Miramax (USA): 59

Jordan Brady’s film, Waking Up in Reno (2002), follows the journey of two couples, Lonnie Earl Dodd and his wife Darlene, and Roy and Candy Kirkendall. Lonnie is a car dealer from Little Rock who stars in his own humorous TV commercials. The four of them embark on a trip across the country to attend a monster truck rally. In preparation for the trip, Lonnie pulls out a new SUV from his car lot. Along the way, they make a stop at an Amarillo restaurant where Lonnie attempts to win a free dinner by consuming an enormous steak within an hour. While Darlene has always dreamt of seeing the Grand Canyon, her ...

The American biographical spy film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), follows the fictional life of Chuck Barris, who aspired to be a famous television personality. Initially rejected by the women he desires, he moves from Manhattan to become an NBC page, but is ultimately let go. He then becomes Dick Clark’s personal assistant on American Bandstand in 1961, where he writes the hit song ‘Palisades Park’ and becomes involved with Penny Pacino. Eventually, Chuck pitches his idea for The Dating Game at ABC and receives $7,500 to create a pilot. However, ABC ultimately chooses to produce Hootenanny instead. After being ousted from a bar for ...

Gangs of New York (2002) is an American historical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on Herbert Asbury’s book, The Gangs of New York. Set in the slum of Five Points in 1846, the story follows two rival gangs. The Anglo-Protestant Confederation of American Natives, led by William ‘Bill the Butcher’ Cutting, and the Irish Catholic Dead Rabbits, led by ‘Priest’ Vallon, engage in their final battle for control of the territory. After Bill kills Vallon and declares the Dead Rabbits outlaws, Vallon’s young son witnesses it all and is sent to an orphanage on Blackwell’s ...

John Madden directed Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001), a war film based on Louis de Bernières‘ 1994 novel of the same name. The Italian Army, accompanied by a few Germans, occupies Greece’s Ionian Islands and takes over the peaceful island of Cephalonia. The island’s inhabitants surrender quickly. Among the invaders is Captain Antonio Corelli of the Italian 33rd Acqui Infantry Division. He is known for his cheerful personality and love for playing the mandolin. Despite his troops never having fired a shot before, he teaches them to sing in ...

The Shipping News (2001), directed by Lasse Hallström, is a romantic drama based on the novel of the same name by E. Annie Proulx. As a child, Quoyle’s father Guy expected him to naturally swim when he was thrown into a lake. But the memories of nearly drowning still haunt Quoyle whenever he’s stressed. Now living in Poughkeepsie, New York and working as an ink setter for a small newspaper, Quoyle leads a solitary life. He falls for Petal, a lively woman from town whom he eventually marries. However, Petal turns out to be unfaithful and neglectful to their ...

Daddy and Them (2001), an American comedy-drama film, was written, directed, and starred in by Billy Bob Thornton. Filmed in 1998 following the success of Sling Blade, it was initially intended for theatrical release but was delayed by Miramax due to concerns over its commercial appeal. It finally premiered at the Newport International Film Festival on June 6, 2001 and was later shown on Showtime in January 2003 before being released on DVD on January 13, 2004 by Miramax. The Montgomerys, Ruby and Claude, are a couple who struggle with insecurity and jealousy due to their ...

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) is a satirical stoner comedy film that was written, co-edited, and directed by Kevin Smith and produced by Scott Mosier. After years of dealing drugs outside the strip mall where they work, Dante Hicks and Randal Graves have finally had enough of Jay and Silent Bob’s antics. In response to the duo spreading false rumors about them being married in a Star Wars themed ceremony, Dante and Randal obtain a restraining order, resulting in Jay and Silent Bob being prohibited from coming within 100 feet of the mall for one year. In ...

The Yards (2000), a film directed and written by James Gray and Matt Reeves respectively, follows Leo Handler as he celebrates his release from prison at his mother Val’s house in Queens, New York. At the surprise party, Leo reconnects with Willie Gutierrez, who thanks him for taking the fall for their group of friends. In need of employment to support his mother’s medical condition, Leo considers working for Erica Soltz’s stepfather, Frank Olchin, at the Electric Rail Corporation in Maspeth. During a meeting with Frank the next day, he offers to fund ...

Bounce (2000) is an American romantic drama film starring Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Don Roos. In Chicago’s O’Hare airport, advertising executive Buddy Amaral finds himself delayed by a snow storm on his return flight to Los Angeles. Coincidentally, it happens to be the same airline that Buddy just signed as a big client. During this time, he crosses paths with writer Greg Janello. When boarding for his flight eventually begins, Buddy selflessly gives his ticket to Greg so that he can make it ...

All the Pretty Horses (2000), directed and produced by Billy Bob Thornton, is an American Western film based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel of the same name. After his family’s ranch is sold in 1949, cowboy John Grady Cole becomes homeless and implores his friend Lacey Rawlins to join him on a journey to Mexico for work. Along the way, they befriend a strange boy named Jimmy Blevins before parting ways. In their travels, they meet Alejandra Villarreal, an aristocrat’s daughter who captures Cole’s heart. The two become hired hands for Alejandra’s pleased father, but her wealthy aunt disapproves ...

