@ The Movies: Top 10 In 2000

Well, my fellow moviegoers, the numbers have been crunched and the results are in. My Top 10 picks have been filed and rest assured, there will be no recounts. I'm sure there will be disagreements, but hey, we're all entitled to an opinion! What matters the most here is how much entertainment value each of these films had -- and I'm happy to report that like last year, that value was spread over several different genres. Now go grab some popcorn, and enjoy the list!

10. 'Quills'

He shined in "Shine," and now with "Quills," Geoffrey Rush puts on another acting showcase with one of best lead performances of the year. Rush is frightening and fascinating to watch as the Marquis De Sade, the sadomasochistic writer declared madman by none other than Napoleon himself. Also having adapted the original play for the big screen, director Phillip Kaufman has managed to construct wonderfully lavish period piece without the stuffy, high brow-feel that plagues similar films. While it's clearly Rush's film, appearing out of nowhere is "Titanic" survivor Kate Winslet, who delightfully plays a laundry maid who helps Marquis get his work to the masses.

9. 'X-Men'

Having gone into this movie cold with nearly zero expectations (I was aware of, but never had interest in, the comic books or cartoons), the big screen version of this cultural phenomenon came as the year's biggest surprise for this critic. Sure, the special effects are great -- but that's almost to be expected. What makes this Bryan Singer-directed gem about a wayward group of mutants blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view) with the powers of evolution is the complexity of the characters, magnified by the brilliant subtlety of such acting vets as protagonist Patrick Stewart (as Professor Charles Xavier, protector of the outcasts) and Sir Ian McKellen, as his arch nemesis, Magneto. Bring on the next installment ? it can't be soon enough.

8. 'Return To Me'

Directed and co-written by comic genius Bonnie Hunt, this unique tale about a man (David Duchovny) who falls in love with the recipient of his late wife's heart (Minnie Driver) not only is the funniest and most heartfelt romantic comedy of the year ? but it wonderfully recalls the great romance movies of years gone by. The acting is key here, and it all doesn't rest on the shoulders of Duchovny and Driver. Among the stellar supporting cast is Carroll O'Connor, who makes a triumphant return to the big screen after a 25-year absence with an emotional performance as Driver's overprotective grandfather; and Jim Belushi, who is at his best as Hunt's (she also shines as a co-star in the film) husband and David Alan Grier, who shows that his range stretches far beyond comedy.

7. 'Wonder Boys'

Sure, his courtship and marriage to Catherine Zeta Jones put him on the front pages of the newspapers and tabloids, but I can't help but think Michael Douglas' memorable performance as a boy-wonder writer turned lost-soul college professor in "Wonder Boys" is what really put the publicity machine in motion for the veteran actor-producer in the year 2000. Douglas boldly throws his screen persona right out the window for this grizzled, yet likable character, which melds perfectly with writer-director Curtis Hanson's quirky, but enjoyable script. This breath of originality is strengthened by the fine supporting turns of Tobey Maguire and Frances McDormand, and capped by the sheer brilliance of Robert Downey Jr. as Douglas' book editor.

6. 'Best In Show'

As a follow up to the comic gems "This is Spinal Tap" and "Waiting For Guffman," writer-director-actor Christopher Guest has firmly established himself as the definitive mockumentarian with his dog show riot, "Best in Show." Like the first two films of the trio, Guest again makes us laugh at our frailties, and the fact that it takes place at a dog show is really secondary to the plot. Once again, the film is amazingly improvised, starring such Guest stalwarts as Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Fred Willard, Michael McKean, Parker Posey and Michael Hitchcock. Sure, the characters don't quite have the depth as "Guffman's" poor theater souls, but they have the heart, passion and are easy to relate to nonetheless.

5. 'The Contender'

As a former Los Angeles-based film critic, it's apparent that writer-director Rod Lurie took everything he saw wrong about films and made it right with the political thriller, "The Contender." A finely crafted piece of filmmaking about a Vice Presidential candidate (Joan Allen) having her skeletons drug out of closet before a confirmation committee, the film is easily this year's answer to "The Insider." It's chockfull of twists and intrigue, but perhaps "The Contender's" greatest strength lies in its casting, where again, a filmmaker chose a wonderful set of character actors (Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman, William Petersen and Sam Elliot) that have the ability to absorb themselves into their roles rather than draw attention to their off-screen personas. Although the movie drew ire for its liberal slant, it really takes a crack at both parties. The outcome only makes it seem like it's taking sides.

4. 'Chicken Run'

Like I stated last year by naming "Toy Story 2" the year's top film, you live-action filmmakers better start paying attention to your animated counterparts, because they obviously have a leg (and in the case of "Chicken Run," a wing) up on you when it comes to great moviemaking. In this particular animated adventure, claymation geniuses Nick Park and Peter Lord take a simple tale of a group of chickens who plot an escape from a farm to avoid a fate involving a pot-pie machine, and tailor make it into a perfect mix of action, subtlety, wit and wisdom. It's smart, yet goofy, and loaded with the same spirit that made the Park-directed "Wallace and Gromit" film shorts instant classics. Mel Gibson's voice as the lead rooster lends an air of familiarity, but it's really secondary in helping bring the characters to life. The true stars are Park and company, who make the characters feel real ? that's something most live-action film actors can't achieve.

3. 'Erin Brockovich'

With a tip of the hat to his brutally realistic drama, "Traffic," director Steven Soderbergh actually began cornering the market on character-driven films earlier in the year with the inspiring drama "Erin Brockovich" -- a true-life tale of a twice-divorced mother of three who takes on corporate America. Much like the documentary-feel he created with "Traffic," Soderbergh seems to have the uncanny ability to put you in the same room as his characters -- and when those characters are played by Julia Roberts (Erin) and Albert Finney (attorney Ed Masry) -- that's not such a bad place to be. While she's been notable in Hollywood for years, this is truly Julia Roberts' breakout role. She dominates the screen from beginning to end, only to occasionally be out-shown by distinguished co-star Finney. Don't be surprised if both walk home with Oscars this year.

