Top Ten Films of 2000
The start of the new millennium and now remembered as the best 20 years we’ve ever had. No question. This has been the best time. If you were born in 2000 you’ve seen nothing but perfect years.
A weird top ten worldwide gross list that includes What Women Want, The Perfect Storm, Meet the Parents, and Dinosaur.
I was in elementary school during this time and not into movies yet. I loved Toy Story and a lot of TV but it wasn’t until next year when I started watching a bunch of tapes. I loved VHS and although the quality wasn’t good it was something I could hold onto. Same reason why I like buying the physical book. Same reason why I want the Blu-ray or DVD. If you have them, you have them. Streaming isn’t guaranteed. They can take the movies and shows you love away at anytime. They may never do it. But I would rather have my favorite things.
11-25
Almost Famous (Directed by Cameron Crowe)
Bamboozled (Directed by Spike Lee)
Billy Elliot (Directed by Stephen Daldry)
Bring It On (Directed by Peyton Reed) - Netflix
Chopper (Directed by Andrew Dominik)
Dancer in the Dark (Directed by Lars Von Trier) - Netflix
Erin Brockovich (Directed by Steven Soderbergh) - Netflix
Love & Basketball (Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood)
Remember the Titans (Directed by Boaz Yakin) -
Requiem for a Dream (Directed by Darren Aronofsky) - HBO Max & Netflix
Sexy Beast (Directed by Jonathan Glazer) - Amazon Prime & HBO Max
State and Main (Directed by David Mamet)
The Patriot (Directed by Roland Emmerich) - Hulu & Netflix
The Replacements (Directed by Howard Deutch) - HBO Max
Unbreakable (Directed by M. Night Shyamalan) - HBO Max
My top 10 video
10. Yi Yi (Directed by Edward Yang) - Criterion Channel
An epic that feels small in scale and meaningful in every moment. It is often funnier than most comedies while packing a punch when it needed to do so. I enjoyed every bit of it and although it didn’t touch me the way it has many other film lovers, it remains something I think about quite a bit.
9. Code Unknown (Directed by Michael Haneke) - Criterion Channel
Haneke will be on these lists from time to time and more as the new century goes on. He is a singular filmmaker that makes quiet and difficult films. His movies tone and stillness can overshadow any performances but Juliette Binoche sticks out whenever she is involved. A vignette like film that brings stories together in a way unlike any other.
8. In the Mood for Love (Directed by Wong Kar-wai) - Criterion Channel & HBO Max
One of the more gorgeous movies ever made. The soft and suppressed feelings that come from deep down we can’t explain and can only feel. The uses of color here is next to none. I need to see more of his movies because the few I’ve seen have stuck with me.
7. Memento (Directed by Christopher Nolan) - Netflix
One of the seminal films in any film bro canon that actually holds up and is funnier and more interesting now than it was before. The way Nolan has become this big screen puzzle plot boy now makes this movie feel simple in its complexity. Once you know the twist it becomes better to me.
6. Snatch (Directed by Guy Ritchie) - Netflix
Ritchie movies can rub people the wrong way with the accents and frantic filmmaking but this was another important movie that taught me how to watch energetic films. I love Brad Pitt in this, and the whole cast is great. The closest he will get to Pulp Fiction and that’s good with me.
5. O’ Brother Where Art Thou? (Directed by The Coen Brothers) - Netflix
Maybe the most accessible of all the Coen movies. Everyone from your grandma to your 13 year old punk kid neighbor could love this thing. Great acting, music, setting, and hilarious from start to finish. It’s not one of my personal favorites of theirs but it is better than most directors best movies.
4. Shadow of the Vampire (Directed by E. Elias Merhige)
A weird one that I am probably one of the few who love it. It is about the creative process and making movies but it is also about getting lost in your own creations. Willem Dafoe and John Malkovich are so damn good and the way this is made had me thinking about my own creative life and how I approach everything.
3. You Can Count on Me (Directed by Kenneth Lonergan)
He’s made three movies and all are sweet, tragic, and human in the best ways. It’s clear he is a playwright but has developed a nice eye. I love Ruffalo and Linney in this. If you haven’t seen just a grown up drama about families and the past in a while go rent this.
2. Best in Show (Directed by Christopher Guest) - Hulu
I think this is my favorite of the Guest comedy movies. RIP Fred Willard, the MVP off the bench, and the rest of the cast is amazing. I laugh just thinking about this movie and Parker Posey is probably my stand out. The cast is full of the best in comedy doing amazing improv work.
1. American Psycho (Directed by Mary Harron) - Netflix
A film bro canon movie that is made by a woman and completely misunderstood by some. It is a satire and a glorious performance piece by Christian Bale. I don’t think anyone has captured the scummy nature of rich assholes like he did here. It’s a great movie that has great things written about it.