: Jonathan Glazer)
Surely Ben Kingsley hatched fully formed from an egg sac in great Thespus' abdomen. His performance as Don Logan, a mobster who won't take no for an answer, is so nuanced, with shades of insecurity and psychosis, that if he doesn't get an Oscar I'm officially resigning as head of the Academy.
3. Moulin Rouge (dir: Baz Luhrmann)
The funny thing is that I didn't even love Moulin Rouge when I first saw it. Yet it stayed in my mind so that within a week I had the urge to see it again, and I bought the DVD as soon as it came out. Not everyone can handle this film's relentless visual assault (and maybe those who can't are better people than those of us who can), but there's never been a movie that looked like this one, and that makes it a worthy entry near the top of the list. Read my original review.
2. Ocean's 11 (dir: Steven Soderbergh)
This simple: if you like movies you'll like Ocean's 11. After his last misfire, the overrated Traffic, Soderbergh came back big time with this enormously entertaining caper flick.
1. Lantana (dir: Ray Lawrence)
Not too many people are seeing this Australian import, and it's a pity. A kind of Playing By Heart crossed with a murder mystery, it was my favorite film this year. Once you get over the fact that all the numerous characters (played by Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, and Barbara Hershey, among others) are related to each other in like 6 different ways, it's incredibly funny, entertaining, and surprisingly life-affirming.
Ten Worst Movies of 2001
Note that a bad movie might be upgraded to "worst of" if I saw it on any other critic's Top Ten list or if it made a lot of money at the box office. But whatever the reason, all the following are stinkers:
10. Planet of the Apes
I never objected to the idea of a remake, but somehow they made a movie about talking monkeys that isn't any fun at all.
9. The Pledge
Dark and tiresome drama with a lousy performance from Jack Nicholson. Read my original review.
8. Bridget Jones's Diary
I'll be in trouble with a certain special someone for disliking this annoying picture. But it just went on and on and on . . .
7. Hearts in Atlantis
Hannibal Lecter in an uplifting coming-of-age picture? Um, no. Read my original review.
6. Valentine
Good actresses in this lame slasher flick keep it from being too far down the list. Read my original review.
5. 15 Minutes
A drama about media and celebrity from a guy who didn't bother to learn about either. Insipid.
4. Double Take
I got sucked into this P.O.S. by a fantastic trailer. Boy did I feel like an asshole. Read my original review.
3. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
One laugh. Remind me why Kevin Smith is highly regarded? Read my original review.
2. Thir13en Ghosts
Shannon Elizabeth is in it and she doesn't get naked? Ninety minutes of Tony Shalhoub running from monsters does not an entertainment make.
1. Baise-Moi
You probably didn't see this ultra-violent French arthouse porn flick. You were lucky. Read my original review.
Assorted Awards
Best Actress
Sissy Spacek. Damn she was good in In the Bedroom. Who knew she could be so compelling when not drenched in pig's blood?
Best Actor
Gene Hackman. Isn't he always?
Best Line
From Vanilla Sky: "I think she's the saddest girl to ever hold a martini." Unfortunately, the movie repeats it 3 times.
Movie That Imploded in the Last 20 Minutes Award
A tie between A.I. and Vanilla Sky. Not that either was any great shakes prior to the last 20 minutes.
Worst Movie I Didn't See Award
Another tie: The Majestic and Pearl Harbor. An important historical film and the first guy they thought of was soulless hack Michael Bay? What's next, a screwball comedy from David Fincher?
Ten Best Movies of 2001
10. Dinner Rush (dir: Bob Giraldi)
A fun comedy/drama about the goings on at a trendy Manhattan restaurant on a very eventful night. There's Danny Aiello, mobsters, and lots of yummy yummy food on display.
9. Memento (dir: Christopher Nolan)
Ultimately not completely satisfying, but its clever told-in-reverse structure is pretty cool. Credit the movie with pulling off something pretty damn challenging, screenplay-wise. Read my original review.
8. Gosford Park (dir: Robert Altman)
It took me the whole damn picture to figure out which actor was Lady Such-and-Such and who was wife or daughter to who . . . I guess that's what makes it a mystery. Regardless, this class comedy from Robert Altman (who had a film on my "Worst" list last year) is a hoot.
