Looking back at the movies of 2000 is a little disappointing. While some movies proved worthy reasons to go to the theater, there were many fewer quality flicks than in years past.
Comedies were the memorable favorites of this year, with summer movies such as "Road Trip" and "Me, Myself and Irene" and this fall's "Meet the Parents" as three favorites of this "critic."
In the drama category there were also some credible films — however, in terms of potential award winners, Hollywood left much to be desired.
Also worthwhile to recall are the year's worst movies and biggest disappointments. What follows is a wrap-up of the best, worst and most disappointing of the millennium thus far.
Meet the Parents
Playing on one of the most nerve-wracking rites of passage — taking a boyfriend or girlfriend home to meet mom and dad — this comedy combines biting wit and physical stunts to create laughs for audiences of all ages. It easily steals my award for best movie of the year.
Ben Stiller is top shelf as potential fiancee Gaylord Focker, comically capturing the awkwardness that the situation warrants. Robert DeNiro is well-suited as the intimidating father and elicits many laughs himself.
Particularly hilarious is the airport scene where the stewardess refuses to allow Stiller to board the plane until she calls for his section, despite the fact that he is the only person waiting at the gate. I can't wait to see the sequel, "Meet the Fockers."
Road Trip
Any friends who have ever made a seat-of-their-pants decision can relate to this summer's hit comedy. Four friends take off from a New England college in an attempt to beat an incriminating videotape sent to one of the guy's girlfriends in Texas. Funny politically incorrect incidents abound along their trip, including stealing a bus from a school for the blind.
Me, Myself and Irene
This Jim Carrey vehicle takes full advantage of the actor's creative physical and verbal comic abilities. Carrey plays a schizophrenic state trooper who is abandoned by his Caucasian wife and left with his three curiously African-American — and hysterical — kids.
The slang-talking child geniuses steal the show. Classic Carrey comedy also plays a role, when his multiple personalities physically duel each other.
In the drama category there were a few films worthy of mention this year, though nothing blew me away. I must admit that I was out of the country this summer and have not gotten around to renting "Gladiator" on DVD.
You Can Count on Me
This dark comedy about making mistakes — and making up for them — tells the story of two grown-up orphans attempting to live as a modern family, while dealing with all the difficulties of their past and present.
The movie benefits from the use of little-known actors who create realistic characters that depress but also amuse viewers. This movie gets my nod for best drama of the year for its combination of edginess and excellence in both performance and plot.
There were some diss-worthy efforts this year as well.
Dude . . . Where's My Car?
This anticipated stoner movie was by far the dumbest film I've seen in years. I only stayed long enough to see the "Dude . . . Sweet . . . DUDE . . . SWEET!" tattoo sequence that was hyped in the trailer. Then I bailed.
The In Crowd
This movie is a morbid version of "Saved By the Bell" summertime episodes. The protagonist, who was recently released from a mental hospital, goes to work at a country club, befriending a seemingly benign member. Her innocent exterior quickly fades and the former mental patient realizes her new friend is none other than a murderer. Tales of wealth and deceit are supposed to cater to audience desire, but this dumb teen movie is just predictable fluff.
. . . And now the year's biggest disappointments.
Pay It Forward
Despite the star-studded cast — Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osmond — this movie was an overly contrived let-down. The concept of creating a chain of random acts of kindness is admirable and had potential, but the movie failed to rise above cheesiness and its depressing ending.
Cast Away
While Robert Zemeckis deserves credit for directing a visual masterpiece, and Tom Hanks should be commended for his hard work and excellent acting, I was utterly disappointed in the predictable plot. Not only was it completely obvious what would happen, smart ideas like Wilson — the volleyball cum best friend — were over-exaggerated to the point of sappiness.
Scenes from our critic's picks for the best and worst movies. Clockwise from left: "Cast Away," "Me, Myself and Irene," "Meet the Parents," "Road Trip" and "Pay It Forward."
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