Once Upon a Time, In a Far Away Land...

It really is a shame that James Cameron made "Titanic". That 1997 epic---a solid, intermittently entertaining film that is among the most painfully overrated films of all-time---won eleven Oscars and brought Cameron instant fame. After "Titanic", James Cameron had already achieved rock star status, and he would never again catch the movie world by surprise. Too bad, because if he made "Avatar" as a novel director, we would be hailing him as a breakthrough talent, a true visionary with a bright future. Here is a film that is far more visually enchanting and emotionally satisfying than "Titanic", a movie that holds you in its grip with its visceral wonder.

I will waste very little time describing the plot, which shares several similarities to "Star Wars". Like George Lucas' classic, "Avatar" is an old-fashioned morality tale set on a land far far away, told through the use of first-rate technology. I am generally weary of films that make heavy use of CGI, but it is impossible to not be blown away by Cameron's technical wizardry. Cameron creates a stunningly beautiful world, a world filled with spectacular, colorful images.

The amazing special effects are not this film's only redeeming quality. "Avatar" is also aided by the strength of the two leads. Sam Worthington has an engaging screen personality, an actor who easily conveys emotion whether through live-action scenes or motion capture. The same can be said for Zoe Saldana, whose performance exists solely in the motion capture realm. Being confined to motion capture can be a constraining thing for an actor, but Saldana gives a moving, complex performance.

'Avatar" is not without its flaws. The screenplay by Cameron occasionally sinks to the level of sappy cliche, and with a bloated running time that approaches three hours, "Avatar" is about 30 minutes too long. Still, this movie is well-worth seeing, a splendid blockbuster that also serves as a gorgeous painting.

A Divided Nation Unites Over Rugby

"Invictus", the latest film from the great Clint Eastwood, seems to have all the trappings of just another formulaic sports picture. After all, this film tells the story of the plucky underdog who prevails against all odds, achieving greatness in dramatic, last-second fashion in the championship game. Thus, this film should have been nothing more than a bland, conventional exercise. In the hands of Eastwood, however, "Invictus" is something much more than that. On the surface, this movie is about the improbable championship season of the South Africa Springbok rugby team. More importantly, however, "Invictus" is an uncommonly moving film about racial reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.

"Invictus" focuses on the South Africa Springbok rugby team in post-apartheid South Africa. The green and gold colors of the Springbok, and their predominantly white roster, made them a symbol of the hated apartheid system. When Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994, he was receiving intense pressure by the black South African community to ban the colors of the Springbok. Mandela, aware that he was making an unpopular decision, ignored this populist discontent and instead threw his complete support behind the Springbok rugby team. Mandela, who spent twenty-seven years as a prisoner due to his anti-apartheid protestations, expressed an incredible willingness to forgive the people who put him in prison in the first place. Mandela argued that racial reconciliation was far more important than petty revenge, and he felt strongly that a victory for the Springbok in the World Cup would unite and lift the spirits of a divided nation. He formed a special relationship with the captain of the Springbok, Francois Pienaar, who became inspired by Mandela's support. Buoyed by Mandela's unwavering support, the Springbok went on to win the World Cup, a small but undeniably significant step toward racial healing in South Africa.

This story could have easily turned into a sappy, sanitized misfire, but Eastwood handles the material with effortless grace. "Invictus" occasionally veers into the realm of sports movie formula in its final act, but for the most part Eastwood tells the story in a surprisingly moving and novel fashion. He is helped in large part by the strength of the two leads, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. The great Morgan Freeman gives another brilliant performance as Nelson Mandela, the role he was born to play. Freeman utters Mandela's words with such poetic beauty that he elevates the film's sometimes preachy dialogue. Freeman deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance. Matt Damon is also terrific as Francois Pienaar, convincing as a man who feels he owes it to his country to win the World Cup.

"Invictus" is a rousing crowd pleaser, one of the most inspirational films of the year. Most of all, "Invictus" is a tribute to the heroism and courage of Nelson Mandela, a man who risked his own reputation for the betterment of his nation.

