Thoughts on 2000s Best Pictures

2000
Who won: "Gladiator" / Dir: Ridley Scott
Who should have won: "Requiem for a Dream" / Dir: Darren Aronofsky (Not nominated)

"Gladiator" was great. I swear. The ending was perfect and Joaquin Phoenix was splendid in his haunting role as a the Emperor. So was Russell Crowe. The tech side was fantastic and the visuals couldn't be beaten that year. But was it really the Best of the Best? No! It wasn't even the best out of the nominees ("Erin Brockovich" was). The nominees that year were some of the most messed up I've ever seen. It was probably the worst Oscar year of the decade for me. The best film that year was most definitely Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem for a Dream". The story of 4 affected drug addicts really blows the Gladiator out of the podium...the Oscar podium that is.

2001
Who won: "A Beautiful Mind" / Dir: Ron Howard
Who should have won: "Moulin Rouge!" / Dir: Baz Luhrmann (Nominated)

As much as I really, really, really loved this movie and the fantastic story that has something to do with my dad's work (not to mention the lead stars' dynamic performances), the movie didn't hit the perfect strings to be the best. Everyone knew that "Moulin Rouge!" was truly the greatest film that year. Some people feel that its the best this decade (I'm partly with those people). "Moulin Rouge!" was of grandeur and extravagance, but "A Beautiful Mind" seemed to make the Academy out of "love". It didn't take me out of love. "Moulin Rouge!" forever! COME WHAT MAY...

2002
Who won: "Chicago" / Dir: Rob Marshall
Who should have won: "The Pianist" / Dir: Roman Polanski (Nominated)

First, I have to say this was a hella strong year. Possibly the most painful year to decide on. In one side we the spectacle murder story known as "Chicago", with jazzy tunes and great performances. But then we also have the Brody powerhouse "The Pianist". Then we have the Leo-Adams-Hanks-Walken wonder "Catch Me if You Can". Then the Scorsese masterwork "Gangs of New York". The list goes on and on. I gotta say that I'm fine with "Chicago's" win. I'm not as bitter as my "Moulin Rouge!" love. But after "The Pianist" grabbed Director (Polanski) and Actor (Brody), Picture belonged to it. It was absolutely marvelous in all aspects. But hey, all that jazz was loved more...

2003
Who won: "The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King" / Dir: Peter Jackson
Who should have won: "Cold Mountain" / Dir: Anthony Minghella (Not nominated)

It's the best in the trilogy. It really was. But it wasn't what I like to say "Best Picture" worthy. I mean, it was just another one of those "Rings" movie. It was all the same: Frodo, fighting blah-blah-blah! I'm not bashing it okay? But OSCAR for Best Picture? C'mon. We could do so much better then that. The best of the nominees was clearly "Mystic River". But two more films were grater then that too. The crazy world of the "Thirteen" girls and the Civil War love epic "Cold Mountain". "Cold Mountain" was touching, grand and fully magic. I loved it and all the characters and emotion that went with it. How the Academy walked right by this (it got all the other 7 nominations it deserved) for even a Best Picture nod is beyond me...

2004
Who won: "Million Dollar Baby" / Dir: Clint Eastwood
Who should have won: "The Aviator" / Dir: Martin Scorsese (Nominated)

"Million Dollar Baby" is a deserving film. I liked it a lot. Clearly not enough though. A majority of people do think that "The Aviator" should have won. Don't worry, I'm not going with the crowds to say it did. "Aviator" was a clear front runner and it was a front runner for a reason: because it was brilliant. The 5 wins that night gave us hope, but at the end "Baby" took the win. Life wasn't fair for "Aviator" director Martin Scorsese, but the result of the next two years is brilliant for him. I guess he was more motivated after the defeat.

2005
Who won: "Crash" / Dir: Paul Haggis
Who should have won: "Pride and Prejudice" / Dir: Joe Wright (Not nominated)

It's not as bad as people say it was. I mean they exaggerate when people call it "Trash" or "Crap" as its alternative name. It wasn't bad at all actually. Fine, Bullock and Frasier were crap, but everyone else (especially Dillon) was quite good. But just the same, it took up a spot in a year full of brilliantly made movies. It was the worst out of the nominees, but still manages to win. Is it because of that "racial" theme it had. Maybe...Anyways Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", directed by the underrated Joe Wright was far superior and far underrated in its own right. "Pride" is nearly a masterpiece. I hate it when people go all dramatic since "Brokeback Mountain" didn't win--they should be dramatic for Elizabeth and Darcy. :(

2006
Who won: "The Departed" / Dir: Martin Scorsese
Who should have won: "The Departed" / Dir: Martin Scorsese (Nominated)

The only year this decade I agree on. This film was by far amazing. Thrilling, intelligent, confident, smart, witty--can't think of enough words to say how good it was. Confusing? Naahh. Just really, really well made. Marty was a genius. He won for the perfect film. DiCaprio was marvelous and so was Damon, Nicholson, Wahlberg and Farmiga. Everyone was in place. All it's Oscar wins match my Chino Choice Awards. Love it.

2007
Who won: "No Country for Old Men"
Who should have won: "Across the Universe" (Not nominated)

Before I saw it I was excited. After I saw it I was very disappointed. It was over hyped and not a very good movie. Well, not as good as everyone says it is. "Across" is a unique choice and I'm a Beatles fan. But believe me, I'm not being bias. It was WORST out of the nominees ("Juno" was the best!) and WORST movie to win Best Picture this decade. It was very, very over hyped. It was utterly mad and people are hypocrites when they call this movie a masterpiece and "Across" crap. It's not true. This was an okay film all together, but to be considered to be TOP HONORS is just waaay tooooo much. A Sound nomination (or win) and a nom for Javier Bardem is enough. "Across the Universe" kicks this ones ass better then Chugah's American accent.



RANKING OF THE MOVIES
01. The Departed (2006)
02. Chicago (2002)
03. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
04. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
05. Gladiator (2000)
06. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
07. Crash (2005)
08. No Country for Old Men (2007)