Best Films of the decade: 2000!

Everyone has an obsession. Of course, some people like to call there certain obsessions "Hobbies" but I am going to be honest here, I am addicted to film. My obsession started early when i didn't even knew you could be obsessed with something. I would always love to escape to the movies and even at a young age, I didn't mind going to the theatre by my self. However, I did have a partner in crime and his name is John Michael Sullivan (Mike). Mike and I are two completely different people, we share very different view points on religion, politics and giraffes but with the subject matter being film, i couldn't trust anyone more than him. I will never forget his first recommendation he gave me. He called me from his dad's house in Florida during Christmas break in the year 1999, he had just saw American Beauty and could not stop raving about it. I took his advice and went to see the film (of course, i had to sneak in) and as soon as the credits rolled, i realized that I had found my movie soul mate (This is becoming a gay love letter, isn't it?). Anyway, Mike is infamous for making lists, we even created  our own awards ceremony. Every year since the year 2000, we have the Sullivan-Gooley Awards we we can feel better about the Academy Awards fuck ups by honoring the films we feel deserve the awards . 

Anyway, a new list is being made. The best films of this decade. This is a great idea because for me, this is the decade i grew up on movies and while it isn't even close to the best decade of films, it is the decade where i grew up as a movie lover and probably out of any year i will be alive, will be the decade i have seen the most films from. So each week, I will release the top ten films i feel are the best of that year and when i am finished, will release the top twenty of the decade. So, I will stop rambling and here is the list of the best films from the year 2000!

1.     Untitled: Almost Famous (The Director's Cut)

2.     Gladiator

3.     Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

4.     Traffic

5.     Requiem For A Dream

6.     Amores Perros

7.     You Can Count On Me

8.     Cast Away

9.     American Psycho

10. O Brother Where Art Thou

Honorable Mentions: High Fidelity, Meet The Parents, Erin Brockovich, Chicken Run, Emperor's New Groove, Wonder Boys

NEXT WEEK: 2001!!!!! (MEMENTO, MOULIN ROGUE, SHREK, LORD OF THE RINGS)

Go check out Mike's blog where he is doing the same list!

The Third Man

I got to go see the Third Man in theatres yesterday and GOD DAMN, what a great film. 

That is ALL

P.S I was going to write a review and talk about this film but ebert says it all

EBERT!

Quick Reviews!

Most people when reading a review just want to see if the person liked it and if they should go see it. So i decided to try out this format for reviews. Comment on it if you like it or if you like to see longer, more thought provoking, more amazing, detailed to the bone, brillantly written reviews that i normally can give let me know!

Reviews of the Week!

COLD SOULS

Starring Paul Giamatti, Emily Watson, David Strathairn

Directed By: Sophie Barthes

Running Time: 1hr and 40 min

TRAILER

Basic Synopsis: Paul Giamatti plays himself, agonizing over his interpretation of Uncle Vanya. Paralyzed by anxiety, he stumbles upon a solution via a New Yorker article about a high-tech company promising to alleviate suffering by extracting souls. Giamatti enlists their services - only to discover that his soul is the shape and size of a chickpea - intending to reinstate it once he survives the performance. Complications ensue when a mysterious, soul-trafficking “mule” borrows Giamatti's stored soul for a talentless, Russian soap-opera actress. Rendered soulless, Paul is left with no choice but to follow the trail back to St. Petersburg.

This film is based on a dream the writer/Director had about Woody Allen and the film is like a pseudo-woody type of film. A very interesting idea with an amazing performance by Paul Giamatti, this film is a hit and miss type kinda like Synecdoche, NY. It hits more than misses, however once the films idea is established, this mildly funny film starts to wander and has very little places to go.  A thing i really enjoyed about this film was the way it was shot. The cinematography really helped create the chilling, soulless mood this film has. It is a very clever idea and while this movie will keep you entertained it will leave you with a feeling like something was missing...maybe the film's soul.

Where to see it

In theatres if you can make it but also worth checking out on video.

Similar Films like it

Synecdoche, Ny

Being John Malkovich

Grade: B-

WORLDS GREATEST DAD (Movie is released in theatres on August 21st but can be watched on demand right now!)

Starring: Robin Williams

Directed By Bobcat Goldthwait (Yes, That Bobcat Goldthwait)

Running time: 1hr 35 Min

TRAILER

Basic Synopsis: A comedy about a man (ROBIN WILLIAMS) who learns that the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy, and that being lonely is not necessarily the same as being alone.

