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Harry's BEST OF 2001 List!!!

It baffles me... by Two Hours	Dec 31st, 2001 02:05:07 AM
It baffles me how you are able to give your opinion to the public. It's not even an opinion. What you wrote here is all bullshit. And I don't mean your choices, I mean the way you think every movie needs to please you and you only. They make movies for everybody. Get over yourself.
great list by zengamer	Dec 31st, 2001 02:10:29 AM
I will be looking for, picking up, and viewing probably all of these films that I have not seen yet in the coming months. Thanks
What about Donnie Darko? by Mole Harris	Dec 31st, 2001 02:12:07 AM
I'm surprised that you forgot about this one Harry, especially since it was such a strong debut film. The best surrealistic film this year, next to Mulholland Drive.
Solution by Prophet01	Dec 31st, 2001 02:12:38 AM
Hey if you don't like it don't read it.
Two Hours ... by zengamer	Dec 31st, 2001 02:17:54 AM
What the hell are you talking about? Of course it's his opinion, and as far as saying a film has to please you personally, well, yeah. Something could be a technical marvel and not speak to you and it won't mean anything. On the other hand, just because something doesn't have all the bells and whistles, or is even particularly good, you can still enjoy it. You come at everything with a bias. Case in point: I'm fairly certain no one will say Flash Gordon is a good movie. It's poorly filmed, badly written, and the special effects suck (although I know they are supposed to). But many people, including myself, enjoy it immensely . Does that make it great? no. But it would goon my list for favorite fun movies. And that's my opinion. Other people, like yourself, will feel differently, and that is THEIR opinion.
thank god for multi-region dvd players... by Nocturnaloner	Dec 31st, 2001 02:21:49 AM
Cool list, Harry. I'll be seeking out quite a few of these.
Good list Harry by Don Pedro	Dec 31st, 2001 02:24:03 AM
And I know it is your opinion, but dammit, a film like Memento comes along once in a blue moon, it should be up there with Fellowship. Just my humble opinion...
Best movies come from OUTSIDE the U.S. by TheYoungLion	Dec 31st, 2001 02:28:47 AM
Agree with what Harry said about not just whining about the crap Hollywood routinely serves up, and seeking out films from other places. I saw Wong Kar-wai's "In the Mood for Love" at last year's Toronto fest, but it was released in the U.S. this year, so that qualifies. Incredible, magnificent film. Same situation with a gem out of China called "Shouzou River", which played only a week here in Los Angeles this year. Saw it in Toronto last year, and told everyone I came in contact with that it is the best film I've seen in 10 years. Still feel that way about it. Just incredible! Also, Korean cinema is the hot thing now. A lot of great and exciting work coming out of there. Saw a Korean Film called "Seom" (The Isle). Most disturbing film I've ever seen. Shocked and disturbed me like I never have been. Is also a great film (if you can get through it). Anyway, there is a lot of magnificent stuff out there. Hollywood's power around the world is slowly receding, and local cinema is coming back. (Witness the box office trends in Japan, France, Korea, and several other places). We should all be thankful for that, as a lot of incredible work is being made in far-off places.
Sexy Beast rocks by Jungle-face-jake	Dec 31st, 2001 02:30:03 AM
Soooooooo outclasses anything Guy Ritchie has crapped out. Watching that and The Limey makes for a good double-feature. Don Logan-Walking Phallus
My Top 10 by spiderblood1969	Dec 31st, 2001 02:35:30 AM
10.Ocean's 11 9.A.I. 8.Brotherhood of the Wolf 7.Shrek 6.Memento 5.The Majestic 4.Monsters Ball 3.Monsters Inc. 2.Shrek 1.LOTR:FOTR
Best movies come from OUTSIDE the U.S. by TheYoungLion	Dec 31st, 2001 02:38:17 AM
Agree with what Harry said about not just whining about the crap Hollywood routinely serves up, and seeking out films from other places. I saw Wong Kar-wai's "In the Mood for Love" at last year's Toronto fest, but it was released in the U.S. this year, so that qualifies. Incredible, magnificent film. Same situation with a gem out of China called "Shouzou River", which played only a week here in Los Angeles this year. Saw it in Toronto last year, and told everyone I came in contact with that it is the best film I've seen in 10 years. Still feel that way about it. Just incredible! Also, Korean cinema is the hot thing now. A lot of great and exciting work coming out of there. Saw a Korean Film called "Seom" (The Isle). Most disturbing film I've ever seen. Shocked and disturbed me like I never have been. Is also a great film (if you can get through it). Anyway, there is a lot of magnificent stuff out there. Hollywood's power around the world is slowly receding, and local cinema is coming back. (Witness the box office trends in Japan, France, Korea, and several other places). We should all be thankful for that, as a lot of incredible work is being made in far-off places.
Two points... by Greywizard	Dec 31st, 2001 02:40:06 AM
(1) It's not that no U.S. distributor will touch BATTLE ROYALE - in fact, several U.S. distributors have tried to get the rights to it. But according to reports I've read, Toei has been insisting to inquiring distributors that the movie get a blockbuster-style release - and the obvious problems coming from that is what's making distributors very reluctant to pick it up. (2) U.S. distributors probably had an understandable reason for not giving GINGER SNAPS a real theatrical release (it did get released into a few theaters). That's because when the movie was released in Canada earlier this year, despite a wide release and an ample marketing budget, it did very badly. (In my city, it opened in two multiplexes, like what the typical Hollywood blockbuster gets, and was gone from both of them in two weeks.)
I thought... by Phalex	Dec 31st, 2001 02:50:11 AM
Fuck, I thought Unbreakable came out THIS year...
no.4 by davidb	Dec 31st, 2001 03:02:24 AM
hi, i love this movie too and so I
The Forgien Releases by MagiCaspar	Dec 31st, 2001 03:05:38 AM
I feel weird by this list. Mainly beause I live in Waco, TX, yet I saw about half of the forgien films (or getting them). Makes this a grand film year. For those who want to get them, just check out ebay for most or DDDhouse.com. And it's cool these movies (espicially Shaolin Soccer and Fulltime Killer) are getting attention. Oh yeah...Thanks again Harry for throwing BNAT-3. To everyone, I hope 2002 is a great film year for you, better than 2001.
Where's Harry Potter? by Godai-kun	Dec 31st, 2001 03:07:50 AM
Bitch at me if you want, but I think most will admit it's better than A.I. I thought Harry (Knowles) dug it. Should have at least gotten a nod at the bottom of the list. Oh well.
Oh yeah...Walt! by MagiCaspar	Dec 31st, 2001 03:11:33 AM
Hey Walt...Got some more DVDs. Avalon, NOIR (Anime), A Better Tomorrow, Superman: The Lost Episodes, Moulin Rouge, Star Wars: Ep. 1 (from my mom...so sweet), and The Fall of the House of Usher. Probably score a few more titles before heading back on the 11th/12th/13th/whenever.
Um, Shrek? by Red Giant	Dec 31st, 2001 03:13:58 AM

Great List by Niaiserie	Dec 31st, 2001 03:18:11 AM
Though when you're best of list include 35 movies it's hard not to get something on there for everyone. But on the same hand 35 movies, maybe this year isn't as bad as its being made out to be (its certainly better then last year, when we had what, two or three good films?).
The Dish by Niaiserie	Dec 31st, 2001 03:27:50 AM
Was that this year? I liked it, but it feels like I watched it forever ago.
Shrek.. by Jackass	Dec 31st, 2001 03:31:55 AM
Finally got to check it out the other day and I, and the person I watched it with, thought it was the biggest pile of flaming dung we had ever seen. It had a few semi-funny lines, but it has to be the most overrated pile of crap this year. I just can't understand the success of it, and I'm very thrilled to find that Monster's Inc. is on Harry's list and not that pile of crap.
What, no Lukas Moodysson? by Silvio Dante	Dec 31st, 2001 03:39:30 AM
That shit should get a distributor in states. Amelie had no trouble finding distribution, so why not "Together"? Well, if Beat Takeshi was left hanging I guess there's no hope for the swede...and maybe Kitano should have done Kikujiro part II to get on the american screens. Then again, is U.S. distribution end-all be-all to him? Harry went 10 times to FOTR? Wow. After my second viewing I had enough. Not because it's a bad film, it's not, but I'm a fairly tall guy and it's physically quite straining just to SIT DOWN for 3 hrs. 10 times? Noe that's numbing-your-butt, man. And Taiwanese glove puppetry? I 'm as open minded as the next jersey mobster but that's where I draw the line, buddy!
And What About... by RedFive	Dec 31st, 2001 03:40:59 AM
The real#1 film of 2001=JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK.Defantly the funniest-most crude-inside joke movie ever.How many people can say they have done what kevin has.Made a film for a large budget which is defantly one big inside joke.And with so many F-Words in the flick im still surprised it didnt get an NC-17 for language.Anyways LOTR,LOTR,LOTR...fuck LOTR.Fuck it up its stupid ass...BONG.
Harry is a starfucking ass clown... by Accordion King	Dec 31st, 2001 03:51:16 AM
Harry, if you're gonna sell out, you should really SELL OUT. Ask for a 3 picture deal from the studios in exchange for the glowing reviews you give half of their crappy pictures. At least get something of value out of it. Hell, you settle for them letting you within three miles of a film set and/or a filmmaker. Like Ted Demme and Blow, for Christ's sake. That movie was a piece of shit and we all know it. Even mentioning that in the same breath as Goodfellas should be grounds for permanent expulsion from any and all multiplexes. Its cool to have opinions, but try not to make it so obvious that you're a celeb-junkie. Lord of the Rings was a fantastic fucking movie, but hello, you talk about it as if its a lost Dead Sea Scroll or something. Give us a break. And please, PLEASE, stop with the fucking name dropping ("Roger Avary called me blah blah..."). Why don't you stop for a minute and take a little personal inventory, Orson. You run a fucking internet site dedicated solely to jacking off your favorite filmmakers. Ted fucking Demme. That fat piece of shit couldn't direct traffic at a Kindergarten crosswalk. But he waxes your car a little bit, lets you sniff Penelope Cruz's costume panties and you start making comparisons to Marty Scorcese? Just because he makes a half-assed attempt at ripping off the greats doesn't mean he warrants any serious comparison. I'm just sick and tired of reading your shallow gloating, always done under the pretense of "dedicated filmgoer" that you are. Turn off your fucking TV Set and wise up to the fact that there's an entire world going on beyond what you see in a dark theater. If you insist on being a soul-less, media-addicted fanboy, try and at least hang on to a shred of self-respect and not be such a whore for the studios. I'm surprised The Majestic wasn't on your list. And you're Robert Rodriquez comment, so fucking "buddy buddy". Are you not aware that these people are nice to you for a very specific reason. Your site helps them SELL FUCKING TICKETS. Wake up, chump.
