The Best of 2002
By
Joseph Tucker

2002 was a pretty solid year for movies in my
opinion. As always there were big box office
disappointments like Solaris and K19: The Widowmaker,
as well as big surprises like My Big Fat Greek
Wedding. The second installments of Harry Potter and
Lord of the Rings series also compiled a lot of cash,
but not as much as Spider-Man, which was the worldwide
grossing film leader of the year.

When composting a best of the year list, I first take
into account all the films that really intrigued me as
an audience member. To compose my top ten list, I
have gone back and looked through my memories and
notes of every film that I saw this past year. I even
went back and watch some of the year's earlier films
over again. Due to limited releases, I have not seen
a couple of the late blooming independent films of
last year. Not included for consideration in this
list are Tadpole, 8 Women, Possession, Full Frontal,
One Hour Photo, All or Nothing, The Fast Runner,
Rabbit-Proof Fence, Nicholas Nickleby, Personal
Velocity, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The
Pianist, Talk to Her, and The Quiet American.

The past year was pretty good for complex and
character driven films. Each section is followed by a
small Honorable Mention section, which holds a few
more films, or performances that should be recognized
as well. Composing this list was very difficult, but
I had a good time at the movies this past year, so
here is my opinion.

Top Ten List

10) Road to Perdition
A very dramatic "Capone" era gangster film about
fathers and sons. Sam Mendes vast direction is
beautiful and exquisite. As visionarists, Mendes and
the late Conrad Hall (cinematographer) only let the
audience see the story mostly through the eyes of the
young main character Michael Sullivan. Paul Newman
gives a memorable performance and Tom Hanks' dark turn
as a hit man only enhances his gifted talent as an
actor.

9) Changing Lanes
A concrete film about morals and ethics. Ben Affleck
and Samuel L. Jackson are the two protagonists that
come across as good people, but are driven to do
sinful things. A good story that relies mostly on
dialogue and is as intriguing as talkative thrillers
get.

8) Frida
A stellar biopic about the famous Mexican painter and
her communist husband, Diego Rivera (Molina). Though
the political views in the film have been held as
inaccurate, the rest of Frida's life for the most part
is revisited. Julie Taymor's brilliant direction and
choices of blending Frida's artwork with real moments
in the story only makes the film more unique. The
acting also stands out, especially Salma Hayek, who
should receive an Academy Award nomination.

7) Antwone Fisher
An emotional powerhouse of a film. The true story of
the human spirit that is as much touching as
entertaining. Denzel Washington makes a respectable
directing debut and Derek Luke delivers a breakthrough
performance in the story of a troubled young man
trials through to find his place in the world.

6) Gangs of New York
A sweeping epic film from the great Martin Scorsese.
Though there are very noticeable moments of cuts in
the editing room, the film still has a voice and
impact. Scorsese's experience leads this historical
film, which seemed dead (through many delays over
editing and budget problems), back to the top as one
of the year's best films. Cameron Diaz is miscast,
DiCaprio doesn't deliver much, but Daniel Day-Lewis
absorbs the audience's attention as Bill the Butcher.

5) My Big Fat Greek Wedding
The biggest success of the year is also the year's
best comedy. A great cultural outlook film that has a
lot of heart and a lot of laughs. With no stars,
except its producer (Tom Hanks), My Big Fat Greek
Wedding has excellent ensemble cast. Nia Vardalos,
who is now a star, flexes her muscles as an actress,
and more so as a writer with the screenplay.

4) Far From Heaven
Todd Haynes' glamorous homage film to the films of
the 1950's by Doug Sirk. Every element in the film
mirrors the studio style of the 1950's cinema. Haynes
takes on issues of homosexuality, interracial
relationships and the suppression of the 50's era in
the story. The issues are some that never surfaced in
during the times of 50's studio films. Almost
everything in this film is super. If you love the
movies of the 50's or studied them (as I have), this
film is more appreciated.

3) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
One word comes to mind to describe this movie, WOW!
Peter Jackson's incredible work in this second
installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is
breathtaking. Jackson has to be one of the most
visually gifted directors in cinema today. The story
continues with the broken fellowship's quest to
destroy the ring that controls all. This film also
has the best CGI character creation ever done, with
Gollum, who is CGI, but so authentic. I can't wait for
the last installment to be released next year. I think
it is safe to say that the two Lord of the Rings films
are two of the best, if not the two best blockbusters
ever made.

2) The Hours
Hands down the year's best drama, which centers
around three women in three different decades. The
spirit of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway is critical
to the film's sequencing and storyline. This film has
a great amount of talent in it, and a jolt of ensemble
emotion. The female cast has three of the best
actresses in the business involved with Julianne
Moore, Nicole Kidman, and Meryl Streep. The
crosscutting direction and editing works very
effectively and this film will become a case study in
the future for acting and film students.

1) Bowling for Columbine
Some might find it strange that I am giving the reigns
of the best film of 2002 to a documentary. Bowling
for Columbine is the film this year that most steered
and intrigued me. Michael Moore is a courageous man
that takes on the very scary world of gun control in
the United States. His research and interviewing are
not only educational, but frightening as well. Some
have complained that this film is all about liberal
propaganda, but I didn't see this film that way. I
saw Bowling for Columbine as one very important movie.

Honorable Mentions of 2002 (Films that could have been
in the top ten list also)
Narc
About A Boy
Moonlight Mile
Minority Report
Punch Drunk Love

Here are my recommendations to the Academy for Oscar
nominations in the top categories. I think Bowling
for Columbine should be recognized as Best Picture,
but it will probably be in the documentary category.
My proposed winners are have a star next to them.

Best Picture
The Hours*
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Far From Heaven
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Gangs of New York

Best Director
Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers*

Martin Scorsese, Gangs of New York
Stephen Daldry, The Hours
Julie Taymor, Frida
Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven

Honorable Mention
Sam Mendes, Road to Perdition
Steven Spielberg, Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can

Best Actress
Nicole Kidman, The Hours*
Salma Hayek, Frida
Meryl Streep, The Hours
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Secretary
Diane Lane, Unfaithful

Honorable Mention
Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven
Nia Vardalos, My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Best Actor
Jack Nicholson, About Schmidt*
Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs of New York
Nicolas Cage, Adaptation
Campbell Scott, Roger Dodger
Tom Hanks, Road to Perdition

Honorable Mention
Hugh Grant, About a Boy
Greg Kinnear, Auto Focus

Best Supporting Actress
Julianne Moore, The Hours*
Kathy Bates, About Schmidt
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chicago
Meryl Streep, Adaptation
Marbiel Verdu, Y Tu Mama Tambien

Honorable Mention
Lupe Ontiveros, Real Women Have Curves
Toni Collette, About A Boy, The Hours

Best Supporting Actor
Chris Cooper, Adaptation*
Ed Harris, The Hours
Dennis Quaid, Far From Heaven
Viggo Mortensen, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Paul Newman, Road to Perdition

Honorable Mention
Christopher Walken, Catch Me if You Can
Dustin Hoffman, Moonlight Mile

Best Original Screenplay
Far From Heaven, Todd Haynes
My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Nia Vardalos*
Punch Drunk Love, Paul Thomas Anderson
Roger Dodger, Dylan Kidd
Antwone Fisher, Antwone Fisher

Best Adapted Screenplay
The Hours, Michael Cunningham*
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Fran Walsh,
Phillippa Boyens, Peter Jackson
About Schmidt, Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
About A Boy, Paul and Chris Weitz
Chicago, Bill Condon