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THE ARROW'S TOP TEN OF 2001
This year we saw the end of the teen slasher trend and we moved on to more intelligent and ambitious horror...THANK GOD! 2001 was the year of the mindfuck flick and I welcomed it with open arms. It was rough but here are my BIG winners...
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1- The
Others
A throwback to old school horror with brilliant directing, subtle scares, intelligence, solid performances and many eerie moments. Finally...we get an excellent ghost film. |
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2- Memento
This mind rape flick hit me hard with its unorthodox structure, its captivating performances, its sad vibe and its gripping ending. |
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3- Mulholland
Drive
Lynch does it again with this engaging, surreal visual feast. It doesn't make much sense but it put me in a trance that I couldn't shake. Dug the steamy lesbian scenes too...hot stuff... |
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4- The Hole
(tie)
Not yet released in the States, this somber film will hook you with its topsy-turvy plot turns, a delicious performance by Thora Birch and its exploration of the evil that resides in man's (or woman's) heart. Solid. |
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4- Skeletons
in the Closet (tie)
This powerful dramatic thriller showcases strong performances by Treat Williams and Jonathan Jackson and is engrossing from frame 1 to the end. A gripping and beautifully shot piece of Cinema. |
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5- Session 9
Reminiscent of "The Shining", Session 9 plays with our mind and sure is one creepy son of Kubrick...this one gave me the brrrs big time! David Caruso makes a comeback...in my book anyways... |
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6- HORROR
Next to "Mulholland Drive", this flick has to be the most confusing (in a good way) mindfuck of the year. Solid directing, a novel structure and a chilling goat (yeah, you heard me) made this one a keeper. It scared the shite out of me! Thank you...I needed that... (When I saw this film it hadn't found distribution yet, but I'll keep you guys informed as to when it's coming out, when I find out.) |
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7- From Hell
Finally a good movie about Jack The
Ripper. We get another top notch performance by kooler-than-ice
Johnny Depp, some slicker than slick style and a slit throat for the
bloody books. This one is a visual nightmare. |
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8- Ginger
Snaps
The werewolf flick comes back with a vengeance! Developed
characters, strong visual effects, natural performances, a bleak
aura and the lack of the usual "teen flick" ingredients
made this one a downbeat, but gripping ride. |
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9- The Convent A throwback to the over-the-top movies of
the 80's, The Convent is a fun-filled gore fest that aims to please.
Remember when horror used to be fun? Mike Mendez sure does. This
one's a blast! |
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10- Ghost Of Mars
Horror master John Carpenter also remembers when horror used to be fun and he reminded it to us with this excessive, gore filled roller coaster ride. The master's still got the touch and the critics still don't get it. Fuck 'em in the ear! |
And what's your TOP 10 OF THE YEAR?
Honorable
Mention 1:
Joyride:
Props to this edge of your seat thriller for keeping me riveted to the
screen and thanks to Steve Zahn for entertaining me with his enjoyable
performance.
Honorable
Mention 2:
Jeepers
Creepers: The first half of this film was rock solid. It kind of lost
its edge in the second half, but overall this one still had enough to
please. The monster sub-genre is back!
Special
Mention:
Vanilla
Sky: I never got around to reviewing
this movie but I
couldn't live with myself if I didn't mention it. Solid visuals, great
performances (Cameron Diaz impressed me), a brilliant use of music and a
kickass ending made this one a confusing, yet engrossing, ride for me.
Now when is Diaz gonna do a slasher? COME ON!
Year's Best Visual Effects:
Faust: The film had
its faults but Screaming Mad George went all out with the special effects.
It was groovy to see the use of old school latex again. The inflatable woman alone made this one
memorable. I like seeing
creativity in effects and "Faust" delivered just that.
Corpse Of The
Year:
Children
Of The Living Dead is a clumsy, amateurish and booooring movie. What
a waste.
