NDSU Spectrum: Top 10 movies of 2000

‘Perfect Storm’ couldn’t be topped in 2000

By JOHN HANSEN

Jan. 12, 2001

Following a 1999 movie year that gave us instant classics like “American Beauty,” “The Green Mile” and “The Hurricane,” 2000 was a relative bore. “The Perfect Storm” was the only movie that really floored me, but these other nine films were highly enjoyable too.

1. “The Perfect Storm”

Director Wolfgang Petersen shows us nature’s fury and demonstrates why swordfishing is the country’s most jaw-droppingly dangerous occupation—getting pulled into the ocean by a wayward hook is an everyday threat for these guys.

2. “Loser”

In this sad but sweet take on the “geek gets the girl” fable, Paul (Jason Biggs) is in love with the adorable but distracted Dora (Mena Suvari). “Loser” attains a new level of cuteness.

3. “X-Men”

Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) are scene-stealers in this faithful and fun comic book movie. Every time I watch it I get an overwhelming urge to read a bunch of “X-Men” comics.

4. “What Lies Beneath”

Director Robert Zemeckis does a brilliant Hitchcock impersonation. The bathtub scene ranks with “Psycho’s” shower scene for pure intensity.

5. “Cast Away”

Not only is the hour-long segment of Tom Hanks stranded on a deserted island watchable, it’s highly engaging—it puts our modern hectic lifestyle in perspective. Any movie that can make a viewer weep over a volleyball floating away on an ocean current is doing something right.

6. “Final Destination”

“X-Files” vets James Morgan and Glen Wong deliver a freaky tale of ill-fated teens who are relentlessly stalked by an unseen Death.

7. “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2”

Even in an era where twist endings have become the norm, the shocker at the end of “Book of Shadows” truly is clever and creepy. I hated the first movie because it never showed the witch; I loved the sequel for the same reason.

8. “Remember the Titans”

Denzel Washington and Will Patton are two coaches with contrasting styles who come together to lead the T.C. Williams Titans in 1971. It’s great to see this little-known chapter in the history of race relations get the spotlight.

9. “Love and Basketball”

It’s remarkable how Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan seem to make their characters age as the film progresses from high school to college to pro hoops. The clever editing and style of the basketball scenes, combined with a sweet romance, makes this a winner in both categories.

10. “Urban Legends: Final Cut”

This sequel about a film student (Jennifer Morrison) whose movie turns into real-life horror is an obvious yet fun schlock-fest.

Honorable Mention: “Vertical Limit,” “Lost Souls,” “The 6th Day,” “Mission to Mars,” “Pitch Black,” “The Exorcist,” “Frequency,” “American Psycho”