Al's Top Rated Films: 2000
4 personal classics for 2000. It was a good year in film!
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- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsEllen BurstynJared LetoJennifer ConnellyThe drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people are shattered when their addictions run deep.This tripped-out drug-infested masterpiece directed by the one-of-a-kind Darren Aronofsky is one of the most powerful and well-executed dramas I've ever seen. Excellent story the follows a retired widow and lonely TV addict named Sara Goldfarb, her junkie son Harry and his friend Tyrone who have aspirations of making it big in the heroin game, and Harry's fashion designer and drug-dependent girlfriend, Marion. Things start out great in the summer, and quickly turns disastrous as winter approaches. I don't recall any film being as visually superb and emotionally powerful as this. Along with the excellent cinematography and unique editing, the acting and character development is insanely good. Ellen Burstyn gives an especially memorable and emotional performance as the old and lonely Sara Goldfarb. Jared Leto, Marlon Wayans, and Jennifer Connelly also deliver some of their all-time best performances. Christopher McDonald, Louise Lasser, Marcia Jean Kurtz, and Keith David all have great roles among a superb supporting cast.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksHelen HuntPaul SanchezA FedEx executive undergoes a physical and emotional transformation after crash landing on a deserted island.Fantastic adventure about a FedEx executive and cargo plane that crashes on an unknown deserted island that covers a search area of 500,000 square miles. He slowly realizes that a rescue vessel isn't coming, and he must make monumental efforts if he wants to survive, see his wife, and meet civilization again. After 4 years or lonely survival pass, he decides he must escape the island at any cost; builds a boat, and makes detailed plan for his escape. The story is excellent and the direction from Robert Zemeckis is phenomenal. Tom Hanks gives one of my all-time favorite performances as Chuck Noland. He was incredible. While most of the screen time was dedicated to him, Helen Hunt also delivered an excellent and emotional performance. Nick Searcy also had a nice role among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorChristopher GuestStarsFred WillardEugene LevyCatherine O'HaraA behind-the-scenes look into the highly competitive and cut-throat world of dog shows through the eyes of a group of ruthless dog owners.Hysterical mockumentary comedy from Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy that follows several extremely eccentric folks, trainers, and their favorite furry friends as they all simultaneously travel to attend and enter their dogs into the heralded Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show in Philadelphia. Shot in documentary fashion, the story digs deep into the unconventional minds of folks that are completely obsessed with their dogs, and others that are crazed with winning the coveted blue ribbon and being the best. Aside from the dog owners and trainers themselves, every character and profession involved with getting the show organized is presented in perfect comedic fashion. The film is absolutely hilarious and perfectly done for the satirical style they are shooting for. I’d have to call it my favorite dog/animal film of all time. This was also the first mockumentary I’ve seen, and it is still the best I’ve seen in the genre. Lastly, the casting is absolutely perfect. Every actor delivers fantastic dialogue and comedy with their role—whether large or small. Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Michael Hitchcock, Parker Posey, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, Jane Lynch, and Jennifer Coolidge all deliver fantastic starring roles—the best of many of their careers. Fred Willard, Jim Piddock, Ed Begley Jr., Bob Balaban, Don Lake, Larry Miller, Linda Kash, Will Sasso, Patrick Cranshaw, Malcolm Stewart, Steven M. Porter, and others also had excellent supporting roles.
- DirectorBobby FarrellyPeter FarrellyStarsJim CarreyRenée ZellwegerAnthony AndersonA nice-guy cop with Dissociative Identity Disorder must protect a woman on the run from a corrupt ex-boyfriend and his associates.The most severely underrated comedy from 2000, and the last great golden-era film from Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly (The Farrelly Brothers). Hilarious story about a wholesome Rhode Island state trooper (Charlie) who has 3 black sons that he accepts and loves after his wife cheated on him and left their lives. He's eventually diagnosed with multiple personalities because he hasn't confronted the issues with his wife and all the other townspeople who have no respect for him. Sometimes Charlie is charge, and sometimes "Hank" is in charge; which proves to be a hysterical challenge when he's tasked to protect an innocent woman who's on the run from her criminal ex-boyfriend, his associates, and crooked cops. Easily one of my favorite roles from Jim Carrey, as he expanded the range of his character beyond a lot of earlier slapstick comedy his was famous for (even though there's still plenty involved here). Renée Zellweger also delivered my favorite role of hers. Anthony Anderson, Mongo Brownlee, and Jerod Mixon were all absolutely hilarious as the kids. Robert Forster was great as Colonel Partington. Tony Cox had a short, but hilarious cameo. Chris Cooper, and Richard Jenkins played nice antagonists.
