2002-04-03
Best Films of 2001, posted at 10:31 a.m.
Epiphany in Baltimore has moved to epiphanyinbaltimore.blogspot.com I've finally seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch, so I feel like I can make my Top Ten List for 2001 without Hugasoul declaring it a fraud. Making top ten lists is a tradition I've had now since 1997, although I think April is officially the latest I've written one. Here it is:1) The Royal Tenenbaums: A film that defies categorization and convention. Wes Anderson's remarkable dramedy has such a unique tone and pop-art sensibility that you're left feeling shocked when you're crying at the end. It's funny yet serious, it's heart-breaking yet hopeful - an amazing script brought to life by a visionary director and note-perfect performances.
2) Monster's Ball: An eery, emotionally overpowering film without any easy answers - even at the end. Halle Berry gives the best performance of her career (yeah, she deserved the Oscar), while Billy Bob Thornton, Peter Boyle, Sean "Puffy" Combs and Heath Ledger are equally strong. This is a devastating story, but one with a hopeful, humanistic core.
3) Memento: A strikingly unique script, this was a daring piece of cinema that will be remembered for years to come.
4) Ali: Michael Mann and Will Smith (he should have won the Oscar) combine to create a powerful, stylish, and emotionally searing work. Rarely do you see such a successful mix of editing, soundtrack, performance, and direction - in the hands of anyone but Mann, this flick would have played slow. Instead, it was terrific.
5) A Beautiful Mind: An exciting script that leaves viewers in the dark for the first half of the film, and terrific lead performances by Crowe and Connelly make this one of best films of the year.
6) Ocean's 11: A supremely entertaining Steven Soderbergh film with fabulously cool performances from Brad Pitt and George Clooney in the lead roles. It didn't get the attention it deserved at the Oscars (at least give the old guy a nomination...), but this is Pitt's best film ever and Clooney's best since his last Soderbergh film Out of Sight.
7) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Sure, there were a couple of slow moments. But anyone who has read the Tolkien series knows that this was a difficult thing to bring to the screen, and Peter Jackson has done as well as humanly possible. The film is visually exquisite - George Lucas should take some lessons from Jackson in how to make his special effects turn out as more like extensions of the story rather than showoffy. The film showcases a battle between good and evil that is as terrifying as you'll ever get to see. This fantasy genre is a tough thing to be successful in (see The Mummy or its sequel. On second though, don't), and The Lord of the Rings is a rare achievement. The daring ending left me wanting more, and I'll be first in line next November.
8) Hedwig and the Angry Inch: Hilarious and touching, with great music. I can't say I'm obsessed with it (like some people I know), but I definitely enjoyed its wry humor, witty dialogue, and unique script. John Cameron Mitchell's lead performance is terrific, and I loved the music. The best musical of the year.
9) Vanilla Sky: Cameron Crowe's love-it-or-hate-it thriller represents another apex on his career peak that started with Jerry Maguire and continued with Almost Famous. Any film that can mess with people's minds and emotions as well as this film has to be a success. Penelope Cruz should have gotten an Oscar.
10) Moulin Rouge: This one's for Gale. Seriously, while I didn't go crazy for it like some people, I respected the filmmaking, enjoyed the music, and loved Kidman's performance. Baz Luhrman - though I prefer his Romeo + Juliet - is an epically talented director, and once you get past his overly frenetic (think music video, think Michael Bay) style for the first 45 minutes, you're left with a good film.
Honorable Mentions: Ghost World, Shrek, Monsters Inc