Here it is folks, the best in movies of 2000 as selected by me and my collaborators Hollyfeld, Tyler Durden and Q-Brick. We all picked our own top 10 and chose as a group the best actors, actresses and directors of 2000. Feel free to let us know your opinion on our critical choices. Please come back tomorrow or Sunday for my annual Golden Globes predictions.
My Top Ten Best Films of 2000
10-Charlie's Angels
I'm gonna get blasted for this one. I really loved this film. A campy action comedy that works perfectly thanks to not taking itself seriously for two seconds. A really COOL group of villains with Sam Rockwell (Don't you love a Dancing Baddie?), the sexy and beautiful Kelly Lynch and the amazingly well cast Crispin Glover as the lunatic hair-sniffing psycho. McG could be the next God of action film directing. Can't wait for the sequel... Really!
9-X-Men
Three words: Not a disappointment...
8-The Family Man
It's one of those scripts that amazed me when I first read it. The final product was almost better then the written pages. Tea Leoni also showed promising acting skills for the first time. A wonderful Capra-esque film with a great cast and good direction.
7-Finding Forrester
Gus Van Sant salvaged his career with this film from the disaster known as the Psycho remake. His direction is superb and the cast he assembled is wonderful. Newcomer Rob Brown is a delight, while Anna Paquin, F. Murray Abraham (Who's absence from the screen is missed) and Busta Rhymes give good supporting performances. Sean Connery is the centerpiece of this remarkable drama. He will definitely get an Oscar nomination for his amazing work.
6-Gladiator
A Summer blockbuster that didn't disappoint. A glimpse into the future of action movies with the spectacular debut of Russell Crowe, Action Star. A really strong performance by Joaquin Phoenix. He's getting good at those villainous roles, he's becoming the American equivalent of Gary Oldman.
5-Thirteen Days
The best thriller of the year. Just watch Bruce Greenwood act, it's too good to be true. The man should earn himself an Oscar nomination, maybe the trophy too...
4-State and Main
The funniest film of the year. David Mamet wrote and directed a really hilarious tale. The film is obviously a financial failure. I hope you will all rent it once it's on video.
3-Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
I'm still confused by this film. I do feel it's unlike anything I have ever seen on the big screen. Ang Lee's visuals are amazing and the cast(lead by Zhang Ziyi) is wonderful. Follows the yearly tradition of good foreign films (1998's Life is Beautiful and 1999's Run Lola Run) hitting the top three of my best-of list. Let's hope the tradition continues into the 21st Century.
2-Traffic
Steven Soderbergh is the best visual director working today. Tagged with a great script by Stephen Gaghan and an excellent cast, it's Almost Perfect.
1-Almost Famous
A masterpiece. I have had serious trouble trying to describe this film to friends. It boils down to this: it's about real people. Cameron Crowe has managed to write a story so real, it's frightening. It feels like the ride home after being away for a longtime. I love the performances of Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Jimmy Falloon and Jason Lee. But the highlight of the film has to be Philip Seymour Hoffman as Lester Bangs. He's so good it's scary. Once again this decade, Cameron Crowe has managed to make a #1 film of the year(1996's Jerry Maguire). He's a cinematic genius and we should be thankful that we can witness his greatness in our lifetime.
The Best Actors of 2000
Phillip Seymour Hoffman (State and Main/Almost Famous)
The man has been scene-stealing for a few years now. But 2000 was his breakthrough year, with an amazing performance in Almost Famous and a strong lead role in State and Main. He enhances every scenes that he's in. He could become one of Hollywood's alternative leading men.
Russell Crowe (Gladiator)
Crowe's magnetic blend of strength and sensitivity had me rooting for his rugged, weary Maximus.
Mike White (Chuck and Buck)
I just can't say enough about this guy. The fact that he wrote such a powerful movie (one of my picks for Best Screenplay of the year) only compounds the achievement of executing the most magnificent performance of the year (male or female). Truly awesome and magnificent work - I just hope that someone remembers it come Oscar time.
George Clooney (Oh Brother Where Art Thou?)