The Thirty Best Films of the Decade

The decade is winding to a close, and it is time to reflect on what was a splendid decade in the world of cinema. The 2000's was a decade for the greats, as cinematic legends Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, and Steven Spielberg all made multiple masterpieces. With no further ado, here are my picks for the thirty best movies of the past decade, listed in reverse chronological order:









30. "The Good Shepherd" (2006)







Robert DeNiro's lengthy, spellbinding espionage thriller came and went in 2006, and it received a tepid response from critics. For my money, "The Good Shepherd" is one of the best espionage movies ever made. DeNiro works wonders with an all-star cast (Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, John Tuturro), and his direction is an exercise in noirish style. By the end of this 167-minute epic, I was exhilarated by this film's surprising emotional pull.







29. "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" (2007)







The great Sidney Lumet proved that he hasn't lost a step with this gritty, chronologically jumbled masterpiece about two down-on-their-luck brothers (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke) who plot the robbery of their parents' jewelry store, with tragic consequences. Hoffman and Hawke are brilliant in the lead roles, and Marisa Tomei is astounding. The fact that she did not receive an Oscar nomination for her performance is one of the biggest cinematic crimes of the last decade.







28. "Away From Her" (2006)







In lesser hands, the story of a husband struggling to cope with his wife's Alzheimer's could have turned into a shamelessly sentimental exercise. In the hands of writer-director Sarah Polley, this material made for one of the most emotionally authentic and heartbreaking films of the decade. Julie Christie earned an Oscar nomination for her beautiful work in this film, and Gordon Pinsent may have given the most underrated performance of the decade as Christie's husband. "Away From Her" never hits a false note, as each scene is handled with delicate grace.







27. "Bowling for Columbine" (2002)







I have greatly admired all of Michael Moore's work in this past decade ("Fahrenheit 9/11", "Sicko", "Capitalism: A Love Story"), but the one film that stands above them all is "Bowling for Columbine". Thirteen years after hitting the scene with "Roger & Me", Moore put his muckraking anger and bitter sarcasm to brilliant use in this caustic examination of the nature of guns and violence in the United States. Whether or not you agree with Moore's message is beside the point. The bottom line is that this is filmmaking at its' most polarizing, and that needs to be applauded.







26. "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (2007)







One of the most visually beautiful movies I have ever seen, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" marked the arrival of a new star in director Julian Schnabel. Schnabel brings the astonishing story of Jean-Dominique Bauby to vivid life, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is part of what has been a tremendous decade for French cinema.







25. "Vanilla Sky" (2001)







Cameron Crowe's criminally misunderstood 2001 film was ripped to shreds by critics. Granted, it features one of the most convoluted plots in recent memory. However, I was enthralled by every frame of this dizzying gem. Crow makes superb use of non-linear storytelling, and terrific performances are turned in by Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz.







24. "Catch Me If You Can" (2002)







If you don't have a blast watching Steven Spielberg's wildly entertaining "Catch Me if You Can", then you don't love the movies. The fascinating story of charming, ingenious con man Frank Abagnale, Jr. makes for richly satisfying cinema. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks have a fantastic rapport, and Christopher Walken is stunning as Abagnale's sincere, financially troubled father.







23. "Hotel Rwanda" (2004)







Terry George's chronicling of the Rwandan genocide deals with some painfully gut-wrenching history, but at the heart of this movie is the heroic, inspirational life story of Paul Rusesabagina. Rusesabagina is portrayed by Don Cheadle in a sensational piece of acting that is to this day Cheadle's finest performance, and that is saying something. Sophie Okonedo is also brilliant as Ruseabagina's wife.







22. "Dirty Pretty Things" (2002)







I walked into Stephen Frears' gritty, uncompromising tale of the lives of two London illegal immigrants completely unprepared for the emotional tour de force I was about to witness. "Dirty Pretty Things" introduced me to Chiwetel Ejiofor, an unbelievable actor who has consistently dazzled me in films such as "Children of Men", "Kinky Boots", "Melinda and Melinda", "Inside Man", and "American Gangster".







21. "A Beautiful Mind" (2001)







Ron Howard's 2001 Best Picture winner has come under fire in recent years for its' alleged laziness regarding its' historical accuracy toward mathematician John Nash. Speaking on purely cinematic terms, however, this is a masterpiece. Russell Crowe has given his fair share of excellent performances in the 2000s ("American Gangster", "Gladiator", "Master and Commander"), but his work in "A Beautiful Mind" tops them all. Ron Howard's film works on a myriad of levels, both a fascinating biopic and an involving thriller.







