Category Archives: 2000

2000, British Mystery Series, Bullying, Child Molestation, Conspiracy, Crime, Cynical, DO NOT MISS, Gritty, Occasional gore, Serial Killer, Violent

Waking The Dead (2000)

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From NetFlix:

A British version of CSI, this International Emmy-winning series follows the cold case unit, a team of top police investigators who use modern techniques to solve old murder cases. Led by Det. Peter Boyd (Trevor Eve), the group includes cops and scientists. They all combine forensics, psychology and old-fashioned police work to get results, but their jobs are on the lin, as they’ve been given only one year to prove their worth.

AUGUST 2019 UPDATE:

From Amazon Prime you can now stream 9 seasons.  Each season has between 8 and 12 episodes. Each self-contained story consists of 2 episodes.

Because many of the stories are quite GRIM, Kathy stopped watching.  But the plots are so gripping that I could not stop watching. Finally Boyd is forced to retire and the series ends.

In contrast with most British crime series, the crime solving team of characters remained constant except for one notable staff death and her replacement.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

So far on DVD you can watch 4 seasons of this wonderful British detective series. In my opinion, this British version is better than the American CSI. You get to know and enjoy all the personalities. There are many seasons not yet available from NetFlix. If you go to Wikipedia, you can get a rundown of ALL the episodes from all the years. You will discover there that over the long series the characters change (some die, etc). The one charater that is constant is Det. Peter Boyd whose personality is one of an impetuous almost bullying man who after a while goes through psychoanalysis to improve his relations with his subordinates.

Kathy and I could not wait to see each episode. Enjoy!

2000, Crime, Detective, Direct to Video, Imperfect, Mediocre, Mystery Film, Plot Twist, Psychic Phenomena, Serial Killer, Suspense

Eye of the Killer (2000)

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From NetFlix:

After a blow to the head, haggard Det. Mickey Hayden (Kiefer Sutherland) acquires an extraordinary new ability: He can visualize the owner of anything he touches. This homicide-solving talent comes in handy when Hayden gets assigned to the hardest case of his life. A serial killer named Jabberwocky has resurfaced, pinning a note to his most recent victim challenging Hayden to stalk the murderer again in this direct-to-video thriller.

Despite being a mediocre film about psychic phenomena, the plot has some good surprises (including the very end). Alcoholic, depressed detectives are now such a cliche. And why do they often hang out in gay bars when they are really straight ? The fact that this film is a direct-to-video should be enough of a warning.

Is this damning with faint praise ?

2000, Complicated, Conspiracy, Crime, Plot Twist, Scam Artists, Spanish, Suspense

Nine Queens (2000)

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From NetFlix:

Two small-time grifters (Ricardo Darin and Gastón Pauls) endure a series of tense negotiations when they attempt to sell a sheet of counterfeit stamps for a hefty sum, but the process is made more stressful when one of the con men’s estranged sister (Leticia Bredice) becomes involved. Fans of American writer David Mamet will appreciate the twists in this Argentinean caper from writer-director Fabián Bielinsky

Google for “Nine Queens”. You will discover that whereas all reviews praise the film as a wonderful “Who is conning whom ?” game, many reviews criticize the ending. I myself could not quite accept the surprise ending. In fact, the best review suggested that when you get to one of the final scenes in which Juan is in a subway and the screen fades to black, then stop watching immediately.

Still, it was fun watching the many clever ways thieves can con their victims. Thanks to NetFlix for suggesting this movie personally to me. Do you suppose NetFlix thinks I’m a crook ? Note, in this regard, how just about every thief in the film says he is not a crook (echoing a famous United States former president).

Spanish with subtitles.

2000, Crime, Drama, Mystery Film, Nudity, Plot Twist, Revenge, Supernatural, Suspense, Violent

The Gift (2000)

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From NetFlix:

When the authorities find a drowned woman’s body, a small-town psychic (Cate Blanchett) starts having visions of who committed the murder, which means she’s the only one who can testify to what truly happened … and that she could be the killer’s next target. Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes and Greg Kinnear co-star in this moody Sam Raimi thriller co-written by Billy Bob Thornton

For most of the film I was sure I knew who the killer was. I was wrong. Sam Raimi and Billy Bob Thornton tell a good story that pulls you into the troubled lives of just about every character. And what a set of characters it is:

  • Cate Blanchett carries the show.
  • Giovanni Ribisi most recently played “Parker Selfridge” in “Avatar”.
  • Keanu Reeves does a great job as a mean red-neck villain.
  • Greg Kinnear was the father in “Little Miss Sunshine”
  • Hilary Swank gets beaten up a lot by her vicious husband Keanu Reeves
  • Gary Cole appeared many times in “The Good Wife” as the ballistics expert
  • J.K. Simmons appears everywhere. He is the long-suffering boss of Kyra Sedgwick in “The Closer”.
  • Katie Holmes is Rachel from “The Dark Knight”

It’s hard to lose with a cast like that.

