Forecasting the Oscars ® since 2003

"It's not about who we want to win,

It's about who will"

THE BEST OF THE 2000's: OUR OSCAR® RETROSPECTIVE (PART I)

"Brokeback Mountain" is one of the best film of the current decade (and probably all time)

FEATURES

By Kelly Doucette

Precise direction, raw acting, eased cinematography and flawless story development are just a few things that go into consideration for making a good film. While a film these days needs bonafide movie stars to be successful [financially], a film does not need star power to be a good one. Just watch such films as CITIZEN KANE (1941), MASH (1970), and UNITED 93 (2006), they had virtually no star power to their names when they came out and still went on to earn Oscar recognition. In this special, I invite you to look back at the 25 best films released between 2000 and 2006.

Remember... This is, of course, a personal view and you are more than welcome to join our forum debate and discuss your favorite films of the new decade!

To tell the truth, we must admit that there is no single film (not even those on the IMDB Top 250) that can be wildly acknowledged as a masterpiece... there will always be something (or someone) playing against it. We are trying to honor those films that enjoy the most apparent popular acclaim. So, without further adieu…lights, camera, action!

Note: all the following films are Academy Award nominees or winners. They are listed in no particular order.

CHILDREN OF MEN (2006)

Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron
Written by: Hawk Otsby & Mark Fergus and David Arata and Timothy J. Sexton & Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Pam Ferris, Claire-Hope Ashitey, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Peter Mullan, & Julianne Moore

Oscar nods (3): Best Adapted Script (Hawk Otsby & Mark Fergus and David Arata and Timothy J. Sexton & Alfonso Cuaron), Best Cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki), & Best Film Editing (Alex Rodriguez & Alfonso Cuaron)

Synopsis: Set in 2027, when no child has been born for 18 years and science is at loss to explain the reason, African and East European societies collapse and their dwindling populations migrate to England and other wealthy nations. In a climate of nationalistic violence, a London peace activist turned bureaucrat Theo Faron (Clive Owen), joins forces with his revolutionary ex-wife Julian (Julianne Moore) in order to save mankind by protecting a woman (Claire Hope-Ashitey) who has mysteriously became pregnant.

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): While the story may be a complex one, it engages us from the start and challenges us to make predictions about what is to come. It is a commentary on humanity that we must all understand and take into consideration now. Also watch for the fantastically unedited technical goof when a drop of fake blood finds its way onto the camera lens as Clive Owen and Claire-Hope Ashitey make their way into the abandoned apartment building.

It’s Flaws: While the film ends in just the right amount of time (1 hr, 49 min.), the story falls a bit flat at the very end. Let’s hope there’s a sequel of some sort to answer all our questions.

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005)

Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by: Diana Ossana & James Schamus
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Michelle Williams, Linda Cardellini, & Randy Quaid

Oscar wins (3): Best Director (Ang Lee), Best Adapted Script (Diana Ossana & James Schamus), & Best Original Score (Gustavo Santaolalla)

Additional Oscar nods (5): Best Actor (Heath Ledger), Best Supporting Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal), Best Supporting Actress (Michelle Williams), Best Picture (Diana Ossana & James Schamus), & Best Cinematography (Rodrigo Pietro)

Synopsis: In the Summer of 1963 Wyoming, two young men, Ennis (Heath Ledger) a ranch hand and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) an aspiring rodeo bull rider, are sent to work together herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain, and what had otherwise been anticipated to be a rather uneventful venture, will soon turn into an affair of love, of lust, and complications that will span through 19 years of their lives. Through marriage (to Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway, respectively), through children, and through the mighty grip of societal confines and the expectations of what it is to be a man.

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): While the homosexual context of the film may turn some viewers off, it was almost refreshing to see a romance not between insecure men and women, one of whom is certainly of Jewish descent. The film wasn’t afraid to be different and be revolutionary in every detail.

