On Sunday I took some UI kids to see Avatar 3D at the Webster Theatre in Lincoln Park. Surprisingly, Vontrell slept through the first half and Isaiah feigned boredom until about halfway through the two and a half hour movie. Fortunately the key battle scene had everyone awake at the end.

Intrigued by the nap time during what to me was a captivating picture (not to mention the most expensive film ever made) I asked them what other movies they looked forward to seeing and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel was the unanimous choice (not kidding).

For me, the Avatar story line played a bit too close to Dances with Wolves (apparently South Park spoofed this but I came to this conclusion on my own), yet I cannot deny the incredible use of 3D and special effects. I don’t recall the last movie I saw in 3D but it’s safe to say it’s been five years at least. The technology has really come a LONG way and getting rid of the blue and red glasses was just the beginning. At one point I caught Isaiah trying to swat away bugs on the screen and I admit I jumped once or twice myself. Suffice it to say, the effects of Avatar puts films like the recent Star Wars series to shame.

Well, it’s about -5˚ outside today so I’ve decided to stay in for the night. Unfortunately, I don’t have much in the way of new movies to watch. I have one documentary called ‘Time Indefinite’ that I’m not that intrigued by, so instead of firing it up I’ve decided to list 10 great (and lesser known) movies that were released in the last 10 years… I left off movies that everyone has undoubtedly heard of like ‘Memento’ or ‘Fight Club’.

Elling

[2001] dir: Petter Næss

‘Elling’ is a brilliant Norwegian comedy about two patients at a state institution (Elling and Kjell Barne) who, after 2 years, are given their own government-funded apartment. Elling had lived his entire life with his mother and first went to the institution when she passed away and his roommate Kjell Barne is a sex-obsessed 40 year-old virgin. Every element of their daily lives is a comedic adventure.

Best In Show

[2000] dir: Christopher Guest

Christopher Guest was the brilliant mind behind the ultimate mockumentary ‘Spinal Tap’ and has made a slew funny films since. ‘Best in Show’ is a riotous spoof on dog show nuts… I especially love Parker Posey’s overly obsessed character and Eugene Levy seems to do his best work with Christopher Guest roles.

Little Dieter Needs to Fly

[1997] dir: Werner Herzog

A documentary about a German-born US Pilot from the Vietnam War. Dieter Dengler was shot down over Laos in 1966 and captured by the Viet Cong. While imprisoned he was starved, beaten and shackled until he weighed only 85 pounds. Dieter manages to escape and Werner Herzog gets him to tell his story first hand. An amazing tale…

Sweet and Lowdown

[1999] dir: Woody Allen

I’ve seen every movie Woody Allen has ever directed and this is one of his best (and certainly his best in the last 20 years). Supposedly Sean Penn and Allen never saw eye-to-eye on the film but regardless, I think the story is a brilliant, humor-filled tale. ‘Wanna go to the dump and shoot some rats?’ – what a priceless pickup line…

Autumn Spring (Babi Leto)

[2001] dir: Vladimir Michalek

The Czech tale of an aging old prankster (Frantisek) who refuses to grow old and take on worldly responsibilities. Not unlike with Elling, the humor here is dry but brilliant. Fransitek has found a way to enjoy old age and avoid the fear of death.

Amores Perros

[2000] dir: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

‘Amores Perros’ is a Spanish-language film from Alejandro Inarritu who directed both ‘21 Grams’ with Benicio Del Toro and the highly acclaimed ‘Babel’ with Brad Pitt. The carefully crafted plot is a series interwoven events that take place in Mexico City. Both gripping and poignant, you’ll see why the filmmaker has gone on to have such success in Hollywood.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

[2005] Alex Gibney

If you’re at all interested in the story behind the Enron Scandal, this is the documentary for you. A well researched and thorough account of the entire ordeal. Includes all kinds of interesting accounts and details of the inner workings of Enron.

Life is Beautiful (La Vita e Bella)

[1997] dir: Roberto Benigni

Compassionate and heartwarming story of a Jewish family trying to survive during the Holocaust. The film went on to win 3 Academy Awards. Perhaps Benigni’s greatest role (with his role in ‘Down by Law’ a close second).

Tsotsi

[2005] dir: Gavin Hood

My Mom recommended this one and I gotta say she was dead on. ‘Tsotsi’ is the story (and the name) of a young thug fending for himself in the slums of Johannesburg, South Africa. Tsotsi begins the story as a cold-hearted killer but finds himself in a precarious situation when he car jacks a woman and leaves her for dead only to find that her newborn baby is in the back seat.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

[2005] Jeff Feuerzeig

A bio-doc about underground musician Daniel Johnston. A story absolutely too crazy for fiction, you don’t even need to dig his music to find the movie fascinating.