To rebound from The Perfect Storm the way he did in Oh Brother is amazing. I loved every second he was on the screen and his gift for gab is something to gander at if I do say so myself. Which I of course do. The man was perfect in this film and even I am forced to admit it. Forget Bruce Wayne, give us more Everett Ulysses McGill!!!
Tobey Maguire (Wonder Boys)
For a young actor to shine and excel in two films that had Oscar winners in them says something. I am putting a lot of faith in this guy because he will also be playing Spider-Man. The Cider House Rules (a 2000 film damn it) and Wonder Boys were just a taste of what this guy can do. Admission into the Affleck/Damon/DiCaprio/Prinze Jr. club: DENIED!!!!
The Best Actresses of 2000
Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
She reminds me of Franka Potente (Run Lola Run) and Carrie-Ann Moss (The Matrix). Like both actresses, I've never seen anything quite like her on the big screen yet. She's soft, petite and beautiful but she can turn around and kick your ass. She's unbelievable and deserves an Oscar nomination.
Joan Allen (The Contender)
Joan Allen is so good in The Contender that it kept the film off of my personal list of Worst Films. Though I didn't agree with her character's politics, her ample acting skills make her a front-runner for an Oscar.
Frances McDormand (Almost Famous)
If she doesn't win a Best Supporting Actress for her mom role in Almost Famous, then I think she should get a free punch at whoever does win. She was just awesome and even freaked me out a bit. No wonder Hollyfeld didn't get cast in the role... McDormand would have eaten him up. Remember Hollyfeld, Don't DO Drugs!!!
Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
A marvel of understated acting. The quiet yet nobly romantic female is always a great role for talented actresses (look at Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, or Emma Thompson in Sense and Sensibility), yet Michelle Yeoh takes it to a new level with her warrior spirit. The most beautiful performance in the year's most beautiful film.
The Best Directors of 2000
Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous)
The best Writer/Director working in the business right now. Let's all remember that Almost Famous is only his 4th film. When he's done with cinema, he will be up there with the Hitchcock, Kubrick and Spielberg.
Steven Soderbergh (Traffic/Erin Brockovich)
His skills are consummate, his story sense is impeccable. He's an Oscar front-runner and he most certainly deserves it.
Ridley Scott (Gladiator)
Gladiator could have been a huge disaster of a film, but Ridley Scott helped make it a winner. The visuals, even the non-CGI ones, were just great and the action sequences were money. So money that you should all mail me a dollar so I can forward them to the needy gladiators who did not make as much money as Russell Crowe did on the film.
Billy Bob Thornton (All The Pretty Horses)
Although many directors have a deserving right to win in this category, Billy Bob Thornton gets the nod for one simple achievement - he really made me love a western. I HATE westerns. I don't know why, it is just something about my experiences with the genre - though there are a few notable exceptions. All The Pretty Horses gets added points for being the movie that breaks this string of disappointments, while still being quite obviously butchered in the editing room. I cannot wait another second until I get to see his original director's cut. I have no doubt that it will be startling and timeless.
"Here's my Top Ten for 2000:
10-Almost Famous
There a three reasons that this film makes the list: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Frances McDormand and Billy Crudup.
9-The Way of The Gun
Director Christopher McQuarrie, the writer of The Usual Suspects proves that he not only can talk the talk...he can walk the walk. A trashy, clever kidnap caper that outguns anything that Tarantino ever imagined. McQuarrie has moves he still hasn't shown us.
8-High Fidelity
John Cusack revisits the screen persona that made us love him years ago in this funny and very appealing tale of nerd love. Englishman Stephen Frears demonstrates how a good director never gets in the way of good material. Jack Black will never look for work again.
7-Thirteen Days
For once the ad campaign for a film tells the truth. Thanks to a no-frills narrative we now know just how close we came to nuclear winter during Camelot. Kevin Costner helped produce this white-knuckled look at the October Missile Crisis. Bruce Greenwood is a commanding screen presence as JFK.
6-All The Pretty Horses
A sprawling, romantic tale trimmed down to two hours and still survives. Matt Damon and Henry Thomas are perfect as the post-war cow hands whose lives change forever when they encounter the hilariously knuckle headed Lucas Black. Penelope Cruz sweetens up the whole affair like a warm summer night. I cannot wait to hear Billy Bob Thornton's commentary on the DVD...it should be a classic.
