BEST of 2002 (so far)
Submitted by jenhowel on Fri, 09/13/2002 - 11:39
Tags:
- BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE - Blew me away. This film by Michael Moore deals with gun violence in America by putting together a wild and varied collage of opinions and events. Ranging from an incredibly articulate Marilyn Manson, to a fairly normal seeming Michigan militia, to the US's military interventions everywhere, this film doesn't always cover things completely. But that would take a television series we'll most likely never see. A lot of critics are tearing apart Moore's supposed "ego" and his "shoddy" journalism. I think they've completely missed the boat. Of course Moore's work isn't perfect. But it has NO BULLSHIT. Which is about all you get from anyone else on the subject of American violence, a bullshit thesis. Moore is brave enough to know that he knows nothing, which if you remember your Socrates via Bill and Ted, is the only true wisdom. The questions in Moore's immensely affecting documentary are worth all the supposed "answers" I've heard previously.
- DAS EXPERIMENT - this German film, out in September, features Moritz Bleibtraub (Lola's boyfriend Manny) in an amazing role. The film posits what would have happened if the Stanford Prison Experiment (in which half the subjects were prisoners and half guards) had been allowed to continue. It is the most amazing film I've seen in years. Go out of your way to catch this movie!
- Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN - I was really impressed by this quiet simple movie, especially by Maribel Verdu, who played Luisa, the slightly older woman who embarks on a road-trip with two teenage boys. This movie really inspired me to live life more, get out there, discover things. And to go to the beach in Mexico, that too. It's a very simple, sexy, lively film.
- ABOUT A BOY - About the only decent thing that came to my movie theatre this summer. A great adaptation, with Hugh Grant acting again, and the boy in the film is just great. Leaves you with a non-cloying warm, fuzzy feeling.
- MONSOON WEDDING - This is the movie that should have been the sleeper hit a la Greek Wedding. Much more interesting, with a better story and characters. And fantastic music.
- SECRETARY - This movie is going on the list for pure originality, and the fact that it has stuck with me. Movies that can stick with ME, a chronic cinema-watcher, impress me. Maggie Gyllenhall is just great, too. And Spader, well, he's Spader.
- THE PIANIST - This was my "best film of 2002". I feel it should have won the Oscar and think that it partially lost simply due to the popularity of the "Chicago" cast and the fact that "Schindler's List" was still too fresh in the Academy's memory. Well, in my book "The Pianist" is far superior to "Schindler's List". It more authentically portrays the horror of the Holocaust, doesn't rely on cinematic tricks or swelling music to grip the heart, and features amazing performances across the board. Some have complained that it's just a film about a guy starving to death. I say it's a film about the cruelties people are capable of inflicting on one another, the sheer will to survive, and the role of chance in life. And Brody is fantastic.
- TALK TO HER - Wow. This film was memorable. There were breathtaking moments (particularly the black and white silent film about the man who... well, watch it.) The characters were quirky and nearly beyond belief, but not quite. Almodovar takes you right up to the line of fairy tale and grips you with his story-telling without throwing you over into the realm of not really believing his story. And beautiful, gorgeous cinematography.
- NOWHERE IN AFRICA - This was a truly deserving recipient of the Best Foreign Film prize. I cried, I laughed, and I fully enjoyed this tale of a family leaving World War II Germany for an uncertain life in Africa. Watching this family break down, fuse together and come alive was a great experience. Watching the cultures meld was even greater.
- THE RING - On the list simply because it achieved what a horror movie hasn't done in quite a while - actually scared me. I need to see the Japanese original now.
Author Comments:
Haven't seen as many films this year as I would've liked too, so the list remains short for now.
Oh, and I didn't much care for "Chicago"
Major missing pieces (I haven't seen yet):
Punch Drunk Love
Adaptation
Far From Heaven
Jenhowel, nice to see you back. I'll be adding Das Experiment to my "to see" list, thanks! Oh, and I know our tastes don't always line up but I wanted to tell you I finally saw Pride and Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. loved it.
Thanks, Jim for noticing! Must be hard to keep up with everybody here on the site.
Nice to see it's still up and running and really flourishing.
:-) I cheat on keeping up by mostly focussing on movie lists. I really should branch out one of these days. I wish I could apply for a sleep exemption.
Jen for someone who isn't going to be posting as much as you once did you've sure been posting alot. Is everything alright? Just curious...
ha ha, caught me.
Yeah, I don't know.
I'm between jobs right now as we're about to move in a week. So I have a lot of time on my hands.
Plus I'm watching 31 horror films in honor of October, so I'm recording those on a day to day basis. I promise I'll stay away soon!
I promise I'll stay away soon!
I hope not!
But I don't want you to stay away.
Let's put it this way...do whatever you find most fulfilling, and invite us to your movie premiere one you have one. :-)