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Exploring our favourite films in the year 2001
In this blog series, George and Matt from the Monitor Audio team explore their favourite movies from the last 20 years.
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 2001 on Facebook and Twitter!
A Beautiful Mind - George's Top Pick
Dir: Ron Howard | DreamWorks Pictures
Based on the life of American mathematician John Nash, this film by Ron Howard is wonderfully crafted, offering an insight into the incredible but troubled mind of an eventual Nobel Prize winner.
Russell Crowe portrays John Nash and has an extraordinary supporting cast behind him in Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Christopher Plummer and Paul Bettany.
I found it to be extremely poetic, as we watch Crowe’s character, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, trying to publish an original idea at Princeton University, whilst trying to cope with his mental instability.
The latter part of the film, when Nash is aware of his illness, was extremely moving. We find him rationalising his visions, navigating domestic situations and dedicating his life to becoming an important contributor to the future of geometry and game theory.
The equations seen on the classroom chalkboards are actual equations written by the real life John Nash. A complex character brought to life in this fascinating story.
Ghost World - Matt's Top Pick
Dir: Terry Zwigoff | Icon Films
Based on the comics of the same name, dark comedy Ghost World follows the lives of two teenage outsiders, Enid and Rebecca, during the summer after their high school graduation with no plans other than finding jobs and living together.
A rift forms between them when Enid starts helping an older man, Seymour, with his love life after prank calling him from a personal ad in the newspaper. It’s not so much a rollercoaster of emotions as a realistic interruption of how most friendships start and end.
With a great line-up of performances from Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson and Steve Buscemi, this intelligent trip through teenage angst is funny, warm, thoughtful and intelligent. It’s the perfect film about post-school malaise, consumerism and pop culture.
Although it was seen as a bit of a box office flop - barely making back its budget - it’s become a true cult classic and hidden gem.
Monsters Inc.
Dir: Pete Docter | Disney - Pixar
In the city of Monstropolis, everything is powered by energy from the screams of human children. This imaginative tale really is a piece of art!
At the Monsters, Inc., factory, Sullivan, Mike and Randall, voiced by John Goodman, Billy Crystal and Steve Buscemi, are the skilled monsters tasked with jumping out of the darkness to deliver these screams.
As with all Pixar films, it was extremely ambitious, witty and had an endearing storyline. Incredible animation, perfect casting, with some truly charming characters, this really is one of the very best Pixar has to offer.
Training Day
Dir: Antoine Fuqua | Warner Bros.
I’ve watched this film too many times to count; Denzel Washington is gripping as Detective Alonzo Harris.
Jake Hoyt, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, is a trainee narcotics officer, assigned to a ride along with Detective Harris, where we are introduced to the brutal gang-ridden neighbourhoods of Central Los Angeles and the corrupt world he lives in.
It’s rare to see, but not only does Denzel dominate as the villain, but I found myself rooting for him from start to finish, despite intelligent director Antoine Fuqua trying to push you in the opposite direction. Remarkable performances, lightning fast rhythm and a great score, this is easily one of my favourite crime dramas of all time.
Black Hawk Down
Dir: Ridley Scott | Sony Pictures
U.S. forces battle for survival, as their mission to capture two top lieutenants in Somalia crashes all around them, literally.
Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana and many more star in this epic war drama from acclaimed director Ridley Scott. The cinematography and visual effects are mind-blowing throughout and left me extremely disorientated.
Using a wide array of characters, this ensemble cast pulls off an extraordinary portrayal, as they battle to withstand the enemy forces attacking from every direction. It’s an amazing story and one of the best war movies to date.
Monsters Ball
Dir: Marc Forster | Lionsgate
A superbly thought provoking drama from Director Marc Forster, with powerful performances from Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton.
Thornton portrays a widowed corrections officer who begins a relationship with a Leticia Musgrove (Berry), unaware that she is the widow of convicted murderer Lawrence Musgrove, a man he executed.
A clever character study and what turns out to be a compelling love story, I found it to be extremely tense and very moving.
Blow
Dir: Ted Demme | New Line Cinema
Ted Demme directs this biographical crime drama about former drug trafficker and smuggler, George Jung, portrayed by Johnny Depp.
As I watched Jung’s fall from grace, I felt strangely sorry for him, as his greed slowly consumed him. The film is well executed and moves at a great pace, capturing the feel of the drug wars from the 1970s and early 80s, across America, Mexico and Colombia.
Depp had me invested early on, and alongside Penélope Cruz and Ray Liotta, the story of Boston George is dramatic and an absolute must see.
Hannibal
Dir: Ridley Scott | Universal Pictures
Anthony Hopkins flawless portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter is grim, dark and wonderful throughout.
This sequel from director Ridley Scott focuses on Lecter, who is living in exile, trying to reconnect with now disgraced F.B.I. Agent Clarice Starling, portrayed by Julianne Moore. Gary Oldman is creepy and unrecognisable as antagonist Mason Verger, the only surviving victim of Lecter.
Behind an eerier Hans Zimmer score, although it’s not Silence of the Lambs, this horror gem delivers a terrifying experience.
Rat Race
Dir: Jerry Zucker | Paramount Pictures
This genuinely hilarious comedy from director Jerry Zucker ticks all the boxes. John Cleese stars as Donald Sinclair an oddball casino owner who devises a contest pitting six teams against each other in a race to claim two million dollars from a locker in New Mexico.
Jon Lovitz, Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson and Cuba Gooding Jr. are part of an impressive cast, in this bizarre contest.
Zucker manages to bring elements of Airplane! and The Naked Gun to this goofy comedy. If you want something ridiculous and a bit different, you won't be disappointed.
Gosford Park
Dir: Robert Altman | Entertainment Film Distributors
Set in 1932, this comedy drama follows the lives of guests and servants at a party in an English country house, as they investigate a murder involving one of them.
Director Robert Altman mixes both drama and comedy, juggling nearly 30 characters, with an impressive ensemble cast consisting of Charles Dance, Stephen Fry, Michael Gambon, Richard E. Grant, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren and many more.
This intelligent murder mystery inspired TV series Downton Abbey - which was originally planned as a spinoff to Gosford Park. A fascinating look at the various relationships, status and class, this is storytelling at its finest.
Honorable Mentions:
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Dir: Peter Jackson | New Line Cinema
Ocean’s Eleven
Dir: Steven Soderbergh | Warner Bros. Pictures
Donnie Darko
Dir: Richard Kelly | Newmarket
Mulholland Drive
Dir: David Lynch | Universal Pictures
Ali
Dir: Michael Mann | Sony Pictures Releasing
Check out more of our favourites
