 "Photo: Photo courtesy of Dreamworks Pictures")
 "Photo: photo courtesy of summit entertainment")
 "Photo: PHOTO COURTESY OF DREAMWORKS PICTURES")
After watching more than 90 films this year, I found picking the ten best and ten worst of 2001 to be more difficult than expected. For the first time in recent memory, Hollywood managed to make just as many good movies as it did bad ones. Most of the movies on this list were dominated by strong performances on-screen.
TEN BEST MOVIES
A.I. Some could easily dismiss this film as a retelling of "Pinocchio," but they should know better. Steven Spielberg made this film as a tribute to his mentor and friend, Stanley Kubrick. Until Kubrick's death in 1999, his intention was to make this movie after "Eyes Wide Shut." But Spielberg has managed to create a hybrid of his own compassion and Kubrick's emptiness that comes across as a mess of genius. Say what you will, but I cried while watching this movie. It's emotionally charged and so beautifully imagined that not seeing it would be criminal.
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Better go to the bathroom before sitting down for this film. Once it starts, you will not be able to get out of your seat. Audiences will hardly notice the three hours going by until the very end. Once the film is over, you should be chanting for more. Peter Jackson has created the perfect Middle Earth for the characters of his film to live in. The settings in the film are a seamless blend of computer generated images and real-life environment. New Zealand's tourism department owes Jackson a debt of gratitude for his enchanting vision of the country's vast landscapes.
Memento Director Christopher Nolan created this film-noir masterpiece, which will remain etched in the minds of audiences for years to come. Nolan's creative genius shines through with his method of story telling. This may well be the best-written film of the year.
Shrek This irreverent satire of fairy tales outdoes all other animated films this year because of its mass appeal to children and adults alike. Kids can laugh at the obvious quirks of comedy while grown-ups can smile at the hidden jokes laced throughout the film.
Life As A House Kevin Kline's gut-wrenching performance is the apex of his career. Forget "Dave" or "A Fish Called Wanda"; this film provides Kline with enough comic bits and dramatic scenes to bring all his talents to use. Hayden Christensen, the man who will be Darth Vader, delivers the year's best breakthrough performance as Kline's angst-ridden son. Director Irwin Winkler knows when to tug at the heartstrings, so some may want to keep a box of tissues handy for this one.
The Majestic With "The Truman Show" and "Man On The Moon" already under his belt, Jim Carrey has solidified his dynamic range as an actor. No one should be able to deny Carrey's dramatic as well as comedic talents ever again. Carrey is now on par with Tom Hanks as a man who has evolved from a comedian into a serious dramatic actor. In light of recent tragedies, this movie is just what people need to feel good again.
Training Day Denzel Washington's over-the-top performance as a veteran Los Angeles drug cop is superb. Balanced with a subtle yet gripping role from Ethan Hawke, the film's story is gritty, hard-nosed and highly entertaining.
Made While not exactly the sequel to "Swingers," this movie packs the same attitude, clever writing and energetic characters. Actors Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn create a hilarious look inside the mafia that should have you laughing uncontrollably.
A Beautiful Mind With this film, based on the life of Nobel Prize winner John Forbes Nash, director Ron Howard has done it again. He's made yet another compelling story about the excellence of humanity and the grace of personal triumph. Like I said last year, Russell Crowe can do no wrong. His performance as Nash captures the essence of the man throughout his entire life. Jennifer Connelly finally shines through as Nash's dedicated wife — not just a pretty face on the side. Both Connelly and Crowe deserve praise for their performances.
Blow Johnny Depp is top notch in this biography about cocaine dealer George Jung. Full of stylish shots and camera angles, this film follows in the footsteps of "Goodfellas." Depp's co-star, Penelope Cruz, has done nothing this year that matches her performance in this film. And Paul Reubens (a.k.a. Pee Wee Herman) deserves a nomination as best supporting actor for his work.
TEN WORST MOVIES Pearl Harbor Oh, look. Michael Bay is trying to be epic. Isn't that nice? I nearly wept in this movie, but not because of the so-called sad events at the end. No, I wept because every thirteen-year old girl will swear that Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett beat the Japanese in World War II. This event in American history is filled with loss and tragedy, and now it is going to forever be remembered as the background for some WB-esque love triangle. Director Michael Bay, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and writer Randall Wallace have desecrated the integrity of all veterans of war.
Town & Country Real life is not this insipid. Every scene is merely a set-up for one-liners and other pseudocomical gags that never pay off. When a movie takes three years to complete and doesn't involve a guy swinging a lightsaber, people dodging bullets in slow motion or any special effects for that matter, it's better being left locked away in some underground vault.
Freddy Got Fingered Tom Green's immature sense of humor might appease some people. But even Green goes too far in his directorial debut by screaming and running around like a lunatic. This is sophomoric humor at its absolute worst. One can only hope that Green never will be given authority over anything again.
Tomb Raider Starring Angelina Jolie's breasts, this movie acts as nothing more than a shrine for eighth-grade boys. Hugh Hefner wouldn't have focused on Jolie's femininity this much, Nearly every action sequence is boring and uninspired, ripping off "Indiana Jones" movies.
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