- DirectorBoaz YakinStarsDenzel WashingtonWill PattonWood HarrisIn 1971 Virginia high school football was everything to the people of Alexandria. But when the school board was forced to integrate an all-black school with an all-white one, the very foundation of football's tradition was put to the test.Excellent sports drama and biopic about Herman Boone—the newly appointed African-American football coach of desegregated T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971. Since most schools in Virginia were segregated at the time, having a mix of black and white players/coaches was very controversial, and eventually becomes a point of pride among the community when they learn to respect and work with each other. One of the best football movie I've ever seen. Denzel Washington and Will Patton played their coaching roles great. But it's all the young actors that really brings this film full circle. Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Donald Faison, Ethan Suplee, and Ryan Gosling were all excellent, among many others.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamBrad PittStephen GrahamUnscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.Hilarious crime comedy with so many entertaining twists and turns. Great story about a ragtag group of different characters work to track down a stolen 84 karat diamond as many comical situations and conflicts present themselves. Excellent ending. The unique personalities of each character/actor is really the highlight of the film. I'd recommend watching this film with captions on considering the regional Irish and European accents are so hard to understand (if that's a problem for you). It makes it much easier to follow, and I caught a ton of jokes I would not have normally picked up on. Jason Statham, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Farina, Vinnie Jones, Brad Pitt, and Rade Serbedzija all had excellent lead performances among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorMary HarronStarsChristian BaleJustin TherouxJosh LucasA wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.Horrifying crime drama set in the late 1980s about a narcissistic 27-year-old New York City investment banking executive who seemingly has a great life—good looks, intelligence, career, and lots of money—but something much more serious is happening behind the scenes, as he delves deeper into an uncontrollable fantasy of violent murder. Christian Bale is hilariously scary in this film, and he plays his egomaniacal perfectly. Reese Witherspoon, Willem Dafoe, Chloë Sevigny, Cara Seymour, Matt Ross, Jared Leto, Justin Theroux, and Krista Sutton all had nice roles among a great supporting cast.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsJulia RobertsAlbert FinneyDavid BrisbinA flamboyant law firm secretary works tirelessly to gain justice for a small town wrecked by a utility company's pollution.Great biopic on the life of Erin Brockovich-Ellis—an unemployed single mother who's down on her luck, and becomes a legal assistant and heads up investigating and helping take down the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, who's been polluting the water and poisoning residents the area, and trying to quietly cover it up. Quite possibly Julia Roberts' best performance. She plays the strong single mother to perfection. Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Conchata Ferrell, and Peter Coyote all had very nice roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisSamuel L. JacksonRobin WrightA man learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident.Excellent mystery/thriller from M. Night Shyamalan that follows a security guard named David Dunn who’s traveling back home to Philadelphia after going to a job interview in New York. After feeling a fearful premonition about the train unsafely speeding up, he wakes up in a hospital several hours later and learns that the train horrifically crashed and killed all 131 passengers on board, while he was left completely unharmed. David is bewildered by the events along with his curious son and dispirited wife, and things get even more puzzling when a mysterious disabled man named Elijah Price has mind-bending insight into David’s gift of defying death and seeing people’s past lives. Great story all around with fantastic cinematography and use of inventive angles, reflections, and plenty of effectively done long takes. It also really pays off with a great ending as well. Bruce Willis delivers one of his best lead performances, and Samuel L. Jackson also had a fantastic starring role. Robin Wright, Spencer Treat Clark, Charlayne Woodard, Eamonn Walker, Johnny Hiram Jamison, Chance Kelly, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorBen YoungerStarsGiovanni RibisiVin DieselNia LongA college dropout, attempting to live up to his father's high standards, gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm which puts him on the fast track to success. But the job might not be as legitimate as it first appeared to be.Great crime drama about an intelligent college dropout who runs an illegal casino out of his apartment. With ambitions to make serious money, he takes an opportunity as a trainee stock broker at a small time brokerage firm in New York. As he dives deeper into the world of cut-throat high pressure stock deals, the company appears to be taking illegitimate and deceitful avenues in their practices. Giovanni Ribisi delivered an excellent lead performance—my favorite of his to date. Nia Long, Vin Diesel, Nicky Katt, and Scott Caan have great supporting roles. Ben Affleck has a very small role, but gives an outstanding speech similar to Alec Baldwin's in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), making it very memorable.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenA former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.Great action adventure from Ridley Scott set in 180 A.D. Rome, and follows beloved Roman general Maximus, who demands vengeance against the deceitful emperor Commodus, after he murdered his family and sent him into slavery. Well written, acted, and a beautiful recreation of Rome. