Top 50 movies of the last 5 years-2000
Geez, who thought these lists would actually take, y'know, thought and some modicum of effort? Anyway, we start with the first partial year, as we have six films from the last quarter of 2000.
Best in Show
Released: September 29, 2000
Starring: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherin O'Hara, Michael McKean, Parker Posey, Fred Willard
IMDB Rating: 7.5
This was the follow up to Guest and Levy's first collabaration, Waiting for Guffman, and they didn't stray too far from that formula. In fact, the cast is nearly identical except for the additions of McKean, Jennifer Coolidge and a few others. But when a formula works, there's no need to tamper with it too much. The cast is uniformly funny, but the clear MVP is Fred Willard's absurd commentary at the Dog Show, made even funnier by Jim Piddock's reactions. Together, they made the funniest American/British combo since Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Lord Alfred Hayes on the old "Bobby Heenan Show."
Meet the Parents
Released: October 6, 2000
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Owen Wilson
IMDB Rating: 7.0
Stiller's status as Hollywood's go-to-Jew was solidified with this film. But the movie lived and died on De Niro, who played the father-in-law from hell. At times, it comes off a bit too mean spirited, but Stiller is game for the embarassment. Back then, Stiller's shtick was still somewhat fresh and he and De Niro worked well together. Considering the ending, you gotta wonder why they didn't go the "Back to the Future" route and just end with a "To Be Continued?" Which, of course, it sadly was.
The Contender
Released: October 13, 2000
Starring: Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Christian Slater
IMDB Rating: 7.0
Political dramas tend to either be far too partisan or far too boring to be any good, but this one relied on the strengths of their stars to propel this film. Joan Allen played the part of the would-be disgraced candidate perfectly, showing once again why she's criminally underrated. Speaking of underrated, Bridges brought his best Clinton meets the Dude charisma in another great performance. Oldman, the only one of the three who didn't get an Oscar nod, disappears into his character as usual, a mighty impressive fact considering his political objections to the role.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Release Date: December 8, 2000
Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Damn Andy Dick for making think of his oral sex techniques from Old School everytime I see this title. Blowjobs aside, the effects and fighting in this film alone warrant inclusion in any Best of list; the fact that there's a great story attached as well makes it an all-time classic. Ang Lee is at his absolute peak of filmmaking and even my longtime nemesis Chow Yun Fat is great.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Release Date: December 22, 2000
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, Holly Hunter, John Goodman
IMDB Rating: 7.8
Back when this film came out, Owen Gleiberman gave it one of the worst reviews I'd ever seen a movie get in Entertainment Weekly. Sometimes, a film is just a bit too low brow for movie snobs. Of course, considering this is an updated version of the Odyssey, it appears Gleiberman picked a bad target. Or maybe he hates Clooney or the Coen brothers or has a small penis. In any event, the soundtrack alone starting a resurgence for country music. The film's good too, as Clooney puts on arguably his best film role to date (though after Batman & Robin, anything decent was welcome).
Traffic
Release Date: December 27, 2000
Starring: Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Torro, Catherine Zeta Jones, Don Cheadle
IMDB Rating: 7.8
2000 was certainly Steven Soderbergh's best year and this is his best film ever. His prolific nature probably ended up costing him the best picture Oscar. A great cast, unique camera work and a decent message (albeit a bit heavy handedly made). Erika Christensen ends up giving the second scariest "White girl becomes a huge drug whore" performance of the year behind Jennifer Conelly in Requiem for a Dream. I mean hey, Erika was great, but there was no dildo.
Best in Show
Released: September 29, 2000
Starring: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherin O'Hara, Michael McKean, Parker Posey, Fred Willard
IMDB Rating: 7.5
This was the follow up to Guest and Levy's first collabaration, Waiting for Guffman, and they didn't stray too far from that formula. In fact, the cast is nearly identical except for the additions of McKean, Jennifer Coolidge and a few others. But when a formula works, there's no need to tamper with it too much. The cast is uniformly funny, but the clear MVP is Fred Willard's absurd commentary at the Dog Show, made even funnier by Jim Piddock's reactions. Together, they made the funniest American/British combo since Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Lord Alfred Hayes on the old "Bobby Heenan Show."
Meet the Parents
Released: October 6, 2000
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Owen Wilson
IMDB Rating: 7.0
Stiller's status as Hollywood's go-to-Jew was solidified with this film. But the movie lived and died on De Niro, who played the father-in-law from hell. At times, it comes off a bit too mean spirited, but Stiller is game for the embarassment. Back then, Stiller's shtick was still somewhat fresh and he and De Niro worked well together. Considering the ending, you gotta wonder why they didn't go the "Back to the Future" route and just end with a "To Be Continued?" Which, of course, it sadly was.
The Contender
Released: October 13, 2000
Starring: Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, Christian Slater
IMDB Rating: 7.0
Political dramas tend to either be far too partisan or far too boring to be any good, but this one relied on the strengths of their stars to propel this film. Joan Allen played the part of the would-be disgraced candidate perfectly, showing once again why she's criminally underrated. Speaking of underrated, Bridges brought his best Clinton meets the Dude charisma in another great performance. Oldman, the only one of the three who didn't get an Oscar nod, disappears into his character as usual, a mighty impressive fact considering his political objections to the role.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Release Date: December 8, 2000
Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Damn Andy Dick for making think of his oral sex techniques from Old School everytime I see this title. Blowjobs aside, the effects and fighting in this film alone warrant inclusion in any Best of list; the fact that there's a great story attached as well makes it an all-time classic. Ang Lee is at his absolute peak of filmmaking and even my longtime nemesis Chow Yun Fat is great.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Release Date: December 22, 2000
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, Holly Hunter, John Goodman
IMDB Rating: 7.8
Back when this film came out, Owen Gleiberman gave it one of the worst reviews I'd ever seen a movie get in Entertainment Weekly. Sometimes, a film is just a bit too low brow for movie snobs. Of course, considering this is an updated version of the Odyssey, it appears Gleiberman picked a bad target. Or maybe he hates Clooney or the Coen brothers or has a small penis. In any event, the soundtrack alone starting a resurgence for country music. The film's good too, as Clooney puts on arguably his best film role to date (though after Batman & Robin, anything decent was welcome).
Traffic
Release Date: December 27, 2000
Starring: Michael Douglas, Benicio Del Torro, Catherine Zeta Jones, Don Cheadle
IMDB Rating: 7.8
2000 was certainly Steven Soderbergh's best year and this is his best film ever. His prolific nature probably ended up costing him the best picture Oscar. A great cast, unique camera work and a decent message (albeit a bit heavy handedly made). Erika Christensen ends up giving the second scariest "White girl becomes a huge drug whore" performance of the year behind Jennifer Conelly in Requiem for a Dream. I mean hey, Erika was great, but there was no dildo.
posted by Mike at 10:42 PM
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