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.This is Christopher Guest's greatest film in my book. And also the best mockumentary I've ever seen. Dog people can be crazy. Hilarious comedy about several eccentric folks who are completely obsessed with their dogs. The story follows each of them to the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, and is shot in a documentary/behind-the-scenes format, which follows their excitement and preparation for one of the biggest moments of all their lives. Brilliantly written and acted throughout. Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Michael Hitchcock, Parker Posey, Carrie Aizley, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, John Michael Higgins, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch, Bob Balaban, Fred Willard, Don Lake, Larry Miller, and Linda Kash all had excellent performances, among a super solid supporting cast.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsJulia RobertsAlbert FinneyDavid BrisbinAn unemployed single mother becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply.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.
- 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.
- 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 PantolianoA man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- DirectorJay RoachStarsBen StillerRobert De NiroTeri PoloMale nurse Greg Focker meets his girlfriend's parents before proposing, but her suspicious father is every date's worst nightmare.Very funny romantic comedy from Jay Roach about a male nurse named Greg Focker and his live-in girlfriend Pam Byrnes; who go on a trip to meet Pam's parents so Greg can get their permission to marry her. Greg's name and profession are just a couple of things her father is skeptical of, and he proves to be comically difficult about everything throughout the film. Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, and Blythe Danner all have great lead performances. Nicole DeHuff, Jon Abrahams, Owen Wilson, James Rebhorn, and several others have nice supporting roles.
- DirectorRoland EmmerichStarsMel GibsonHeath LedgerJoely RichardsonPeaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.Very nice American Revolution war drama set in colonial South Carolina, 1976, which follows a French-Indian war hero who prefers to spend his remaining years as a peaceful farmer. When his two sons are eager to join the Continental Army, and his plantation is burned to the ground by the British, he signs up to fight against the British tyranny. Mel Gibson delivery a great lead performance. Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, and several others had very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsBreckin MeyerSeann William ScottAmy SmartFour college buddies embark on a road trip to retrieve an illicit tape mistakenly mailed to a female friend.Great comedy about 3 college buddies who set out on a road trip with their friend Josh to retrieve a sex tape that he made with a beautiful blonde girl he just met, that was accidentally mailed to his girlfriend and high-school sweetheart. Very nice writing and acting throughout. Breckin Meyer delivered a great lead performances. Seann William Scott, Amy Smart, Paulo Costanzo, DJ Qualls, Tom Green, Rachel Blanchard, Anthony Rapp, Fred Ward, Andy Dick, and many others had great great roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorRobert RedfordStarsWill SmithMatt DamonCharlize TheronA down-and-out golfer attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddie.Very nice sports drama set in the 1930 during the Great Depression, that follows a former golfing great and war veteran who attempts to bring his game back to life with the help of a mysterious caddy that helps him reignite his "authentic swing", and so much more. Will Smith and Matt Damon both deliver great lead performances. Charlize Theron, Bruce McGill, J. Michael Moncrief, and Joel Gretsch all had nice roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorJames WongStarsDevon SawaAli LarterKerr SmithAfter getting a premonition about a plane crash on his school trip, Alex, a student saves a few of his classmates. However, their situation gets complicated when death starts chasing them.Thrilling horror flick a group of high-schoolers waiting to board a plane to Europe, when one of them has a vision of the plane crashing, and is thrown off the plane with 6 others. As time moves, they all find they cheated death by getting off the plane, and they attempt to change death's plan as each of them start falling victim to a tragic death. Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, Kristen Cloke, Daniel Roebuck, Roger Guenveur Smith, Chad Donella, Seann William Scott, Tony Todd, and many others had solid performances.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsJim CarreyTaylor MomsenKelleyOn the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.Very nice rendition of Dr. Seuss' classic novel from 1957, with direction from Ron Howard. While it doesn't quite capture the magic of the 1966 TV movie, it will be loved more by the newer generation who enjoy the story. Jim Carrey really does deliver one of his finest performances as The Grinch. He's pretty much made for a role like this. Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, and Molly Shannon all had nice roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsTom CruiseDougray ScottThandiwe NewtonIMF agent Ethan Hunt is sent to Sydney to find and destroy a genetically modified disease called "Chimera".Very nice sequel in the Mission: Impossible film series from John Woo. This time we follow IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agent Ethan Hunt who's been tasked to find and destroy a deadly lab-created virus named Chimera, which was created out of corrupt corporate greed and deceit. He's joined by a gorgeous and talented young thief who has history with the corrupt IMF agent Sean Ambrose who has stolen the virus and has evil terroristic plots in mind. The story is solid, but not quite as good as the first film. And while John Woo delivers some nice production and thrills, I simply liked Brian De Palma's direction from the first film more. Tom Cruise, Thandiwe Newton, and Dougray Scott all delivered great lead performances. Ving Rhames, Richard Roxburgh, John Polson, Brendan Gleeson, Rade Serbedzija, William Mapother, and others also has very nice supporting roles.
- DirectorDanny LeinerStarsAshton KutcherSeann William ScottJennifer GarnerTwo potheads wake up after a night of partying and cannot remember where they parked their car.While most wrote this off as stupid slap-stick comedy, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Great for the weed smoking crowd. It's a simple story about to stoners who wake up one morning, and can't remember where they parked their car—and many comical situations come up as they retrace their steps from the night before. Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott both deliver hilarious lead performances, among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsMichael DouglasBenicio Del ToroCatherine Zeta-JonesA conservative judge is appointed by the President to spearhead America's escalating war against drugs, only to discover that his teenage daughter is a crack addict. Two DEA agents protect an informant. A jailed drug baron's wife attempts to carry on the family business.Heavy crime drama about America's war on drugs. Nice story that captures a details through the lives of a conservative judge who's been appointed to lead the charge, his heroin-addicted teenage daughter, two DEA agents, a drug lord's wife, and a Mexican cop. Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Quaid, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jacob Vargas, Tomas Milian, and several others had nice performances.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsGeorge ClooneyJohn TurturroTim Blake NelsonIn the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.Very nice crime comedy/adventure from the Coen Brothers set in 1937, Mississippi, about three convicts who escape from a chain-gang to find freedom and recover hidden loot one of them stashed away after a job, as they get into plenty of comical trouble along the way. Not one of my favorites from Coen Brothers, but it does have some beautiful cinematography and it is well done overall. George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson all had very nice lead performances. John Goodman, Holly Hunter, Chris Thomas King, Charles Durning, and plenty others had nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJim McBrideStarsW. Earl BrownDedee PfeifferZachary Throne"Meat Loaf" Aday is an overgrown Texas youngster, the son of a gentle woman dying of cancer and an alcoholic, abusive father. Tormented by his father and schoolmates over his size, he strikes out on his own after his mother's death, in an impossible task to prove himself to the world and to himself. A chance audition for a musical leads him to join forces with composer Jim Steinman, and together the two make music history with the operatic rock album "Bat Out of Hell." But the demons that drive Meat Loaf aren't assuaged by success, and eventually he must come to terms with them.This music biopic may be a little hard to track down since it was a TV movie, but I saw it a couple of times back in the day on VH1, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and learned a lot about the life of legendary rock musician Meat Loaf—from his humble beginnings to his massive success. W. Earl Brown had a nice lead performance among a solid supporting cast.