Best Film of Year - 21st Cent. Poll (discussion)

[Evil Twin]

Since the 2001 poll thread turned into a trainwreck, it looks like it's going to be restarted. Looks like I've been drafted to rerun them.

Let's get down to basics.

Schedule
June 2009 - 2001 Poll
July 2009 - 2002 Poll
August 2009 - 2003 Poll
Sept. 2009 - 2004 Poll
Oct. 2009 - 2005 Poll
Nov. 2009 - 2006 Poll
Dec. 2009 - 2007 Poll
Jan. 2010 - 2008 Poll
Feb. 2010 - 2009 Poll (when we've had a chance to see all significant films.)

Mar. 2010 - Poll of the Winners

We're going to redo the 2001 Poll, what should be on it? Need 39 selections plus OTHER. And we want to minimize the need for OTHER. I'm not going to be available for much of the rest of the day, but let's use the last list as a starting point and improve it. Also, giving reasons for what belongs and what doesn't will be a help.

 

[Kane52630]

you should use this for some help on what movies should be in the list
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000s_in_film

 

[Evil Twin]

Here's the Initial 2001 Poll to use as a starting point.

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Donnie Darko
The Lord of the RIngs: The Fellowship of the Ring
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Training Day
A Beautiful Mind
Blow
Pearl Harbor
Mulholland Drive
Planet of the Apes
Gosford Park
Jurassic Park III
Monster's Ball
The Majestic
The Mexican
Moulin Rouge!
The Royal Tenenbaum's
Blackhawk Down
Behind Enemy Lines
Hannibal
Ali
K-PAX
The Others
The Mummy Returns
Ocean's Eleven
Shallow Hal
Saving Silverman
Serendipity
Vanilla Sky
Shrek
No Man's Land
Ghosts of Mars
3000 Miles to Graceland
American Pie 2
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Zoolander
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles
Corky Romano
Joe Dirt

My initial thoughts are that, at a minimum, Joe Dirt, Corky Romano, Crocodile Dundee in LA, Saving Silverman, The Mexican, Ghosts of Mars, and Serendipity have to go. At least if noone speaks up in their defense.

And, I'll posit the following as initial choices for replacement.
Monsters, Inc.
Spirited Away
Waking Life
Amelie
Ghost World
The Man Who Wasn't There
In the Bedroom
The Pledge
Frailty
Enemy at the Gates

Discuss away and try to come up with some sort of concensus.

 

[Episode29]

I'd say you could also drop 3000 Miles To Graceland.

Planet of the Apes and Jurassic Park III are pretty debatable too. While they were big summer blockbusters, would anyone vote for them? Does anyone even like them? Why not replace them both with something more popular like The Fast and the Furious?

I'd consider adding The Believer, From Hell and maybe Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back.

 

[Evil Twin]

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Donnie Darko
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Training Day
A Beautiful Mind
Blow
Mulholland Drive
Gosford Park
Monster's Ball
The Majestic
Moulin Rouge!
The Royal Tenenbaum's
Blackhawk Down
Hannibal
Ali
K-PAX
The Others
Ocean's Eleven
Vanilla Sky
Shrek
No Man's Land
Monsters, Inc.
Spirited Away
Waking Life
Amelie
Ghost World
The Man Who Wasn't There
In the Bedroom

Based on discussion in the thread, critical acclaim, top ten lists, awards, I'd suggest this as a starting point for 2001. Add 10 more. Helps to give persuasive reasoning.

 

[Evil Twin]

Trying to get my chronology straight, it looks like Spirited Away should be put away until the 2002 poll. It also looks like Sexy Beast was really a 2001 film in the US, so I propose swapping those out.

I'll update and amend for 2001.

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Donnie Darko
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Training Day
A Beautiful Mind
Blow
Mulholland Drive
Gosford Park
Monster's Ball
The Majestic
Moulin Rouge!
The Royal Tenenbaums
Black Hawk Down
Hannibal
Ali
K-PAX
The Others
Ocean's Eleven
Vanilla Sky
Shrek
No Man's Land
Monsters, Inc.
Sexy Beast
Waking Life
Amelie
Ghost World
The Man Who Wasn't There
In the Bedroom
Zoolander
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
The Believer

Added Sexy Beast. Also Zoolander and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (because, I'm not opposed to comedy and those two seem to be two of the best liked still out there). Removed Spirited Away for 2002. Added The Believer. Need more convincing for From Hell. Or to add back some blockbusters.

 

[Spider-Fan]

My vote was for AI: Artificial Intelligence for 2001

 

[WeaponXProject]

1. Training Day
2. Blow
3. Royal Tenenbaums
4. LOTR
5. Beautiful Mind

 

[Evil Twin]

Just a reminder, in case it was unclear, we're trying to decide what to put on the poll in this thread, not vote in this thread.

