1. Memento The year's most
gripping, well-structured puzzle of a film features a standout
performance by Guy Pearce and strong support from Joe Pantoliano
and Carrie-Ann Moss. The real star is writer/director Christopher
Nolan who pulls out all the stops to create a modern noir classic.
Memento will be remembered, just maybe not by Lenny (Pearce).
2. The Royal Tenenbaums All
around, this was the most entertaining film of the year. It's
funny, sad, touching, wacky, and stylishly unique. The entire
ensemble turns in strong work and Gene Hackman in particular,
rocks.
3. Black Hawk Down A gritty,
intense, war epic that tells the true and tragic story of a group
of Rangers who were involved in an all day battle in Somalia during
the early 90's. A technical masterpiece.
4. The Man Who Wasn't There
Billy Bob Thornton turned in my favorite performance of the year
in this dark comedy from the usually reliable Coen Bros. This
contained some of the best lighting and most beautiful cinematography
that I've ever seen.
5. A Beautiful Mind Ron Howard's
finest film since "Parenthood." Russell Crowe is outstanding
as real-life figure John Nash. This is a great study of mental
illness and the most pleasantly surprising film of the year.
6. Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Superb, original, musical based on the cult stage play by John
Cameron Mitchell. In this adaptation, which really opens up the
play, Mitchell directs, writes, and stars in the role of Hedwig,
a German transsexual whose operation gets botched.
7. Lord of the Rings The
best adventure film since the second Indiana Jones epic. Everything
about this adaptation is state-of-the-art, but what impresses
most is the work of the exceptional cast, led by the always great
Ian McKellen. Peter Jackson proves that he can make a big-budget
studio film and still retain his independent vision.
8. The Others Great, old-fashioned,
gothic horror movie with some terrific child performances and
Nicole Kidman's finest since "To Die For." Most memorable
is the killer ending that one-ups "The Sixth Sense."
9. In the Bedroom Impressive
debut from writer/director Todd Field. Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson
give career performances in this tragic melodrama that examines
issues most people don't want to think about. It's a film that
takes you back to a 70's style of movie making.
10. Amelie This isn't usually
my cup of tea, but this sweet fable worked on every level for
me. It's a visually stunning romantic comedy with a charming performance
by star-in-the-making Audrey Tautou. The best foreign film of
the year.
Think Ryan is crazy? Of course you do, because he is. Talk about
it in the Forums.
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