Ok, I don't want to give anything away here. Just see this film. It is probably the darkest comedy i have ever seen. That doesn't mean it is the greatest darkest comedy ever made but def. the darkest. This is one hell of a disturbing film. Robin Williams is fantastic. The subject matter is something that has never been put on film in this way before ever.  It is one fucked up movie but a fantastic fucked up movie. The film looks great and the script is borderline genius(the movie finally becomes predictable and putters out in the end). However, this film able to bring a tenderness and humainty to such a disturbing premise. I want to say more and talk about it with you but do not want to ruin it. So just see it and we will talk.

p.s this movie is not for everyone. If you are easily disturbed and offended...i would probably skip this one.

P.P.S - YOU CAN watch this film now on amazon. Right here!

Where to see it: 

In theatres! or also rent in on Movies on Demand in the pre-release category!

Similar Films:

Heathers

Virgin Suicides

Grade: B+

John Hughes

I can't say i was a big John Hughes fan. Not that i didn't like his films, I actually own a few and never really disliked any of his movies, I just didn't really follow his movies that much. However, I can't argue the fact that he was a gifted storyteller and contributed to many classic comedies of the 80's and really reached a audience that needed to be reached. I looked to put up a obit for John Hughes but ended up finding this link to a story which, in itself, sounds like it could be a John Hughes film. It's about how a John Hughes film's reached and spoke to a young girl and help shape her life. Check it out, it's very touching.

Check It!

The Cove

I Saw "The Cove" last night and it was one hell of a documentary. It's really horrifying that this stuff is happening and very little people know about it. It's not just a film to get people awar but it's also a funny, exciting thriller. Yeah, its propraganda but it could be this year's Man On Wire. 

check out the trailer here

The Cove

Hate going to pee and afraid of missing parts of the movie!

So during Funny People, i had to pee really bad but was afraid i was going to miss parts of the movie that were important which is a problem i have always had. And on my way to the bathroom, i was thinking about figuring out a way to fix this situation. However, someone already did it. Go check out Runpee.com, this site is awesome. It will tell you when is the best time to go pee and what you missed when you did. Awesome Site!

Runpee

Funny People Review!

Funny People - Rated R; 2 hours and 20 minutes; Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen; Directed by Judd Apatow.

Should I See it and Where: See it in theatres...but know that it's long. 

If you know me at all, you would know that I have been a die-hard, obsessed Sandler fan since i was like 10. I've see everyone of his films and also own all of them (yes all of them including Going overboard and Little Nicky). I've also been a huge fan of Judd Apatow because i really think he knows how to make modern day comedies that are relatable and hilarious at the same time. So obviously when these two announce that they were joining forces, I instantly got excited even sexually excited (JK). So I knew regardless of how that movie was I was going to somewhat enjoy it because I usually love everything these two people touch so I will acknowledge that i might be a little biased when reviewing this movie.

Overall, I really liked it. However, I didn't love it. It is very possible that with more viewings of this film, I will eventually love it but as of right now, I thought it was a really good but flawed film.

What Works.

Adam Sandler is fantastic. And i am not just saying that. Everyone i saw this with agreed. It is the best thing he has ever and might ever do. He is perfect in this role, maybe because he is playing a slightly different version of himself but he nails every moment with clarity and perfection.

The supporting Cast is great. I really enjoyed how every character has major flaws.

The first 90 minutes. If the movie ended here, it would of been the best film of the year. The first 90 minutes is one of the darkest, deepest types of comedy films I have seen. 

I loved the Opening of the Film. Just something that happened and what could of seem a little phony and weird, but worked to perfection. I won't give it away but it is awesome.

The way Adam Sandler's character handles the news of his illness. When most characters in movies handle death in ways we only wish we could, Sandler's George Simmons handles it in a way not really told before. This movie isn't about discovering who you are or trying to make up for all the mistakes you've made in your life. he handles like most people would. 

The film is one of the most authentic looks at the world of stand-up comedy I've ever seen.

The movie looks fantastic. This is Apatow's best looking feature which probably is because he hired Jansuz Kaminski (Spielberg's Cinematographer)

What Doesn't Work

Really, there is only one big problem which makes this movie suffer in a way.It is way too long. And if the movie needed to be 2 hours and 20 minutes, I would be fine with that but it didn't have to be. This movie almost feels like 2 films in 1. The problem might be that it is Apatow's first time with final cut which means he had final say in how the film turns out. This can be a problem with any director when they are tackling something that personal to them. The last Hour of the film really could of been tighten down to make this movie flow and fit a lot better than it does. Not saying that the stuff is bad, it just deflates the movies story and just flatlines.

The movie also can be a little vulgar but not nearly as much as Knocked Up or Superbad

Funny People is not just about George Simmons' struggle with death. It sees that struggle within the  world of being a performer, a society that has no rules where everything is a competition and where when being a successful performer means you might not have any real friends. Funny People has many big laughs, punctuated by some really striking moments of contemplation and reflection, i just wished it was a little shorter. 

B+/B