4. The
Limey
Acclaimed British actor Terrence
Stamp stars in this Steven Soderbergh thriller. Soderbergh masterfully weaves
clips of Stamp in 1967 Ken Loach's film Poor Cow for a moving affect.
The film follows Stamp, a tough English ex-con, who travels to Los Angeles to
avenge his daughter's death. Peter
Fonda plays the role of super-sleek record producer to perfection.
3. Princess Mononoke
Hayao
Miyazaki is one of the most acclaimed directors in Japan, where animation is
not just for kids. This epic story is about a girl (the voice of Clare Danes)
raised by wolves, the Queen who hates the forest but befriends lepers, fights
between ancient wood demons, and a battle where the fight between good and evil
is never entirely clear. The characters and action are much more complex than
we are used to even from many life-action movies, and the animation is stunning
-- Miyazaki renders a detailed, glowing world full of wonders that is entirely
absorbing.
2. American Beauty
Kevin
Spacy quits his job, finds work at the burger joint, falls for the vacuous teen
age blond, and finds a new hero. This is a film that isn't often made in this
country, one that explores the passions that lie beneath the shiny suburban
surface. The satire hits home powerfully, but it was the transcendent ending
that stuck with me. Directed by first timer Sam Mendes, also starring Annette
Bening, Thoar Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari, and Peter Gallagher.
1. Run Lola Run
My
absolute favorite last year. I saw it three times, which, as you know if you
saw the movie, amounts to a total of nine times. If you haven't had the pleasure
yet -- run to the video store and rent it. (It was just released.) Run Lola
Run is a metaphysical adventure set in a brightly-colored fairy-tale world
in which the elements of the story can be rearranged and connected at will.
It is a thrill ride that out-runs every other contender; it is a stylish visual
feast; and it succeeds emotionally because Lola's fear and love are real. Directed
by German filmmaker Tom
Tykwer, starring Franka Potente.