5-Shadow of The Vampire
A chilling, funny time-capsule of early cinema that signals the emergence of a film maker to watch, Elias Merhige. Willem Dafoe will take home an Oscar.
4-Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ang Lee's directorial dexterity is amazing. There is only one word for this very grown-up fantasy: Exquisite.
3-O Brother Where Art Thou?
A wonderful, loony valentine to traditional American music and Preston Sturges. George Clooney is a hoot. If Orson Welles had ever lightened up, he would have films made just like this. The Coens love their craft and we are all better for it.
2-Gladiator
The ultimate Sword and Sandal epic that marks another high point in Ridley Scott's career. Russell Crowe and company are a class act, while John Mathieson's vivid cinematography shimmers with rich detail. Strength and Honor!
1-Traffic
Kinetic visuals and riveting technique propel one of the year's most tightly plotted films. Steven Soderbergh can do no wrong and neither can his dream cast...especially Benicio Del Toro, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzman, Topher Grace and Erika Christensen.
Best Supporting Role: Lucas Black in All The Pretty Horses. In a film filled with fine portrayals, young Mr. Black's rollicking redneck proves how pivotal a supporting performance can be.
Best Scene: Willem Dafoe's Max Schreck staring into the movie projector in Shadow of The Vampire.
Best Line: From Shadow of The Vampire, Willem Dafoe to John Malkovich, 'I don't think we need the writer any longer.'
Best Prop: Dapper Dan Men's Pomade from O Brother Where Art Thou?.
Best Adaptation: Joel & Ethan Coen for O Brother (Based on Homer's 'The Odyssey'). And finally, I should have added this last category to my WORST list for 2000 but this year's WORST CHOICE BY AN ACTOR goes to Harrison Ford for turning down Traffic."
(Commentary by 'Q-Brick'.)
10-Croupier
I have written many different drafts of comments to accompany Mike Hodges' Croupier on this list, but they all boil down to the fact that it is the finest film noir I can think of since the fifties. And that's quite a compliment.
9-Love's Labour's Lost
Kenneth Branagh’s experiment in combining Shakespearean comedy with musical comedy is a rollickingly good success, in spite of what certain critics may say. The perfect film for those who (like me) complain that 'they don't make them like they used to.' Although occasionally hampered by an uneven cast, LLL easily reigns as Branagh's most entertaining film.
8-Cecil B. Demented/Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
Easily the two most under-rated films this year. I don't really believe in ties, but these two deserve to be grouped together as they are both powerful indictments of the movie industry. Why weren't they more popular? Probably because Demented is a joke that most industry insiders didn't get (or didn't want to), and because the concept of Book of Shadows was too lofty for its 'horror sequel' packaging. Read my review of the latter and the links accompanying it if you thought it was crap.
7-Oh Brother Where Art Thou?
Again, read my earlier review in this column. Really good and really funny. Not the Coens' best, and again it might not be a joke that everyone gets, but a darn funny film if you do.
6-The Way of The Gun
The coolest crime film of the year. That might not be much of a prize, but what are you going to do? Everyone involved does some of their best work in this film, especially James Caan and Ryan Phillipe, the latter of which I have forgiven in advance for Anti-Trust. Keep this kind of stuff up, Ryan.
5-Almost Famous
Just a really good movie. I have a bit of a history with this film (as explained in the 'Worst of' column, I auditioned for a really large part, and lost), but there is no denying that it turned out really well. It's a little longer than it probably should have been, but that's just nit-picking. Another great film from the great Cameron Crowe.
4-Gladiator
I love a good epic film. Combine that with a great climactic sword fight and I'm hooked. Perilously close to Best Film of the Year, but it is hampered by what is, in my opinion, a kind of cheesy ending (again, see the 'Worst of' column).
3-Finding Forrester
Read my review. Gus Van Sant hasn't been this good since To Die For, and Sean Connery has possibly never been this good. A great film that is coming far too close to being overlooked this awards season.
2-Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Just exquisite filmmaking. At first I didn't know what to make of it, until I realized that I had been looking at it as an action film, not a romantic drama. (Although the action scenes are impressive, CTHD is as much an action film at heart as From Here To Eternity is a war film - that element of coolness is incidental.) As a romantic drama it is all but perfect, and one of those rare films that is worthy of being nominated for every Academy Award. Really.