Basically, what do we need to fill out the 39 selections for the poll that will reflect the year and minimize the need for OTHER as a choice. We're still 7 slots short.

 

[dude stannis]

Black Hawk Down is three words, not two.

 

[BLACK-SPIDEY]

Donnie Darko has to be one of the best movies ever made

 

[Evil Twin]

Here's where the 2001 ballot stands

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Donnie Darko
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Training Day
A Beautiful Mind
Blow
Mulholland Drive
Gosford Park
Monster's Ball
The Majestic
Moulin Rouge!
The Royal Tenenbaums
Black Hawk Down
Hannibal
Ali
K-PAX
The Others
Ocean's Eleven
Vanilla Sky
Shrek
No Man's Land
Monsters, Inc.
Sexy Beast
Waking Life
Amelie
Ghost World
The Man Who Wasn't There
In the Bedroom
Zoolander
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
The Believer

If there's a case to be made against some of the above, speak up. Anything essential missing?

We need 7 more to round it out. Let's try this a different way, of the following movies, which 9 should I eliminate:

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Bridget Jone's Diary
The Fast and the Furious
Enemy at the Gates
Frailty
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Shaolin Soccer
The Experiment
Ichi the Killer
I am Sam
From Hell
The Pledge
Heist
Pearl Harbor
Planet of the Apes
Jurassic Park III

 

[Evil Twin]

Either, the main list satisfies the critics or people have lost interest in giving feedback, because it sure is quiet in here.

I'd like to get the poll back up by Sunday, so speak up now or hold your peace.

 

[Evil Twin]

Ok, of the list of
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
Bridget Jone's Diary
The Fast and the Furious
Enemy at the Gates
Frailty
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Shaolin Soccer
The Experiment
Ichi the Killer
I am Sam
From Hell
The Pledge
Heist
Pearl Harbor
Planet of the Apes
Jurassic Park III

I'm proposing that the following 7 move on to the final ballot for the 2001 poll.

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
The Fast and the Furious
Frailty
Shaolin Soccer
Ichi the Killer
The Pledge
Jurassic Park III

One more day for feedback and changes.

 

[Evil Twin]

This is going to be the 2001 ballot unless I hear otherwise. Considering it's been quiet over the weekend, I'll give it through Monday for feedback/revisions. Anything notable missing?

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
Donnie Darko
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Training Day
A Beautiful Mind
Blow
Mulholland Drive
Gosford Park
Monster's Ball
The Majestic
Moulin Rouge!
The Royal Tenenbaums
Black Hawk Down
Hannibal
Ali
K-PAX
The Others
Ocean's Eleven
Vanilla Sky
Shrek
No Man's Land
Monsters, Inc.
Sexy Beast
Waking Life
Amelie
Ghost World
The Man Who Wasn't There
In the Bedroom
Zoolander
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
The Believer
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
The Fast and the Furious
Frailty
Shaolin Soccer
Ichi the Killer
The Pledge
Jurassic Park III

 

[Evil Twin]

I'm just going to bump this back up and remind people that this is the last day for feedback/revision to the Poll List for 2001. If something really needs adding, let me know.

 

[Evil Twin]

Preliminary Draft of the 2002 poll, to go up in July

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
2. Spider-Man
3. Minority Report
4. Catch Me If You Can
5. The Pianist
6. Y Tu Mama Tambien
7. The Bourne Identity
8. Talk to Her
9. Hero
10. Gangs of New York
11. 28 Days Later
12. Chicago
13. Bowling for Columbine
14. Road to Perdition
15. Adaptation
16. About Schmidt
17. Punch Drunk Love
18. 25th Hour
19. Frida
20. Far From Heaven
21. Spirited Away
22. Infernal Affairs
23. Irreversible
24. Insomnia
25. Blade II
26. Red Dragon
27. 8 Mile
28. Equilibrium
29. Panic Room
30. One Hour Photo
31. The Count of Monte Cristo
32. Signs
33. Solaris
34. The Hours
35. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
36. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
37. The Ring
38. Bubba Ho-Tep
39. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Note: City of God, Whale Rider, & In America I'm saving for 2003.

Other Notable Films that may be considered include:

Austin Powers in Goldmember
xXx
The Transporter
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Reign of Fire
A Walk to Remember
The Sum of All Fears
Unfaithful
Death to Smoochy
Igby Goes Down
The Rules of Attraction
Changing Lanes
Nirgendwo in Afrika
The Crime of Father Amaro
The Man Without a Past
Secretary
Ice Age
Bend it Like Beckham
About a Boy


So, what's missing? And, if I add something, what should I drop?

