1. Bowling For Columbine
(Directed by Michael Moore)
Because I saw it in New York, the day after Jam Master Jay was shot. Because right-wingers are always bullies and it's about time us lefties had one of our own. Because Charlton Heston is a very bad man. Because in Toronto we don't lock our doors (well, we do, actually). Because Michael Moore's theory of trickle-down brutality from U.S. "police actions" resounds more today than it did when he was making the film. Because it made me laugh and it made me cry, and I'm not even being sarcastic. Joshua Ostroff
2. Punch-Drunk Love
(Directed by P.T. Anderson)
Paul Thomas Anderson drops a Hollywood façade in front of a David Lynch world. Sure it looks like a romantic comedy lonely big star (Adam Sandler) meets a beautiful woman (Emily Watson) and together they overcome a series of obstacles to find love. But despite its familiarity, Punch-Drunk Love ducks and weaves through unexpected pylons in ways that keep it remarkably fresh. Anderson is visionary, Sandler is Oscar-worthy, and PTD's answers aren't easy and many of its conflicts go unresolved, making it a refreshing take on familiar territory. James Keast
3. Insomnia
(Directed by Christopher Nolan)
Not quite the time-bending mind-fuck of his previous film, Nolan's follow-up to the acclaimed reverse whodunnit Memento is no less engrossing. Al Pacino is sleepless in Alaska as a big city detective in pursuit of an elusive and reclusive novelist (Robin Williams), the prime suspect in the murder of a local high school student. With near-flawless performances from Pacino and Williams (almost as good here as in One Hour Photo) and a gripping, underlying intensity, Nolan turns what could have been a routine cop procedural into one of the best psychological thrillers in years. Stuart Green
4. Y Tu Mama Tambien
(Directed by Alfonso Cuarón)
This Mexican film (translated: And Your Mother Too) beautifully captures so many things. Teen boys growing into maturity yet still holding on to their goofy youthfulness. The ability of a woman to completely let go and discover herself. The pure joy that can be found inside a rundown old car. The serene, tranquil countryside of Mexico. And most of all, the magic of fate. The result is an energetic, smart and sexy film that reminds us that life is for living. Amber Authier
5. Fubar
(Directed by Michael Dowse)
Drunks are funny. Drunk mulletheads, even funnier. Drunk mulletheads head-banging to Thor and smashing chairs over each other's heads during miserable camping trips, well now, that's a silver bullet formula for a perfect night of entertainment. Add in a juxtaposing plot of potential death by cancer, treated in the utmost politically-incorrect fashion, and Terry and Dean come out this year's underground celluloid heroes. My favourite scene? Terry, piss-loaded and bleeding after a night of anarchy, sitting on a diner barstool and trying as seriously as possible to explain something of, apparently, utmost importance. It's a fine moment of Canadian improv on par with some of SCTV's best. Carla Gillis
(Directed by Michael Moore)
Because I saw it in New York, the day after Jam Master Jay was shot. Because right-wingers are always bullies and it's about time us lefties had one of our own. Because Charlton Heston is a very bad man. Because in Toronto we don't lock our doors (well, we do, actually). Because Michael Moore's theory of trickle-down brutality from U.S. "police actions" resounds more today than it did when he was making the film. Because it made me laugh and it made me cry, and I'm not even being sarcastic. Joshua Ostroff
2. Punch-Drunk Love
(Directed by P.T. Anderson)
Paul Thomas Anderson drops a Hollywood façade in front of a David Lynch world. Sure it looks like a romantic comedy lonely big star (Adam Sandler) meets a beautiful woman (Emily Watson) and together they overcome a series of obstacles to find love. But despite its familiarity, Punch-Drunk Love ducks and weaves through unexpected pylons in ways that keep it remarkably fresh. Anderson is visionary, Sandler is Oscar-worthy, and PTD's answers aren't easy and many of its conflicts go unresolved, making it a refreshing take on familiar territory. James Keast
3. Insomnia
(Directed by Christopher Nolan)
Not quite the time-bending mind-fuck of his previous film, Nolan's follow-up to the acclaimed reverse whodunnit Memento is no less engrossing. Al Pacino is sleepless in Alaska as a big city detective in pursuit of an elusive and reclusive novelist (Robin Williams), the prime suspect in the murder of a local high school student. With near-flawless performances from Pacino and Williams (almost as good here as in One Hour Photo) and a gripping, underlying intensity, Nolan turns what could have been a routine cop procedural into one of the best psychological thrillers in years. Stuart Green
4. Y Tu Mama Tambien
(Directed by Alfonso Cuarón)
This Mexican film (translated: And Your Mother Too) beautifully captures so many things. Teen boys growing into maturity yet still holding on to their goofy youthfulness. The ability of a woman to completely let go and discover herself. The pure joy that can be found inside a rundown old car. The serene, tranquil countryside of Mexico. And most of all, the magic of fate. The result is an energetic, smart and sexy film that reminds us that life is for living. Amber Authier
5. Fubar
(Directed by Michael Dowse)
Drunks are funny. Drunk mulletheads, even funnier. Drunk mulletheads head-banging to Thor and smashing chairs over each other's heads during miserable camping trips, well now, that's a silver bullet formula for a perfect night of entertainment. Add in a juxtaposing plot of potential death by cancer, treated in the utmost politically-incorrect fashion, and Terry and Dean come out this year's underground celluloid heroes. My favourite scene? Terry, piss-loaded and bleeding after a night of anarchy, sitting on a diner barstool and trying as seriously as possible to explain something of, apparently, utmost importance. It's a fine moment of Canadian improv on par with some of SCTV's best. Carla Gillis