1-Chuck and Buck
I had trouble with this film. I knew that it had to be in my top two films along with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but I couldn't figure out which one exactly because they are just two completely different experiences. Both are utter cinematic perfection, but Chuck and Buck wins out because it was more emotionally involving than any other film this year. At any given moment, I felt horror, fear, love, sympathy and pity - a frightening degree of closeness with these characters. These experiences were unmatched by anything else the theaters had to offer us this year. To say anything more would risk ruining the power of Chuck and Buck for you. Rent it right now. (But remember, this film can ruin your evening if you're not prepared for some emotional taxation. You have been forewarned.)
Honorable Mentions(in descending order): All The Pretty Horses, Shanghai Noon, Cast Away, Chicken Run, Final Destination, The Big Tease.
Haven't Seen 'Em Yet: Requiem For A Dream, Dancer In The Dark, Traffic, Wonder Boys, You Can Count On Me, 13 Days.
Memo to the Academy: For the love of God, please don't forget...
Boesman & Lena, for Best Actress, Angela Bassett
All The Pretty Horses, for Best Actor, Matt Damon; Best Supporting Actor, Henry Thomas; Best Original Song (if it is original), Marty Stuart for Far Away; Best Musical Score, Marty Stuart, Larry Paxton, Kristin Wilkinson; Best Cinematography, Barry Markowitz; Best Director, Billy Bob Thornton
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, for Best Actor, Chow Yun-Fat; Best Actress, Michelle Yeoh, Best Supporting Actress, Ziyi Zhang; Best Supporting Actor, Chen Chang
The Way of The Gun, for Best Supporting Actor, James Caan; Best Supporting Actress, Juliette Lewis
Chuck and Buck, for Best Actor, Mike White; Best Supporting Actress, Lupe Ontiveros; Best Original Screenplay, Mike White
Chicken Run, for Best Art Direction, Tim Farrington and Rosalind Shingleton
Cecil B. Demented, for Best Original Screenplay, John Waters; Best Actor, Stephen Dorff (yeah, I know it's a longshot, but I think it would still be fun)
Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, for Best Supporting Actor, Tim Blake Nelson; Best Cinematography, Roger Deakins
Love's Labour's Lost, for Best Adapted Screenplay, Kenneth Branagh; Best Art Direction, Celia Bobak; Best Musical Score, Patrick Doyle
(Commentary by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)
"Selecting the Worst of 2000 was easy. There was just so much bad to choose from. When Deadpool asked for my Top 10 Best of 2000... I was forced to dig hard and deep. One of the best movies I saw the year was the re-release of The Exorcist, but I can't use that one. So, it is with much reservation that I present my Top 10 for the year 2000 (though one of these should be on a 2001 list, but I am not ranting or anything).
10-Space Cowboys
This movie had three quality actors from the era of black and white film and they rocked in this movie. I thought Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones really rocked in this film. I would take Tommy Lee Jones in a fight though... unless it was Clint from his cowboy days. Then Tommy would stand about as much chance as Donald Sutherland of pulling so many women at his age in real life. James Garner is almost an afterthought in this film. I thought it was funny and worth the price of admission. A few more naked women would have helped... or a large CGI asteroid so Clint could say old Dirty Harry one-liners to.
9-The Family Man
Of all the holiday films, I thought this one was the best. And head to head... I would have taken Cage over Gilligan... I mean Tom Hanks. I though Cage had lost all the luster after 8mm... but a little Don Cheadle magic and some Tea Leoni smiles and you have got yourself a winner. Cage has the knack for comedy and I think he should do more of it. His scenes with his could-have-been daughter were better than Hanks throwing his volleyball out of the cave after an argument. I wish an angel could come back and show me what my life would be like if I was a millionaire or something....
8-U-571
Even with Bon Jovi in the cast... this movie kicked some serious ass. 'Shot down... in a Blaze of Glory.' It was just a great film to watch from start to finish. McConaughey, Paxton and some dash of Keitel made this submarine voyage better than the old Disneyland ride. I almost fell off the edge of my seat during the depth charge scenes. A huge, giant, monstrous CGI squid would have been sweet as well.
