All right, let's give Roger Ebert a break and move on to a discussion of the films you think deserve four-star ratings. Several of you wrote in with your Top Ten picks for the year so far. It is interesting to see how many films appear on more than one list, and more interesting to see how a film hated by one reader was embraced by another. Part of what makes the medium so exciting is how a single film can absolutely polarize an audience into those who love it and those who despise it. The Contender and Dancer in the Dark seem to take the prize this year for dividing viewers into two very opinionated camps. Clinton Glenn starts us off with his list…

"Well, this year has had some great movies, and some pretty bad ones (Scary Movie immediately springs to mind), so here are my Top Ten movies of this year, so far: 1. Dancer in the Dark 2. Almost Famous 3. Girl, Interrupted 4. Gladiator 5. American Psycho 6. The Beach 7. The Ninth Gate 8. The Cell 9. Frequency 10. Center Stage "You may not agree with me, but oh well." - Clinton Glenn

Next up, Gerry the Man with a very different list of the Top Ten films of 2000…

"Here are my ten best films: Erin Brockovich High Fidelity Gladiator Almost Famous Wonder Boys Croupier Best in Show Chicken Run "And the best thus far is easily: The Contender. Why? The gorgeous performance by Joan Allen as the principled and nuanced Laine Hanson. The full-of-gusto performance by Jeff Bridges. The nuanced sinisterism of Gary Oldman. The rediscovery of Sam Elliott and Christian Slater. Dialogue that crackles like machine-gun fire. The courage to be so blatantly partisan (though many of the liberals in the films are sleazeballs). For having an ending that makes us feel good about ourselves instead of being ashamed about being Americans." - Gerry the Man

Here's John Noll again with his opinion of the Top Ten…

1. Almost Famous 2. Wonder Boys 3. Erin Brockovich 4. Keeping the Faith 5. Tao of Steve 6. High Fidelity 7. Return to Me 8. The Perfect Storm 9. The Cell 10. Ghost Dog "I haven't seen a lot of indies, though, so by February this could be completely different…" - John Noll

Dennis Cozzalio weighs in with his top picks…

"The last few months of 1999 held a lot of movie riches, so much so that I began to wonder if we were indeed seeing some sort of return to a golden age of American filmmaking. Well, the first ten months of 2000 have not exactly held up to those high expectations. There have been several interesting, flawed movies, many of which wouldn't have come close to the Top Ten last year. But, as roughcut.com reader Kevin said, when you start to despair over the state of films today, just think back to the 1980s, perhaps the most creatively arid period in the history of American film. And not that the 1990s didn't unleash some pretty terrible, perhaps irreversible trends—most of the movies on my short list were made by directors and editors who still know the value of a shot held for a sustained length, the better to demonstrate a little trust in their subject to actually entertain and enlighten without a boatload of technical trickery. That said, here's my look at 2000 so far: 1. I'm the One That I Want: Margaret Cho's dynamic, raucous, profoundly funny concert film 2. Almost Famous 3. Chicken Run 4. Shanghai Noon/The Legend of Drunken Master (1994 re-release) 5. Space Cowboys 6. Croupier Academy of the Underrated: Gun Shy; The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle; U-571; Me, Myself & Irene; X-Men Academy of the Overrated: Gladiator Most Spectacular Return to Past Glory: Godzilla 2000 Other good movies of 2000 that I have one or more serious reservations about: Chuck & Buck, Erin Brockovich, Timecode, Nurse Betty The Worst of 2000 So Far: Romeo Must Die, Passion of Mind, Gone in 60 Seconds, Coyote Ugly, American Pimp, Center Stage, Bossa Nova" - dennis cozzalio

Next is Shawn Fitzgerald with both Top Ten and Bottom Ten Lists...

"Hi there. I would like to share with you and the site my Top and Bottom Ten of the year so far. It has been a pretty dismal year so far for movies, so the Worst Ten list was easier to come up with than the Best. Still, there have been some movies out there that were worth championing. THE TOP TEN SO FAR 1. Almost Famous 2. Erin Brockovich 3. Gladiator 4. Billy Elliot 5. Requiem for a Dream 6. Dancer in the Dark 7. Chicken Run 8. Wonder Boys 9. Shaft 10. Jesus' Son In a year lacking a pulse, at least these ten films showed some spark, and some originality and entertainment value. THE BOTTOM TEN SO FAR 1. Mission to Mars 2. The Cell 3. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 4. Lucky Numbers 5. Dinosaur 6. Battlefield Earth 7. Pay It Forward 8. Coyote Ugly 9. Gone in 60 Seconds 10. The Contender I could have written three Worst Ten lists, but these are the films that have made me want to go out and punch someone really hard after seeing them, namely the directors. Brian De Palma, you've been warned." - Shawn Fitzgerald, Cambridge, MA

