2001:
A Cinematic Odyssey – A New Semblance of Normal
Regardless of what was released in 2001, movies will be the least of the things that 2001 is remembered for. The events of September 11th ensured that. Now we find ourselves living amidst a new semblance of normalcy, one filled with renewed patriotism, pride and glory. The world of the cinema took a backseat, but not for long, as we all realized that we were not going to let these bastards change our way of life. So we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and began to resume our lives, with this new found attitude. One of the ways we did this, was through the world of the cinema. They became our haven; an escape from the saturation and madness, but were also a messenger; a reflection of the mood of a nation down, but never out, and rebounding stronger than ever. Shots of the Trade Centers were edited, out of respect, from current releases such as Sidewalks of New York and Serendipity (but left in Vanilla Sky, fittingly) and other movies were delayed (Collateral Damage, Training Day) or shelved altogether (Jackie Chan’s latest project), but through it all, our resolve was reflected onto the silver screen, and screamed loud and proud, that we are America! The storylines and messages may not have changed much, but the prevailing mood and attitude took on a decidedly patriotic tone. Unintentionally, my Top 10 of 2001 is split right down the middle, 5 from pre-9/11, and 5 from afterwards. It runs the gamut from the youthful escapism of animated ogres and young wizards, to mind bending journeys through short term memory and the Hollywood dream. Through it all, the movies applied a celluloid band-aid on a wound that may never heal, but will be avenged. So without further adieu I present, my red and white and blue clad dose of reel-ality and my views and thoughts, on the true shining moments of a year that needed them.
Statistics for
the year
Number of 2001
releases seen 97 Effective Dates: Feb 10, 2001 – Feb 2, 2002 |
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10. Lord of The
Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring – Easily the most hyped and anticipated
movie of the year, and it did not fail to deliver. Tolkien’s tale of a young hobbit’s journey of discovery and
realization, became the grandiose epic that everyone wanted to be. Peter Jackson and company have not only
built anticpation for the sequels, but have delivered one for the ages |
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9. The Man Who
Wasn’t There – Film noir got a breath of smoke filled rejuvenation with the
Coen brothers simple tale of a barber, his wife, a store owner, and
UFO’s. With its soon to be
award-winning cinematography, and award worthy turns from Billy Bob Thornton
and Tony Shalhoub, The Man Who Wasn’t There becomes a film that we are
thankful, actually is. |
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8. Memento – Easily the most original film to come
along in quite awhile, Christopher Nolan’s retrospectively told revelatory
tale of a man who can’t retain memories, searching for answers is one to be
seen multiple times for comprehension and true appreciation. The storytelling method captures perfectly
the methods of recollection. While
the character may not remember much past the recent, this is a film whose
memory will stay with you for a long while. |
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7. Shrek – At first
glance, this appears to be yet another carbon-copied, youthfully targeted
salvo in the animation wars between Disney and Dreamworks, but as many of
this years films proved, looks can be deceiving. Shrek not only boasts a wisely satirical script, mocking social
status, the Mouse House, and classic fairy tales, but at it’s core is the
message that you should not judge a book by its cover. In this, the first year of the animated
film category at the Oscars, there is no competetion that this modern day
mature fairy tale towers above the rest. |
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6. Moulin Rouge
– Baz Luhrmann gives us a sensory overload of visuals, dancing, music, costumes
and sets, wrapped tightly around a simple story of love, truth, beauty and
power all set against early 1900s Paris, but dipped and twisted into present
times. Buoyed by strong leads from
Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, and a boisterous supporting job from Jim
Broadbent, this is truly a feast for the whole body and mind to absorb |
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5. Harry Potter and
The Sorcerer’s Stone – After Lord of The Rings, this was one that so many
were waiting for, and the adaptation fans were more strict on this one, due
to it being recent and more familiar.
Director Chris Columbus did not leave anything to chance, staying as
true to the original story as any adapted movie ever has, and he does it to
near perfection. The origin of the
boy wizard, the discovery of a past, the acceptance of the presence, and the
anxiety for the future are all captured in a stunning, effects-laden thrill
ride that takes the viewer back to the innocence of youth, while never
forgetting that the at the heart of every truth, is love. Combined with John Williams score, Alan
Rickman’s delicious sneering performance, and that darned 3-headed dog, Harry
casts a spell on all those who let him.
Those who don’t, need to remember their youth, put away their critical
nature, and enjoy the ride. |
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4. Hedwig and The Angry
Inch – A late entry into the Top 10, due to an initial hesitancy and
prejudice, Hedwig roars, or should I say, sings, its way into your heart as
one of the most touching, yet brutally honest self discovery stories ever
told. Forget that it’s a story of a
transsexual, whose botched surgery has left him two halves of one person (in
more ways than just physically) and let the true heart and emotion of the
story capture you.
