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Kevin's Eleven: The Best Films of 2001

Simply put, 2001 was one of the greatest years in movies in terms of sheer variety. There were no towering achievements, but there were a lot of small gems, some of which may grow to be big treasures over time. There were a few mainstream blockbusters worthy of regard, but for the most part the best movies were the ones that you never heard of, mostly from the overseas or indie markets. So they are all worthy of mentioning in one email.

In determining my favorites I used three guidelines. 1) Which films challenged my idea of what a great movie should be? 2) Which films have I seen or would I want to see two or three times? 3) Which films will be talked about 10, 25, even 50 years from now? The point is that everyone knows about the movies with big budgets and lots of hype, the movies that movie companies and media publicists push on you as the best films of the year. But when the smoke clears, which films will last?These are my thoughts (note that any of the top 5 could be my #1 on any other day):

1) MULHOLLAND DR.

This film probably fulfills my three criteria better than any other. Simply put, it's a humdinger of a movie. It's not perfect, but it breaks rules and takes you places that a "perfect" movie wouldn't dare to tread. Bizarre, sexy, beautiful, it's also the movie that defies my attempts at description Ð just see it for yourself, leave common sense at the door, relax and enjoy the ride.

2) THE GLEANERS AND I

72-year old Agnes Varda roamed all corners of France with a digital videocamera to capture the "gleaners" of society Ð those who pick up the scraps left by others, whether to find food, to protest the wastefulness of society, or to create art. Varda herself is a gleaner, collecting these people to create a work of art that speaks volumes about the world we live in, and what we as human beings can do to make the most of what's around us. Lively, often funny, and altogether beautiful, this is a real labor of love.

3) WHAT TIME IS IT THERE?

I suppose this is a 2002 release in the U.S., but I am too excited about this movie to wait for next year's list. Tsai Ming-liang announces himself as a major director with this film that follows a young man and woman drifting through their separate existences. With almost no dialogue, the film often resembles a great silent comedy, though the feeling of life's sad emptiness is always in the background. A rare achievement, not to be missed.

4) WAKING LIFE

An eye-opening achievement: director Richard Linklater shot a series of philosophical "interviews" with a wide variety of people, then with a team of 30 animators visually altered each frame Ð the flow of ideas, combined with the re-visioning of the speakers, gives the effect of humanity gushing forth. Perhaps not for everyone, but certainly an experience unlike any other, a movie that truly asks us what it means to dream.

5) A.I.: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

In many ways, this is Steven Spielberg's greatest film. It's not often that you see a summer blockbuster that dares to seriously examine what life would be like without the human race. The last half hour left most people either scratching their heads or laughing in disbelief, which is a real shame. It is one of the most beautiful and disturbing moments I've ever seen. The rest of the movie isn't bad either.

6) GHOST WORLD

Probably the most insightful movie about everyday American life of last year, this comedy about two teenage girls facing the reality of adulthood also has the best developed relationship between a child and an adult (played wonderfully by Steve Buscemi) that I've seen in a teen film. It is also a scathing satire not only on the lunacies of American society, but also on those who scoff at it from a distance.

7) ALI

Muhammad Ali is so much larger-than-life that a three hour movie can't possibly contain him. Wisely, director Michael Mann offers a sampling of lovely scenes that allow for multiple interpretations of both the man and the turbulent society surrounding him. The depiction of a multifaceted African American society is one of the film's great gifts to us. The first ten minutes is easily one of the best opening sequences of the last decade.

8) THE CIRCLE

This film may not undo the stereotypes that Arab women are treated like animals in their homelands, but if one bothers to look closer there is a revealing and fascinating look at everyday Iranian life to be found here. The cleverly structured story follows one woman after another as they struggle to maintain their dignity throughout their daily lives; never exploitive, the film treats all of its characters with dignity and respect.

9) CHUNHYANG

If Korean movies are a treasure chest that the world has yet to open, the 96th movie by director Im Kwon Taek is a lovely way to start. The film is a retelling of a Korean legend about a woman who sacrifices everything for true love, and it is shot in gorgeous color. Narrated by a singing performer, this has my vote for best musical of the year.

10) a tie between GOSFORD PARK and IN THE BEDROOM

Two movies that get maximum mileage from their actors. GOSFORD PARK was a wonderfully orchestrated look at the snobbish upper-class and the snobbish lower-class that serves them. IN THE BEDROOM, with its heart-breakingly quiet scenes, was a powerful meditation on family grief, until a vigilante ending undermined its substance.

Special mention to JUNG (WAR): IN THE LAND OF THE MUJAHEDDIN a sobering, eye-opening documentary that everyone should see to understand the maddening reality of the situation in Afghanistan, as well as the impact of war on ordinary people. This film is everything that BLACK HAWK DOWN is not.

Honorable mention: IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (which was on my top 10 until I realized I couldn't remember much about it), UNDER THE SAND, VA SAVOIR, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, VANILLA SKY, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, BABY BOY, MOULIN ROUGE, and Guy Maddin's 3 minute miracle THE HEART OF THE WORLD. Great Performances: Naomi Watts in MULHOLLAND DR., Charlotte Rampling in UNDER THE SAND, Steve Buscemi in GHOST WORLD, Haley Joel Osmet in A.I., Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung in IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. Great Teamwork: The casts of GOSFORD PARK , IN THE BEDROOM, and ALI.

Most Overrated: SHREK. The cartoon equivalent of a corporate holiday party, including lame inside jokes and generic party music. Plus Eddie Murphy as a jackass.

Biggest Disappointment: THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. Wes Anderson, get off the amphetamines.

Biggest thing to look forward to in 2002.Not STAR WARS or LORD OF THE RINGS parts II. I'm looking forward to Martin Scorsese's GANGS OF NEW YORK.