Nice List by alpha	Dec 31st, 2001 03:56:24 AM
Here goes mine: 1) FOTR, 2) Memento 3) The Others 4) Moulin Rouge 5) Monsters Inc 6) Shrek 7) The Dish 8) Black Hawk Down 9) Chopper 10) Beautiful Mind honorable mentions Kate & Leopold, Ali, Majestic, Knights Tale, Rush Hour 2 (its a fun film), Legally Blonde, Mullholland Drive oh and Lantana which is just too bleak for me to love
Good list, Harry, but... by Mr Neth	Dec 31st, 2001 04:09:52 AM
Blow? Hannibal? Oh well, someone's gotta like them I suppose. Nice to see The Dish and Ginger Snaps in there too.
1. LOTR:FOTR ... 35. A.I. - Oooops, you have mixed up something, by Burp Fartman	Dec 31st, 2001 04:25:33 AM

Whoa, tone down the malice, accordion by Silvio Dante	Dec 31st, 2001 04:26:36 AM
There's enough of that going 'round without your conributions. Wow. I was just riled by a troll. That's a first.
After hearing about how "great, funny, and adorable" Shrek was, by Mr. Wednesday	Dec 31st, 2001 04:32:32 AM
and I have no idea what kinda shit people were smoking when they told me this...This movie wasn't funny....It wasn't adorable....It wasn't great...It was however Predictable and had an overabundance of pop culture references, some of which were already severely outdated during my DVD viewing.....Between that and "The Grinch" I plan to stay away from movies starring green creatures for a while....Now I'm going to go do somehting productive and look up pictures of strange and unusal Japanese snack foods.....
battle royale by kpdjp	Dec 31st, 2001 04:47:59 AM
i can't tell harry how much i appreciate the fact that he put battle royale as no. 2~it really deserved to be at the top of the list, and i understand how lord of the rings beat it for the number one position..but thanks for recognizing how great it iS!
my take on the year in movies by cardinal_phantom	Dec 31st, 2001 05:29:55 AM
I made a list of all the movies I remember seeing this year and tried to compile my own list. Since I stil haven't seen some of the movies getting some attention (Amelie, Mulholland Drive, The Man Who Wasn't There, The Royal Tenenbaums, etc.) I went ahead and listed all the movies so anyone reading this can appraise it in the right context. (I'm writing this at like 2:30 AM, so please excuse any spelling errors) 1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - my unequivocal favorite. The movie was featured some of the most beautiful images I've ver seen, but the remarkable beauty was only one factor for me, as this film excelled in terms of acting, narrative, editing, special effects, score . . . it wasn't a perfect movie, but its the closest thing I've seen to one in a long time. 2. A Beautiful Mind - I'll admit that its shameless Oscar bait, but I thought it was really good shameles Oscar bait. It had some problems, but the fierce and powerful performances held it together for me. Also, I thought that some of the ealy moments, when Howard's direction combined with Horner's score to give us a glimpse into Nash's unique brain, were excellent - movie magic. 3. Moulin Rouge - This movie has a few scenes that I think are just brilliant: the elephant love medley, the tango, the "Your Song" sequence. I thought the performances gave the audience a tangible sense of the emotion being depicted onscreen. The campiness was a little strong for my taste in parts, but, on the whole, I was caught up in the tragic and romantic vision. 4. Memento - I agree with Harry on this one; each time I see it, it becomes less involving. I think the narrative structure is unique and flawlwssy executed, but the story being told wasn't THAT far above average and the characters, in spite of good performances, weren't ones that really endured for me. Still a great film though. 5. Ocean's 11 - I just saw this today, so the high appraisal may fade a little bit later. The movie didn't really have any important message or anything like that, but it was well made, clever and fun. I didn't really think Julia Roberts had much to do here, but the chemistry amongst the eleven of the title, especially Pitt and Clooney, was fun for me to watch. 6. Shrek - This one was really fun for me the first three of four times I saw it, but its getting kinda old now. Still, the jokes were funny, the characters endearing and the animated world lush. 7. Monsters, Inc. - The movie was a technical wonder for me as Pixar created a fully realized world and breathed incredible life into their characters. I also got a kick out of some of the clever references. (I was actually the only person in the auditorium to laugh when they mentioned the Harry Hausen restaurant) Still, the movie was just a little too cute for me. I still liked it a lot, but in the end it was kinda like candy - enjoyable and lovely while I watched it, but it dissolved pretty quickly afterwards. 8. A.I.: Articifical Intelligence - This one gets more its high mark based mostly on effort. I thought there was a lot of good in it and that the acting and production design, along with Spielberg's direction, were top notch. I didn't feel, however, that the parts of this complex story came together quite right. 9. The Others - Well, I actualy guessed the ending early here, something I didn't do with the Sixth Sense, a movie I personally prefer to this one. I cannot deny, however, that this film was very, very well crafted. I thought its palpable atmosphere and great performances combined for a very creepy movie. 10. Enemy at the Gates - Its not a Schindler's List or a Saving Private Ryan, but I still thought this was a solid, if unspectacular, war film. The acting was solid and the rlove triangle, while awkward, didn't bother me as much as it did some other people. 11. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - The movie was perfectly cast, had solid acting, a wondrous production design, and a magical score, even if it wasn't one of WIlliams' best. Still, I thought the point-by-point adaptation missed something. It seems Columbus was so concerned with hitting all the important points in the book that he never grasped its soul. Indeed, it was, for me, a movie that contained only a little magic when it should have been bursitng with it. Also, I really didn't like the climax. Not suspencful at all, for me. THe movie just wasn't greater than the sum of its parts, in my humble opinion. Still, it was entertaining enough to make me look forward to the next installment. 12. Shallow Hal - I figure this is the first pick I've made that really threatens my credibility, but I actually really kinda liked this movie, and thought it was deper than it looked. I'm not sure if the Farelly's intended for that or not, but I still read it that way. I don't think any complaints about the movie's depcition of overweight or less-than-attractive people hold any water; if people in the audience laughed at any of the scenes after Hal's vision had been restored, in which he saw what the other people's true appearance was, then they missed the boat; indeed, I think some people were too stupid to realize they were, in alughing at the wrong times, helping to preicipitate the very prejudice that the movie satirized . . . then again, maybe I was analyzing too much and the movie was making fun of some people unapolegetically. I doubt it,however, and I found the scence in which Hal realizes the children he'd visited in the hospial were all burn victims to be almost . . . well, almost powerful. 13. The Score - Its a fairly pedstrian story, but the acting allowed it to transcend the predictable storyline. 14. The Princess Diaries - When I took my sister to see this, I found the movie to be much better than I expected. I was anticipating a barely tolerable, way too cute G-rated kiddie flick and I was surprised to find I was entertained, due in so small part to the grace of Julie Andrews and the fine acting of Hector, whose last name escapes me right now. 15. American Pie 2 - Not nearly so funny now that I've seen it four times, but I laughed really hard the first couple times I saw it, and I thought the direction was vastly improved over its predcessor. 16. Atlantis: The Lost Empire - Visually, the film was pretty spectacular, and it gave teasing glimpses of new and exciting directions Disney animation might take. The story and characters weren't anything special, however, although there were some amusing moments. Still, Disney better shape up or Dreamworks is gonna sieze control of what was once the Mouse House's monopolized market. 17. Pearl Harbor - "Worst movie of the year - 'Nuff said"? Why do so many people hate this movie so much? I think it has more to do with the fact that it was trying to be a great movie and that it threw an irreverent Star Wars-style dog fight into an important moment in American history more than it does with the lack of quality in the film. Truth be told, I thought the film wanted really badly to be great, but was only just barely good. The love story hardly set the screen ablaze, but I didn't think it was something of "remarkable banality", like Ebert wrote. Honestly, I think so many people wrote this movie off after a single viewing that its become fashinable to declare it "Worst film of the year!" I had high anticipation levels going in and was disappointed. The second time I saw it, however, my expectations were more realistic and I enjoyed it. Also, I don't think Bay is quite as worthless as people say he is as a director. Granted, his symbolism is obvious, his editing choppy and MTV-ish, and his style more comfortable with explsoives than emotions. Still, I think he has a great eye. The movie was gorgeous to look at, even if the things on screen weren't all that challenging. I got enough satisfaction with the look of the film that it made the other mediocre parts entertaining. Great movie? No, but still not that horrible. 18.Rat Race - Not really very serious, nor necessarily even very good filmmaking, but I laughed pretty hard and enjoyed myself. 19. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - The movie was really, really funny a lot of the time, but it was also monumentally unfunny in other moments. 20. The Mummy Returns - In spite of the crappy CGI at the end, I thought the movie was a lot of fun. Some of the plot points (Rachel Weis' former life? WTF?) made no sense, but the movie was still a lot of fun, had some great action sequences and the effects work on the bus in London and in the jungle with the pygmie beasties was excellent. 21. Legally Blonde - The movie got way too cute at moments and almost all of Elle's friends, the older woman at the salon included, annoyed me to no end, but it was also pretty clever in parts and Reese Witherspoon's bubbly and enthusiastic performance willed it through the really dumb moments. 22. Jurassic Park III - The plot was pretty weak and the ending was worse, but I still get a thrill out of seeing the dinosaurs, even though the Brachiosaurs on the banks looked horrible and the paleontoligcal accuracy was nonexistent. (Tyrannosaurus would have kicked Spinosaurus' ass, no question. Ignore Jack Horner on the DVD; he knows about hadrosaurs, but he has a big bias about T. Rex and is only trying to exagerrate the hunting might of Spinosaurus, which actually ate fish, in order to make his claim that tyrannosaurs were big scavengers more plausible). Also, it was good to see Sam Neill as Grant again, even if he didn't have a ton to work with. 23. Hannibal - The movie was really, really well made. The acting was great, the locations great, the score great, the direction great. So why do I think the movie sucked? Well, its beacue the sory was so bad to begin with, especially the last act. Right up until the sction moves out of Italy, I was really diggin this movie, and up until the beain scene I still considered it to be pretty good stuff. The ending was so ludicrous, however, that it just killed it. I know that it was a deviation from the even more extreme conclusion of the book, but I would have revised it altogether. Still, I really admire it for the acting, diretion, and the beautiful cinematogrpahy. I found the parts in Italy simply gorgeous. 