Writer/director/actor John Cameron Mitchell takes us along, through
Hedwig’s journey forward to find her place, while helping us understand how
she came to embark on this journey. The
simultaneous unraveling of the past through songs and flashbacks, combined
with a catchy, yet powerful soundtrack (reminiscent of of Pink Floyd’s The
Wall) make this one to see, hear, and let become a part of you. |
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3. Amelie – It is
absolutely impossible not to fall in love with this tale of a French
do-gooder with the heart of gold, the smile of a cherub, and the gleeful
spirit that most seem to lack.
Director Jean Jeunet has captured elements of every film from
Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Emma to Slacker, to Magnolia in this tale of a
young woman who only wants to be the Pied Pieper of good deeds while
inadvertently finding herself along the way.
Audrey Tautou’s energetic performance will make you smile, and this
film will make anyone who absorbs it, feel better, and realize that making
the world a better place can be as simple as a random act of kindness |
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2. A Beautiful
Mind - A beautiful cinematic journey, of love through the eyes of
madness, and the power of the human mind and soul. The tale of recluse schizophrenic John Forbes Nash may have
taken some liberties with the Nobel genius’s life, but there is no denying
its emotional power and message.
Director Ron Howard may have created his masterpiece, and at the
center of it, are the two strong performances from Russell Crowe and Jennifer
Connolly, who could bring home gold for this wonderful journey which leave
you crying and cheering simultaneously. |
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1. Mulholland
Drive - The crown jewel in the resume of the master of the twisted story,
David Lynch. His viscerally
stimulating, twisted, mind-bending simultaneous construction and destruction
of the Hollywood dream was far and away the years most unique ride. Lynch’s
tale of a young dreamer and those she encounters, both in reality, and in her
imagination, uses stylish cinematography, haunting music, eclectic casting,
and an odd assortment of character to create the years most cerebral cinematic
ride. Those who see it, may not understand it, and those who understand it,
may not agree completely, but there is no denying that his dream-like
interpretation of days in the lives of a Hollywood starlet, a struggling
director and a mysterious cowboy, must truly be seen and experienced. |
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Honorable Mentions: |
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Oceans 11 |
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Startup.com |
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Riding in Cars With Boys |
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The Deep End |
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Enemy at The Gates |
Guilty Pleasures:
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American Outlaws |
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Novocaine |
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Save The Last Dance |
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Two Can Play That Game |
Russell Crowe - A Beautiful Mind
John Cameron Mitchell – Hedwig and The Angry Inch
Denzel Washington - Amelie
Tom Wilkinson - In The Bedroom
Will Smith - Ali
Honorable Mentions – Sean Penn – I Am Sam, Billy Bob Thornton - The Man Who Wasn’t There and/or Monsters Ball
Actress:
Naomi Watts - Mulholland
Drive
Sissy Spacek - In The Bedroom
Audrey Tautou - Amelie
Tilda Swinton – The Deep End
Halle Berry - Monsters Ball
Honorable Mentions – Nicole Kidman - Moulin Rouge, Thora Birch – Ghost World
Supporting Actor:
Tony Shalhoub - The Man Who Wasn’t There
Ben Kingsley – Sexy Beast
James Gandolfini – The Mexican
Jim Broadbent - Moulin Rouge
Steve Zahn - Riding in Cars With Boys
Jennifer Connelly - A Beautiful
Mind
Marisa Tomei – In The Bedroom
Cameron Diaz – Vanilla Sky
Come What May – Moulin Rouge
Wig in A Box - Hedwig and The Angry Inch
Origin of Love – Hedwig and The Angry Inch
Love Don’t Love Me – The
Brothers
Allstar (Smashmouth) – Shrek
It’s Raining Men (Weather Girls) – Bridget Jones Diary
Macho Man (Village People) – One Night At McCools
Novocaine for the Soul (The Eels) - Novocaine
Drops of Jupiter (Train) – K-Pax
Connected (Stereo MC’s) – Blow
“I gave a piece to my mother. I gave a piece to my man.
I gave a piece to the rock star. He took the good stuff, And ran” - Hedwig and The Angry Inch
“You should never underestimate the predictability of
stupidity.” - Snatch
2001 may indeed have been an odyssey, as prophesized by Arthur C. Clarke stated in his title book, but for different reasons than anyone could have imagined. We, as a nation, changed. We changed for the better, we found ourselves again, and we move forward, bigger, stronger and prouder than ever. Some stated recently that this was not a good year for movies, and it was difficult to argue until November, and with the fighting spirit and consistent resiliency, it rebounded and finished quite strongly. As we enter Y2K+2, movies, the country, and the world move onward and upward towards a brighter tomorrow. (Note: I apologize for the soapbox editorial commentary, but it’s hard not to these days)