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This year was IMPOSSIBLE for me to make a list of my top 10 films. There were honestly twenty films that I’ve seen and could’ve put down on this list because that is how great this year was in film. Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings came on the scene. How about King Kong not having shit on Denzel Washington. We had Orges, a woman who said Harvard Law wasn’t hard to get into. We had family and a man who couldn’t remember. We had so many freakin movies this year that it’s going to hurt me to figure out which film to leave out. No matter, here are MY top ten films of 2001.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Harry Potter, Harry Potter, Harry Potter!! After the epic first book of the boy wizard was released. You knew a movie was coming. The movie actually helped me learn many of the names, but it was a marvel to watch, and everyone wanted to be a wizard or witch. What house did you want to be in. The crew of Daniel Radcliffe Rupert Grint and Emma Watson were great in their respective roles during their first year at Hogwarts.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
“One does not simply walk into Mordor.” Peter Jackson brought the famous J.R.R Tolkien’s first film to life. Frodo and a crew of species from around Middle Earth go on a journey to destroy the One Ring. The movie is epic and grand in all ways. Who wouldn’t want to roll with Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Sam? Peter Jackson made an epic film with great views, thrilling action and great storyline that keeps you engaged and wanting more.
Training Day
King Kong ain’t got shit on me.” Training Day is a brutal, intense, fierce police thriller that seems to turn viewers to another side of the law. Denzel, as Alonzo, was one of the best performances from Denzel I have seen, and I love all of Denzel’s movies. Denzel looked like he was having the most fun playing the crooked cop, and he didn’t hold back. Washington won his second Academy Award for this film.
Monster’s Ball
Monster’s Ball is a dark drama about one of the finest black women on planet earth and some white dude who find comfort in each other from the pain and cards that they are dealt with in life. Halle Berry! Berry won the Best Actress award at the Academy Awards for this role. The film is intense as a woman’s husband is on death row and she starts seeing a corrections officer who is part of his execution team. There is a lot of drama that will keep you interested. Plus, it has Halle Berry.
Monsters, Inc.
Pixar knows what they are doing when they are making animated films. Who would’ve thought that making a film about monsters who scare kids to power their home would be hilarious and fun to watch. Monster’s Inc is a phenomenal movie where we are introduced to two monsters: the #1 children scarier and hairy James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, voiced by John Goodman and his green, one-eyed, hype monster Mike Wazowski, voiced by Billy Crystal. The monsters think being touched by anything human related is toxic but when a little human girl named Boo sneaks in, everything changes for the pair. One of the best films of the year.
Shrek
What movie has more fun than making fun of fables? Look no further than the hilarious Shrek. How can I not put this film on the list. Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow, this film is hilarious from gum drop buttons, making fun of a small world, a talkative donkey and clowning everyone. Who wouldn’t love a story about an ogre who wants to live peacefully in his swamp but must go on an adventure with a donkey to save a princess for a short king. You will laugh your ass off with this film.
The Fast and the Furious
I have to put this film on the list because it started the run of like 10 sequels of the Fast & Furious franchise. This is the original and sleeper hit of the year that is considered Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Michelle Rodriguez’s breakout roles. The franchise has gone to shit but in this film, Brian infiltrates a street racing crew to find out who has been hijacking trucks. You would think that this film would be about street racing and put a spotlight on it but it’s far from it. Don’t race Dom because you will owe him a 10 second car.
Memento
Christopher Nolan’s psychological thriller is straight up AWESOME to watch. I think this was the first film I ever seen made by Nolan and thought it was crazy to watch. This was the start of my love for Nolan and the way he makes films. He really puts in thought into his films. Starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantoliano it follows a man who suffers from anterograde amnesia and uses clues to uncover who killed his wife. Nolan is a master at telling the story from two sequences and styles. When the film is in black-and-white, the film is going chronologically but when it is in color, it is the reverse order of the film. That is some mind-blowing technique right there and needs to be applauded.
Ocean’s Eleven
Who wouldn’t want an ensemble cast of George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy García, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan, Elliott Gould, Bernie Mac and Carl Reiner in a film where they steal $160 million from a casino. The film is a remake from the 1960s Rat Pack film. The is funny and full of twists as the group tries to pull off the major heist. This is definitely one of the best films of the year and a must watch as it did span two more sequels.
Spy Kids
A film written, and directed by Robert Rodriguez, I must put this film on the list. The OG film where two kids become spies to save their parents from an evil mastermind. This film is great and has spawned a few sequels. Who wouldn’t want to be in a family and world where you have a ton of gadgets, travel the world and fight criminals to save your parents? The film is funny and enjoyable to watch.