24. Vanilla Sky - The movie was really, really bizarre. Usually, I'm cool about that, but this time it kinda turned me off. Also, I didn't think the characters were written consistently, although this may have been because Crowe was doing weird things in an attempt to convey David's ever sliding mental state; the people in his world may not have seemed themselves because his perception was so messed up. Still, it was well made and well acted. I was way disappointed by the ending though. After so many mind games and almost Kafka-esque twists had been thrown in, they decide to explin everything with a dumb and generic sci-fi device straight off the shelf. I guess it still allowed Crowe's themes to be precipitated, but I really didn't care for the way he let them shine through. 25. America's Sweethearts - Cute movie, really funny in parts. I didn't sense much chemistry between the leads, however, and I really didn't think Cusak's "I am grateful" line at the end was all that great. 26. Swordfish - The movie was one helluva cool opening, but it isn't much more than an average to slightly-above-average action movie from there. 27. Planet of the Apes - This is another movie that really isn't as bad as a lot of people say. I think its just that it was so disappointing with respect to the colossal expectations that some people want to call it the worst movie of the year, even when there are obviously inferior works out there. The look up the film is great, but it doesn't really exist for any other reason that to look good. Its the ultimate example of "all dressed up with nowhere to go"; still, the fully realized world being presented entertained me when the plot could not, excepting the ridiculous ending. 28. The Fast and the Furious - I like what Ebert said, about there being good bad movies and how this flick is one of them. I agree with that. It was stupid and the acting wasn't all that stellar, but it was still pretty darn entertaining, as long as you come in with the right mind set, brain checked at the door. 29. Serendipity - Predictable but pleasant date flick. Often very funny and without any real flas, but its also not epecially originial nor is it filled with any especially witty moments (a la Four Weddings and a Funeral) that would have pushed it towards something special. 30. American Outlaws - Pretty dumb story with, I suspect, almost no historical accuracy and acting that wasn't all that great either. Still, the movie was kinda fun and there was some pretty scenery. The climax and resolution was incredibly disappointing, however, even when viewed in light of the weak story that led up to it. 31. Joe Dirt - It really isn't a good movie, but that's okay since it doesn't try to be. Dumb almost invarialby and funny about half the time, the movie tries to be tell the story of Forrest Gump's white trash cousin, and it does so pretty sucessfully, if you're in the right mood to watch this kind of movie, especially since David Spade actually manages to make the title character endearing. 32. Rush Hour 2 - It was entertaining, but really not that great. The odd couple banter wasn't as sharp and the stunts weren't as spectacular. I liked the movie, but was still pretty disappointed. 33. Doctor Dolittle 2 - Really funny in parts. Solid kids' movie, but nothing really special. 34. Evolution - There were some funny parts and I was entertained, but I really thought the endning was awful. 35. The Mexican - The acting was pretty good, the script was funny once in a while, and the narrative structure was effective, but I really am not sure why this story needed to be told. I can't put a finger on it right now, but the movie just didn't seem that good to me. 36. Cats and Dogs - Kinda cute, but also kinda stupid. It wasn't unbearable or anything, but I really didn't like this movie that much. 37. Life as a House - Proof, to me anyways, that good acting cannot always salvage a bad script. I though Christiansen and Kline were good, but found the characters unbelievable and the storyline uninspired, cliched, and emotionally manipulative in a blatant way. 38. Final Fatnasy: The Spirit Within - I wanted to like this movie. I really, really did. I was pumped up by the stuff I saw early. The story, however, was just abominable. The dialogue was so, so, so horrible, easily the worst I've seen in any movie thsi year. The characters lacked depth, few of them had real motivation . . . it terms of narrative, it was a mess. Artistically, it was much better, but still flawed. Sometimes, the movement was jerky and the stiff, and the expressions without emotion. Other times, however, the movie was visually exhiliraitng. 39. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - Getting to look at Angelina Jolie for 90 minutes was the only thing that could even remotely be termed redeeming about this mess. The story was lame: powefful artifact that has no real story for those not familiar with the game, villian who is evil only so the story has a villian, flat dialogue, etc. Even worse, the action was dead. The set pieces were uninspired and unexciting. It was lazy filmmaking. The sequel definitely has nowhere to go but up. 40. Scary Movie 2 - Funny only in a few bits here and there, this gross out comedy had much more gross than comedy.
Shaolin Soccer!! SHAOLIN SOCCER!!! by Ambient_Noise	Dec 31st, 2001 05:43:13 AM
Harry, you and your crew are probably the only film critics/reviewers in the whole of Western civilization to include Battle Royale, Avalon, Fulltime Killer, Legend of the Sacred Stones and SHAOLIN SOCCER in your year-end best-of lists. This is one of the reasons your site is so well-received in English-speaking parts of Asia such as the one I'm in. Vibrant cinema from my part of the world tend to be overlooked by most mainstream movie critics but AICN ensure that good films get the recognition they deserve. Thanks for a great start to the new year. Oh, and I would include the new anime by Hayao Miyazaki, "Spirited Away" in my list but I guess you haven't seen it yet.
by ANGELS-EGG	Dec 31st, 2001 06:06:01 AM
I agree 'Spirited away' should be there too. have no probs with harrys top list here.AVALON,BATTLE ROYALE etc are certainly faves of mine!Hes right about AVALON though Not everyones gonna like it (people I showed it to fail to understand why it had a lot of repitition in its structure and basically could'nt understand the movies finer points)as its NOT an action film...GOOD LIST HARRY!
oscars by DG	Dec 31st, 2001 06:14:11 AM
Harry, why are you (and apparently all of your friends who contribute to this site) so obsessed with the Oscars? "I hope X gets nominated for this", "Y definitely earns their nomination with this scene", blah, blah, blah. I thought this site was about the movies the mainstream didn't always get - this just shows how much of a sell-out you have become.
Idiots who dog Harry by manutwat	Dec 31st, 2001 06:42:13 AM
to those who say Harry has sold out or is a Brown noser, What the FUCK are you talking about? This is a MOVIE site, if Harry happens to know people in the movie biz its no fucking surprise is it? If you like Films or your job is Film related then chances are your gonna know some people in the show biz. I wish i knew all these famous folks it might give me a better chance of seeing Britney Spears Crotch.
I love Lists! They quite simply Rock! Here are my top ten! by MentallyMariah	Dec 31st, 2001 06:46:32 AM
I love reading everyone's list! We are all here because of our love and passion for movies, so to read everyone's list is pure pleasure! Great List Harry! I own a Muli-region DVD player and I must highly recommend it to all you movielovers out there! If it's weren't for my player, I would have never had my Fabulous movie parties each week this year, turning all my freinds on to gems like AUDITION, BATTLE ROYALE, RING, RING 2, TELL ME SOMETHING, SHAOLIN SOCCER etc... Here are my top ten absolutely fave films of the year and how many times I have seen them! 1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS ( 6 times) 2. MOULIN ROUGE ( 13 times and counting, now that the dvd is released!) 3. AMELIE ( 3 times ) 4. MULHOLLAND DRIVE ( 6 times ) 5. THE OTHERS ( 5 times ) 6. HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (pure fun! 6 times ) 7. BATTLE ROYALE ( the best movie party movie ever! 7 times ) 8. THE ROAD HOME ( damn this movie made me cry! 3 times ) 9. GINGER SNAPS ( 5 times ) 10. BRIDGET JONES DIARY ( 5 times, Renee Zelwegger Rocked in this movie! What a delight ) Anyways, I do hope Moulin Rouge and Mulholland drive reap Oscar nominations, I hope Nicole Wins something and I hope 2002 will rock in terms of movies, I know this year did! Praise the LORD!!!
Best of the year by europop	Dec 31st, 2001 06:50:20 AM
1. Fellowship of the Ring. 2. Brotherhood of the Wolf. 3. A.I. 4. Moulin Rouge 5. Memento
Every year is a bad year for Cinema! by hallo	Dec 31st, 2001 07:04:04 AM
Harry is right, year on year I get the feeling that this is the worst year yet for cinema (with the exception of the year American Beauty came out which had people talking about an independent small film renaissance) The truth is that even in the hay day of the 70
I have a top ten too! by Phalex	Dec 31st, 2001 07:46:08 AM
10. Ocean's 11 -- 9. State and Main -- 8. Unbreakable -- 7. A.I. Artificial Intelligence -- 6. The Royal Tenebaums -- 5. Battle Royale -- 4. The Man Who Wasn't There -- 3. Memento -- 2. Waking Life -- 1. Lord of the Rings: FOTR
Audrey Tautou by Mirrorball Man	Dec 31st, 2001 08:28:47 AM
Just a small nitpick: it's Audrey Tautou, not TauTau.
Battle Royale does kick serious ass by Miss Aura	Dec 31st, 2001 08:41:11 AM
and Ben Kingsley for Supporting Actor please. How can the guy who played Gandhi play such a bad ass. Other than that, this list is too big for this year because this year moviewise stunk of the bad stuff. I call this list edging your bets and simply putting down every film which were mediocre and above. Most talkbackers here were hard to find 10 good films for the year.
Re: Moodysson Re: The Deep End by spinza	Dec 31st, 2001 09:04:01 AM
Hey Silvio, Lukas Moodyssons "Together" has a distributor in the states and is playing right now. Check out this site: http://www.together-thefilm.co m ******* Nice to see The Deep End on Harrys list, but the actress' name is TILDA SWINTON (Margaret Hall is her characters name) and she should get an oscarnomination imho.
Mummy, when i grow up...... by BigMother	Dec 31st, 2001 09:12:33 AM
.......i want to be like Harry. God, i don't know about anyone else but, i HATE being a)16 years old and therefore below the age limit for 18 films b)living in England c)half an hour drive from the nearest cinema and unable to actually drive till next year d)being a skint student and not being able to afford
Battle Royale kicks ass, Fellowship a VERY close second by Kiriyama	Dec 31st, 2001 09:14:32 AM
No other film this year (apart from maybe FOTR) has affected me as deeply as Battle Royale. Everything about BR is wonderful, the story, the acting, the cinematography, the direction, the action, EVERYTHING! Fellowship of the Ring was just pure class from the first frame right through to the last. Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back was the funniest film I saw all year.
