2001

The Best Films of The Year:

1. Donnie Darko
2. Amelie
3. Memento
4. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
5. Black Hawk Down
6. Sexy Beast
7. Elling
8. Mulholland Drive
9. The Dish
10. Life As A House

"Donnie Darko" is one of the best American films in the past decade. It's original, it featured (at the time) up and coming actors like Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone , the soundtrack was great and it's the most subtle 80's movie I've ever seen. I like that it didn't try to capitalize on that fact.

Some films on the list that very few people saw were "Elling", Oscar nominated for best foreign language film, and "The Dish". Both have a great sense of heart to them and some nice humor. They are also both family friendly, which is weird because I don't necessarily look for that kind of thing and to place 2 such films in the top ten is unusual. P.S. Ben Kingsley is one "Sexy Beast".

The Worst Films of the Year:

1. Freddy Got Fingered
2. Tomcats
3. Town & Country
4. Pearl Harbor
5. Planet of the Apes

There were quite a few movies jockeying to take the number five spot but I gave it to Burton's remake because it had potential but failed miserably. The sad thing is that all the actors in the ape suits were really good while all the humans were dreadful. Obviously Tom Green's "Freddy Got Fingered" was at the top, he's one of the worst examples of "anyone can be famous" ever unleashed on the world. And the next time you see "Tomcats" on the shelves at the local video store, chuck it as far away as possible. It's so bad it probably causes cancer.

The Most Horrible Films That Are Fun To Watch:

1. John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars
2. Kiss of the Dragon
3. Bones
4. Replicant
5. Antitrust

Wow. All I can say is wow. In "Ghosts of Mars", Pam Grier hits on Natasha Henstridge of Species, and Ice Cube helps to defeat the evil that arises on the red planet. Seriously, gather some friends, tap a keg, and go to town on this one. It sucks and provides countless opportunities to make fun of it.

"Kiss of the Dragon" is another film where Jet Li goads some idiot into fighting him in a ring of fire. Note to bad guys, Jet Li is INVINCIBLE in a ring of fire!

"Bones" features Snoop Dogg as the supernatural bad guy. Nuff' said.

"Replicant" reminds the world that Jean Claude Van Damm is still alive (and kicking).

And in "Antitrust", Tim Robbins does a Bill Gates impression as Ryan Phillippe tries to convince the audience he knows how to use a computer. Claire Forlani and Rachael Leigh Cook help baffle your senses as the ridiculous plot unfolds/unravels.

The Most Underrated Films of the Year:

Bubble Boy
Josie and the Pussycats

That's right, I said it: "Bubble Boy". I fully acknowledge that the trailers made this look like the worst piece of garbage since Freddy Got Fingered but it's actually very funny. It boasts cameos by the likes of Verne Troyer, Geoffrey Arend, Zach Galifianakis and Danny Trejo. Jake Gyllenhaal plays his character with conviction and there's also a Fabio cameo that can't be missed. All I can say is I worship a new deity now.

"Josie and the Pussycats" also boasts some great cameos by Alan Cumming, Parker Posey, Donald Faison, Seth Green, Breckin Meyer, and Eugene Levy. It allows Tara Reid to be herself and I don't ever get tired of Rosario Dawson. The opening scene alone is worth a rental. A film for anyone (and that should be everyone) who thinks MTV lost its way as it gained popularity. Seriously, shouldn't "Music Television" play a music video now and then. Even MTV2 is starting to waver and include loads of "original" programming. Off topic, but it drives me nuts.