7-Wonder Boys/Girlfight
I don't think many people saw either of these films, but both were great and examples of what you can do with a good script. One had a big name cast... Girlfight had no cast. I just couldn't choose between these two so I had to give them the tie for lucky number 7. However, I think Michelle Rodriguez would wipe the floor with any cast member from Wonder Boys. I bet Robert Downey could do more drugs in one sitting than the cast and crew of Girlfight combined. And I wager that Katie Holmes LOVES me better than any other person that writes for Deadpool, including DP himself.
6-The Specials
Most of you have probably never even heard of this film. I thought it was the funniest movie I have seen all year... much better than that garbage film Meet the Parents. They released this one in only LA and NY... and I think we all missed out. I didn't because I saw it. It was a hilarious look at a not so great super-hero team. I mean... 'Being a Special is like being the last sailor in line for the whore.' With dialogue like that from Rob Lowe, go get the DVD. The website for this film was awesome: www.thespecials-movie.com
5-Final Destination
Another shocker to be sure... but this movie really freaked me out. The idea of cheating Death only to have him come back at you with a vengeance really tripped me out. Every time I see dark shadows out of the corner of my eye I get freaked out. All the death scenes were really great as well. I know I may take some grief for having this film at 5... but think of what came out this year... and cut me some slack. Wonder what my next airplane trip will be like... oh no...
4-Frequency
I can hear the gasps coming from my peers. I loved the idea for this film. While constantly changing the past is sure to affect the space-time continuum, the nature of this story really appealed to me. A monster comeback for Dennis Quaid. Who needs that wench Meg Ryan anyway? I think Jim Caviezel is one of the most underused actors in Hollywood. I wish someone would have dropped hints to me about Yahoo! back in the day.
3-Gladiator
The only thing I didn't like about this film was that I didn't get enough action sequences. Russell Crowe could become a serious action star... the replacement for Arnold we have been looking for. Ridley Scott even managed to make this a winner with River's brother as the main bad guy. I think it was a mistake to kill Maximus because this one had sequel potential written all over it.
2-Almost Famous
In most years, this film would have been towards the bottom of the best. I really like this film and thought Patrick Fugit was a great casting call (hahaha Hollyfeld). The entire feeling of the movie just made me groove out to the music of the time. Then again, would we expect anything less than awesome from Cameron Crowe. I too am a golden god, but only on special occasions.
1-Oh Brother Where Art Thou?
I guess this one managed to squeak into 2000 by the lid of a Palmade can, but it was by far the best movie I saw last year. The Coen Brothers will have to stop making movies because they will never be able to top this one. George Clooney has finally made me a believer and his tune was catchy. I want the Soggy Bottom Boys (or those sirens by the river) to play my next bash. Turturro and Nelson played characters that mostly reminded me of Q-Brick and Hollyfeld... as bright as a bag of hammers, but funny and lovable at the same time. Go see this film people!!! And remember, if you are not a Dapper Dan man, then you deserve to be turned into a horny toad. Just watch out for the Klan boys... they are not going to like what they see in the film. I know pronounce Clooney to be reborn and absolved of his previous cinema sins.
Honorable Mentions: Chicken Run, All the Pretty Horses, The Replacements (it was funny).
Never fear people... 2001 promises to be better. Oh Brother Where Art Thou has already earned a place on my Top 10 of all time (it will be on my Best of 2001 list no doubt) and there is more to come. I think Pearl Harbor will be amazing and The Mummy 2 will be a fun film to watch. Of course, the hobbits will also be out and about next Christmas. Before I go, I just want to say that at best, X-Men was okay and I think I could have made a better film for $35 million. I like Hugh Jackman though... keep an eye on that guy. Bryan Singer... idiot!!! Oh, you can also e-mail me your comments at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it And don't forward me any more of those porn spams Q-Brick and Hollyfeld... especially your amateur video shots. SICK!!!
And remember, the second best cure for a hangover is to spend the money on quality over quantity. It hurts a lot less that way in the morning. Out."
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That's all folks...
DeadPool