2. 'Almost Famous'

Right from the opening of filmmaker Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical account as a teenage rock journalist ? where the credits of the film are scribbled out by hand ? you know that you are going to be in for something unique. The backdrop is '70s rock 'n' roll, but the music is really secondary to the film -- a coming of age story not only for the 15-year-old Crowe-like character, William Miller (Patrick Fugit), but for several others caught up in the era of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Crowe has an incredible eye for casting, and the great part is, it's accomplished by employing raw acting talent as opposed to being populating it with Hollywood personalities. Among the talent is under-appreciated Billy Crudup as the lead guitarist of the group Miller is covering, up-and-coming Goldie Hawn-spawn Kate Hudson as "band-aid" Penny Lane, the ever-dependable Phillip Seymour Hoffman as renegade rock magazine publisher Lester Bangs and Frances McDormand, who should expect to collect another Oscar as Miller's over-protective mother. She's this year's sure thing.

1. 'Gladiator'

An incredible journey helmed by Ridley Scott, "Gladiator" recalls the grandest epics of Hollywood's past. Russell Crowe stars as Maximus, a Roman general forced into slavery at the hand of his former emperor's son (Joaquin Phoenix), who then must endure the cruelty of Rome's gladiator games to exact revenge on the man who smashed his life into ruins. Driven by brutally intense action, complex characters, awe-inspiring sets and costumes and a haunting atmosphere, Scott never once allows the film to lose its energy or focus. Of course, all of the above is held tightly together by Crowe's heart, but it's Phoenix's turn as would-be emperor Commodus,that truly gives "Gladiator" its edge. Like the gladiator games themselves, "Gladiator" the movie is a true spectacle.

Top Movie Toy Of 2000

It's one thing to make an action figure look like the actor, but to give it personality is rare occurrence. But that's exactly the case with Sideshow Toy's 12-inch dolls based on the cult mockumentary, "This Is Spinal Tap," where "The band," ? Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) -- made its debut in plastic 16 years after the film hit theaters. The likenesses are jawdropping, but it's Nigel's look of apprehension ? the blank airhead look ? that separates these dolls from their movie toy counterparts. The fun doesn't stop with the dolls, though. Also produced were some kick-butt accessories, including guitars and tiny replications of Tap's three albums, done in classic budget album style. One has a clip out of the sleeve, the other second has a promotional copy stamp and the third, has a worn out jacket with a 99-cent "used" sticker on it. If that's not enough, a second set is planned based on the group's infamous performance of "Stonehenge." Rock on!

Honorable Mention

McFarlane Toys outdid itself with its third Movie Maniacs series, which featured Ash (Bruce Campbell) from the Sam Raimi-helmed cult classic, "Army of Darkness," while Samuel L. Jackson was perfectly miniaturized as John Shaft. Another standout in the series was a stunning recreation of Johnny Depp as "Edward Scissorhands," which for the lack of better words, is a pretty sharp-looking figure.

Top DVDs Of 2000

Granted, fake documentaries are an acquired taste, but if you love the mother of all mockumentaries, "This Is Spinal Tap," then the DVD of the film will make you feel like you've died and gone to rock and roll heaven. "The band," ? Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) -- of course, has made several appearances on television and in concert since the film's release in 1984, but perhaps the best extension of this alternate reality comes with the commentary track on the DVD. The boys are all in character throughout the commentary track on the disc, and the result is just about as funny as the film itself. Essentially, it's like getting two movies for the price of one. The package is made complete with a bevy of deleted scenes, music videos and footage of television "appearances" and press conferences . . . other highly notable releases this year include the "Ultimate T2 Edition" of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," featuring an astounding total of six hours of film and bonus footage on one disc; special editions of "Independence Day" and "The Sound of Music," which contained fascinating bonus footage and documentaries on the productions of those films, and a monster-sized amount of bonus footage on the anticipated releases of Stephen Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World."

Top 10: My Colleagues' Opinions

Of course, each critic has a different point of view, so I asked two of this column's contributors, Suzanne Ellis and Debra Scott, for their top 10 picks of 2000 as well. We'll all see you @ The Movies in 2001!

Suzanne Ellis' Top 10

1. "Traffic"

2. "Dancer In The Dark"

3. "Gladiator"

4. "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

5. "Best In Show"

6. "Tigerland"

7. "Maelstr?m"

8. "Erin Brockovich"

9. "Chicken Run"

10. "Charlie's Angels"

Debra Scott's Top 10

1. "Dancer In The Dark"

2. "Almost Famous"

3. "Unbreakable"

4. "Cast Away"

5. "High Fidelity"

6. "The Cell"

7. "Meet the Parents"

8. "Erin Brockovich"

9. "Men of Honor"

10. "The Patriot"

Catch up with Tim on these recent @ The Movies interviews:

• Kenneth Branagh ("The Road To El Dorado")
• Lochlyn Munro ("Scary Movie")
• John Frankenheimer ("Reindeer Games -- Director's Cut")
• Carrie-Anne Moss ("Red Planet")
• Mark Hamill ("Joseph: King of Dreams")
• Christopher Guest ("Best in Show")
• Sigourney Weaver ("A Map Of The World")
• Sylvester Stallone ("Get Carter")
• Bruce Campbell ("The Evil Dead" Trilogy)
• Richard O'Brien ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show")
• Edward Burns ("Stories From Long Island" Trilogy)
• @ The Movies Archive

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