It’s Flaws: At this point in time, ignorant America is just not ready to accept homosexuality into their culture; this is probably why the film failed to win best picture of 2005. I also had trouble appreciating Michelle Williams’ character; sure, she did a great job, especially for a DAWSON’S CREEK alum, but the character is SO unlikable and despicable. Sure her husband is having a [gay] affair, and yes it is wrong to have any affairs on your significant other, but this was not meant as a way to hurt her, he was just trying to discover himself. She was just pure b**** about the whole incident.

A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001)

Directed by: Ron Howard
Written by: Akiva Goldsman
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Paul Bettany, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Rapp, Anthony Goldberg, Judd Hirsch, Josh Lucas, Jason Gray-Stanford, Austin Pendleton

Oscar wins (4): Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly), Best Director (Ron Howard), Best Adapted Script (Akiva Goldsman), & Best Picture (Ron Howard & Brian Grazer)

Additional Oscar nods (4): Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Original Score (James Horner), Best Film Editing (Daniel P. Hanley & Mike Hill), & Best Makeup (Colleen Callaghan & Greg Cannom)

Synopsis: At Princeton University, John Nash (Russell Crowe) struggles to make a worthwhile contribution to serve as his legacy to the world of mathematics. He finally makes a revolutionary breakthrough that will eventually earn him the Nobel Prize. After graduate school he turns to teaching, becoming romantically involved with his student Alicia (Jennifer Connelly). Meanwhile the government asks his help with breaking Soviet codes, which soon gets him involved in a terrifying conspiracy plot. Nash grows more and more paranoid until a discovery that turns his entire world upside down. Now it is only with Alicia's help that he will be able to recover his mental strength and regain his status as the great mathematician we know him as today.

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): It is certainly difficult to make a biopic that people want to see when it’s not about anyone they have never heard of. Well, by the end of the film, you DO know who John Nash is and more. On the surface, the film has modernized production values, but under the surface, the film feels like it could have been released back in old Hollywood in previous decades. In other words, it feels like one of the classics I grew up watching from the 1940s and 1950s. The visualization of Nash’s hallucinations was a nice touch, it also spices up the conspiracy confusion that makes this film so entertaining and refreshing.

It’s Flaws: As all films do, some of the film is fictionalized; this is kind of a sneaky thing for biopics to do. An excellent example of a ruined biopic with fictionalized storylines is 1999’s THE HURRICANE, which managed to reap just one nomination (Best Actor – Denzel Washington) despite being promoted as an early Oscar contender. This film just managed to break that barrier and win all the top honors.

NOTES ON A SCANDAL (2006)

Directed by: Richard Eyre
Written by: Patrick Marber
Starring: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Bill Nighy, Andrew Simpson, Philip Davis
Oscar nods (4): Best Actress (Judi Dench), Best Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett), Best Adapted Script (Patrick Marber), & Best Original Score (Philip Glass)

Synopsis: Barbara Covett (Judi Dench) is a veteran and cynical schoolteacher who is close to retirement. She is barely tolerated by her less brilliant and acerbic colleagues who know nothing about her private life which consists mainly of taking care of Portia, her aging cat, and spending countless hours alone. The only means she has found to take the edge off her desperate loneliness is writing in her journal. When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett), a younger, attractive woman, joins the faculty as an art teacher, Barbara watches her from afar and has nothing but caustic things to say in her diary about her clothing and her care-free manner. Despite her disdain for this woman, Barbara finds herself reaching out to her. Sheba responds by inviting her to dinner at her house to meet Sheba's lecturer husband, who is twenty years her senior, and their two children, a sexy and rebellious 16-year-old daughter and a younger boy with Downs Syndrome. Instead of opening herself to these people, Barbara immediately sees them as competition to be beaten in the battle for Sheba's attention. Later, when Barbara discovers her new friend in a classroom having sex with Steven, a 15-year-old from the school who has artistic talent; she realizes that knowledge of this secret gives her power over Sheba which she can use for her own purposes. Barbara promises to not tell anyone but insists that the affair must end immediately. Sheba says she will but finds herself drawn back to the boy again and again. Sheba seems uneasy with Barbara's friendship and is appalled when she discovers the older woman might have a sexual interest in her. The tenuous relationship between the two women reaches a crisis point when Barbara's cat is dying and she asks Sheba to go with her to the vet. She chooses to go with her family to see their son in a play instead. In revenge, Barbara sets in motion the scandal that will rock both their lives in ways they never imagined.