Where's Shrek? by Xocxoc	Dec 31st, 2001 09:26:02 AM
Well, every movie on my Top 10 of the year is on Harry's list except two: "Shrek" - It is not as good looking as Monsters, Inc., but I thought it was more entertaining overall, and "In The Bedroom" which Harry says he has not seen, but is one of the most powerful and shocking family drama movies I have seen, very similar in theme to "The Deep End" only far better. Of the movies on Harry's List that I have seen, I liked them all with the exception of "Vanilla Sky" which felt a bit too pretentious for me. I am hoping to see the rest on Harry's list soon. Other movies in my Top 20 that are not on Harry's list: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", "The Anniversary Party", "Pollock", "Amores Perros", and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Visit http://xocxoc.com/movies
my top 5. by MAGGA	Dec 31st, 2001 09:33:05 AM
Damn, it's hard to find many of those movies in Norway. Anyway, here is my list: 1. A.I. -The only truly ambitious Hollywood movie of the year, and in my opinion a movie with genious moment as well as serious flaws (Dr. Know and the silly escape from the Flesh Fair) is far preferable to an all-around decent movie. That's why i love Apocalypse Now, too. 2. LOTR -I haven't read the book, and I have a hard time getting around some of the fairytale elements (two wizards pointing magic wands at each other doesn't make for interesting combat if you have no idea of the logics of the scene) but that's my fault, not the movie's. And as the story evolved I began getting gripped by it. Truly emotional human drama, with some stunning set pieces and great characters, even if the computer effects looked excatly like all other computer effects. 3. Moulin Rouge- Again, ambition should be rewarded. Some extremely crap songs, some very good songs and interpretations, some great, surprising moments, a load of cliche's, and I absolutely hated the MTV-single. But it left a bigger impression than most movies this year. 4. Amelie- Very simple, funny and charming. Feelgood cinema without sentimentality. Fairly interestingly made, and far better than Delicatessen and especially Alien Resurrection. 5. Harry Potter- Being a novice filmmaker myself, I am annoyed that people forget the uniqueness of filmmaking and judge an adaptation only on it's approximity to the source material. This movie would have benefited from a leaner pace. But there were some wonderfull moments in this movie, and kids' movies of this quality are far too rare.
OH my.. HORRIBLE LIST by YouStupidGeeks	Dec 31st, 2001 09:41:26 AM
Beautiful Mind so low? It should be in the top 5!!! Lord of the Rings of course, Amelie simply awesome... Those I would keep in my top 5. Don't get me wrong every movie you have on their deserves to be on a list such as this... but the order is simple ludicrous in the worst way.. My top 5 I would say in really no order is: Lord of The Rings Beautiful Mind Amelie Moulin Rouge Shrek This is of the movies I remember. Memento was great, Bridget Jones was awesome (Better then half the movies on your list) But those I would say are my top 5. Man of your movies were just good, I mean since your list is so DAMN LONG they all do deserve to be included. But many were way overrated a la last years Wonder Boys, and your worship of Evil Dead. (I never saw 2, so I can't really say much about that since that is supposedly the best one. I rented 1, good horror flick, got army of darkness for christmas, very cheesy but a fun movie, But not deserving of all the damn hoopla)
FOTR is NOT that good! by BigTuna	Dec 31st, 2001 09:41:38 AM
Geeze, it's getting to the point that people feel they have to put LOTR:FOTR as their #1 film of the year whether they truly believe it or not. While it was a very good film and great adaptation, it doesn't make my top ten of the year. And I have the balls to say it!
2001: Not As Bad As You Thought by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 09:44:01 AM
Sure, there were some real stinkers (PEARL HARBOR was bad, TOMB RAIDER like a long root canal in Hell while being peed on and getting paper cuts on your face while reciting bad poetry - and that's the first half-hour, it gets worse from there), but if you looked there really was some fantastic films this year. LOTR:FOTR. MEMENTO. AMELIE. A BEAUTIFUL MIND. SEXY BEAST. THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE. THE OTHERS. JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK. MOULIN ROUGE. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. MONSTERS INC. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE(Toss off, you. I liked it.) HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. GHOST WORLD. TRAINING DAY. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing BATTLE ROYALE and will most likely have to wait for the DVD. But this year wasn't terrible movie wise - 2000 was worse. We'll remember 2001 as being bad because of the GODAWFUL summer, but the fall was actually better than most years. And Christmas was fantastic. If you looked for it, you found some good movies. As for SHREK? Overrated as hell.
To forget it once is bad enough by Johnny Utah	Dec 31st, 2001 09:48:48 AM
...but to omit "Donnie Darko" from the voting list of "Which of Harry's Picks Is Best?" suggests darker forces at work. As great as FOTR was, I expected great things from it and was only truly blown away by Frank the Rabbit in "D.D." Late...
by Sabreman	Dec 31st, 2001 09:58:04 AM
Good list, Harry. Nice to see The Dish in there especially. I got to see Battle Royale here in the UK on the big screen. Superb film - the DVD is out at the end of January. Although maybe it doesn't count as a new film, the best thing I saw this year was Apocalypse Now Redux. But I guess it's unfair to the films of any year to go up against that.
Agh, I forgot the subject...er...Battle Royale good, Apocalypse by Sabreman	Dec 31st, 2001 09:59:33 AM
Good list, Harry. Nice to see The Dish in there especially. I got to see Battle Royale here in the UK on the big screen. Superb film - the DVD is out at the end of January. Although maybe it doesn't count as a new film, the best thing I saw this year was Apocalypse Now Redux. But I guess it's unfair to the films of any year to go up against that.
The REAL Masterpieces of 2001 by heywood jablomie	Dec 31st, 2001 10:02:54 AM
1. A.I. 2. The Man Who Wasn't There 3. Vanilla Sky 4. Chunhyang (only seen this on one top-ten list so far...could easily be #1). 5. Chopper (the greatest crime movie of recent years...haven't seen this on ANY top ten lists....masterly performance by Eric Bana that's as good as Harvey in Bad Lt., or any number of great DeNiro performances). 6. Faithless 7. Ghost World 8. Bully (Harry should've put this up there, instead of that awful Amelie) 9. Final Fantasy (hugely underrated--forget that hobbit rubbish--this is visionary sci-fi) 10. The Golden Bowl (also massively underrated--makes one want to totally reevaluate the Merchant-Ivory canon one has always sneered at) Worst: The Majestic, Tomb Raider, Legally Blond, Intimacy, Saving Silverman, Tomcats, Baise-Moi, Lies (Korean), the Michael Bay movie about the 3 cute people in Hawaii
Sounds like a pretty good year to me. by Juggernaut125	Dec 31st, 2001 10:11:49 AM
It sucks. It seemed like such an awful year for flicks, but I think that's because the summer blockbuster events were littered with garbage like Tomb Raider and The Mummy Returns. But wha really sucks is that I thought I saw a lot of great movies and then realize that I missed even more than what I watched. I missed Mullhulland( sp?) Drive. Missed A.I. Missed Sexy Beast. (Really wanted to catch that one. Never made the time.) Missed Avalon and Brotherhood of the Wolf and Shaolin Soccer, but I never saw them playing in any theatres near me. Missed Battle Royale, obviously as it seems you have to know a guy who knows a guy who has a friend that can get a copy of this. Well, I guess that's why movies get released to DVD/Video. So's that you can catch em later. So. Of the paltry few good movies that I DID get to see, here's a short top 6. 6. The Others. 5. The Man Who Wasn't there. 4. Monsters Inc. 3. Memento. 2. FOTR and 1. Amelie. For me personally, I didn't like Moulin Rouge all that much. It just didn't reach me. Ah well. But Amelie, I felt was the most beautiful, up-lifting experience I've had in a theatre in years. And that's what puts it ahead of Fellowship for me.
Alrighty then... by ewem	Dec 31st, 2001 10:24:02 AM
What the hell? Maybe I am uncultured...but I haven't even heard of at least half the films on this list. It's the same reaction I have when I watch the Oscars and the award for best short animated and foreign films and other obscure things like that come up. Where the hell do you see that stuff? When do you see it? No one knows what that shit is!
You saw LOTR 10 times? by NFLRefugee	Dec 31st, 2001 10:41:19 AM
Fucking loser. 30 hours watching the same movie. Hey, I liked it to but jeez
Ghost World Rocks The House by Rodan	Dec 31st, 2001 10:49:31 AM
Glad to see its finally getting some r-e-s-p-e-c-t at the end of the year....it certainly deserves its place in everyones "Top Movie" lists
Nice - but why Hannibal OVER The Royal Tennenbaums? Or even on by Smugbug	Dec 31st, 2001 10:52:39 AM
I'm not going to name MY Top of 2001 - cuz quite fankly, didn't have time to see all of 'em (for christs' sake, big guy - FoTR 10 times? I haven't had time to see it AGAIN.....). I did see a previous post stating how Apocolypse Now: Redux is fabulous. Maybe so, the original release kicked ass, too. BUT, I think that Hearts of Darkness: The Making Of is a MUCH better film. Yes, it's a documentary, but what a amazing one at that. So folks, go out and rent it NOW! whatever. And remember all the geat documentaries from years past that were released? Hoop Dreams, When They Were Kings, Crumb - what happened with the documentary in 2001? Any good ones out? Just color me curious.
12 problems with A.I. by X-Girls	Dec 31st, 2001 11:23:00 AM
would someone list them? I love some scenes in this film, but it was certainly done wrong. No one cares about watching a kid run around looking for a fairy that doesn't exist (more than once). And Spielberg should have followed the 'form' Kubrick laid out 100%.
Why the accolades for Man Who Wasn't There? by JonQuixote	Dec 31st, 2001 11:46:18 AM
I was madly in love with it...until the last twenty minutes. I thought it ended with the car accident and was ready to put on my coat and leave in awe of another Coen's masterpiece. But...it...just...wouldn't ...end. And each extra minute they tagged on there was like watching a beloved pet get tortured. Beautifully filmed movie, but it was the first time I almost walked out of a movie that I was enjoying so much. Ok, there was A.I. Is there anybody out there that really thinks MWWT was better for including those last twenty minutes? *** As far as Memento, I understand. The movie was far less effective when I watched it the 83rd time than it was when I watched it the 82nd.
Moulin Rouge by LUH	Dec 31st, 2001 12:19:32 PM
Moulin Rouge is shite!!! I watched it twice to see if I was missing something and you know what? Its the same shitetanic, it sucks!!!
THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE Explained - *Spoiler Alert!!!* by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 12:26:38 PM
FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THIS FILM AVOID AVOID AVOID. Thank you. For those who have, this may provoke you to see the film again. But there is more going on than meets the eye. The most important shot of the film is Ed Crane in prison, looking over his tabloids as he writes his memoirs. His memoirs are being submitted to one of those tabloids that prints stories like "I Was Abducted By Space Aliens", and "Teen Sex Shocker!" HE IS EMBELLISHING HIS STORY. The teen sex, the spaceship...never happened. Look at him. He's always well groomed (making himself look good), and everyone talks all the time, padding his story for words. We aren't even entirely sure he's in prison, and not sitting at home, writing a story on his porch. He just added it to his story because he thought that was how you wrote for tabloids. I'm thinking the only "real" scene of the film was him sitting on his porch as the driveway salesman came. Opinions? Ideas? Post it.