20. "Ray" (2004)







Jamie Foxx gives the performance of a lifetime in "Ray", an electric, moving biopic of the late great Ray Charles. Foxx perfectly captures the spiritual essence of one of the greatest musician of all-time. However, Taylor Hackford's film is not just a one-trick pony. Hackford, working from the exemplary James L. White screenplay, crafts a movie that has a spirit and energy that is consistent with Ray Charles' life.







19. "La Vie en Rose" (2007)







Marion Cotillard knocked me out with her portrayal of the brilliant, deeply troubled Edith Piaf, a performance that earned Cotillard an Oscar. Like "Vanilla Sky"and "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead", "La Vie en Rose" uses non-linear storytelling to great effect. Along with "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and "Roman de Gare", "La Vie en Rose" is part of a dynamic decade of French cinema.







18. "Minority Report" (2002)







Steven Spielberg's mix of science fiction magic and character study realism is what makes this film so special. Tom Cruise is outstanding in the lead role, a performace that should have earned him some love from the Academy. When writing about "Minority Report", the great Roger Ebert put it best: "At a time when movies think they have to choose between action and ideas, Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report" is a triumph-----a film that works on our minds and our emotions." Amen to that.







17. "About Schmidt" (2002)







There is nothing more satisfying than watching a legend flash his greatness, and that is exactly what Jack Nicholson does in "About Schmidt". Nicholson's portrayal of an aging retiree who goes on a road trip after the death of his wife is absolutely stunning, a performance that ranks right up there with Nicholson's best work. As a whole, "About Schmidt" is an authentic, deeply moving film that speaks to the difficulty of finding solace in life.







16. "Juno" (2007)







It's a rare feat when a movie makes you want to hug everybody inside the movie theater, but "Juno" had that effect on me, a testament to its' winning, heartwarming nature. Diablo Cody's debut screenplay is a snappy, smart, funny, and authentic miracle. And after watching Ellen Page's winning performance, I immediately fell in love with her. Can you tell how much I love "Juno"?







15. "Million Dollar Baby" (2004)





Clint Eastwood's poetic masterpiece about the triumph and tragedy of a female boxer could have easily resorted to sappy sentimentality, but in the masterful hands of Eastwood, this is a profoundly beautiful film. What makes this film so special is the relationship between Eastwood's aging trainer and Hilary Swank's plucky boxer. Eastwood gives one of his finest performances, Swank turns in the best work of her accomplished career, and the great Morgan Freeman is stellar in a supporting role that won him his first career Oscar.





14. "Match Point" (2005)





This was Woody Allen's best film in years, a sexy, mesmerizing tale of romance and murder. The backdrop of London gives this film an alluring look, and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Scarlett Johansson burn up the screen with sizzling chemistry. "Match Point" is one of Woody Allen's towering achievements, a film that belongs to be mentioned in the same breath as "Annie Hall", "Hannah and Her Sisters", and "Crimes and Misdemeanors".





13. "Once" (2007)





The term "movie magic" was created just for movies like "Once", movies that lift your spirit and fill your heart in ways that you can never expect. The plot of "Once"----the story of the relationship between two struggling musicians in Dublin----doesn't sound like the makings of anything revolutionary. But the sublime execution, from the gorgeous music to the irresistible charm of the two leads (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova), makes "Once" one of the most satisfying movies of the decade.





12. "Crash" (2005)





Many people found Paul Haggis' 2005 Best Picture winner to be a heavy-handed and manipulative film about race. I found "Crash" to be an honest, extraordinarily powerful masterpiece about the complicated state of race relations in the United States. Uncompromising but ultimately uplifting, "Crash" is a film that dares to ask challenging questions, a film that sparks fierce debate and conversation.





11. "Elephant" (2003)





Gus Van Sant's chronicling of a Columbine-like massacre at a Portland high school is one of the most unflinching movies ever made. This is a film of undeniable emotional power, as Van Sant takes us inside the lives of several kids who are about to be a part of a tragic school massacre. Van Sant chose to not use professional actors in this film, and that gives "Elephant" a more foreboding, authentic feel.





10. "Best in Show" (2000)





Of all of Christopher Guest's brilliant mockumentaries ("A Mighty Wind", "Waiting for Guffman, "For Your Consideration"), "Best in Show" is the one that best stands the test of time. This is one of the funniest movies ever made, a pitch-perfect satire on those silly dog show extravaganzas. An all-star cast of Chris Guest regulars, from Eugene Levy to Michael McKean to Jane Lynch to Larry Miller to Jennifer Coolidge to Catherine O'Hara to Fred Willard to Harry Shearer, all deliver huge laughs. "Best in Show" is comic gold.