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix both deliver excellent lead performances. Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris, and many others had great roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.Great classic-rock inspired comedy drama/adventure from Cameron Crowe about the days when Rolling Stone magazine was actually relevant. Nice story set in the early 1970s, following a 15-year-old high school student and aspiring music journalist who gets a job writing for Rolling Stone magazine, and heads out on tour with a popular rock band named Stillwater, and experiences the behind-the-scenes excitement and downfalls of the rock 'n' roll life musicians, groupies, and fans lead. Patrick Fugit delivered an excellent performance as the young reporter, William Miller. Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Frances McDormand, Anna Paquin, Fairuza Balk, Zooey Deschanel, Michael Angarano, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorRod LurieStarsJoan AllenGary OldmanJeff BridgesSenator Laine Hanson is a contender for U.S. Vice President, but information and disinformation about her past surfaces that threatens to derail her confirmation.Excellent political drama/thriller from Rod Lurie that follows Democratic U.S. President Jackson Evans during his second term in office, who must choose a new Vice President after the untimely death of his current Vice President. The beloved Virginia Governor Jack Hathaway is the most likely pick for the position, but Evans wants to change history and elect a woman, and has his sights set on the beautiful and progressive Ohio Senator Laine Hanson. However, conservative Republican Congressman Shelly Runyon doesn't like Hanson, and initiates a private investigation that creates a smear campaign against her for participating in wild sexual endeavors when she in college at age 19. The pressure builds to a boiling point that threatens Hanson's personal life, career, and the entire presidential administration she represents. Thrilling and very entertaining legal drama all around with a superb cast. Joan Allen arguably delivers her all-time best lead performance, and ranks as my personal favorite of hers. Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman also had fantastic starring roles. Sam Elliott, Christian Slater, William Petersen, Saul Rubinek, Philip Baker Hall, Mike Binder, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsColin FarrellMatthew DavisClifton Collins Jr.A group of recruits go through Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana's infamous Tigerland, last stop before Vietnam for tens of thousands of young men in 1971.Excellent war drama from Joel Schumacher set in 1971 when the United States was losing the Vietnam War, and follows Texas-native Private Roland Bozz being sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana, for 8 weeks of intense training before they are thrusted into horrifying battle. Bozz is very opposed to the war, disrespects authority, and makes enemies (and allies) with others in his unit. He ends up befriending a dedicated soldier named Jim Paxton, which mentally helps them both along the way as they fight through the horrors of their training. This is one of the best Vietnam films I have ever seen. The bleakly gray earth toned color pallet, intense camera work, dialogue, and fantastic casting really makes this one shine. It really exemplifies the horrors of the Vietnam War. Colin Farrell delivers a fantastic lead performance. Matthew Davis, Clifton Collins Jr., and Shea Whigham also had great starring roles. Tom Guiry, Russell Richardson, Nick Searcy, James MacDonald, Michael Shannon, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsDamon WayansSavion GloverJada Pinkett SmithA frustrated African-American TV writer proposes a blackface minstrel show in protest, but to his chagrin, it becomes a hit.Hilarious, powerful, and highly controversial Spike Lee joint that follows an eccentric black television writer named Pierre Delacroix, who can't stand his racist boss who's pressing him and all the other writers to create a controversial and offensive new program to up their ratings, which are the lowest they've ever been. Pierre gets the idea to pitch an extremely offensive and racist modern day blackface minstrel show in hopes that it will fail, he'll be fired, and legally be released from his contract. However, his boss loves the idea, and with the help with a couple of easily manipulated tap dancing street entertainers, the show becomes a nationwide hit, and praised for its artistic value. But sooner or later they will have to face the horrifying shockwave of consequences that come with their reckless actions. The film raises several social messages as it entertains viewers on its way to a powerful and dramatic conclusion. It's arguably Spike Lee's most unapologetically controversial film. Damon Wayans and Jada Pinkett Smith both delivered excellent lead performances. Savion Glover, Tommy Davidson, and Michael Rapaport also had great starring roles. Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Paul Mooney, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsGuy PearceCarrie-Anne MossJoe PantolianoLeonard Shelby, an insurance investigator, suffers from anterograde amnesia and uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife, which is the last thing he remembers.Very nice mystery/thriller from Christopher Nolan that follows a man who's no longer able to build new memories after injuring his head when intervening with his wife's murder. And now he's on a mission to track down the murderer. The forward moving story is cleverly intertwined with the same story moving backwards in time, which keeps it mysterious throughout. Nolan's films aren't can be challenging to follow and dissect, but it is very well done throughout. Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior, and several others have great performances.