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): The acting is of the utmost best and the writing is absolutely absorbing. While you certainly can not relate to any of the characters, you first learn to hate both female characters but by the end of the film, you either hate them more or feel sorry for them. The film is one giant, emotional rollercoaster ride that is smooth all the way along and never will you regret renting or buying NOTES ON A SCANDAL.

Its Flaws: As of today, I cannot think of ANY. It is an absolutely fantastic popcorn flick with a message to boot.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" features unforgettable performances by Jim Carrey & Kate Winslet

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004)

Directed by: Michel Gondry
Written by: Pierre Bismuth and Michel Gondry & Charlie Kaufman
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson, David Cross

Oscar wins (1): Best Original Screenplay (Pierre Bismuth, Michel Gondry, & Charlie Kaufman)

Additional Oscar nods (1): Best Actress (Kate Winslet)

Synopsis: This is the story of a guy, Joel (Jim Carrey), who discovers that his long-time girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), has undergone a psychiatrist's (Tom Wilkinson) experimental procedure in which all of her memory of Joel is removed, after the couple has tried for years to get their relationship working fluidly. Frustrated by the idea of still being in love with a woman who doesn't remember their time together, Joel agrees to undergo the procedure as well, to erase his memories of Clementine. The film, which takes place mostly within Joel's mind, follows his memories of Clementine backwards in time as each recent memory is replaced, and the procedure then goes on to the previous one, which is likewise seen, and then erased. Once the process starts, however, Joel realizes he doesn't really want to forget Clementine, so he starts smuggling her away into parts of his memory where she doesn't belong which alters other things about his memories as well..

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): While this film certainly isn’t for everybody, it is truly one of the most original films of the past 25 years. This is what makes writer Charlie Kaufman an enormous contributor to motion picture history. With every single script, he delivers something completely unique and in most cases, is successful in doing so, not that he really cares.

Its Flaws: Audiences not familiar with Kaufman’s previous scripts BEING JOHN MALKOVICH (1999) and ADAPTATION. (2002) are in for a ride. It took me two or three sittings to actually understand this film and recognize why the cast was so acclaimed in deliverance of their performances. I would suggest watching Charlie’s three great films in order of their release to appreciate each of these wonderful films.

ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)

Written and Directed by: Cameron Crowe
Starring: Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anna Paquin, Noah Taylor, Fairuza Balk, Jason Lee, Zooey Deschanel

Oscar wins (1): Best Original Screenplay (Cameron Crowe)

Additional Oscar nods (3): Best Supporting Actress (Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand) & Best Film Editing (Saar Klein & Joe Hutshing)

Synopsis: William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is a 15 year old kid, hired by Rolling Stone magazine to tour with, and write about Stillwater, an up and coming rock band. This wonderfully witty coming of age film follows William as he falls face first to confront life, love, and lingo.

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): The story is so relatable; every teenager struggles to become the person they one day will become and, in the process, face obstacles, particularly ignorant yet worried parents. The idea that this is a slightly fictionalized account of the director’s own experiences make it even more enjoyable because there is no one better to explain a story of this type. By the end of the film, you will find yourself singing Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” to yourself every once in a while. You will also love each and every one of the characters, even if you find fault with particular aspects of them.

