Hey kids! Back again continuing where we left off: 2001. While I'm on vacation (in the middle of nowhere) enjoy the articles! I'll be back in town next week!
“Amelie” - This is the film that introduced the Western world to Audrey Tautou. In this movie she plays the title character, a girl who curiosity leads her to help others and along the way she discovers love. Beautifully shot, funny, and charming French movie.
“Blow” - The lovable drug dealer... Ted Demme's second-to-last film looks at Carl Jung, a man who supposedly brought cocaine to America in the 1970's. Johnny Depp plays Jung while Penelope Cruz plays his wife. This is also noted as being the first American movie for Franka Potente. Trivia: scenes in the movie were shot using cameras from the decade they were supposed to take place in.
“CQ” - Roman Coppola (son of Francis Ford, brother of Sofia) did this one and only feature about an American filmmaker (Jeremy Davies) who moves to Paris and wants to make a sci-fi film. He begins to chronicle his life in short film sequences while being part of the film “Codename: Dragonfly.” The lines between fact and fiction become blurred as he falls in love with Dragonfly (Angela Lindvall) while trying to find purpose with his life. Also stars Jason Schwartzman, Dean Stockwell, and Gerard Depardieu.
“Donnie Darko” - What may now look as a fluke was the initial promise of up-and-coming director Richard Kelly with this flick about a high schooler (Jake Gyllenhaal) who finds out that the world will end in 28 days. He is further contacted by a large bunny rabbit named Frank to commit crimes, all the while questioning his sanity. Also stars Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, and Maggie Gyllenhaal (who plays his sister, apropos enough)
“Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” - What can I say about this one? Kevin Smith decided to give the two characters tying together his View Askew universe a farewell send-off in what's been hailed as a “$15 million inside joke.” That doesn't stop it from being funny. Hetero-lifemates Jay (Jay Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) find that the comic book characters based on them are going to be put into a movie and they're going to receive... bupkiss. The two head off to Hollywood in order to shut down the “Bluntman and Chronic” movie. Contains appearances by Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Morris Day and the Time. It was the best $5 I ever spent.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” - The beginning of a trilogy of movies that J.R.R. Tolkien himself once considered, “unfilmable.” Peter Jackson, whose previous credits include “The Frighteners,” and “Dead Alive,” gave it his all in what has became the new standard for epic filmmaking. Great technical effects and camerawork complement a story of a hobbit named Frodo (Elijah Wood) and his company of friends who must risk life and limb in order to chuck a ring into a volcano. But really, it's about more than just that.
“The Others” - Director Alejandro Amenabar (known for “Open Your Eyes”/ “Abre los ojos”) offers this haunting (pun intended) story of a woman (Nicole Kidman) secluded to an old house raising her children who are extremely photosensitive. Weird things begin to happen... If you haven't seen the movie, check this one out. Great story and twist ending.
“The Royal Tenenbaums” - Wes Anderson movie about a family of child prodigies who reunite when they find out that their dad (Gene Hackman) has a serious illness. They try to come together and get through their problems as they try re-connecting with their father. Enjoyable movie, and it looked like Hackman had fun doing it.
“Spy Game” - Tony Scott (the OTHER Scott) directed this take on the other side of life of the spy: the personal side. Forgoing James Bond-ian exploits, Scott shows the humanity (and sometimes lack thereof) in the world of espionage. Robert Redford plays Nathan Muir, mentor to younger spy Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt). Muir is on his last days when Bishop is captured and Muir helps to buy Bishop all the time he can get. Part of the anti- “James Bond” 2000's.
“Super Troopers” - And now we REALLY know what cops are up to... The Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe crafted this movie about state police officers trying to outdo the local cops in order to save their jobs. When a dead body and some weed show up, it's up to the Staties to crack the case or else. Stars Brian Cox. Incredibly funny and the best the Broken Lizards have done.
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Hey kids! Back again continuing where we left off: 2001. While I'm on vacation (in the middle of nowhere) enjoy the articles! I'll be back in town next week! 
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Film Guy