Here's the thing: A lot of effective comedy relies on acting. Here's the other thing: My 6-month-old nephew can act better than anyone in the cast of Clerks. Oh, and that pseudo-philosophical blabber near the end of it? Stick to dick jokes, Smith. Clerks wins this vote hands down for convincing anyone it was worth anything. There are films that I don't personally like where I can see how others liked them (American Beauty's smugness and pitiful ideology (because everyone knows the best way to overcome middle aged malaise is to smoke pot, work out, and fuck teenagers. You want to talk about the stupidification of America? Back off Transformers for a couple minutes and realize that this is what passed as an "intellectual" work 10 damn years ago) overpowered its significant comedic powers for me), and then there's Clerks, which has nothing but attitude going for it. Nothing.

Now...granted, I haven't seen all of these movies (I know, shut up). The one movie that makes me say, "What was so great about that?" is Monster's Ball. Really, guys, what was so great about that?

I KNOW what you guys are gonna say...

Now...granted, I haven't seen all of these movies (I know, shut up). The one movie that makes me say, "What was so great about that?" is Monster's Ball. Really, guys, what was so great about that?

I KNOW what you guys are gonna say...

[
Well I won't argue with you on that one, it's not a bad film but it's hardly
a film that deserved to win an Oscar, not so sure Berry deserved her
Oscar win either.

You know what though...maybe I've been swayed by the fucking media. Wasn't this the year where, "finally", African Americans were "acknowledged" by the Academy? Wasn't this also the year that Denzel Washington was awarded the Best Actor gnome for portraying a corrupt cop?

Berry gets an award for playing a character that is repulsive half of the film's running time and Washington gets one for his immoral cop persona.

I, honestly, think they have done better work, with better characters.

Maybe that's part of the reason I have qualms about Monster's Ball.

I think Monster's Ball is a great movie. The antithesis of standard Hollwood writing. A "romance," in a way, about two characters who don't love each other in any way but need each other in desperate ways. A movie whose progression evolves in ways that never feel contrived and have the ability to surprise the viewer. The acting is universally strong. And the ending is sublime

I first saw Gump only ~ 1 year back and saw it in the light of well over a decade of choral "overrateds" and "terribles". I liked the movie enough although, like so many others, found it cloyingly precious. Still a good movie and, like so many others on the list, time seems to have been fair.

It's funny. When Forrest Gump first came out there was major love for it's sweetness and then many of the cinematic cognoscenti turned against it. I see this happening again and again.

I showed it to my kids a few weeks ago and they loved it. Me too.

Rob

The advantage of my position was also a disadvantage and in all fairness was able to give it the best shake I could. I tend to find movies like Gump a little annoying but generally worthwhile. I also tend to find movies like The Remains of the Day, Howards End, and The Piano to be given too free a pass. That said, Gump overstayed its welcome when the man starts running across the country. Still a good movie.

Yup. Those "quality productions" that are so clearly for your consideration do get an easy ride.
Just dunno how Gump can be the most over rated film of the last x years - oh well
Rob

How come The Pianist is not in the list ?

Polanski made duzine of better films , I find this film overrated considering all the prizes it won.
I am not saying that it is bad, it is just not that good .

And Polanski made duzine of better films and hasn't won anything with it.

From the list I would go with Beautiful Mind.

People knock it because they filter it through B&W Nostalgia but, like It's A Wonderful Life (which I just saw for the first time), it's 10,000% more than its legacy's memory would have you believe.

I take it to mean that you liked It's a Wonderful Life, Major?