Strat's 20 of 2001

2001 was a tough year any way you cut it. This was a year we all looked at war and terrorism a little differently. It's also a year where we needed the diversions that cinema happily provided. While not the greatest year, 2001 is certainly one of the better ones.

20. Dogtown and Z-Boys (documentary)

It's a rare glimpse into the beginnings of something special in American history - the birth of skateboarding through a wealth of images and video, making this a one-of-a-kind type of movie. I'm not sure why someone wanted to make the Lords of Dogtown a few years later after this.

19. Mulholland Drive (drama)

David Lynch reminds us how much a departure The Straight Story was for him and veers back into the land of dream storytelling - where the stories never quite make sense and everything is bizarre and semi-symbolic.

18. Monsters, Inc. (animated comedy)

Nothing spectacular story-wise from Pixar this time around (other than excellent fur animation). That's not taking anything away from what is a very funny and cute movie.

17. Storytelling (dark comedy)

Emphasis on dark. As a follow up to Happiness, this is not a surprise turn. It's a collection of tales told from different POVs both funny and disturbing.

16. Iris (drama)

Be warned - this one is a downer. A very well-crafted downer. Kate Winslet is fantastic in this. If you've ever had a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's, you cannot escape the emotional anguish that this one provides.

15. Crazy/Beautiful (drama)

If Kirstin Dunst was in more girl next door, I would have checked. It falls in between this void between indie and studio teen movie. One part raw, one part polished.

14. Enemy at the Gates (action/drama)

Being a sniper is a lot like being a submarine commander. There are lots of hours playing mind games with an opponent to take them down from above. Quiet tension.

13. Shrek (animated comedy)

The best of the DreamWorks animated movies. This one manages to balance the adult with the child humor to an almost Pixar top-level quality. Too bad the sequels were so much of a retread.

12. Ghost World (comedy)

Hello to a leading lady Scarlett Johansson. Also say hi to one of the better quirky roles for Steve Buscemi.

11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (fantasy)

This is the weakest of the 3. While absolutely technically stunning, the theatrical cut while long, seems to miss out on key bits of info for the non-fan. Extended cut is a better view.

10. Bridget Jones Diary (comedy)

How often does an American play a Brit literary icon? Not often. And especially with the self-deprecating humor that we see out of Renée Zellweger.

9. Moulin Rouge! (musical)

This might be the first and last of this genre you will ever see me rate this high. This movie does what should have been done ages ago to the musical genre - updated with the flair and pazazz of a hip music video.

8. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (sci-fi)

A Kubrick/Spielberg production. Say what?! Yep. And it's pure brilliance. Absolutely fantastic until the second ending. No spoiler here. :)

7. Legally Blonde (comedy)

I never imagined a movie like this would actually be watchable, let alone funny. Then again, I never met Elle Woods.

6. Donnie Darko (sci-fi)

This is not your usual sci-fi. It cloaks itself in a horror movie. But is it horror? Who knows. There's time travel, a fabulous supporting cast and great use of 80s music and icons. And the best Smurfs discussion in cinematic history.

5. Ocean's Eleven (action comedy)

Normally you get a bunch of talented actors and director together for a remake and get a lame duck movie. Not here. This movie looks like it was as fun to make as it is to watch. Way better than the original.

4. Training Day (action drama)

This is a day in a life of an LAPD detective. But not any detective. Meet the most intense, plot-twist, edge of your seat movie in a long while.

3. Zoolander (comedy)

This is one of the most quotable movies around. This would normally be a SNL actor vehicle movie, but in Ben Stiller's fashionable hands, it's a lot more.

2. Black Hawk Down (action)

Ridley Scott wants to make sure you know what it's like to be a US Army Ranger. This movie is nearly one long action sequence that makes you worn out by the end. And make you appreciate what these men do to ensure that they all come back home.

1. Amélie (foreign comedy)

I love quirky characters. I love innovative storytelling. Welcome to the magical world in the head of a hopelessly romantic Amélie Poulain. The best quote I've ever heard about this film is that "It makes you want to move to Paris." Amen.