LOTR is #1, ya, ya, ya right, BS by ellf_killer	Dec 31st, 2001 12:42:24 PM
Well after you all quit smokin' that shit and realize LOTR is decent movie. Its not as good as you perceive it to be you'll realize its with TPM. Sure if I read the books and smoked tie stick I'd probably be in the club too but I don't. Many people don't have LOTR at the top of their list for 2001 and that includes me. I guess the fan slogan is; Yes it has problems, just see it again you'll like it.. Shit thats why its making some decent money? It will drop off quickly Wednesday.. Happy New Year.
WTF??? No Jay and SilentBob Strike Back?? by SilentBob X	Dec 31st, 2001 12:43:44 PM
I am stunned, shocked, and confused. Back when I recover from this............Snoogans
the top movies of 2001 by bballco	Dec 31st, 2001 12:44:43 PM
16. Shrek 15. Harry Potter 14.Ocean's 11 13.The Majestic 12.Monster's Inc. 11.Vanilla Sky 10. The Others 9. Mulholland Drive 8. Memento 7. The Man Who Wasn't There 6. The Royal Tenenbaums 5. Ghost World 4. A Beautiful Mind 3. Amelie 2. LOTR:FOTR 1. Moulin Rouge
Shaolin Soccer!!!! by jrpacman	Dec 31st, 2001 12:48:45 PM
A friend in HK sent me a copy on DVD. I'm ecstatic to see it on the list - it's fucking brilliant!!! Also, happy to see Monsters, Inc. and not Shrek - MI is the better movie.
So long as Moulin Rouge is on the list i'm happy by 007-11	Dec 31st, 2001 12:51:59 PM
Glad to see Harry(unlike some other reviewers) is sticking to his guns on this movie, many have decided to become suddenly jaded as trend dictates and call it a piece of sour eye-candy. I hate people that go whichever way the wind blows.
Also, by 007-11	Dec 31st, 2001 12:59:34 PM
Jude Law was awesome as Gigolo Joe in A.I.
LOTR is good but not in my top ten of all time by filmnewbie	Dec 31st, 2001 01:09:13 PM
I have to agree with Warren and ellfkiller. LOTR is a great movie I saw it twice but its not in my top 10 movies of all time. Its in my top 10 of this year. I loved Moulin Rouge and AI, also thought Black Hawk Down is better. Manhattan your the bitter person letting killer get the best of you. After reading this TB it seems many like to cut down others that don't agree on their prized lists. If you don't like my list fine. Its my taste and I respect yours also. Good list Harry but you named about every movie. Most I never heard of thanks because now I have some great movies to check out.
It is not a MASTERPIECE. by Miss Aura	Dec 31st, 2001 01:16:31 PM
If you want to see a REAL film instead of living in this world which only consists of FOTR, then pick up a DVD copy of Lawrence of Arabia and see how a film should be done. TPM was crap, so if FOTR is the masterpiece that it is then compare it to the greats like Lawrence of Arabia and The Godfather, it doesnt stand a chance in hell. FOTR is a good film but lets look at it realisticly: Mr Jackson is not David Lean and FOTR is not the masterpiece that Lawrence of Arabia is. The pure scope of Lawrence far outweighs any film ever made, now that is what I call a MASTERPIECE of cinema. FOTR on the other hand, was a good film but in years to come will not be remembered in the same light as the greats and to be honest neither is Star Wars. FOTR will go down in cult film status, the same as Star Wars has. Nothing wrong with that apart from its not and no way the greatest film of all time. These directors today could not even manage one ounce of what beauty Lawrence of Arabia is. I watch the film today and cannot believe that such sights are seen on film, the pure scope of it is out of this world. So lets just say that Star Wars and FOTR are not the greatest pieces of cinema ever, but films which have delighted audiences and for that should be honoured. I am beginning to dread the day AOTC is released because I know these arguments will start up again. Oh Shit, we have them for the next 4 years if we dont put a stop to it now. Lets just all enjoy FOTR and SW for what they are, and stop bashing each of them into the ground until no one actually gives a toss about them. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all, now I am off to get pissed and escape this LOTR v SW world that has arisen.
Everybody is different by kinekor	Dec 31st, 2001 01:22:51 PM
How anybody can criticise anybody elses top 10 list is beyond me.It's like me trying to explain to my friend why Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction are in my top 10 list of all time when he thought they both were crap.'Why do the characters talk about things that have nothing to do with the plot?The Like A Virgin monologue;Le Big Macs etc.Personally i liked LOTR but it isn't my top film of 2001.My favourite scene in the whole movie is when Sean Austin attempts to swim out to Frodo in the boat-I keep thinking about that scene,i don't know why,but i guess that's the effect that every movie would like to have on you.I haven't seen most of the films on most people's lists but my top 10 list would be 1)Shrek 2)Moulin Rouge 3)Momento 4)Scary Movie 2...Just kidding.I wanted to see if you were still reading.4)Swordfish 5)LOTR 6)Servicing Saraha 7)Harry Potter 8)The Fast And The Furious 9)Tomcats 10)I can't actually think of any others i really liked.Cheers. p.s. Mr. Bones really sucks.If you know what that means i feel really sorry for you.
mannhattan your crazy. by ellf_killer	Dec 31st, 2001 01:39:22 PM
You have just drawn the lines. You said that "any asshole who omits LOTR but puts 9 in his 10 then be sterilized for the protection of the human gene pool." Your one of those people that is a fanatic. If people don't agree with you, think like you then there is something wrong with them. This type of thinking is why are World is at War. Hell, your the reason I keep coming to TB. Because you don't allow people to believe in alterative ideals. You do a diservice to all LOTR fans. 99% of LOTR fans aren't like you at all. Its really sorry when ELF_KILLER has to apologize to LOTR fans on your behalf. I admitted LOTR was a good film but not the best.
Blah blah blah by EvilNight	Dec 31st, 2001 01:40:37 PM
Most trolls disagree with Harry simply because they don't have the ability to wrap their brains around a good film. There will always be movies like Shrek and Black Knight for those tools, hollywood caters to anyone who has a pulse and five bucks. I've seen FOTR ~15 times now as well (rips are grand, leave em running while you work) and I think it holds up to repeated viewings better than anything I've seen in a very long time. It actually gets better like fine wine. I would have given it a 6 on first viewing (couldn't get the book out of my head) but I'm up to a 9.5/10 now. Peter, Directors Cut is needed with all the goodies or we will hunt you down, there are mad petitions about this. How in hell can you expect us to watch the scenes out of order tacked on at the end?! That's a hollywood treatment, you can do better. Do it now or do it in 2005, just make damn sure you DO make one. Collectors edition triple feature box set... mmmmmm... no price too high... Thanks for the list Harry, if I didn't have people like you around I wouldn't be able to find half the good flicks since I don't have the time to hunt them all down myself. At least you have the balls to say what you really feel about the flicks... must be awesome to work outside the system as a web critic and internet phenomenon. ;)
documentaries by jw cat	Dec 31st, 2001 01:43:15 PM
To the user who asked about documentaries - was Startup.com released this year? I think it was. See it if you need a reminder of why to not mix business with pleasure. The sense of foreboding creeped me out.
BATTLE ROYALE IS SIMPLY FUCKING AWESOME! by Cooler-than-Thou	Dec 31st, 2001 01:45:12 PM
That's the best film I've seen this year. I saw Lord of the Rings and liked it but I don't think it's nearly as good as Battle Royale. Might have something to do with me not being a Tolkien ass-sucker like so many people here. Jesus, I mean the movie was entertaining but it's not the masterpiece that so many people think it is. I'm sick of hearing that LOTR is the greatest movie ever. Especially since my love and affection is reserved for the spectacle that is Battle Royale. The Royal Tenenbaums, Amelie & Sexy Beast kicked mucho asses too
Okay, I'm gonna get into it. by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 01:47:08 PM
I've seen LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. I've seen CITIZEN KANE. I've seen BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI. I've seen THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. All, fantastic, bloody great films. And without hesitation I put FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING ahead of all of them. Best film ever made? These opinions don't matter. It only matters what I feel, and to me, FOTR trumps them all. It was earthshaking filmmaking, and I'm happy to have been alive to see it. I don't need Talkhackers to tell me what I like and don't like. Harry is a friend of mine, but he didn't dictate to me how to feel when FOTR came out. I did. And it's on my favorite films of all time list with a bullet. When I talk to people who loved it, it feels like coming home. People who hated it, well, sorry. Those who trash the film, go ahead. The film can take it. I can take it. The people who loved the film can take it. Those who trash those who loved the film, die, please. Seriously. KILL YOURSELVES. If you're that insecure for trashing someone in this day and age who actually loves something, well, you're pathetic, and you can sift through my turds for corn if you're hungry. Have I made myself clear? KILL YOURSELVES. Thank you.
Suggesion by EvilNight	Dec 31st, 2001 01:48:33 PM
Ok, let's code a filter into talkback. If LOTR and TPM appear in the same article, deny posting. Add a counter in so that anyone who has 50% or more of their posts with LOTR in it gets banned. Same for TPM. A bit draconian, but fer chrissakes, this is a chat about Harry's list and between when I finished reading and when I posted my last message I count 7 separate trolls for LOTR. WTF?! It's certainly now the most DEBATED movie of all time, hands down. Shit, I'm outta here, time for some drunken revelry, it's frickin' new year's eve...
What About Monster's Ball? by BigTuna	Dec 31st, 2001 01:49:37 PM
Damn fine film. Harry has to move. He lives in a hick town and gets to see no movies.
The Others and Ginger Snaps??? by Blok Narpin	Dec 31st, 2001 02:01:47 PM
The Others was pretty sad. A film that blatently RIPPED OFF the ending of another (and far BETTER) movie. This film was NOT creepy or suspensful. If was obvious where thet were going with it from the very begining. I just kept telling myself, "No, they CAN'T be going in THAT direction! It was done not TWO YEARS AGO! But sure enough they did. It's rare that I have ever felt so ripped off before. The Others was a true waste of money. As for Ginger Snaps...why WOULD it get a theatrical release. It was AWEFUL. EASILY the worst movie I swa all year. It had little to no plot, boring characters, some BAD BAD BAD special effects. It was diret to video horror on a par with Cherry Falls and Bloody Murder, but possibly WORSE then those films. Please Raise the bar and stop praising garbage.
