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Exploring our favourite films in the year 2000
In our new blog series, George and Matt from the Monitor Audio team explore their favourite movies from the last 20 years. In this post, we’ll go right back to the turn of the millennium, the year 2000.
Our selection of films may not be critically acclaimed or box office hits, but have stood the test of time as our favourite movies.
Do you agree with our list? Let us know your favourite movies from the year 2000 on Facebook and Twitter!
Traffic - George's Top Pick
Dir: Steven Soderbergh | USA Films
I don’t have a favourite genre of film, however I’ve always tended to navigate to films with interlocking stories. Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic offers three powerful stories exploring the illegal drug trade from a number of perspectives: users, enforcers, politicians, and traffickers.
Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas and Don Cheadle really stand out in this crime drama.
Story aside, I remember being mesmerised by Soderbergh's camera technique. For the East Coast story they used a tungsten film with no filter for a cold, monochrome blue feel. For San Diego, diffusion filters, flashing the film, overexposure for a warmer blossomy feel and for Mexico, tobacco filters, 45-degree shutter angle whenever possible to give it a strobe like sharp feel.
I didn’t feel like I was being spoon-fed, instead everything was right in front of me, documented, which I thought was not only ambitious, but extremely intelligent.
For me, it’s a masterpiece.
Requiem for a Dream - Matt's Top Pick
Dir: Darren Aronofsky | Artisan Entertainment
This remarkable psychological thriller from none other than Darren Aronofsky, provides insight into four people dealing with drug issues and how it alters their physical and emotional state.
Starring Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans, although gritty and bleak, it’s exhilarating from start to finish and beautifully shot.
Not for the faint hearted, Aronofsky's realistic characterisation of the downward spiral of addiction has to be admired and deserves its place on this list. I’ve only watched this film once, which is rare, but it really left an impression on me and anybody who has ever watched it.
Cast Away
Dir: Robert Zemeckis | DreamWorks Pictures
Cast Away is a fantastic survival drama, offering a compelling story, mixing darkly comic elements with an unorthodox ending. For me, this is Tom Hanks at his very best. Chuck, portrayed by Hanks, is the sole survivor of a Fed-Ex plane crash, finding himself alone on a desert island, fighting to survive.
For me, the greatest living actor, it was a pleasure to spend 2 hours watching Hanks as he battled the elements and portrayed every emotion, with very little dialogue.
It's a significant achievement and utterly absorbing. I just wish Wilson had made it.
Gladiator
Dir: Ridley Scott | Universal Pictures
This epic historical drama from Ridley Scott is captivating, offering a guts and glory epic. Maximus, portrayed by Russell Crowe, is a general, forced to become a common gladiator as he seeks revenge on the man who killed his family.
Alongside a beautiful Hans Zimmer score, Russell Crowe is charismatic and fierce throughout. Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed and Djimon Hounsou make up a stellar cast.
This tale of power and revenge makes for a superb adventure.
Chopper
Dir: Andrew Dominik | First Look Pictures
Unpredictable throughout, Chopper is an intriguing look at Mark Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography, while serving a jail sentence in prison.
I found it to be fascinating film and perversely funny throughout.
Eric Banner is superb, and despite some appalling moments, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Highly recommend!
Battle Royale
Dir: Kinji Fukasaku | Toei Company
An extremely gory entertaining ride, Battle Royale inspired The Condemned and The Hunger Games series.
I had never seen anything as brutal as this, and although I have only watched it a couple of times, it was so disturbing and original, that its stayed with me and definitely deserves its spot.
The very best of Japanese filmmaking.
American Psycho
Dir: Mary Harron | Columbia Pictures
A fantastic horror film, Christian Bale’s complex portrayal of psychotic killer Patrick Bateman is harrowing and weirdly funny.
American Psycho has to be appreciated for its humorous elements, in an otherwise shocking film, based on Bret Easton Ellis's 1991 novel.
The business card scene is genius. This creepy and shocking film makes you laugh uncomfortably throughout.
Erin Brockovich
Dir: Steven Soderbergh | Sony Pictures
Erin Brockovich tells the story of a single mothers fight against the energy corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
Based on a true story, this film from Steven Soderbergh is smart, enjoyable and thoughtful.
A really engaging story that’s worth watching, from the opening to the perfect final shot, Julia Roberts shines, demands respect and gets it.
The Grinch
Dir: Ron Howard | Universal Pictures
Jim Carrey steals the show in this sincere, but gloriously bizarre and funny retelling of The Grinch, by Ron Howard.
Alongside Home Alone and The Muppet Christmas Carol (greatest film ever made), The Grinch has become a real staple at Christmas.
Me, Myself and Irene
Dir: The Farrelly Brothers | 20th Century Fox
An enjoyable over-the-top comedy from the Farrelly Brothers, inspired by a larger than life Jim Carrey, portrays a man with a server personality disorder as he escorts a criminal across the state.
I’ve revisited this film many times and if you like intentionally offensive comedy, give it a go.
Honorable Mentions:
Pitch Black
Dir: David Twohy | USA Films
Unbreakable
Dir: M. Night Shyamalan | Touchstone Pictures
Snatch
Dir: Guy Ritchie | Sony Pictures Releasing
X-Men
Dir: Bryan Singer | 20th Century Fox
Memento
Dir: Christopher Nolan | Newmarket
Check out more of our favourites