9. "Mystic River" (2003)





The first of three masterpieces from Clint Eastwood this past decade, "Mystic River" takes us on an exceptionally compelling journey into the lives of three longtime friends in Boston, who each struggle to cope with the aftermath of a tragic event. Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, "Mystic River" features beautifully subtle direction from Eastwood and sensational performances from Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon.

8. "Michael Clayton" (2007)

Simply put, this is a perfect film. Writer-director Tony Gilroy's screenplay is taut and intelligent, giving brilliant material to an all-star cast of George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton. Clooney is stunning in the lead role, and Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson are both spectacular. The late great Sidney Pollack also deserves mention, reminding us in this film that, in addition to being a first-rate director, Pollack was an invaluable character actor.

7. "Lost in Translation" (2003)

Writer-director Sophia Copolla crafted a movie miracle with this funny, honest, moving, beautifully rendered film. With all due respect to Sean Penn (who was indeed outstanding in "Mystic River"), Bill Murray deserved an Oscar for his tour de force as an aging commercial actor who finds solace and happiness in the form of Scarlett Johansson. Murray and Johansson have a perfect rapport, and the script from Coppola always feels authentic, steering clear of convention and formula at every turn.

6. "The Departed" (2006)

Martin Scorsese made the one of the best films of the 1970's in "Taxi Driver", the best film of the 1980's in "Raging Bull", and one of the best films of the 1990's in "GoodFellas". And with his 2006 gritty crime epic "The Departed", Scorsese has made one of the best films of the 2000's. Every frame of this film pulsates with a booming energy, and Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Anthony Anderson all turn in outstanding work.

5. "Snow Angels" (2006)

The vast majority of the American public probably have never heard of "Snow Angels", and that is a shame. David Gordon Green's masterpiece is essential viewing for any movie buff. "Snow Angels" deals with the subject of suburban tragedy, but due to the grace and beauty of the performances, writing, and direction, this film will inspire rather than sadden. Kate Beckinsale has never been better, and Sam Rockwell shows why he is one of the world's most underrated actors. If you are reading this right now, and you haven't yet seen "Snow Angels", turn off the computer and go to Blockbuster. This is a must-see.

4. "Letters from Iwo Jima" (2006)

As much as I love "Mystic River" and "Million Dollar Baby", "Letters from Iwo Jima" is Clint Eastwood's magnum opus. What separates "Letters" from other WWII movies is that it tells the story from the Japanese perspective. Eastwood knows better than to politicize this material, focusing rather on the lives of decent, honest men, fighting a war not by choice, coping with the same stress and tragedy that all American soldiers face. The acting, most notably, from Ken Watanabe, is exceptional, and the stark cinematography is powerful, reflecting the grim, barren nature of war.

3. "City of God" (2003)

One of the most exhilarating movies ever made, "City of God" takes us on a wildly entertaining sprint through the crime-ridden streets of Brazil. Fernando Meirelles' masterpiece never stops to take a breath, leaving the viewer exhausted and most off all, mesmerized at filmmaking at its finest.

2. "In America" (2003)

When I wandered into the theater with my parents at the innocent age of 13, I had no idea what to expect. I was about to see Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical story of an Irish immigrant family struggling to make ends meet in New York; I knew nothing about the film; I had no expectations. 105 minutes later, I emerged from this incredibly powerful and uplifting film with a newfound love for cinema. Sheridan's writing and directing is pure and honest, and the actors portraying the family (Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger) create one of the most heartwarming family relatuionships ever put on screen. Djimon Houndsou is also brilliant, in a performance that earned him an Oscar nomination.

1. "The Wrestler" (2008)

"The Wrestler" is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen, and I say that without the slightest bit of hyperbole. I truly love this film. Darren Aronofsky's film about a down-and-out professional wrestler trying to repair his life never hits a false note. Mickey Rourke gives an amazing, flawless performance that, for my money, is the performance of the decade. Marisa Tomei, meanwhile, gives one hell of a courageous performance. Together, Rourke and Tomei give a clinic in how to act. This is the best film of the decade.