2000, Drama, Not Feel Good, Suspense

Panic (2000)

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From NetFlix:

On the surface, Alex (William H. Macy) seems like a normal guy — he has a wife, a son and a job selling mail-order trinkets. But Alex also has a secret life not even his family knows about: He’s a contract killer suffering a midlife crisis. Seeking help, Alex visits a therapist and meets Sarah (Neve Campbell) — the one person he may have needed all along.

William Macy is too smart to play in a bad film and this excellent drama is no exception. He is supported by such high caliber stars as John Ritter (therapist), Neve Campbell (Sarah), Donald Sutherland (creepy and infuriating as the assassin father that perverted his son Macy), Tracy Ullman (Macy’s wife), and Barbara Bain (Macy’s mother without a conscience). Little Sammy (Macy’s son) is wonderful, although maybe a little too clever verbally for someone his age.

Above all this is a film whose suspense lies in watching Macy’s unexpressed rage develop into something.

Except for some shooting, there is no violence. But still not for children.

2000, Book, Drama, Drugs, Independent, Love Story, Novel, Nudity, Redemption, Sexual Episodes, Unusual

Jesus’ Son (2000)

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From NetFlix:

Nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, director Alison MacLean’s reflective drama follows FH (Billy Crudup), a well-meaning drug addict who stumbles backward into redemption. When his longtime love (Samantha Morton) leaves, FH follows her but meets and falls for the older Mira (Holly Hunter) along the way. Amid his life’s wreckage, a near-fatal car crash and a chance to save a child’s life force FH to examine his existence and its meaning.

Believe it or not, this film (which has the feel of an independent film) won some awards. I first read the book because it was recommended in the NY Times as an older book which you might as well get at your local library. I can only guess that the book made a splash in an epoch in which it was a novelty to write about drug-addled losers. The book travels from episode to episode while the druggies do outrageous things. Maybe I am getting too old for such nonsense.

Following the book fairly closely, the film is also like some otherworld travelog. But I was never bored (“OK, now what ?”). Still, think twice before you start this trip.

2000, French, Not Feel Good

Under The Sand (2000)

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From NetFlix:

A long-married Parisian couple (Charlotte Rampling and
Bruno Cremer) takes a vacation at the beach. But Rampling’s
life is suddenly thrown into turmoil when Cremer goes for a swim
and never returns. A penetrating character study into the nature
of denial, Under the Sand showcases Rampling at her very best in a
role that most comparable American actresses would kill for in
Hollywood.

The NetFlix review can be believed. This is a film for adults who want
to see adults act well. I highly recommend this film.

2000, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good For All

You Can Count On Me (2000)

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From NetFlix:

Small-town single mom Sammy Prescott (Laura Linney) is preoccupied
with raising her son Rudy (Rory Culkin), who’s become sullen — and
curious about his missing dad. Amid romantic and work troubles,
Sammy’s wayward brother Terry (Mark Ruffalo) appears, instantly
bonding with Rudy and instigating a perilous father-son reunion.
Director Kenneth Lonergan’s intimate, Oscar-nominated drama
won the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize.

MarkRuffalo does a great job. Ends with a scene that for me was
very sad. Nevertheless, a real feel-good.

2000, Violent

Memento (2000)

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From Netflix:

Suffering short-term memory loss after a head injury, Leonard
Shelby (Guy Pearce) embarks on a grim quest to find the lowlife
who murdered his wife. To carry out his plan, Shelby snaps
Polaroids of people and places, jotting down contextual notes
on the backs of the photos to aid in his search and jog his memory.
A gritty, complex thriller, Memento packs more knots than
a hangman’s noose.

When this violent movie came out, people would argue for
hours about what happened in the movie. It is not an easy
movie to understand, but if you like puzzles, this is a
(violent) movie for you.

Pay attention,

1001BeforeDie, 2000, Revenge, Underdogs win, Violent

Gladiator (2000)

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From NetFlix:

Oscar winner Russell Crowe is Maximus, whom Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) had picked to succeed him. But Marcus’s son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) snatches the throne, ordering Maximus dead. Instead, he’s enslaved and learns to be a skilled fighter. When the Coliseum opens for gladiator games, Maximus finally has the chance for revenge. Ridley Scott directs this vivid epic, winner of the Oscar and Golden Globe for best picture.

This film (recommended by “1001 Films to See Before You Die”) was the first film in which I ever saw Russell Crowe and every time I see him I think of this film. In fact the same is true for Joaquin Phoenix who makes a wonderful warped bad guy. By its nature this epic is violent. But just as important as the pomp and fighting is the human side of the story.

Interesting side fact: Oliver Reed (who plays Proximo) died during the filming and his remaining scenes were generated using a stand-in and computer-enhanced filmwork.