The Best Costumes of 2000

by Cláudio Alves

Before we say goodbye to 2000 and move forward to the next Smackdown year, 1946, I'd like to take a look at the Best Costume Design Oscar race. Take it as a digestif to our coverage. In any case, this specific lineup offers a remarkably comprehensive overview of some of the category's favorite elements and most glaring blind spots. As always, period work dominates, though there's also space for fantasy and contemporary narratives, intersections of fashion and costume, as well as a non-English-language movie. The nominees were… 

• Anthony Powell, 102 Dalmatians
• Rita Ryack, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Jacqueline West, Quills
• Janty Yates, Gladiator ★
• Tim Yip, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

First up, let's look at the period films and, more specifically, our victor.

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2000: The Top Ten Best Lines From "Erin Brockovich"

In preparation for the next Smackdown Team Experience is traveling back to 2000.

This is a place for legends only - (from left to right) Conchata Farrell, Julia Roberts, Albert Finney.

by Christopher James

The old saying “They don’t make them like they used to” is both tired and true. You won’t find another movie as quotable and inspiring as Erin Brockovich. Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 drama was the truest definition of a four-quadrant hit if there ever was one. Julia Roberts starred in the titular role as a blue-collar single mother who ends up taking on PG&E for poisoning the town of HInkley, California. Roberts deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar for her work in the movie, which perfectly uses her gifts as a movie star, rom-com Queen and dramatic actor.

Even more miraculous than the central performance is Susannah Grant’s incredible screenplay. It was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, losing to Almost Famous. Not only does she make a two hour plus procedural about water contamination feel riveting at every turn, she also makes it funny. Erin Brockovich is loaded with one liners that are guaranteed to make you laugh, cheer or cry. The movie works every one of your emotions, without every feeling manipulating or tonally inconsistent.  Relive the 10 best lines from the classic film after the jump...

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Showbiz History: Julia peaks, Channing rises, and Maddie swings from chandeliers

6 random things that happened on this day, March 17th, in Showbiz History. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

1941 The National Gallery of Art opened in DC eighty years ago today. 

1991 The 44th annual BAFTA Awards honoring the films of 1990 are held. Italy's Cinema Paradiso (which we were just discussing) is a huge hit winning 5 awards and Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas emerges triumphant with the top prize (Dances with Wolves, which will beat it at the Oscars a week later, isn't up for the BAFTAs until the following year, but it loses then to the homegrown title The Commitments)...

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Tweetweek

tweets curated by Nathaniel R for your momentary amusement...

A story that ends with a corpse on the floor is a tragedy. A story that begins with a corpse on the floor is a mystery. A story that begins with a floor on a corpse is The Wizard of Oz.

— Sandra Newman (@sannewman) July 27, 2020

I know its a weird year for movies and the Oscar will be a mess so I was thinking what if - and hear me out - what if - and I’m just spitballing here - but what if we gave Julia Roberts another Oscar for Erin Brokovich

— Chris Murphy (@christress) August 8, 2020

After the jump unexpected Love is a Many Splendored Thing, Young Girls of Rochefort, and Still Alice jokes, and great casting ideas for anything...

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Albert Finney (1936-2019)

by Nathaniel R

We had dreaded this day coming. Albert Finney has passed away at 82 years of age from a chest infection. He'd been battling health troubles for years, which is why the filmography abruptly ends at Skyfall (2012) but what a elegiac blockbuster of a swansong, yes? In recent years we'd repeatedly suggested him for an Honorary Oscar but the Academy rarely listens to our brilliant ideas. Instead he'll retain the sad distinction of being the second most-nominated male movie star never to have received a competitive OR honorary Oscar behind only Richard Burton (Character actor Arthur Kennedy was also nominated 5 times without a win, mostly in supporting, but he wasn't a headliner like Finney). But, as we've often said, awards aren't everything and cinematic legacy is far more crucial. And that, Albert Finney has. He will live on given that impressive filmography filled with rich performances.

Finney wasn't born to a family in showbusiness but was in the right place at the right time to capitalize on the 'angry young man' and kitchen sink era of British filmmaking -- he reportedly disliked "snobbery" enough to turn down the British Knighthood the year of Erin Brockovich (2000). Despite humble origins he was a quick success as an actor landing his first professional gigs on stage and TV by the age of 19. At the age of 24 he was an immediate movie star... 

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