- DirectorStephen FrearsMartin PasettaStarsWalter CronkiteRichard DreyfussNoah WyleCold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.Powerful political drama/thriller from Stephen Frears and Martin Pasetta set in the 1960s during the Cold War, at a time when when computers could have more complex power than humans could control. Great story about how a technical communication malfunction occurs, and sends irreversible orders to American pilots to drop nuclear bombs over Moscow. This is a remake of Sidney Lumet's classic 1964 film of the same name, but takes a vastly different approach than the original. It was the first live feature-length program to be broadcast live on CBs in 40 years. Knowing that, the film is extremely well done and acted superbly throughout. And it's no surprise to won two Primetime Emmys for the production design. The fantastic cast is what really drew me to this film, and none of them disappoint. Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Dennehy, and Harvey Keitel all delivered excellent starring roles. Noah Wyle, Sam Elliott, James Cromwell, John Diehl, Hank Azaria, Norman Lloyd, Bill Smitrovich, George Clooney, Don Cheadle, and others had also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodTommy Lee JonesDonald SutherlandWhen retired engineer Frank Corvin is called upon to rescue a failing satellite, he insists that his equally old teammates accompany him into space.Excellent and thrilling adventure from Clint Eastwood that follows four U.S. Air Force veterans and aspiring astronauts who worked together in 1958. Pilots Frank Corvin and the fearless William "Hawk" Hawkins have butted heads for years, while designer Jerry O'Neill and navigator "Tank" Sullivan help keep their team in check. However, they never did get their chance to go into space. Now the year is 2000, and NASA is working with the Russian government to rescue a Russian satellite called IKON that's deteriorating in space and could cause a catastrophe if it crash lands on earth. This old team of has-beens have special knowledge of the satellite's outdated communications system, and they all insist they are the only ones that can do the job. Great story, great comedy, and great acting from a star-studded cast. Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner all delivered excellent lead performances. James Cromwell also had a great starring role. Marcia Gay Harden, William Devane, Courtney B. Vance, Loren Dean, Barbara Babcock, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorDavid MametStarsPhilip Seymour HoffmanWilliam H. MacyRebecca PidgeonA movie crew invades a small town whose residents are all too ready to give up their values for showbiz glitz.Excellent and very cleverly done satirical comedy drama from David Mamet that follows a Hollywood movie crew led by strict and egotistical film director named Walt Price, that's tasked with making a movie in the tiny Vermont town of Waterford after disaster struck in the previous New Hampshire town the movie was supposed to be filmed in. First-time screenwriter Joseph Turner White is stuck making demanding changes to the script while striking up an inspiring romance with a beautiful local book store owner, while the film's star Bob Barrenger puts the entire project in jeopardy when his love for young women catches results in a crazed media frenzy. Great story all around with excellent dialogue and a great cast. William H. Macy and Philip Seymour Hoffman both deliver excellent lead performances. Rebecca Pidgeon, Alec Baldwin, Clark Gregg, and David Paymer also had great starring roles. Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Stiles, Charles Durning, Patti LuPone, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsCate BlanchettKatie HolmesKeanu ReevesAnnabelle Wilson, a woman with psychic abilities, tries to find Jessica King, a young socialite who has mysteriously disappeared. While the search continues, she starts to suspect the townspeople.Excellent supernatural horror mystery from Sam Raimi set in Brixton, Georgia, and follows a fortune-teller and widowed mother of three named Annie Wilson who frequently performs psychic readings for the local townspeople for donations to make ends meet. Among her customers is a woman named Valerie Barksdale who is constantly being beat up by her husband Donnie, and a severely troubled auto mechanic and friend named Buddy Cole. After Donnie threatens Annie and her kids after interfering with his marriage, a mysterious murder occurs surrounding Donnie, Buddy, and others, which sets Annie’s visions into a chaotic spin as she tries to unravel the truth. Great mystery all around with a great production and cast. Cate Blanchett delivered an excellent lead performance, and Giovanni Ribisi stole every scene he was in. Keanu Reeves, Greg Kinnear, Hilary Swank, J.K. Simmons, Chelcie Ross, Gary Cole, Katie Holmes, Michael Jeter, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorRobert TownsendStarsVing RhamesAlfre