YOu finally got to see that puppet movie, huh? by Z-Man	Dec 31st, 2001 02:03:16 PM
That's really cool. It's like a happy ending to the story. I hope I can see it some day. But Mr. Knowles, dude, sir...you gotta edit this shit. "I haven
You know: "The Long Good Friday" is a BETTER mafia movie than Th by Smugbug	Dec 31st, 2001 02:10:01 PM
and is on my "All-Time" list. Reason? It had no fear in depicting the violence of the mafia. The Godfather is a lovely study of cinematography. Now I'm not denying the fact that it is Coppola's crowning achievement and is a superlative film. But The Long Good Friday is the movie that challenges you more cuz it didn't gloss over the violence - it had no fear. Damn fine film. Anywhoos - Is FoTR the Best Ever? Nope. Sorry, Lawrence of Arabia is that on my list. I've also got The Right Stuff, Excalibur, Raging Bull, RAN, Queen Margot, The Last Emperor, Airplane (HEY, it STILL makes me laugh and laugh to this day) - and yes, FoTR is on my l ist. But I ain't gonna get more specific, cuz it's MY list and it's filled with MY preferences. If I wanted you to read it and get all awe-inspired, I'd create MY own website like a certain Harry and post it...
blah, blah, bullshit by ellf_killer	Dec 31st, 2001 02:12:30 PM
I talk shit the way manhatten does I get banned what a double standard. I said we are at war because of people like yourself. I didn't say it was America's fault you did. When ever you have people claiming its myway or the highway you get war. Christians say you only go to hell thru Christ. Muslims say its only thru Allah. No matter what its heading towards a religious war. Your spreading the same shit. Its LOTR or your a piece of shit, fuck off. Well, you ignorant dumb mutha fucker. America is about tolerance and acceptance of other peoples ideas, religions, and spelling mistakes. We should ship your ass right into combat so you can appriecate this country and the rights we have. fucken LOTR troll. ya ain't shit. Your living proof the Indians did fuck Buffalo.
Lawrence? What? by PattyOGreen	Dec 31st, 2001 02:21:44 PM
Who the hell brought up FotR being better than Lawrence in the first place? I don't think the two can be compared fairly. One is one of the best movies I've ever seen, one of the most accurate book adaptations ever, and the most realistic foray into the mystical magical worlds of fantasy ever created. The other is one of the greatest films that has stood the test of time and remains a classic to this day. Both are so good, that trying to compare them is evil and wrong. FotR, along with the whole trilogy, will most likely stand the test of time as well. It won't age and will be able to be discovered by new generations of moviegoers as time goes by, as does Lawrence. But Jesus... look at Moriarty's best-ever list. Lawrence is STILL above FotR, and rightly so. Someone's all-time favorite movie, one that's been there for decades most likely, cannot be dethroned so lightly. Stop trying to stir up the fire. Don't compare the new blood with the old on the same level. Hollywood was a much different place back when most of the classics were made, and it is a much stranger and crappier place now. To have something as great as this hit the mass market is amazing, and if you can leave real life behind and allow yourself to be transported to a world where magic and elves and sword-fought wars are still possible, you may cry at the beauty lying before your eyes. The imagination and the limitless possibilities it holds are amazing, and FotR tapped right into that for most that love it so. Don't crush the dream. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
PattyOGreen, I agree, however... by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 02:26:06 PM
I love LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. It really is one of the best films ever made. But LOTR did more for me. I can't help that. This whole movie comparison thing is silly, I admit. Somewhere out in the world, there's a guy who's favorite film in the world is FREDDY GOT FINGERED. Although there's no accounting for taste, it's alright that he exists. I'm happy that someone could find joy in the world, even in a Tom Green movie. So let's just all be happy.
What will you do when Two Towers comes out? by whorton99	Dec 31st, 2001 02:34:49 PM
It is very amusing to see so many of you arguing that FOTR is a better film than greats such as Lawrence of Arabia and Citizen Kane. You're raising the bar too early. Just how will you express the greatness of The Two Towers or Return of the King? Will they make you cry with joy doubly and triply hard respectively? All you've left yourself to say next year is, "The Two Towers is the the best movie ever made, yes, even better than Fellowship!!!" A movie needs a lot of time before it can be mentioned with ranks of the greatest ones - FOTR has been out just over 10 days. Ain't It Cool News would be a great site if it wasn't so juvenile.
Where do you people LIVE? by Charles Grady	Dec 31st, 2001 02:40:14 PM
Lots of people still haven't seen Monster's Ball, In the Bedroom, Donnie Darko, Black Hawk Down, etc. Which leads me to ask...If you're such a movie fanatic, why don't you move to L.A. or New York??? Move out of the sticks, fellas, to a city where you can actually see the 2001 movies in 2001 instead of waiting four months and driving across the state to see something cool. Anyone who loves movies as much as most of you do REALLY oughta live in LA or NY. Otherwise, your 10 lists don't have much validity, at least not yet, since you haven't had a chance to see so many worthwhile movies.
THE TAILOR OF PANAMA by Keyser-Soze	Dec 31st, 2001 02:44:27 PM
Has anyone seen this movie besides me? I know Ebert gave it 3
How About Harry's Top 10 List of 2001 Trolls? by ellf_killer	Dec 31st, 2001 02:45:30 PM
I vote myself as #1, Uno numero. Why, because most of ya suck. Especially people like captain mahattan, a wart dick, ass goblin, salad tossin fag... I posted shit under a different USERID and gloated over LOTR, he ate it up like flies on shit. My spelling was just as bad. But when posting under my real name Elf_killer he hates anything I say. He's a wanna be troller. So is Mercier a little dick fag. I'll be around along time fuckin' with these boards, or until SW 3 comes out. I'm smarter than all ya. So vote for me Elf_Killer as top ass hole #1 or I'll force you too.... Banned more times than anyone else and for a good reason, right Harry!!!
about TAILOR OF PANAMA by Charles Grady	Dec 31st, 2001 02:47:27 PM
Whorton, the movie was fine until it ended on the SINGLE WORST FINAL SHOT IN MOVIE HISTORY....that freeze frame of Geoffrey Rush flipping an omelet.
It's not what's better. It's what's favorite. by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 02:50:59 PM
To be honest, I couldn't tell you what the best film of all time is. I don't even think there needs to be a "best" film. CITIZEN KANE has great camerawork and it's a terrific character study. But it's got nothing of the scope and epic sweep of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA or LOTR. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA doesn't let you into Lawrence's head nearly as well as Orson Welles does in KANE. At the end of KANE, you don't really know him, and yet you know him more intimately than the other characters of the film do. And neither film has the emotional punch of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. But, to me, LOTR will be the film I return to again and again, more than all of those, because to me it's got it ALL. But just because it's my favorite film of all time doesn't mean it has to be yours. In fact, if we all loved the same thing, it'd be a pretty boring world. I just don't like people trashing others for loving something. If you're a devoted SW geek, hey that's all good. I am too. I can also love LOTR, you know. There is room in my heart for more than one film. RUSHMORE is probably in my top five, but I wouldn't expect everyone to have it. RUSHMORE touched a personal chord in me that most movies don't. And I'll love what I damn well please.
The ENTS in the TWO TOWERS... by Keyser-Soze	Dec 31st, 2001 02:54:29 PM
Besides trying to find someone who likes the Tailor of Panama, I would like to know everyone's thoughts about the Ents in the Two Towers. Do you think Peter Jackson will include them in the movie? He left out Tom Bombadil in Fellowship, but do you think he would leave out Treebeard? Bombadil was only in a few chapters, but the Ents are in just about the entire first book of The Two Towers. The reason why I ask this is because Jackson would have to digitally create the Ents. So how do you think walking talking trees would look like digitally created? HARRY, when you read the script to The Two Towers, which you are probably trying to get your hands on, or perhaps already have, could you please answer the question if the Ents will be in the Two Towers.
Not to worry, Keyser-soze (THAR BE SPOILERS HERE!) by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 02:57:27 PM
The Ents will be there. Treebeard is played by none other than John Rhys-Davies (the second best voice in all of moviedom, behind James Earl Jones). I'm looking forward to one weird battle when the Trees rise up against Isengard.
Blow ONLY number 22??? by Charles Grady	Dec 31st, 2001 03:02:44 PM
If you go back and read Harry's original review of this underrated/ good-but-not-perfect flick, you'd have guessed it was in his Top 10 of all time. In fact, I believe he said if he had seen it in 2000, it would have been HIS FAVORITE MOVIE OF 2000! YET THAT ONLY WARRANTS NUMBER 22 ON THE 2001 LIST? WOW, HARRY, 2001 MUST HAVE BEEN A PRETTY GREAT YEAR. Strongest "shill" proof ever offered.
Thanks Nordling by Keyser-Soze	Dec 31st, 2001 03:07:23 PM
John Rhys-Davies voicing Treebeard will be cool, but I'm skeptical how the Ents will look on the big screen. I just pray to God that it's not cheesy. If Peter Jackson pulls off directing Trees destroying Isengard to rumbles, then he will be one of my favorite directors. I also can't wait to see more of Gollum in the Two Towers. I also love how Peter Jackson said Gollum will not be another Jar Jar Binks.
TerryK by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 03:20:05 PM
Feeling insulted? I'm surprised. I didn't think your life could stoop much lower. How's the facial herpes? And it's nice to see that Hooked on Phonics took. Can you read this alright?
Two Towers by Daegor	Dec 31st, 2001 03:21:29 PM
I think when people look at the LoTR trilogy in the future it will be as one complete movie not three seperate, so if people say they feel fellowship is their favorite all time movie they will not contradict themselves when they add TTT as well. The three films tell ONE story, so if fellowship is as good as it is it stands to reason that the other two will be as well.
Assuming that the Hooked on Phonics did NOT take... by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 03:30:09 PM
I did not say those who trash a movie should kill themselves. I said those who trash those who love a certain movie should kill themselves. If your life is that horribly worthless that you somehow feel the need to trash others for getting some enjoyment out of life be it over a movie, or a ice cream bar, or a frigging barium enema, then suicide should probably be an option you might want to consider. You can trash the movie all you want. You may even have valid points. But to trash people who love it is just really damn pathetic. Does it come naturally to be an asshole, or is it something you had to work at? Take classes? Does Asshole 101 have transferable credit from college to college? Let's hope not. Just let people ENJOY something. I swear. Some people need sunlight. (Sigh...It's obvious I have nothing better to do. Good thing I'm at work.)
