CINEMA SEEN - "Favorite Films...Minus One!"
By William Margold

     What I noticed as I whittled down my list of Ten Favorite Films that were released during the first decade (2000-2009) of the 21st Century, is that it really wasn’t all that difficult to come up with the nine that are mentioned here.
     Yes...GLADIATOR fell by the wayside ...and EASTERN PROMISES missed the cut...and A BEAUTIFUL MIND came up just short...but they can all be comforted by the fact that they were in "very close" consideration.
     (Please note though that as of this writing...my Favorite Film of The Decade---STAR TREK---will be dealt with after I have seen the rest of 2009’s major holiday attractions...hopefully right around the time that it is one of the TEN Best Films of 2009 nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Oscar.)
     Desirous of not playing my "favorites" by the degree that I admired each movie here however...I’ve decided to present the nine films in the chronological order that I discovered them.
     
     ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)---Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical look at the wild and wanting ways of the music world is as lyrical as it is insightful. And while a lament is wailed throughout, one can’t help envying the very youthful journalist for earning a band’s trust...and then being given the chance to become part of its traveling road show family.
     
     THE CONTENDER (2000)---The puerile practice of politics and the sacrifice of the soul (etc.) to be victorious is at the rotten core of Rod Lurie’s mesmerizing effort. Joan Allen is painfully honorable as a potential Vice President nominee over whom Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman wage a take-no-prisoners war...creating quite a hellish Capitol Hill affair in the process.
     
     SHREK (2001)---A green boy-man and his scene stealing doggy-like donkey (voiced with hilarious humanity by Eddie Murphy) venture forth to save a princess only to discover a rainbow of emotional awakenings along the way. Hallelujah!
     
     GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (2005)---The sobering saga of sagacious TV reporter Edward R. Murrow (acutely etched by David Strathairn) versus venomous Joseph McCarthy (artlessly evoked by the foul fellow himself...thanks to the magic of some seamless editing) was easily the most eloquent motion picture of the decade.
     
     HUSTLE AND FLOW (2005)---I saw this one three times before I felt comfortable enough to write my opinion of it: first by myself, then with a onetime pimp (and proud of it), and finally with a fellow in the rap world (and equally proud of it). Terrence Howard’s earnestly aching pursuit of success sears the sensibilities as it instills hope of the highest (and rawest) order.
     
     PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST (2006)---There’s a little of Jack Sparrow in all of us. And if there isn’t...there damn well should be. As broadly splayed out by Johnny Depp across a panoramic trio of supremely rousing and rambunctious films...Master Sparrow is a character for all ages...and all situations...and perhaps even all sexes.
     
     FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006)---Clint Eastwood’s superbly solemn homage to the facelessness of accidental heroes, unfurls as a painfully perfect example of patriotic picture making. Long may it wave!
     
     THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (2007)---Extrapolated from my all-time favorite animated TV series, and expanded gleefully onto the big screen...the rascally but ever-so-wise adventures of Springfield’s first family is a film frolic worthy of multiple viewings, during which the consumption of an endless supply of do-nuts is mandatory.
     
     TROPIC THUNDER (2008)---War can be swell...when it is masterfully mocked. And Ben Stiller’s sly send-up of war movie making goes way beyond the world of special explosive effects. Politically incorrect on virtually every level imaginable---particularly the radically racial romp by Robert Downey Jr.---the film evokes enough laughter to shatter quite a number of ribs.      "     end
     NOTE: Originally published in LA Xpress, December 31, 2009 issue.

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