Our Top 10's of 2001 -- Time To Throw Down - Page 7

Seth Paxton · 02-22-2002, 03:28 AM

John, no problem on changes. Last year it went well past the Oscars. About mid-year is when we try to have everyone wrapped up, having given them time to catch stuff on DVD that they missed but still recent enough to 2001 to be in touch with their recent feelings.

One thing about those "average rank" numbers is that besides pointing out films that haven't been seen as much, it also indicates "polarizers", films that when they make a list are high on the list, but many other people don't put them on their top 10 at all.

If I looked at top 20's instead it could change some of these things, some films may make lots of top 20's but not 10's for example, and would therefore climb the ranks. But the wider the lists are made the more "average" films climb due to appealing to everyone at a moderate level rather than polarizing. And the polarzing numbers would go down as something like A.I./Muholland Drive might make a lot of 15-16's which would then cut their average down a bit while Memento would stay strong since it is in a high percentage of top 10's.

I've thought about it a lot and I think a top 10 count is as good as any, as long as I post the other 2 counts (most lists and average rank) to help balance out our look. I still put the most weight in the overall totals with a dash of thought added in from the average rank list.

I pointed out in the Oscar thread earlier that 4 of the Best Pix films are in our top 11 total points list. The fact that less of the very small or polarizer films are up for Oscars compared to more across the board pleasing films is not that surprising considering the nature of large group voting.

And that's been a big point of mine all along. That "watered down" effect of not going for "edgier" films partially comes from the fact that to get a lot of votes you can't alienate half your audience.

In many ways it makes the Moulin Rouge run more remarkable because it clearly was the most polarizing of the Best Pix nominees.

One thing is for sure, seeing these lists totalled and the hard, cold numbers looking back at you gives a better understanding of just where things really stand versus any of our personal tastes.

And for the thousandth time from me, is there any doubt that Memento got kicked in the teeth this year? The only reasonable explanation I've heard is that we are biased young and Memento had no older appeal. Not sure if that's really true, but something must of held it back in the Academy's mind. You don't need adverts when everyone is talking about a film anyway.

Bruce Hedtke · 02-23-2002, 12:53 PM

Seth,

Count me in as baffled by the Memento's lack of noms, as well. One of the most riveting and original films to find its way out of Follywood in years and it get shunned in every major category and got, what? 2 nominations overall? While I do like the Academy's choices for Picture, would it have been so terrible to replace A Beautiful Mind with Memento?

Bruce

Josh_Hill · 02-23-2002, 03:06 PM

Im gonna update my list:

1.Lord of the Rings:Fellowship of the Ring
2.Vanilla Sky
3.Moulin Rouge
4.In the Bedroom
5.Royal Tenenbaums
6.Hearts in Atlantis
7.Hannibal
8.Black Hawk Down
9. Beautiful Mind
10.The Pledge

Seth Paxton · 02-23-2002, 04:42 PM

I just saw one of the best indy-style murder films of the year, IMHO. It surpassed both The Deep End and In the Bedroom for me, though Bedroom and Deep End had some of the best acting of the year, the ensemble of young actors in Bully were very strong.

But Bully also had a great look, style, and was extremely well-paced. Tension and drama is maintained throughout the film. It's rare that true stories come to screen so well.

This is also "Scared Straight" for parents.

Bully goes to #17 on my list, just ahead of In the Bedroom. I recommend checking it out, it's already out on DVD. Just be ready for nudity, language, drug use, and the thought that your teenager could be running wild. I bet the truth and this film aren't very far apart however.

Shaun · 02-23-2002, 04:54 PM

I can only come up with a top 7 list because I really haven't seen that many movies.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
2. Black Hawk Down
3. A Beautiful Mind
4. A.I. Artificial Intelligence
5. Shrek
6. The Royal Tenenbaums
7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Nick Sievers · 02-23-2002, 04:58 PM

I did a reshuffle on my list, by viewing Black Hawk Down and The Royal Tenenbaums earlier in the week I put them in #4 and #5 respectively, pushing Waking Life and Lantana out of my 10. I moved FOTR up the list to take the #3 spot as well.

I have also started to add comments to the films. It seems as if Monster's Ball and In The Bedroom may be the only films that could possibly cause a change within my list and I should get a chance to view them in the next couple of weeks, then my list should be complete.

BrianKM · 02-25-2002, 06:27 PM

Updated my list after seeing two contenders and a popcorn flick.

In the Bedroom slots in at number eight (knocking Royal Tenenbaums from the top ten) for its brilliant performances from Spacek, Tomey, and especially Wilkinson, as well as its deft and subtle filmmaking, and despite its contrived plot.

The Princess and the Warrior should be commended for attempting to be brilliant, but it ultimately falls flat due to poor pacing and a plot that gets away from its director as it unfolds.

Legally Blonde is no Clueless.

Rob Willey · 02-25-2002, 07:32 PM

Updated my list with A Beautiful Mind at #6. Out goes Hedwig after a very short stay.

Rob

Chris Tsutsui · 02-26-2002, 02:02 AM

Movies I really liked:
Artificial Intelligence
Harry Potter
Final Fantasy
Lord of the Rings
Black Hawk Down
Beautiful Minds
Fast and the Furious
Enemy at the gates
Bandits
Don't say a word

Movies I like:
Spy Game
Kiss of the Dragon
Joy Ride
Queen of the Damned
Collateral Damage
Oceans 11
From Hell
Jurassic Park III
Behind Enemy Lines
Rush Hour 2
The One
Mummy Returns
Swordfish

Movies for a few laughs:
Zoolander
Shallow Hal

Movies I don't want to see:
Pootie Tang
Osmosis Jones
Glitter
Spy kids
Snow Dogs