2005 Calvins: Best Overlooked Film
By Kim Hollis
February 17, 2005
With the incredible number of movies that are released in a calendar year, there are bound to be a few that get missed by the general public. Whether they're limited in release, poorly marketed or simply off the beaten path, there are always a number of hidden gems that most people simply don't have the opportunity to see. This Calvins category honors these films with an eye toward giving them a bit of the attention they so richly deserve. To qualify, a film was required to have a total domestic box office figure of no more than $25 million by the time our voting was at a close.
Topping our list was a British film that did manage to find a small audience upon its release in the States. A number of BOP staffers had already discovered the brilliance of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg thanks to their BBC series Spaced, but Shaun of the Dead gave the writing duo an opportunity to present their offbeat sense of humor to an even wider fanbase. Both a zombie movie and a parody of those zombie movies, the film shows a complete understanding of what makes George Romero flicks work and is a marvelous send-up of the genre in general. The humo(u)r might be a bit too British for some viewers, but for those who are willing to roll with it, Shaun of the Dead is probably the funniest film of the year and certainly amongst the wittiest.
Our runner-up was the marvelous Before Sunset, Richard Linklater's little-seen sequel to another underappreciated little film known as Before Sunrise. Set nine years after the chance romantic meeting of a young man and woman on a train, Sunset allows the protagonists to revisit that bittersweet past. Like the first film, Before Sunset simply allows Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy to be in their element as intelligent, winning personalities with all kinds of theories on philosophy, politics and just life in general. It's a remarkably intelligent film and every bit as tender as its predecessor.
Hotel Rwanda is a movie that leaves indelible images burned in one's memory. Set during the Rwandan civil war between the Hutus and the Tutsis, the heart-rending tale centers on one man's efforts to aide those who were in need. Played with subtlety and dignity by Don Cheadle, it is not always an easy film to watch, but it is a story that deserves to be told.
On the subject of films that make you queasy and uncomfortable, Maria Full of Grace also has to be right up there. An import from Columbia, Maria tells the story of a young girl who attempts to make a living as a drug mule. Catalina Sandino Moreno gives one of the most memorable acting performances of the year in a role that would have been difficult even for a seasoned actor.
Zhang Yimou's House of Flying Daggers finished next on our list. Where the director's first North American release of the year, Hero, left the viewer with the impression that he or she had just seen a moving painting, House of Flying Daggers took sensory perception even further. Along with lush, gorgeous settings, colorful costumes, and amazing wuxia scenes, the experience was enhanced by very careful and canny use of sound and music. Every crackle of every leaf is emphasized, and it's important to the story that this be the case.
Barely missing the top five is Primer, a darker look at the potential consequences of time travel. From first-time filmmaker Shane Carruth, the film demands multiple viewings and is a challenging technical thriller.
The next film on our list is the Buddhist allegory Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring. This beautiful movie follows the growth of a child into adulthood. While he sometimes veers from the proper path, he does ultimately find his destined place. We were particularly impressed by the performance of Yeong-su Oh as the Old Monk.
Saved! looks at a different element of religion. While skewering fundamentalism can be tricky in the current political climate, this film from Brian Dannelly boldly sets its story amongst fanatical teenagers who attend a Christian school. It's a satire that pulls very few punches and we admired its spirit.
Closing out our top ten in this category are The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou and A Very Long Engagement. The Life Aquatic is a film that left our staff - and the general public - rather sharply divided. For those who enjoy Wes Anderson's work for its close attention to detail, The Life Aquatic is a masterpiece. It's almost "in your face" in its willingness to be unique. A Very Long Engagement falls on a somewhat similar plane, as director Jean-Pierre Jeunet deals in specifics almost as closely as Anderson. It's rare that a movie can be created that is both somber and whimsical in its examination of war. A Very Long Engagement certainly falls on the side of surrealism, and it's an engaging ride all the way through.
Overlooked films that we liked but just not quite enough to break into the top ten are The Corporation, Dogville, Infernal Affairs, Super Size Me and Goodbye, Lenin!
|
Top 10
|
| Position |
Film |
Total Points |
| 1 |
Shaun of the Dead |
55 |
| 2 |
Before Sunset |
50 |
| 3 |
Hotel Rwanda |
39 |
| 4 |
Maria Full of Grace |
37 |
| 5 |
House of Flying Daggers |
34 |
| 6 |
Primer |
33 |
| 7 |
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring |
28 |
| 8 |
Saved! |
27 |
| 9 |
The Life Acquatic with Steve Zissou |
23 |
| 10 |
A Very Long Engagement |
22 |
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