My Top movies of 2001...Bitch! by Sigfrid_VonShrnk	Dec 31st, 2001 03:32:13 PM
1. LOTR:FOTR (This movie has flaws, of course, but so did Star Wars coughACTINGcough. This movies has amazing perks, which send it's flaws into total eclipse...it will be watched for decades and loved. I love this movie, I've seen it 3 times and it keeps getting better...that is a rare attribute.) 2. Memento (A wonderful example of style over substance, but that same reason keeps it from being number 1, but...despite its lack of substance and loop holes ... the movie never fails to captivate and entertain.) 3. Ameli (This movie just charms the hell out of me. Its opening sequence is simply beautiful, one of my all time favorite scenes in any movie I've ever seen.)
I'm assuming no one's ever heard of Bill Hicks by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 03:47:38 PM
or the "kill yourself" line would be much more funnier.
LOTR Is a wonderful film, going to be a classic. It is not the b by Sigfrid_VonShrnk	Dec 31st, 2001 03:51:57 PM
Sorry, but I think LOTR is a GREAT MOVIE, in the top 100 best movies of all time. Maybe even number 11 or 12, but not on my top 10 and nowhere near the best film off all time (sorry, I still loved it though..) I reserve the number 1 spot for Dark City (my favorite film, you hear that Ebert we must fight for this film! VIVA LA RISTANCE!). Lord of the Rings was great, and I disagree with people like Elf-Killer...I think LOTR and Star Wars will be remembered OVER films like Citizen Kane because people watch movies to be entertained... Citizen Kane may be a work of art, but it is by no means as entertaining as LOTR or Star Wars (I'd never want to see Citizen more than once). People will watch Star Wars and Lord of the Rings for decades to come because they're bloody entertaining. Citizen will be remembered for its art. Therefore, it's almost impossible to compare these two films in my mind, but I just did. That's my two cents...
THE AMERICAN ASTRONAUT by GreggyP420	Dec 31st, 2001 04:07:26 PM
I can't believe Harry looked over the HYPER GENIUS comedy "The American Astronaut" . Easily funnier than anything I have ever seen(along with "the league of gentlemen). I have never wrote in a talkback before but I feel so strongly about this movie, Cory Mcabee deserves so much credit. What a genius. I wonder if HARRY has even seen it?
rant by jw cat	Dec 31st, 2001 04:25:38 PM
OK, I have to get this off my chest. I am sick and tired of reading everyone on this page (and most other movie pages) complain about how distributors don't pick up some movie that they love, and that makes them "cowardly". It's often pointed out that the studios are businesses and in it to make money. That is true, but also most of the non-major studios are just trying to stay afloat. They are too afraid to pick up the film becuase theatres and/or video stores are too afraid to distribute it because consumers are too afraid to spend their hard earned cash and time on them. WHY would a company buy a film for distribution and then spend all the money to put it out when the video stores/theatres won't take a chance? I guess I'm preaching to the converted by ranting to this talkback, but I'm tired of hearing the studios being blamed because people don't support quality product. Imagine what it was like before VCRs and DVD players when you were at the mercy of your local theatre, and you couldn't watch your Canadian Ginger Snaps DVD 50 times?!
Dear God... by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 04:34:22 PM
A world without a DVD player or even a VCR? Gulp...that means we'd actually have to...wait for it...LEAVE THE HOUSE TO SEE A MOVIE! Now that's a horrifying thought. Sitting in a dark place, with lots of people, watching a movie...shudder...I'm disturbed and disgusted. Please let us not speak of this again.
no VCR or DVD player by jw cat	Dec 31st, 2001 04:40:53 PM
OK, to continue the horror show - there are people IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW with no DVD players, and there are even a few with no VCRs. Now I won't bring this up again. Thank you for your time.
YippitySkippity!!! I love lists!!! by Billy Talent	Dec 31st, 2001 04:42:01 PM
Most Underrated - Hannibal - Most Overrated - Memento - Most Misunderstood - A.I. - Biggest Dissapointment - LotR (A very good film, but far short of greatness) - Most Entertaining - The Royal Tenenbaums - Best Throwaway Line - (Following DeNiro's obligatory 'I'm going straight' speech) 'I'll believe that when the pigs eat my brother' - Marlon Brando in 'The Score' - Films I haven't yet seen but really want to - 'In the Bedroom', 'Monster's Ball', 'Black Hawk Down' (who'd ever have expected to hear Roger Ebert talking about a Ridley Scott/Jerry Bruckheimer movie that way?) - Best Actor - Billy Bob Thornton 'The Man Who Wasn't There' - Runners Up - Haley Joel Osment, Gene Hackman, Tom Cruise - Best Actress - Naomi Watts 'Mulholland Dr.' - Runners Up - Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge), Laura Haring - Best Supporting Actor - Ben Kingsley - Runners Up - Tony Shalhoub, Jude Law, Steve Buscemi - Best Supporting Actress - Cameron Diaz - Runners Up - Frances McDormand, Carrie Ann Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow - Best Original Screenplay - The Man Who Wasn't There - Runners Up - Mulholland Dr., The Royal Tenenbaums, Heist - Best Adapted Screenplay - The Tailor of Panama - Runners Up - Ghost World, Memento, Vanilla Sky - Best Animated Feature - Monster's Inc. - Runners Up - Waking Life, Shrek - Best Foreign Language Film - Kandahar - Best Documentary - Startup.com - Best Visual Effects - A.I. - Best Score - Mulholland Dr. - Best Cinematography - The Man Who Wasn't There - Best Director - David Lynch - Runners Up - Joel & Ethan Coen, Steven Spielberg, Cameron Crowe - And the best picture of the year is.... 'The Man Who Wasn't There'! But let's not forget our fabulous runners up 'A.I', 'Mulholland Dr.', 'Vanilla Sky' and 'The Royal Tenenbaums'. Thank you and drive safely.
Hannibal by spenworks	Dec 31st, 2001 04:49:01 PM
I would like to point out that if you see Hannibal expecting a sequel to Silence of the Lambs, you will be sorely disappointed, and it will suck. However, if you see Hannibal expecting a sequel to The Abominable Dr. Phibes, you will love it. Hopkins does his best Hammer era Vincent Price impression, complete with wide brim hat and flowing cape. Also, Training Day had the best performance I've seen all year. And it is not being mentioned. Thanx
Nordling by NFLRefugee	Dec 31st, 2001 04:49:42 PM
Huge Bill Hicks fan. 'Kill yourself'. Funny shit.
AICN is great! by IAmLegolas	Dec 31st, 2001 05:04:39 PM
I love it that almost every TB on the site degenerates into a LOTR debate! Long Live Peter Jackson!
Memento.... by atomic-bananas	Dec 31st, 2001 05:13:30 PM
Is an overrated piece of crap. I saw it after reading all the rave reviews here on AICN, and I didn't care for it. Furthermore, Royal Tenenbaums at 26? Come on! If AICN has proven anything, its that we all have different opinions even if we do have the same general interests. The Others, Moulin Rouge, and Royal Tenenbaums, and Ghost World were the best mainstream films I saw this year. I am sure The man who wasnt there would be on my list, but I havent seen it yet.
Stanley Spector, thank you. by Nordling	Dec 31st, 2001 05:15:57 PM
You made my day. And to think I was all prepared to just suffer the slings and arrows of LOTR haters. Let's discuss THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, all. What do YOU think?
BLOW BLOW BLOW BLOW BLOW by Charles Grady	Dec 31st, 2001 05:36:01 PM
Sounds like Harry's a little more reserved in his praise almost a year later, now that BLOW didn't quite receieve all the acclaim he likely expected. Funny how last winter when he saw the screening with TED DEMME, he said it would have ranked high on his list of 2000 films had it been released last year. Now it's a mere 22, and you can tell Harry only threw it in there to prove he wasn't a complete shill, 'cause he knew we'd remind him of it. Way to stick to your guns, Harry. You overrate a decent movie because you see it with the director, and now you downplay your original inflated enthusiasm. Again, we should remind Harry of the BLOW Affair every time he sings the praises of some new "masterpiece" after an audience with the director. His hatred of ROLLERBALL was probably genuine but now even more obviously constructed to erase memories of how bought and paid for he was on BLOW. "See, I don't like every movie!" Every time the question of AICN's credibility shows up, remind Harry of BLOW!!!
Oh, and check out this math... by Charles Grady	Dec 31st, 2001 05:41:46 PM
Harry DID say BLOW would have been his favorite film of 2000. So in other words, the first 21 movies on his 2001 list were better than EVERYTHING in 2000. Right, Harry?
Top 5 disappointments by res_dog316	Dec 31st, 2001 05:43:54 PM
and the biggest disappointments were...... (1)Pearl Harbor. (2)Final Fantasy. (3)Enemy at the Gates. (4)Kiss of the Dragon. (5)Tomb Raider. Final Fantasy shoulda been just the story from FF3 (or 6 if youre in japan). Terra, Espers, and Kefka! That would have been the shit.
Death To Fevered Egos..so says Randypan the Goatboy by Fleagle	Dec 31st, 2001 05:51:36 PM
As a Brit and a her-uge fan of William Melvin Hicks ;-), its always surprised, no, shocked me that a lot of his fellow countryfolk Ive met and chatted to on this internet thing, have never heard of the last great comic of the 20th century. Oh well, perhaps in years to come we can look forward to the bio-pic in the great mans honour (Im sure Bill would love the twisted irony of that). First name in the casting hat, John Cusack. http://billhicks.com/darktimes / http://sacredcowproductions.co m/hicks/ Belated happy 40TH Billy boy!
Memento had a HUGE amount of substance by abcdefz1	Dec 31st, 2001 05:52:19 PM
I don't understand why people keep saying Memento was all about style. Are you kidding? It's the perfect anti-noir, taking all heroism and attraction out of revenge. SPOILERS The key is in the idea that, if a person is that we perceive memories as facts based on what our operating system is and how we perceive things through that filter. So if you're operating out of, say, hatred, you'll never run out of "John G's" because you're constantly manufacturing "facts" to assemble your case against them. You can find a new target anywhere because that's "who you've become." It goes a lot further than this, but that's the tip of it. It's one of the most profound films I've ever seen -- a real gut punch and deeply tragic.
Spinza by Silvio Dante	Dec 31st, 2001 05:57:47 PM
Thanks for the info.
Lord of the Movies by Butch_McTavish	Dec 31st, 2001 06:02:38 PM
Thank you Harry for acknowledging and 'contributing' towards the greatness that is the "Lord of the Rings." It's number one with the critics, number one with the fans, number one at the box office... numero uno period! I've seen it three times and sincerely cannot wait to see it again. A beautiful and heartfelt film to usher in a bright and hopeful new year. Thank you J.R.R. Tolkien. Thank you Peter Jackson and everyone involved with the film. Thank you fans for believing and never giving in to despair. God Bless and Happy New Year!!!
