2001: A Movie Odyssey

2001: A MOVIE ODYSSEY

Well how do we sum up the UK Box office for 2001, how about When Harry Met Frodo?

The year came and went but it was the winter releases that dominated the year, shifting supremacy from the summer season. The summer itself was a major disappointment, sequels and remakes that didn't really add much to their franchises (Jurassic Park III, Planet of the Apes and Rush Hour 2), big budget disasters (Pearl Harbor, Final Fantasy and Tomb Raider) but there was one little diamond in the ruff (Shrek). It was the winter season that saw the most anticipated movies in many years take a strangle hold on the world's box office charts. Both Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring came in like movie juggernauts, running over every other film in their collective paths.

So what were my favourite movies of 2001 and which was the biggest turkey? Here is my top ten…

10. TIGERLAND

Starring a relatively unknown cast and most surprisingly of all it came from same man who ruined the Batman franchise, Joel Schumacher. A gripping military drama that showed what the trainee US troops were feeling at the end of the Vietnam War. (Read the Review)

9. THIRTEEN DAYS

What a really big shock, a good movie starring Kevin Costner. Set against the Cuban Missile Crisis and based upon recently released secret CIA recording in the White House, this is an enthralling drama that shows you how close we came to World War III. (Read the Review)

8. THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE

The annual gift from the Coen Brothers didn't disappoint. A splendid understated performance from Billy Bob Thornton made this homage to classic 50s film noir an instant classic. (Read the Review)

7. MOULIN ROUGE

Nichole Kidman and Ewan McGregor electrified the screen in Baz Luhrmann's reinvention of the musical. Fusing together modern music with a late 19th century setting this is the most unique movie you will see in a very long time. (Read the Review)

6. ALMOST FAMOUS

Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical look at his own childhood, growing up as the youngest ever reporter for Rolling Stone magazine. Brilliantly capturing the feel of the early 70s, this is a feel good movie that grabs hold of you and never lets go. (Read the Review)

5. AMELIE

This move is an absolute joy to watch, as you are sucked into the world of Amelie. Brilliantly played by the beautiful newcomer Audrey Tautou and shot in an inimitable style by director Jean Pierre Jeunet, this movie is an absolute gem and a sure-fire winner for Best Foreign Movie at the Oscars. (Read the Review)

4. HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE

The ultimate kids books becomes the quintessential children's movie. Combining magic, action and great characters it took the world by storm and will do for the next seven movies. (Read the Review)

3. SHREK

Jeffrey Katzenberg gets his own back on his old employers Disney by taking the mickey out of the fairy tales. Amazing computer graphics combine with brilliantly developed story and characters, setting the stand for future animated movies. (Read the Review)

2. CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

Director Ang Lee recreates the mythical Chinese legends of Wudan Warriors and sets a new standard for the Martial Arts movie. Powerful and touching, the story and performances of the cast draw you in with amazement and wonder. (Read the Review)

1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

This is the best big budget, pre-hyped movie to come along in many a year. After so many let downs this is a movie that delivers on all of its promises. Never has a movie shown temptation, tolerance, good and pure evil to such a degree and this is only the first part of the Trilogy. The first true must see movie of the new millennium. (Read the Review)

Along with all these ten great movies there were bound to be some complete turkeys in 2001. After having to watch the totally ridiculous Pearl Harbor, the missed opportunity that was Tomb Raider and witnessing the death of the spoof/gross-out movie with Scary Movie 2 and Say it isn't So, only one movie remains in my mind as pure cinematic torture…

TURKEY OF THE YEAR = BLESS THE CHILD

This movie is so bad that I wouldn't make my worst enemy watch it, as I'd be bought up on charges of war crimes. I can't even bare to discuss it any further. (Read the Review)

So there you have it, the best and the worst of 2001. A disappointing year on the whole, but saving by the two end of year movies that took the world by storm and the best thing is it will be same next year. But what do we have to look forward to in 2002. Here are my tips for next year's big movies…

STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES

The next instalment of the prequel trilogy promises to be a lot darker than the Phantom Menace. Expect lightsaber battles galore and a shock ending that will top The Empire Strikes Back. (Read the latest news)

SPIDERMAN

At last, your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman swings onto the big screen and it is looking extremely good.(Read the latest news)

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

The next adventure is already filming and the anticipation is already growing. With all of the key cast members returning and a few new characters thrown in to the caldron, this will be another monster winter hit.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

Having the wait a full year to find out what happens to Frodo and the rest of the fellowship is going to be pure torture, but at least its not three years like we do with the Star Wars movies.

Along with these big four we have Men in Black II (Read the latest news), Ocean's 11 (Read the latest news), Minority Report (Read the latest news),The Time Machine, Ausin Powers: Goldmember (Read the latest news), Star Trek: Nemesis (Read the latest news), Bond 20, Monster Inc (Read the latest news),Signs (Read the latest news) and many others.