NDSU Spectrum: Top 10 movies of 2001

‘Ghost World’ goes to head of teen movie class

By JOHN HANSEN

Jan. 11, 2002

It’s ironically appropriate that the year in which “Not Another Teen Movie” was released would feature some of the best teen movies of all time. Of course, we’re not talking about Freddie Prinze, Jr. movies here, we’re talking about thoughtful explorations of fully-developed teen characters. Any self-respecting cynic should steer clear of that next Freddie movie and check out “Ghost World,” “Bully,” “Crazy/Beautiful” and “Lost and Delirious.”

1. “Ghost World”

This is the type of movie you could watch forever. Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) are small-town teens who can’t find meaning in the world, until Enid meets Seymour (Steve Buscemi), an endearingly pathetic lover of old ragtime music. Edgy and understated, “Ghost World” makes sadness seem wonderfully appealing. Bonus points for the clever symbolic use of “the bus stop guy.”

2. “61*”

Fargo has the unique distinction of being one of only three cities (along with New York and L.A.) to screen Billy Crystal’s made-for-HBO film about Roger Maris’ stellar season. Bonds wasn’t the only Barry cranking homers this year: Barry Pepper gives a dead-on performance as Maris. Meanwhile, Thomas Jane’s portrayal of Mickey Mantle is powerfully tragic.

3. “Bully”

It’s got violence, sex, drug use and gratuitous nudity, but that’s only part of “Bully’s” appeal. In adapting this true story, director Larry Clark coaxes performances of stunning sympathy from an ensemble cast of teens who get together to kill a bully (Nick Stahl). As the picked-upon Marty, Brad Renfro is fragile and volatile, and the rest of the kids are equally gritty and real. Clark draws the viewer in like a co-conspirator, making the murder and court scenes all the more haunting.

4. “Crazy/Beautiful”

The fact that Nicole (Kirsten Dunst) is a rich white girl and Carlos (Jay Hernandez) is a poor Latino youth is just one of the things that make them different. There’s also the fact that Nicole is suicidal and directionless while Carlos is a hard worker with family support. So of course they fall in love. An impressive turn from Dunst puts this film a cut above the standard romance.

5. “Hearts in Atlantis”

The latest Stephen King masterpiece. An old man named Ted (Anthony Hopkins) moves into a small town in the early ‘60s and befriends young Bobby (Anton Yelchin). Ted is able to read minds and is being pursued by “low men” in flashy cars. Supernatural trappings aside, this movie is mainly about the joys and heartbreaks of friendship, first love, books and ‘60s pop music.

6. “Lost and Delirious”

Paulie (Piper Perabo) struggles to let her love run free against the difficult backdrop of an all-girls academy (she is in love with another girl, who doesn’t dare continue the relationship for fear her parents will disown her). Perabo is great, but it’s Mischa Barton who steals the show as the shy roommate of the two lesbians and the audience surrogate.

7. “A Beautiful Mind”

Russell Crowe delivers a virtuoso performance in this portrait of schizophrenic math genius John Nash. Ron Howard’s direction and Akiva Goldsman’s script are surprisingly understated. It’s not easy to explore the world of schizophrenia without delving into comedy, but this film succeeds as Crowe somehow captures the bravery of this crazy, misunderstood man.

8. “American Pie 2”

Writer Adam Hertz wisely focuses on the best characters from the first film: the hilarious Stifler (Seann William Scott), the awkward Jim (Jason Biggs) and lovable geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan). Once again, it’s a joy to see the absurdities of modern youth captured in all their satiric glory, and the Jim & Michelle scenes are ridiculously cute.

9. “Memento”

Guy Pearce delivers an award-worthy performance as a man with short term memory loss trying to solve his wife’s murder. The film runs in reverse and serves up numerous twists and turns and a great shock ending (or is that beginning?). It’s a head-scratcher at times, but ultimately clocks in as a compelling intellectual exercise.

10. “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back”

Kevin Smith recaptures the giddy fun of his early classics (“Clerks” and “Mallrats”), while cramming in a pop culture reference at every pit stop on the cross-country odyssey of stoners Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith). This is fart and boob comedy at its finest.