It’s Flaws: What can I say? I am biased with this particular film, it is an absorbing film each and every time I put it into my DVD player.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (2003)

Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Written by: Jay Wolpert and Stuart Beattie and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Jonathan Pryce, Kevin McNalty, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Angus Barnett

Oscar nods (5): Best Actor (Johnny Depp), Best Makeup (Martin Samuel & Ve Neill), Best Sound Editing (George Watters II & Christopher Boyes), Best Visual F/X (Terry D. Frazee, Hal T. Hickel, John Knoll, & Charles Gibson), & Best Sound (David Parker, David Campbell, Lee Orloff, & Christopher Boyes)

Synopsis: After Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) is kidnapped by the evil Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and his crew, the blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and the pirate Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), who used to be captain of Barbossa's ship, team up to rescue Ms. Swann. But they soon discover that the pirates have their own secret, sinister purpose with Ms. Swann, and that there's much more going on that a simple kidnapping.

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): At the time of its release, it was the highest grossing film to date, beating out TITANIC (1997) and SPIDER-MAN (2002). It is also the best entry in the slowly decaying franchise. The franchise should never have let Captain Barbossa become slightly good in the third installment and in the brief appearance he may made in the second. He was a truly menacing villain that should have never have moved on from this film. The entertainment value is so stunning, one can not help but enjoy. Johnny Depp’s unique portrayal of a pirate was so fresh and viewers did not realize it was a take on Keith Richards. As the franchise went on, the real star, Sparrow, became less and less important in the films only really appearing on screen to please the audience. With little time to really take hold of the screen in the later installments, Capt. Jack became more of a parody than anything else; how disappointing. In other words, it is far better than its predecessors.

It’s Flaws: As entertaining as it is, the film has no major problems that could withhold it from becoming an instant classic.

CHICAGO (2002)

Directed by: Rob Marshall
Written by: Bill Condon
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John C. Reilly, Queen Latifah, Dominic West, Lucy Liu, Colm Feore, Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Mya, Denise Goodwin

Oscar wins (6): Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Picture (Martin Richards), Best Film Editing (Martin Walsh), Best Costumes (Colleen Atwood), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Gordon Sim & John Myhre), & Best Sound (Dominick Travella, David Lee, & Michael Minkler)

Additional Oscar nods (7): Best Actress (Renee Zellweger), Best Supporting Actor (John C. Reilly), Best Supporting Actress (Queen Latifah), Best Director (Rob Marshall), Best Adapted Script (Bill Condon), Best Cinematography (Dion Beebe), & Best Original Song – “I Move On” (John Kander & Fred Ebb)

Synopsis: Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the sexy vaudeville star that murders her husband and sister after finding them in bed together. Roxie (Renee Zellweger) is the wannabe vaudeville star that kills her lover after finding out he was never going to make her famous. Enter Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the greasy lawyer whose goal is not only to have his clients acquitted, but to make them legal legends. Billy, who apparently likes Roxie's angle (He tried to kill me) better than Velma's (I blacked out and can't remember a thing). With help from Matron Mama Morton (Queen Latifah) both women vie for the spot as Illinois's most famed murderess, but there's only room for one legend... "That's Chicago".

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): While MOULIN ROUGE! (2001) brought about the reentry of musicals into the best picture race, CHICAGO became the second Broadway show to win both a Tony and an Oscar for their productions (after MY FAIR LADY in 1957 and its 1982 nomination). WEST SIDE STORY, 1961’s Best Picture, was also nominated for Tony glory in 1958 and 1981. The production value on the film is absolutely stunning and deserving of Oscar attention: the music, the costumes, the makeup, the art direction, the sound design, the fast-paced editing, it all works; and don’t get me started on the acting (I repeat, it all works).

The flaws: While CHICAGO is way better than Condon’s other musical, DREAMGIRLS, it has nothing on the musical Best Pictures of the past.

IN THE BEDROOM (2001)

Directed by: Todd Field
Written by: Robert Festinger & Todd Field
Starring: Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, Marisa Tomei, Nick Stahl, Celia Weston, William Mapother, William Wise, & Karen Allen

Oscar nods (5): Best Actor (Tom Wilkinson), Best Actress (Sissy Spacek), Best Supporting Actress (Marisa Tomei), Best Adapted Script (Robert Festinger & Todd Field), & Best Picture (Ross Katz, Todd Field, & Graham Leader)

Synopsis: The Fowlers are a normal family in Maine. Matt (Tom Wilkinson) is the town doctor and loves to fish, his wife, Ruth (Sissy Spacek), is the school's choir leader, and their son, Frank (Nick Stahl), is home from his first year of college. Frank is in love with Natalie (Marisa Tomei), a young mother who isn't quite divorced yet from her ex-husband, Richard Strout (William Mapother), whose family runs the local cannery. It makes Richard's blood run cold to see his wife running around with another man. And soon, an unthinkable tragedy happens that will tear the Fowlers apart...