Clerks: The Animated Series (2000–2001) is an American adult animated sitcom created by Kevin Smith for ABC. It is based on Smith’s 1994 comedy film of the same name, and was developed for television by Smith, his producing partner Scott Mosier, and former Seinfeld writer David Mandel. The show features character designs by Stephen Silver, known for his work on ...

Chocolat (2000) tells the story of a young woman named Vianne and her daughter Anouk, as they travel through Europe, guided by the same north wind that led Vianne’s mother years before. In 1959, they settle in a tranquil French village where the strict mayor, Comte de Reynaud, is gearing up for Lent. Despite not being accepted by the villagers, Vianne opens a chocolate shop and slowly starts to win over some of the locals. However, Reynaud, who is still in denial about his wife leaving him, publicly denounces Vianne for tempting people during Lent. One of her early supporters is her elderly landlady Armande, whose daughter Caroline refuses to let her see her ...

Scream 3 (2000), an American slasher film, was directed by Wes Craven and written by Ehren Kruger. In the movie, Cotton Weary, now the host of a successful talk show, receives a call from the newest Ghostface killer, who demands to know where Sidney Prescott is. Despite being threatened, Cotton refuses to reveal any information. However, this only angers Ghostface who then breaks into Cotton’s home and attacks his girlfriend Christine. Upon hearing of this attack, Cotton rushes home but tragically arrives too late as Ghostface has already killed Christine and then ...

The film adaptation of John Irving’s 1985 novel, The Cider House Rules (1999), was directed by Lasse Hallström and follows the life of Homer Wells at St. Cloud’s orphanage in Maine. Under the guidance of Dr. Wilbur Larch, a kindly father figure, Homer grows up surrounded by love and respect. Despite being returned to St. Cloud’s twice by foster parents, who either found him too quiet or mistreated him, Homer finds solace in his extended family at the orphanage. With older children like Buster looking after the younger ones, including Fuzzy Stone who was ...

The American psychological thriller film, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), was written and directed by Anthony Minghella. It is based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel of the same name, and tells the story of Tom Ripley, a man who is approached by shipbuilding magnate Herbert Greenleaf in 1958 New York City. Greenleaf believes that Ripley attended Princeton with his son Dickie and offers him one thousand dollars to travel to Italy and convince Dickie to return to the United States. While on a luxurious ocean liner, Ripley assumes the identity of Dickie and forms ...

She’s All That (1999), an American teen romantic comedy film directed by Robert Iscove, follows the story of Zack Siler, the popular guy at his Southern California high school. He is heartbroken after finding out his girlfriend, Taylor, has cheated on him with reality TV star Brock during spring break. Zack finds comfort in the idea that Taylor can easily be replaced by any girl at their school. His friend Dean disagrees and challenges him to turn any random girl into the prom queen in six weeks. Dean chooses Laney Boggs, an unpopular art student, for this bet. ...

Velvet Goldmine (1998), a musical drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes from a story by Haynes and James Lyons, follows British journalist Arthur Stuart as he delves into the mysterious withdrawal of 1970s glam rock icon Brian Slade. Stuart interviews those involved in Slade’s career, each recalling their experiences which become a vignette for that particular segment of Slade’s life. Along with exploring the vibrant rock shows, fashion, and journalism of 1970s Britain, the film also touches on ...

Playing by Heart (1998) is a comedic-drama film that follows the lives of various characters in Los Angeles. These include an older couple renewing their wedding vows, a theatre director and architect starting anew, a young woman seeking excitement, a gay man with AIDS and his distant mother, an unfaithful couple trying to reignite their marriage, and the husband exploring ways to overcome its dullness. As the plot unfolds, the audience discovers the interconnectedness between these seemingly unrelated individuals. Unhappily wedded Hugh frequently pursues women using a variety of falsehoods: claiming he caused the death of his wife and child in a car accident; stating ...

M. Night Shyamalan wrote and directed Wide Awake (1998), a comedy-drama film produced by Cathy Konrad and Cary Woods. Following the loss of his beloved grandfather, ten-year-old Joshua A. Beal takes it upon himself to search for answers about life and death during fifth grade. Josh is a student at Waldron Mercy Academy, a private Catholic boys’ school in Philadelphia, where he notices that boys in uniform rarely smile. His mischievous best friend Dave often skips class. Being small for his age leads to being bullied, ...

The romantic comedy film, Shakespeare in Love (1998), was directed by John Madden. Set in London during 1593, it follows the story of William Shakespeare as he struggles with writer’s block while working for Philip Henslowe, owner of The Rose Theatre and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. In an attempt to sell his new comedy, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter, to rival theatre owner Richard Burbage, Shakespeare tries to seduce Rosaline, Burbage’s mistress. He also seeks advice from fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe. However, his plans are complicated when he discovers Rosaline is involved with ...