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TEN BEST MOVIES OF 2000:

10. Emperor's New Groove

--> This is Rice's territory, since I didn't get to see it. I decided to nominate Emperor's New Groove because it isn't like the typical Disney crap. There's more of an emphasis on story-telling and humor, rather than sap and and singing. Can't wait to watch this on video.

--> Beneath its childish exterior is a brilliant script that mixes old skool slapstick humor with witty dialogue that's sure to appeal to people of all ages. At one point I was laughing so hard I could barely catch my breath.

9. Gladiator

--> This has to be the most overhyped movie of 2000. I thought it was pretty good, but when people start putting it up against Braveheart, Shakespeare In Love, American Beauty, and other movies that really DESERVED to win Best Picture, then well, I get really compelled to bash it even more. This movie is a grand spectacle, and nothing more.

--> Both Gerry and I unanimously agreed Gladiator was overrated. I even watched it a second time just to see what the hype was all about, but I saw nothing that apparently impressed everyone else. Russell Crowe was likewise overrated. I guess this is why movie reviewing is such a subjective matter.

8. Charlie's Angels

--> I'm not usually a fan of butt-kicking females, but director McG's got a certain visual flair and energy that really hooked me. I loved the fun spirit of this movie, and the action pieces were spectacular. I also enjoyed the hell out of its attempts to emulate THE MATRIX. Copying THE MATRIX never ceases to be entertaining, from SCARY MOVIE to DEUCE BIGALOW.

--> Its light hearted manner was what made Charlie's Angels a winner in my books. Plus, Cameron Diaz drives a gorgeous Ferrari in one of the scenes. Drool...

7. Mission: Impossible 2

--> Mission: Impossible 2 was another movie that got bashed unfairly. People complained about the trademark John Woo cliches invading a classic American TV-show concept. I say it was a decent kick in the pants, because no one does action better than John Woo, and the critics all hated the first installment for its complicated plot. So when they dumbed it down, the critics still complained!

--> Critics didn't like M:i-1 because of complex plots. Critics didn't like M:i-2 because of its lack of complex plots. Uh....... so by deduction, critics are idiots. =)

6. Traffic

--> Steven Soderbergh had me gripped by the throat during Traffic, and I really can't describe this movie w/o using the term every single critic uses: panoramic. Traffic lets us see all the fronts of the drug war, from Washington to Mexico, to the middle men on the border. It allows us to see the futility of our war on drugs, yet it doesn't preach anything. It's simply a movie about how drugs affect EVERYONE, either directly or indirectly.

--> Intense is the word that comes to my mind about Traffic. It's complex, deep, and demands multiple viewings. Plus it offers a viable solution to a festering problem in America. Story telling via movies is definitely a form of art.

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