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): When AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999), first made its audiences aware that the perfect life isn’t always so perfect, audiences were left with their jaws dropped. While AMERICAN BEAUTY showed that we do not want to even acknowledge imperfection, letting our feeling build until we cannot take it anymore, IN THE BEDROOM is more of a realistic suburban melodrama in which all that we work hard for, may be lost in an instant. We then are forced to recover from our grief quite quickly and return to our normal lives, no matter how hard this may be. IN THE BEDROOM is a stunning directorial debut for veteran actor Todd Field (EYES WIDE SHUT) that brings to mind the directorial debuts of Orson Welles (CITIZEN KANE), Mike Nichols (WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?), and Sidney Lumet (TWELVE ANGRY MEN), among others.

It’s Flaws: Being the feature directorial debut of a talented up-and-coming auteur, one can notice several flaws, but that is to be expected for a newbie. The main flaw with the film is that the story seemed too forced as if they were telling the story rather than showing it. It must be difficult to turn a short story into a feature length film, but the author (Andre Dubus III) had other stories to his name. Field and Festinger could have easily took scenes from the other stories and make them work in this film. This way, one could get a grasp of the Dubus universe rather than just one of his stories.

THE INCREDIBLES (2004)

Written & Directed by: Brad Bird
Starring the voices of: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Pena, Jason Lee, Brad Bird, Wallace Shawn, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Bud Luckey, Lou Romano, John Ratzenberger

Oscar wins (2): Best Animated Feature Film (Brad Bird) & Best Sound Editing (Michael Silvers & Randy Thom)

Additional Oscar nods (2): Best Original Screenplay (Brad Bird) & Best Sound (Gary Rizzo, Doc Kane, & Randy Thom)

Synopsis: Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Neson) is a superhero; or he used to be, until a surge of lawsuits against superheroes submitted by the people they've saved forced the government to hide them in witness protection programs so they could lead normal, anonymous lives. Now known exclusively by his secret identity, Bob Parr, he lives with his wife Helen (Holly Hunter), formerly Elastigirl, and their three children Violet (Sarah Vowell), Dash (Spencer Fox), and Jack Jack. He works as an insurance claims specialist, and he's fed up with his pushy boss and his immoral profession, but his wife's worked too hard to build a normal life for her family to abide his nostalgia for heroism. When Mr. Incredible's offered the chance to play the role of hero again by a mysterious informant, he jumps at the opportunity, but when it turns out to be a trap set by an old nemesis (Jason Lee) he had a hand in corrupting, the whole family must reveal themselves to save Mr. Incredible and countless innocents

Why This Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): THE INCREDIBLES marked the first time humans were the sole characters of a CGI-animated film. Sure, TOY STORY (1 & 2) and FINDING NEMO featured human characters, but not to the extent that THE INCREDIBLES does. While the humans are completely realistic, there is an element of comic book to the characters. Their skin is sort of plasticity to the characters and it works with the type of film that this is: a superhero story.

It’s Flaws: Personally, I would have liked to see the other villains more, especially the John Ratzenberger-voiced Underminer. I also would have liked to see another scene with the hilariously paranoid school teacher.