 

[Evil Twin]

Additional films for consideration for 2002

Bloody Sunday (will go on the list, just have to figure out what to bump.)
The Kid Stays in the Picture
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
24 Hour Party People
The Quiet American
13 Conversations about One Thing

 

[Evil Twin]

I'm going to bump one film from the 2002 poll options in favor of Bloody Sunday. I've narrowed it down to two options, The Hours (because SuperheroHype.com isn't the target audience) and Star Wars (because it really isn't very well liked). Any preferences for either? If someone intends to vote for one or the other, I can find something else.

 

[Evil Twin]

Here's where the 2002 poll stands.

Preliminary Draft of the 2002 poll, to go up in July

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
2. Spider-Man
3. Minority Report
4. Catch Me If You Can
5. The Pianist
6. Y Tu Mama Tambien
7. The Bourne Identity
8. Talk to Her
9. Hero
10. Gangs of New York
11. 28 Days Later
12. Chicago
13. Bowling for Columbine
14. Road to Perdition
15. Adaptation
16. About Schmidt
17. Punch Drunk Love
18. 25th Hour
19. Frida
20. Far From Heaven
21. Spirited Away
22. Infernal Affairs
23. Irreversible
24. Insomnia
25. Blade II
26. Red Dragon
27. 8 Mile
28. Equilibrium
29. Panic Room
30. One Hour Photo
31. The Count of Monte Cristo
32. Signs
33. Solaris
34. Bloody Sunday
35. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
36. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
37. The Ring
38. Bubba Ho-Tep
39. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Any thoughts, complaints, requests for revisions? One week before this goes up.

 

[Evil Twin]

2002 poll goes up tomorrow. So, speak now if you have any issues with the draft ballot.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I'd say keep The Hours and drop Star Wars instead. This poll is supposed to be about film quality, and ATOC is not highly regarded. The Hours might not be the site's target audience, but it is highly regarded.

 

[Evil Twin]

I have no problem making that substitution. I don't think either were likely to get a vote, but if there's a solid preference I'll defer.

So, current draft

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
2. Spider-Man
3. Minority Report
4. Catch Me If You Can
5. The Pianist
6. Y Tu Mama Tambien
7. The Bourne Identity
8. Talk to Her
9. Hero
10. Gangs of New York
11. 28 Days Later
12. Chicago
13. Bowling for Columbine
14. Road to Perdition
15. Adaptation
16. About Schmidt
17. Punch Drunk Love
18. 25th Hour
19. Frida
20. Far From Heaven
21. Spirited Away
22. Infernal Affairs
23. Irreversible
24. Insomnia
25. Blade II
26. Red Dragon
27. 8 Mile
28. Equilibrium
29. Panic Room
30. One Hour Photo
31. The Count of Monte Cristo
32. Signs
33. Solaris
34. Bloody Sunday
35. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
36. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
37. The Ring
38. Bubba Ho-Tep
39. The Hours

 

[Evil Twin]

First draft of 2003 poll. Aka the year of the really long title.

1. City of God
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
4. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
5. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
6. Finding Nemo
7. The Matrix Reloaded
8. Lost in Translation
9. X2
10. Mystic River
11. Big Fish
12. Old Boy
13. American Splendor
14. The Station Agent
15. Whale Rider
16. Open Range
17. The Last Samurai
18. Hulk
19. The School of Rock
20. Identity
21. Old School
22. Once Upon a Time in Mexico
23. The Cooler
24. Dogville
25. Bad Santa
26. Elf
27. Monster
28. Seabiscuit
29. A Mighty Wind
30. The Triplets of Belleville
31. The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara
32. The Dreamers
33. Ong-Bak
34. The Twilight Samurai
35. The Barbarian Invasions
36. Zatoichi
37. The House of Sand and Fog
38. In America
39. Daredevil

Four comic book movies in 2003 with X2, Hulk, Daredevil, and American Splendor. I'm not counting LXG.

Other notable movies that I'd be willing to bump some of the above if there's any support for:

Cold Mountain
Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines
The Matrix Revolutions
Love Actually
21 Grams
Bruce Almighty
Matchstick Men
The Life of David Gale
Something's Gotta Give
Good Bye Lenin!
Elephant
Girl With a Pearl Earring
Swimming Pool
Down With Love
Open Water
Thirteen
Runaway Jury
The Italian Job
Underworld

Edit: Thought about High Tension and decided it was a 2004 candidate, not a 2003 candidate.

Colons should be banned from movie titles.

 

[Evil Twin]

Question. How should we handle some movies that were previously released prior to the '00s, but weren't released in their current form until this decade? I'm thinking of Army of Shadows, which wasn't released in America until 2006, although it was made in the 1960s. And, The Big Red One - The Reconstruction from 2004, which made very significant changes and had nearly 50 minutes added to its run time.