WoodardJesika ReynoldsA drag queen takes in a drug addict and her daughter and helps raise the daughter.Excellent drama from Robert Townsend that follows a caring and loving gay black man named Holiday Heart who makes a living as an apartment complex owner and late-night drag queen singer at a popular Chicago night club. One night a young girl named Niki Dean begs Holiday to help her mother Wanda, who is being beaten up by her drug-dealing boyfriend in a nearby apartment. After getting them out of that bind, he decides to set them up in one of his apartments and give them the help they need to get back on their feet. A beautiful and complex relationship builds between the three of them, but trouble ensues when Wanda gets sucked back into a life of drugs and abusive men, while Holiday becomes the parental figure and support Niki truly needs in her life. The story is refreshing and unique in many ways, and the acting is excellent throughout. I bought the DVD because Ving Rhames and Alfre Woodard are two of my favorite actors, and they both delivered a couple of their best lead performances. Jesika Reynolds was also fantastic as Niki. Mykelti Williamson, Johnathan Wesley Wallace, Blu Mankuma, Ron Selmour, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJay RussellStarsFrankie MunizKevin BaconDiane LaneA shy boy grows up in 1940s Mississippi with the help of his beloved dog, Skip.Nice coming-of-age comedy drama set in Mississippi during the 1940s, and follows a introverted young boy who was gifted an incredible Jack Russell Terrier puppy on his 9th birthday, which helps him make friends, gain confidence, and move forward in life. Frankie Muniz puts on a great lead performance. Luke Wilson, Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane, Susan Carol Davis, Cody Linley, Caitlin Wachs, and others had nice roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorJohn SingletonStarsSamuel L. JacksonVanessa WilliamsChristian BaleNew York City police detective John Shaft (nephew of the original 1970s detective) goes on a personal mission to make sure the son of a real estate tycoon is brought to justice after a racially-motivated murder.Underrated comedy crime thriller from John Singleton, which is a sequel to the 1971 blaxploitation classic of the same name. The story follows a slick and tough NYPD Detective named John Shaft arresting the son of a wealthy real estate mogul named Walter Wade Jr., who murdered a black man outside of a downtown club out of pure hate and racism. Due to his wealth and influence, Wade’s able to flee the country after posting bail. 2 years later, Wade resurfaces in the United States, and Shaft is there to arrest him again. However, there’s no way to convict him unless he’s able locate the only witness to the murder, which would land him behind bars. Things are greatly complicated when Dominican drug lord Peoples Hernandez becomes involved in the ordeal. Great story all around with awesome action, a sweet throwback soundtrack, and excellent casting. Samuel L. Jackson delivers one of the most entertaining lead performances of his career. He was excellent throughout. Christian Bale and Jeffrey Wright also had great starring roles. Busta Rhymes, Vanessa Williams, Dan Hedaya, Toni Collette, Richard Roundtree, Mekhi Phifer, Josef Sommer, Isaac Hayes, and others also had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorKeenen Ivory WayansStarsAnna FarisJon AbrahamsMarlon WayansA year after disposing of the body of a man they accidentally killed, a group of dumb teenagers are stalked by a bumbling serial killer.Hilarious comedy from the Wayans Brothers that perfectly spoofs teen horror flicks like "Scream" (1996) and "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997). Great plot, which follows a group of half-baked high-schoolers who are being stalked by a serial killer after accidentally killing a man a year earlier in a car accident. It's so well done, that I'd rather watch this over all the films they're spoofing. Anna Faris, Jon Abrahams, Dave Sheridan, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shannon Elizabeth, Cheri Oteri, Lochlyn Munro, Shawn Wayans, Rick Ducommun, Carmen Electra, Kurt Fuller, and Jayne Trcka all had great performances among an excellent star-studded cast.
- DirectorJonathan LynnStarsBruce WillisMatthew PerryRosanna ArquetteA struggling dentist's life is turned upside down when a famous gangster moves in next door, and his wife convinces him to inform a notorious mob boss about the gangster's whereabouts.Very funny crime comedy about how notorious gangster Jimmy the Tulip moves next door to a struggling dentist. The dentist needs money to pay off debts to get a divorce, and learns Jimmy has a price on his head, and decides to inform his mob boss about his whereabouts to collect a reward. Bruce Willis, Matthew Perry, Rosanna Arquette, Michael Clarke Duncan, Natasha Henstridge, Amanda Peet, and Kevin Pollak have great roles among a solid supporting cast.