Comments on: Top 10 Films Awards – 2000s

By: mark

mark — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:26:31 +0000

On Encore Entertainment’s comment vis-a-vis lack of females, I think Nicole Kidman deserves something of a mention for Dogville. Despite being from Oz I’m not a big fan of her work (as accomplished as it might at times be), nor generally of other Aussie actors in Hollywood films. It is annoying, for example, that Cate Blanchett and Judy Davis had to be southerners in Benjamen Button and Naked Lunch respectively (is that the only international accent Aussie thespians can do conviningly?), just as there was a strange lack of depth in the characters of Guy Pearce in LA Confidential and Hugh Jackman in Swordfish. As for Russ Crowe, I don’t know if I would have thrown Oscars(R) at him – and he is great in Body of Lies … but let’s face it – like Peter Jackson, he is a Kiwi.

Having said that, Kidman is fantastic in the Von Trier film – possibly because her peculiarly Australian aloofness is, in fact, one of her strengths.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:00:17 +0000

@rtm: I think we’re going to see big things from Copley. I watched Inglorious Basterds for the second time last night and a part of me thinks I should have included Hans Landa in the top 5 characters.

By: rtm

rtm — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:43:48 +0000

Awesome post, Dan! Totally agree with you about Nolan, he’s probably the only contemporary director whose work hasn’t disappointed me. I just listed my ranking of his Top Five Films, but my list might change after I see Inception. I quite like Insomnia actually.

I love how you include Wikus as Best Character! I dedicated a whole post on Sharlto Copley on my blog (which IMDb featured also) because I was blown away by his performance. I agree with Bale in AP also, though the movie was hard to watch for me… won’t see that one a second time!

I like the ‘First 10 Minutes’ Category, and I agree with D-9 and Unbreakable. I love the first 10 minutes of Gladiator, but that was in 1995.

Lastly, I’ve been curious about the movie Control. Even more so now that you include Sam Riley here.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:30:19 +0000

Thanks for the comment Corey. “Memento” ran a close race with the rest but for me it was “Gran Torino” that stood out. But you’re right that Nolan knows how to end his movies perfectly. I actually liked The Prestige’s ending just that little bit more than “Memento”.

By: Corey

Corey — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:23:17 +0000

For the most part, I agree with your list of best endings…although I think Memento would be #1 on my list. And I’m probably going to catch some flack for this, but I think the ending of No Country for Old Men is one of the decade’s best as well. Most people hated it, but I thought it was the perfect ending for that film, as well as one of the most unique endings I’ve ever seen.

By: Encore Entertainment

Encore Entertainment — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:59:52 +0000

They shall be coming directly (yes, as in more than one), and you’re right about recapping 00s. It is my first real movie decade.

By: Castor

Castor — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:19:14 +0000

Can’t disagree with most of your picks although we can definitely see your love for Sideways once again Great post. Also thanks for the links Dan. Retweeted!

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:52:59 +0000

@Encore – Excellent, I look forward to reading it, Andrew. I don’t think there can be too many articles/lists/ etc., about the 2000s. After all, for many of us in our early to middle twenties, it is the first full decade in film we’ve been able to fully appreciate from the perspective of living throgh it. I have great memories of the 1990s but I was a kid the entire time.

By: Encore Entertainment

Encore Entertainment — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:46:04 +0000

Dan you’ve inspired me to do a similar list (all in due time, 2 months of no school ahead). Even though I pretended that those 33 posts I did way back recapping the decade were all I planned on, I don’t think I can resist.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:34:07 +0000

@Encore It’s symptomatic of the period that no female performances/characters stood out for me. I just don’t think there are enough good roles for women out there. That’s not to say there haven’t been some significant performances during the 2000s, but there’s just not enough room above to feature them. I think Imelda Staunton has stood head and shoulders above every other woman during the 2000s but she’s had to take roles like the one in Three and Out that pass by the wayside.

Of course, I mustn’t let director Kathryn Bigelow go unmentioned but she does take her time between movies. Then again, I’ve been singing her praises since Near Dark (http://www.top10films.co.uk/archives/606)

Just so that I don’t lose all credibility with my female readers, Virginia Madsen does feature prominently in my most memorable scene.