Here are BelleSebastian's picks for the best of the year so far…

"I've got a pleasing Top Ten List for the year already, though if I had to grade these films, only seven would be an A- or above and only two of those are As. It is: 1. Erin Brockovich 2. Hamlet 3. Judy Berlin 4. Jesus' Son 5. Almost Famous 6. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai 7. Wonder Boys 8. Nurse Betty 9. Croupier 10. High Fidelity or The Color of Paradise "Erin Brockovich is utterly peerless this year, in my opinion. It's a straightforward story told in a straightforward manner, but it's also very shrewdly written and produced. There are Steven Soderbergh films I may choose to watch before this one, but I don't know that I've seen one as close to perfect. I can, though, see my next choice being construed as, well, awful; it isn't. Michael Almereyda's Hamlet is a marvel of symbolism and performance (as far as Bill Murray and even Ethan Hawke are concerned) of technique and independent spirit. Jesus' Son, Almost Famous and Croupier are bound to go down as the films I most enjoyed watching this year, the first two thanks in great part to the magnetic performances of Billy Crudup. Croupier's a gem all around as well. Most of the characters in it are contrived, I'll grant, but they're well-realized contrivances. High Fidelity is John Cusack at his best since Say Anything... (which may not say too much, but I'll plug Say Anything... any chance I get because it may just be the great film romance and his performance in it is practically inspirational; any kid my age (17) not striving to be Cusack in that film is doing something wrong). Nurse Betty has the best screenplay I've seen/heard this year, and Renée Zellwegger is fantastic in it. Ghost Dog is oozing pensive cool. Judy Berlin is the great lost film of the year; it's introspective, sharp, and charming." - BelleSebastian

And, finally, here's Roger W. Thomas's Top Ten List…

"Here is my Top Ten list for 2000 thus far!! 1. The Contender: Superb political thriller that paints everyone as bad, with the notable exception of the noble hero. I can not imagine that there will be any film this year that is better acted. Yes, the final act is a little too convenient, but that makes her all the more noble. 2. Sunshine: This is the kind of film the Academy should honor every year. Great acting, great story, exquisite production values. Who could ask for anything more? 3. Almost Famous: Ultimately this film can be summed up in that one great line from the film—"THE TRUTH JUST SOUNDS DIFFERENT." This movie is about telling the truth, lying, and the effects both have on relationships and lives. It was a joy to watch and it is one of those films you could see over and over again, for the fun of it. 4. The Big Kahuna: DIALOGUE, DIALOGUE DIALOGUE. I could have listened to these three guys talk for two more hours. Never mind that the limited plot was interesting in and of itself. What makes this movie shine is what these three have to say. When the young guy ask DeVito's character, "WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WILL EVER DO ANYTHING I WILL REGRET?" His response is the single most moving line in any film thus far this year. 5. Chicken Run: Visually stunning!! As much fun as Wallace and Grommit!! Plenty of action!! More laughs than any of the plethora of comedies released this year! And even a sweet romance! What a shame that the Academy is not starting the animated category this year. Chicken Run would be leading the race and should take the prize. 6. Fantasia 2000: The only real competition Chicken Run would have. There are moments of sheer brilliance in this film. I liked every song in the film and did not think any of them were as weak as some have said. Perhaps it is not as original as the first, but for me, it had more moments that told personal stories, and it will have a place in my DVD collection soon. 7. The Patriot: So it was not historically accurate. And yes, the plot seemed familiar along with being predictable. It still moved me. Besides, it was filmed about two miles from my house and that made seeing it all the more fun. 8. The Beach: I am the only person in the country who would list DiCaprio's latest on a Top Ten List. It has many weaknesses, but I liked what it had to say about mankind and about community. I think there are a lot of profound statements here, and years from now, the film may be studied not as a cinematic masterpiece, but as a sociology study of who we were. 9. Gladiator: On everyone's list, and deservedly so. Is it really the best film of the year so far. Not in my book. Fine acting, familiar but well-delivered story, and some nice effects are all benefits. The problem is the action scenes get repetitive, and there is little suspense on what will happen by the time the credits roll. I liked it a lot; I just could have liked it more if it would have surprised me more often. 10. The Cell: There are two visuals in this film that are unlike anything we have ever seen in films. For that, the film deserves any praise it receives. Over and over again, though, we are given startling images. Plus, there is this strange but addictive story. I think it should have had a harder edge.… Ultimately, though, it was as satisfying as any film this year, with the exception of the nine titles above it. "Anyone who is making out a list and leaving off the majority of these films needs to go to the movies more often! And that is my very educated opinion on the subject!!" - Roger W. Thomas

Excellent work, readers. Thanks for sharing your Top Ten Lists. I'm sure many of our other readers will be debating or defending your choices in the days to come. Perhaps once the year has officially ended, we'll do this again and see how many of the films released in November and December have replaced films currently on your lists.

Halloween is fast approaching, and I thought it might be fun to find out what films or scenes from films you would rank as the scariest ever committed to celluloid. Send me your faves and I'll post them in Tuesday's Civilian Voices. Or, if you see any of the flicks opening this weekend, be sure to send me your review.

Meghan McCarthy
Editor, Civilian Voices

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