Movie Ratings for 2000

The top films are ordered by preference, all else is ordered alphabetically. Eligibility is determined by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' standards for films released in 2003 (http://www.oscars.org/73academyawards/rules/rule03.html) and limited to movies that I have seen during their premiere release in a first-run theater. I have taken to using Roger Ebert's system of dividing movie ratings into 9 categories, ranging from zero to four and incremented by one-half, with the distinction of naming each category and providing a suggestion of its importance.

4.0- The Best (See it as soon as possible. When the theater empties, go home and order the DVD.)

Memento
American Psycho
The Princess and the Warrior (Der Krieger und die Kaiserin)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wo Hu Cang Long)
Amores Perros
In the Mood for Love (Fa Yeung Nin Wa)
Requiem for a Dream

3.5- Great (See it in theaters and buy the DVD.)

Best In Show
Snatch
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Gladiator
Ghost World

3.0- Very Good (See it and buy the DVD if on sale or available in a good edition.)

High Fidelity
Rules of Engagement
Traffic
The Way of the Gun

2.5- Good (It is worth seeing more than once. Accept the DVD if it's given as a gift.)

Cast Away
Final Destination
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Remember the Titans
Scary Movie
U-571

2.0- Mediocre (See it if the opportunity arises. Accept the DVD as a gift, but don't give a gift in return.)

Finding Forrester
Me, Myself & Irene
The Patriot
The Skulls

1.5- Not Bad (It isn't a priority, wait for a wide video release. Politely decline any offers to receive the DVD.)

Gone in 60 Seconds
Mission: Impossible II
Shaft

1.0- Bad (See it on a rainy day, and only after exhausting any of the above choices. Avoid the DVD.)

The Legend of Bagger Vance
Road Trip

0.5- Terrible (Seeing it is a mistake. Go to video stores and laugh at those who purchase the DVD.)

Unbreakable

0.0- Poison (It will cause temporary loss of brain function, similar to a mild concussion. Nobody will release it on DVD, just ignore it if they do.)

Big Momma's House