Nicole Kidman won the Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in "The Hours"

THE HOURS (2002)

Directed by: Stephen Daldry
Written by: David Hare
Starring: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris, Claire Danes, John C. Reilly, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Dillane, Toni Collette, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, Lynda Bassett, Eileen Atkins

Oscar wins (1): Best Actress (Nicole Kidman)

Additional Oscar nods (8): Best Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Best Supporting Actress (Julianne Moore), Best Director (Stephen Daldry), Best Adapted Script (David Hare), Best Picture (Robert Fox & Scott Rudin), Best Original Score (Philip Glass), Best Film Editing (Peter Boyle), & Best Costumes (Ann Roth)

Synopsis: The film concerns three women each suffering from depression. Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) is starting to write her book 'Mrs. Dalloway' in 1923 England. She is coming to the realization of her lesbianism and fighting her pure despair of life and headaches. Virginia receives a visit from her sister Vanessa and Vanessa's two sons and daughter. The daughter places a strong influence on Virginia's emotions through the death of a bird. Eventually, Virginia must face the decision to run away to London, stay with her beloved husband, or move to London where the doctors forbid her to go. Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), is a mother fearing her ability to be a mother again. She is reading 'Mrs. Dalloway' in 1951 Los Angeles. Laura is trying to throw a wonderful birthday party for her husband. The very pregnant Laura thinks she won't be an adequate mother to her son and current baby on the way in a few months. Laura must make the decision to run away from it all or live miserably with her happy husband. Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) is a career publisher living in present 2001 New York. Her nickname, given by her poet-friend, Richard (Ed Harris), who is dying of AIDS, is Mrs. Dalloway. Clarissa is also throwing a party but for Richard who is receiving an award for his poetry. Like Virginia Woolf, Clarissa is also a lesbian but also wonders if she is in love with Richard with whom she once dated. At the end, the whole plot twists and comes together. The basic theme of the film is wondering if it is better to live your life for your own happiness or others

Why this Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): The writing is absolutely fresh and absorbing, you will find yourself completely enthralled with the characters and the miserable lives they are leading. Each character is exactly what you would expect of their times. The modern day woman is a free thinker and lesbian, something that would be too taboo in previous generations; the 1950s-era woman is reserved and unable to lead a life of her own; Virginia Woolf of the late 1800s/early 1900s talks like a woman of the time and is struggling to create for future generations but is unable to.

The Flaws: There are quite a few continuity goofs, all of which can be viewed on the goofs sub-page on THE HOURS’ IMDB homepage.

MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Written by: Paul Haggis
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Brian F. O’Byrne, Margo Martindale, Mike Colter, Jay Baruchel, Anthony Mackie

Oscar wins (4): Best Actress (Hilary Swank), Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman), Best Director (Clint Eastwood), & Best Picture (Tom Rosenberg, Albert S. Ruddy, & Clint Eastwood)

Additional Oscar nods (3): Best Actor (Clint Eastwood), Best Adapted Screenplay (Paul Haggis), & Best Film Editing (Joel Cox)

Synopsis: Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a poor thirty-one year old waitress from the very lower classes and with a dysfunctional loser family, decides to make a difference through boxing. She convinces the experienced hardened boxing trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to coach her and be her manager, with the support of his old partner Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris (Morgan Freeman), who sees her potential as a boxer. Frankie has a problematical relationship with his daughter, and practically adopts Maggie along her career.

Why this Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): Once again, Eastwood has proved that shooting a film earlier than the time slot given to him (he shot 37 days out of his approved 39 day shooting schedule) and a lack of blockbuster gloss can prove to be an instant classic. There is not a moment that you wouldn’t doubt Swank as Fitzgerald, a struggling female in a male-dominated sport. She practically grew up as the character, except not wanting to be a boxer.

