You know I had to shove this in somewhere.

This is the Citizen Kane of Idahoan teenager movies. The success is not a result of great film making. It is due to a great performance. For better or for worse, Jon Heder created an iconic figure out of the unpleasant nerd.

More of a cultural bauble than a film of note, it is still a fun watch. If you enjoy goofiness, or just plain ol' awkward interactions, this is the film for you.







This film follows Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric) who paralyized following a stroke. Bauby is completely paralyzed with the exception of his eyes. He copes with his debilitation and finds a way to still experience life. With the help of his physical therapist, Bauby writes a book, the one from which the film is based.

A majority of the film is shown from his point-of-view, meaning from a bed, us seeing through his blinking solitary eye. This may seem gimmicky, but it turns out to be a striking dramatic tool. Director Julian Schnabel (Before Night Falls) makes a brilliant choice by putting the audience in the hospital bed, with blurry vision, people swooping in from all directions. This choice has a solid dramatic punch. When Bauby loses one of his eyes to infection, literally cutting his functioning body by 50%, it is sewn up by a dismissive doctor. Schnabel puts the audience behind Bauby's eyelid as the final seconds of sight from that eye is taken from him as he pleads for mercy. In addition, we are kept from seeing Bauby until he himself has a chance to view his own face in a distorted reflection. This slow reveal heightens Bauby’s terror and fully shows the man’s circumstance. High credit goes to Schnabel for working Bauby's peril to full dramatic effect.

While not perfect, this film does have its points. Amalric's performance is strong and Schnabel's direction is worthy of respect. If you are into dramatic works and don't require huge explosions and fire, this may be a good pick.




If for no other reason, this film is a must-see based purely on Larry Miller's performance as police negotiator Max Berman. He is the embodiment of the old adage "There are no small roles".

Christopher Guest brought together an ensemble of comedians to create the improvisation classic Waiting for Guffman. This film, the follow-up, had very big shoes to fill. Instead of the petty issues surrounding a small town, community theater production, this film presents the odd world of dog competitions.

Guest's quirky humor is on full display and the world of dog competitions turns out to have rich material for the actors. Unlike Waiting for Guffman, this film is a little more self-aware and doesn't have the sense of verisimilitude. This distance is fine, given that the film is loaded with great jokes and character arcs. Look for lively performances by John Michael Higgins, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch and Fred Willard (who is always great).

Cautions: Strong language, sexual situations




The Blind Side tells the true story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless black teen who Applies to a private school. He is accepted thanks to the school’s football coach campaigning on his behalf. Michael attends the school but remains homeless, friendless and still suffering from his miserable childhood in the projects.

One evening, Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and Sean Tuohy (Tim McGraw) see the teen walking in the rain. Leigh Anne, a very commanding woman, makes the choice to not only invite the stranger into their car, but also into their home.

Michael finds safety and love in the Tuohy’s home. Through their efforts and sacrifice, Michael discovers his athletic gifts and develops his scholarly abilities as well. Michael graduates from school and is swarmed by colleges hoping to get him on their teams.

This is a simple movie but that is its draw. This doesn't intend to be art and its not shooting for any haughty position. It is a movie for the common folk. It uses some cinematic license at times and the production isn't exceptional in its look. It is the film's powerful story and the challenge it puts in front of the audience which makes this a great movie. It challenges the audience to not only improve their lives but to improve the lives of those around them. The production promotes all that is good in us. In an age of torture-porn and filth-laden Hollywood blockbusters this film is an absolute must see.

Labels: list, miscellaneous, The Top 50 Movies of the 2000's