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When director Kevin Smith appeared on CNN as part of their 2002 Year in Review special, he listed his least favorite movies of the year. In particular, he made a revealing social commentary when he brought up the success of "Jackass: The Movie":

" It just goes to show you that you can never go broke underestimating the intelligence or the taste of the American public."

That so poignantly and truthfully said, here is my list of some of the best foreign films and anti-hollywood films made over the past twenty years or so:

1) The Ice Storm- Ang Lee's social commentary about the swinging 70's and isolation is a masterpiece. Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver are excellent, and the kids (Elijah Wood, Tobey Macguire, and Christina Ricci) hold their own. And just hearing the word "existential" come out of Katie Holme's lips is, well... delicious.

2) Amelie (French)- all romantic comedies should be as charming as this movie. A classic.

3) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Cantonese)- The fact that this masterpiece didn't win an Academy Award for Best Picture says a lot about racism in Hollywood. To epic in scope to describe, if you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for?!

4) Chocolat- a little gem about a woman and her chocolate shop in a little French town. As always, Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp are fantastic.

5) Das Boot (German)- one of the greatest WWII movies, if not THE greatest, of all time. Hollywood ripped it off years later with the very good U571.

6) The Virgin Suicides- hands down, one of my favorite movies of all time. The girls play their parts to perfection in this haunting film directed by Sofia Coppola. Based on the book of the same title by Jeffrey Eugenides.

7) Malena (Italian)- A beautiful coming-of-age story about a boy who falls in love with the most beautiful woman in their little town in Sicily. The scene where Malena's lawyer gives his rebuttal is a must-see. Set during WWII when Mussolini's fascist regime ruled.

8) Scent of a Woman- Al Pacino. enough said.

9) South Station (Portuguese)- beautifully picturesque, a story of a woman who journeys across Brazil to reunite a young boy with his father.

10) Y Tu Mama Tambien (Spanish)- gorgeous, sexy, and ...sexy.

honourable mention: Jeepers Creepers- this underappreciated horror film is one of the best horror films ever made. And looking at the lovely Gina Philips for ninety minutes doesn't hurt it's cause, either.

© 2003 Aaron Bayley