Its Flaws: Nothing is wrong with the film. The only thing I find fault with is Freeman is winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. He was awarded the Oscar for two reasons (over merit): being black, the Academy is trying to make up for the racism of their past, and as an honorary Oscar for him never having won before. Freeman’s competitors: Alan Alda (THE AVIATOR), Clive Owen (CLOSER), Thomas Hayden Church (SIDEWAYS), and Jamie Foxx (COLLATERAL) are all more deserving than Freeman in retrospect.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006)

Directed by: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris
Written by: Michael Arndt
Starring: Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Abigail Breslin, Paul Dano, Steve Carell, Alan Arkin
Oscar wins (2): Best Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin) & Best Original Screenplay (Michael Arndt)
Additional Oscar nods (2): Best Supporting Actress (Abigail Breslin) & Best Picture (Marc Turteltaub, Peter Saraf, David T. Friendly)

Synopsis: Olive (Abigail Breslin) is a little girl with a dream: winning the Little Miss Sunshine contest. Her family wants her dream to come true, but they are so burdened with their own quirks, neuroses, and problems that they can barely make it through a day without some disaster befalling them. Olive's father Richard (Greg Kinnear) is a flop as a motivational speaker, and is barely on speaking terms with her mother, Sheryl (Toni Collette). Olive's uncle Frank (Steve Carell), a renowned Proust scholar, has attempted suicide following an unsuccessful romance with a male graduate student. Her brother Dwayne (Paul Dano), a fanatical follower of Nietzsche, has taken a vow of silence, which allows him to escape somewhat from the family whose very presence torments him. And Olive's grandfather (Alan Arkin) is a ne'er-do-well with a drug habit, but at least he enthusiastically coaches Olive in her contest talent routine. Circumstances conspire to put the entire family on the road together with the goal of getting Olive to the Little Miss Sunshine contest in far off California.

Why this Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): Never have characters been so fully defined on screen in an original screenplay as in this film. Characters these good usually originate in a novel or play or something of that matter. It mixes humor both broad and subtle humor into a strange brew of comedy, poignancy, lessons, and life. Huge and deep issues are addressed, topics like death, dreams, and failure. Yet somehow the movie doesn't feel heavy. You'll walk out with a smile on your face because the movie sensibly touches on these issues, realizing that stuff happens and life continues, that the handling of adversity is often what defines people. And above all, there is family, which you're stuck with, for better and worse.

Its Flaws: Audiences either love or hate the characters. There’s no in-between.

MUNICH (2005)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Tony Kushner and Eric Roth
Starring: Eric Bana, Mathieu Kassovitz, Ciaran Hinds, Daniel Craig, Hanns Zischler, Ayelet Zurer, Gila Almagor, Michael Lonsdale, Geoffrey Rush, Lynn Cohen

Oscar nods (5): Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Adapted Screenplay (Tony Kushner & Eric Roth), Best Picture (Barry Mendel, Kathleen Kennedy, & Steven Spielberg), Best Film Editing (Michael Kahn), & Best Original Score (John Williams)

Synopsis: In the aftermath of Black September's assassination of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich games, Prime Minister Golda Meir (Lynn Cohen) okays a black-box operation to hunt down and kill all involved. A team of five gathers in Switzerland led by Avner (Eric Bana), a low-level Mossad techie whose father was a war hero and whose wife is pregnant. It's an expendable team, but relying on paid informants, they track and kill several in Europe and Lebanon. They must constantly look over their shoulders for the CIA, KGB, PLO, and their own sources. As the body count mounts -- with retribution following retribution -- so do questions, doubts, and sleepless nights. Loyalties blur. What does it mean to be a Jew?

Why this Is One of the Best Films of the 2000s (so far): Steven Spielberg has really made a name for himself mixing blockbusters (JAWS, INDIANA JONES, E.T., JURASSIC PARK, WAR OF THE WORLDS) with personal dramas (THE COLOR PURPLE, SCHINDLER’S LIST, AMISTAD) of all types. Shortly after he won the 1998 Best Director Oscar, Spielberg’s career began to take a bit of a nose dive when he directed the flops ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (2001), for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination as Best Director, MINORITY REPORT (2002), and THE TERMINAL (2004). While some bash CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, I find the film completely charming and worth a watch. But it is MUNICH that proves Spielberg has still got it.

It’s Flaws: The film, at 164 minutes (2 hours, 44 minutes), is a bit too long and they could have edited it down at least a half hour.

Stay tuned for Part II of our retrospective and meanwhile...

Join our forum debate: what are the best films of this decade so far?

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