7. With a Friend Like Harry (dir: Dominik Moll)
Attention young filmmakers: a movie with a propeller-headed monkey flying through a dentist's office gets an automatic nod on my top ten list. Hence the inclusion of this French comedy/thriller about choosing your friends carefully. Read my original review.
6. The Anniversary Party (dir: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming)
Lots of fine acting and big stars (Kevin Kline, Gwyneth Paltrow) on display, but more of an actor's showcase than a major motion picture. Still, any movie that's about so little and still manages to be this entertaining gets extra points.
5. Mulholland Drive (dir: David Lynch)
What's it about? It's about David Lynch being nutty. When Hollywood conventions have you down, it's bracingly therapeutic to watch David Lynch doing whatever crazy thing pops into his head. Plus this flick has lesbians, and it's no secret that I like lesbians. Read my original review.
4. Sexy Beast (dir: Jonathan Glazer)
Surely Ben Kingsley hatched fully formed from an egg sac in great Thespus' abdomen. His performance as Don Logan, a mobster who won't take no for an answer, is so nuanced, with shades of insecurity and psychosis, that if he doesn't get an Oscar I'm officially resigning as head of the Academy.
3. Moulin Rouge (dir: Baz Luhrmann)
The funny thing is that I didn't even love Moulin Rouge when I first saw it. Yet it stayed in my mind so that within a week I had the urge to see it again, and I bought the DVD as soon as it came out. Not everyone can handle this film's relentless visual assault (and maybe those who can't are better people than those of us who can), but there's never been a movie that looked like this one, and that makes it a worthy entry near the top of the list. Read my original review.
2. Ocean's 11 (dir: Steven Soderbergh)
This simple: if you like movies you'll like Ocean's 11. After his last misfire, the overrated Traffic, Soderbergh came back big time with this enormously entertaining caper flick.
1. Lantana (dir: Ray Lawrence)
Not too many people are seeing this Australian import, and it's a pity. A kind of Playing By Heart crossed with a murder mystery, it was my favorite film this year. Once you get over the fact that all the numerous characters (played by Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, and Barbara Hershey, among others) are related to each other in like 6 different ways, it's incredibly funny, entertaining, and surprisingly life-affirming.
Ten Worst Movies of 2001
Note that a bad movie might be upgraded to "worst of" if I saw it on any other critic's Top Ten list or if it made a lot of money at the box office. But whatever the reason, all the following are stinkers:
10. Planet of the Apes
I never objected to the idea of a remake, but somehow they made a movie about talking monkeys that isn't any fun at all.
9. The Pledge
Dark and tiresome drama with a lousy performance from Jack Nicholson. Read my original review.
8. Bridget Jones's Diary
I'll be in trouble with a certain special someone for disliking this annoying picture. But it just went on and on and on . . .
7. Hearts in Atlantis
Hannibal Lecter in an uplifting coming-of-age picture? Um, no. Read my original review.
6. Valentine
Good actresses in this lame slasher flick keep it from being too far down the list. Read my original review.
5. 15 Minutes
A drama about media and celebrity from a guy who didn't bother to learn about either. Insipid.
4. Double Take
I got sucked into this P.O.S. by a fantastic trailer. Boy did I feel like an asshole. Read my original review.
3. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
One laugh. Remind me why Kevin Smith is highly regarded? Read my original review.
2. Thir13en Ghosts
Shannon Elizabeth is in it and she doesn't get naked? Ninety minutes of Tony Shalhoub running from monsters does not an entertainment make.
1. Baise-Moi
You probably didn't see this ultra-violent French arthouse porn flick. You were lucky. Read my original review.
Assorted Awards
Best Actress
Sissy Spacek. Damn she was good in In the Bedroom. Who knew she could be so compelling when not drenched in pig's blood?
Best Actor
Gene Hackman. Isn't he always?
Best Line
From Vanilla Sky: "I think she's the saddest girl to ever hold a martini." Unfortunately, the movie repeats it 3 times.
Movie That Imploded in the Last 20 Minutes Award
A tie between A.I. and Vanilla Sky. Not that either was any great shakes prior to the last 20 minutes.
Worst Movie I Didn't See Award
Another tie: The Majestic and Pearl Harbor. An important historical film and the first guy they thought of was soulless hack Michael Bay? What's next, a screwball comedy from David Fincher?