Grimm’s summer wrap-up

The summer was a letdown as far as the blockbusters were concerned (I hate Pearl Harbor more and more with each passing minute), but it did contain some major winners. Yes, stuff like Tomb Raider and Scary Movie 2 wreaked havoc on my soul, but groundbreakers like Moulin Rouge and Hedwig and the Angry Inch managed to stimulate.

In fact, I think some of the summer’s best flicks will weather the fall and holiday season and make it to the hallowed Grimm Top 10, a place all aspiring filmmakers and actors strive to be (or at least, they should). While I am a man with a short temper and unrelenting cynicism, I possess a level of good taste that makes the gods jealous (I did applaud Jeepers Creepers, which simply appeals to the sick bastard that lurks within my fancy pants).

The summer’s best
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence: Spielberg astounds with the year’s most misunderstood and brilliant film thus far.

Moulin Rouge: An engaging musical experiment that made some dizzy, but made me jump up and shout, “Hell yeah!”

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: An acquired taste, the funniest movie of the summer, and one of the funniest films I have seen in years.

The Road Home: Zhang Ziyi got me all teary-eyed. A film of sumptuous beauty—so sumptuous, I wanted to spread frosting all over it and chow down.

Shrek: A technical masterpiece, wonderful inside jokes and fabulous usage of earwax.

The summer’s worst
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie scares me.

Scary Movie 2: American Pie 2 was hilarious in comparison. One of the sloppiest films you will ever see.

Swordfish: John Travolta is losing it.

Pearl Harbor: Some OK parts, but mostly legendary in its badness.

The Mummy Returns: I don’t care what the masses say … this movie blew!

Bob’s summer awards
Best actor: Haley Joel Osment (A.I.: Artificial Intelligence)

Best actress: Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge and The Others)

Worst actor: The intolerable Chris Tucker (Rush Hour 2)

Worst actress: Absolutely, without a doubt, Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider)

Biggest disappointment: The so-so Planet of the Apes

Guiltiest pleasure: The nightmarish Jeepers Creepers