FOTR best of 2001? Uh, no.... by SG7	Dec 31st, 2001 06:16:20 PM
It was good. I liked it a lot. But the best film of the year? Only someone who's read the books will make this claim becuase their memories of those fine works fills in for the gaping, lacking character development that curses this film.
THE OTHERS DESERVE TO BE AT NUMBER 2 FOR GOD SAKE!!!! by Diplan	Dec 31st, 2001 06:48:12 PM
it's one of the best films of the years, "we are not dead", "we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead","we are not dead",
RE:res_dog316 by Diplan	Dec 31st, 2001 06:53:35 PM
i agree with you, that whole "save the earth" shit really piss me off, sorry for the "the Others" SPOLIER
yo, shreklovers ... by Gengar	Dec 31st, 2001 07:00:40 PM
you people have your fat asses high in the air, eagerly ready to be mounted and buttfucked by your midget king, jeffrey katzenberg. fucking raped sickos. >tsk.<
Happy New Year from Spain! by cifra2	Dec 31st, 2001 07:19:39 PM
Harry, I'm sorry to disagree with you... Lord of the rings shouldn't be higher than a number six... because it was not perfect and there was at least five perfect movies in 2.001: Devil's Backbone, Moulin Rouge, Memento, The Others and (nearly perfect) A.I. None of them bored me... and Lord of the Rings did (despite my feeling that it is a great film, but NOT a landmark). Maybe with repeated viewings I'll change my mind, but I really doubt it.
HEIST by fried samurai	Dec 31st, 2001 07:39:52 PM
Hey harry what about HEIST.Shit maments dialog shits all over most of the films you mentioned.I still dont understand this love for BLOW.That film was terrible it reminded me of all those copy-cat films that came after PULP FICTION.Only demme waited 10 years before ripping off GOODFELLAS.No love for GOODFELLAS harry?shame shame
happy new years (almost) by theshiner	Dec 31st, 2001 08:27:09 PM
The best performance I saw this year was Denzel Washington's turn as a corrupt detective in "Training Day." While not a top ten movie at all, Denzel responded to his critics (who complained that he always stars as "the angry black man who must stand up to racism") in a big way by playing a character you love to hate and hate to love.**** As for the hot topic at hand, the unnecessary hype for "Lord of the Rings" almost ruined the movie before I ever saw it. Honestly, after awhile, I had no desire to see it at all; and only did so as a favor to a friend. As soon as it ended, I thought, Wow, that was a great movie. Possibly the best one I saw all year. But, the greatest movie ever? No. Not only is it not even close to being the greatest movie ever, it will probably be a long time before I even see it again. Yeah, I liked it a lot, but not to the point where I would watch it 10-15 times in its first two weeks of release. 30-45 hours spent on watching the same movie... in a time period of 2 and a half weeks? I'm sorry, but that is not, and should not be, a badge of honor. Actually, that should be clue number one that you are missing out on life. Speaking of which, I must say g'night and get ready to party. Happy New Years, everyone.
A Must See! by dr.cornelius	Dec 31st, 2001 09:29:00 PM
Harry, Please do not refer to a films the majority of the earth's population will ever have the opportunity to see as "a must see". You very deliberately pointed out the lengths you went to to see THE LEGEND OF THE SACRED STONES. Most of us do not have the treasure map for finding such gems. Please do not tease your readers by labelling such works "a must see". Please don't be a snob, Harry. It doesn't become you.
Well, warrenbuffet, if you're that fucking shallow then I do by Cash Bailey	Dec 31st, 2001 09:45:27 PM
I'll cheerfully say that LOTR is the greatest thing I've ever seen, and not one of you cock-smoking trolls (or giggly fanboys) will ever say anything to make me think different. Fuck what we say - love the movie for how it makes you feel, instead of hating it for how it makes others feel. And yes, I sobbed like a bitch from start to finish - so fucking what?
Top 5 by DarkLord4	Dec 31st, 2001 10:11:20 PM
1. Memento 2. LOTR 3. Joy Ride(why doesn't anyone else like this one as much as I do??) 4. Training Day 5. Score
I like BUTT BACKENDER'S 10 worst better by jaxx man	Dec 31st, 2001 10:23:17 PM
This list is fine, but I prefer movie bashing nowadays...I think the legendary intergalactic cruiser, Butt Backender, has the situation in a nutshell (http://www.geocities.com/butt backender/ButtBackender.html) - although the list encompasses basically the last 10 years, it truly covers the most ground.
Kubrick by chiknfriedelfsac	Dec 31st, 2001 10:38:10 PM
A.I. should have ended at the bottom of the ocean. Spielberg didn't have the balls to do it. The ending is an abomination before god and man. "We can only bring her back for one day blah blah blah..." - my god, that was the worst crap I've ever seen. Yes let's make the robots look like aliens too, (which is what I thought they were for a moment, silly me.) What a hideous train wreck of an ending - and yes, in it's way, it is a feel-good ending, not in the conventional sense perhaps. A much better bittersweet ending would have been having it end under the ocean. But Spielberg's testicles require intense magnification to find now, so it was a no-go. If the ending was all Stanley Kubrick's idea, then he had lost it and I'm glad in a way he's not around to sully his reputation further, like he did with Eyes Wide Shut.
Ick... by Theta	Dec 31st, 2001 10:51:35 PM
"The Deep End" and "Sexy Beast" were some of the most thrill-less thrillers in YEARS, an attempt to spackle over bad scripting with pretty pictures. At least AI made the list, and at least you didn't place them higher than "Memento."
Ya know, the real tragedy here.... by General Idea	Dec 31st, 2001 10:52:10 PM
...is that 21 people thought Hannibal was the best movie of 2001. Ah well. Some people enjoy eating ass also...
LOTR disappoints by JCPhoenix	Dec 31st, 2001 11:18:24 PM
Fellowship was something I was highly anticipating. Everything pointed to it being an excellent movie with everyone saying its so amazing. This climaxed with Harry's review on FOTR, which made me go see it. I really wanted it to be my favourite movie of all time...but i just came out of the theatre dissatisfied. While it was a good movie, it is not amazing. Movies are made to be enjoyed by ALL. It is really just a movie for fans. Fans will love this movie (which explains all the critics saying its amazing -incidentally, kudos to Ebert for actually reviewing this movie right) People who are not fans of the books were just bored as they couldn't grasp all the names, etc, and the film was just too confusing. Fan movies are fine (which this is) but in no way do I think this should win/get nominated for Best Picture Oscar. Though it will be simply because the Academy has many fans in it too. Think about it for a minute. The plot is not really special anymore. Sure it was original THEN, but it is NOWADAYS, and because this movie is made nowadays, it should be judged just like any other movie, and not have special privilege. I really wonder what critics would rate this movie if there was never a book it was based on. Surely they would have liked it, but not to the extent that it would get nominated for Best Picture. The action scenes were also horrible, and even my friends who love it agree with me on this. They zoomed in so much, it made you feel dizzy, and also you couldn't see what was happening. The whole audience was just waiting till the end of the action scenes to figure out what just happened. There were many good points too, but since everyone capitalizes on those already (to the extent it is sickening) I won't mention much about them here save that the acting, music, and set designs were all done excellently. By the way, I do agree with the rest of the list (the ones I've seen anyway) except Memento and Moulin Rouge higher.
list by HallowedBThyName	Dec 31st, 2001 11:26:39 PM
Great list, and I totally agree about the folks who always seem to bitch about how lousy a year it was. They often are paid pretty good money to be critics, and if it's so painful, should maybe give up their jobs to someone else. Then again, movies aren't really meant to be seen in the quantities critics do. Anyway, a few additions: 2 starring the wondrous Zhang Ziyi (spelling?) one of course, the perfect popcorn flick Rush Hour 2 Other one: The Road Home, a tear-jerker so good they had to mop the floor of the theater after each showing. And: In the Mood for Love -- was that one of this year's films? Man, that was just tasty.
Ha Ha! LVBPO (Laughing Various Body Parts Off) About the Poll R by jollydwarf	Dec 31st, 2001 11:33:06 PM
First of all, where were the two Beetlejuice (from Stern) films? "Bubbleboy" and "Scary Movie 2". I know, it's no fair to pit such pedestrian cinematic fare against the greatest screen presence of all time...speaking of the poll and Beet, why was he not Frodo? Gandalf: "Is it secret? Is it safe??" BeetleBaggins: "Hey, Me? I like kep' it safe like forty four times in an hour, dude. I got like a thousand rings an' I keepin' it all a secret." Gandalf: "Sauron needs only the ring to cover all the land in a second darkness!" BeetleBaggins: "I don' think sooo, Pal! I bury dat ass an' I beat that ass an' I can win in like an hour, dude! I go to MorDwarf an' I teach 'im a lesson!" BUT SERIOUSLY...I really wanted to go against the grain and give a shout-out to "Ghost World", but a.)the recency effect is at play here, and having just seen FOTR again last night, I can't stop thinking about how epic and flawless it is and b.)as much as I'm not a fan of the big "Hollywood Event" film taking the Oscar (see "Gladiator" and "Titanic"), I just can't say that I have ever seen a better argument for the motion picture than "Fellowship", save "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Notice I didn't say "film". I don't even want to compare Peter Jackson's masterpiece to "films." It is simply the kind of viewing experience that is timeless and honestly emotionally moved me just on the visual aspect. It is truly a grand dream that everyone can share. I can't even classify it as the same thing as any other cinematic experience I've ever had. I am lucky to have seen it and I pray for good fortune to allow me to see the next two installments. Frontwards or Backwards, may you all have an unparalleled 2002. It's going to be a blast like a wizard's fireworks display.
I am so glad SHREK isn't on that list by movieManiac	Dec 31st, 2001 11:52:37 PM
Shrek is the most overrated crap ever made. but Harry, if u have ginger snaps, hannibal and blow on your list, why couldn't u have Lagaan and Monsoon wedding in there? Watch some quality cinema too!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! by Mully4Ever	Jan 1st, 2002 12:20:35 AM
Can you believe it? Star Wars and Lord of the Rings IN THE SAME YEAR?!?!?!?!?!
by THE BAUMER	Jan 1st, 2002 12:32:29 AM

No Training Day by travelandwander	Jan 1st, 2002 01:39:26 AM
Wow, what about this flick?
BATTLE ROYALE-Over rated by Melmack Now	Jan 1st, 2002 01:56:47 AM
Saw BATTLE ROYALE at the local film fest. It was good, but nothing great. Most people who saw it felt the same way, didn't live up to expectations. Like all films that aren't easily avaliable for viewing it's got that aura/mystique around it. If you've never seen a Japanese action feature before it might hit you, but if you ask me it wa

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Harry's BEST OF 2001 List!!!