FROM THE BUCKET REVIEWS ARCHIVE
2002: The Year in Film — Original Edition
Danny Baldwin · Publication date unknown — likely early 2003
NOTE: All of these movies were released from January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002.
THIS LIST WILL BE REVISED VERY SOON!
2002: The Year in Film
2002 was the host of many good movies, but few great ones. I indulged myself in 135 pieces of art, as well as disaster. Memorably devastating films such as The Pianist, Far From Heaven, and Minority Report were some of the most shocking. Fun and interesting films, with as hint of comic relief, like Chicago and Adaptation also did extremely well on my list. But along with these beautiful works, came wretchedly bad, stupidity fests. Missed opportunities were delivered from the makers of Clockstoppers, The Transporter, Death to Smoochy, and above all, Bad Company. Films intended for the demographic teenage audience surprisingly improved, as I was captivated by the mystically adapted Spider Man, comically charming Sweet Home Alabama, and ripping Blue Crush. Unlike the disjointed and unbalanced 2001, the year 2002, in film, had something for everyone. The past 365 days weren’t full of masterful treasures, but they did have their fair share of good times. Upon reflection, I can say that I enjoyed my experience at the theatre, almost every time. Go Directly To The Top 10 ->.
The Worst
10. The Time Machine – I was admittedly involved by this story at first, but then it took a drastic wrong turn. The truth is; I’m not sure what the hell to think of it at all.
9. Bad Company – Two great stars; one bad movie. I rest my case.
8. Brotherhood of the Wolf – Like The Transporter, Brotherhood of the Wolf could’ve been very entertaining, but instead, resorted to kung-fu. Just thinking about it makes me want to barf.
7. The Adventures of Pluto Nash – Watching The Adventures of Pluto Nash is like staring at a blank screen. There is no plot, no payoff, and no character development. The only difference is that instead of a blank screen, we have to stare at Eddie Murphy’s now un-funny face for an hour and a half.
6. Jason X – One of the best examples of a perfectly good script, turned wrong, because of the cheesy visuals, bad acting, and the curse of the “Friday the 13th” series.
5. Kung Pow! Enter the Fist – Wretchedly desperate, unfunny filmmaking. This straight-to-video type massacre was brought to the big-screen, unluckily, and suffered because of it.
4. Death to Smoochy – Excellent idea; bad movie. Dark comedies are always risky, and Death to Smoochy didn’t payoff. It was extremely unsuccessful both in terms of filmmaking and at the box-office.
3. The Transporter – With an excellent start, better than the fun and entertaining xXx, I thought that The Transporter would be an amusingly entertaining ride. Little did I know, it would turn into a stupid kung-fu movie; utterly ridiculous.
2. National Lampoon's Van Wilder - Okay, I admit to forgetting this one when first making this list. Unluckily, this grim and stupid humour came back to mind. This is a film that's almost instantly forgettable; an insult to the comically enchanting earlier National Lampoon's movies.
1. Clockstoppers – Terrible to watch, and mathematically incorrect; Clockstoppers is, hands-down, the worst film of the year.
Dishonorable Mentions: Resident Evil, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Two Weeks Notice, Enough, Life or Something Like It, Star Trek: Nemesis, Notorious C.H.O, Scooby Doo, Swimfan, Serving Sara, Crossroads, Blade II, The Scorpion King, Master of Disguise.
The Best
10. Thirteen Conversations About One Thing – Expanding on the idea of happiness, and how to achieve it, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing is amazingly powerful in its dialogue, and instantly raveable. I applaud all of its excellent performances, as well as thoughtful actions. Jill Sprecher writes and directs this into perfection.
9. Frailty – Intelligently inspiring, and psychologically terrifying, Bill Paxton’s directorial debut is nothing short of unflawed. Once my favorite film of the year, Frailty claims the ninth spot on my top ten list, and is well deserving of the position. Excelling under its fabulous writing and wonderful acting, this is certainly one of the best horror films of all-time.
8. Adaptation – Showcasing, not one, but two dynamite performances by Nicholas Cage; Spike Jonze’s Adaptation is comical, as well as beautifully written. Equally pleasing to watch, as cinematically respectable, this lightly humorous film about writers block has something for everyone. It is stylish, funny, and well-done.
7. Minority Report – Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece is visionary, as well as shockingly terrifying. In its vile self-motivated world, this is an accurate prediction of what may come in the future. We are moved by this undoubtedly life-affirming film, made with wit and originality. Spielberg is one of the best filmmakers alive today
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – One of the only sequels that I know is better than its predecessor. An epic journey full of enchanting visuals, The Two Towers is a brilliantly adapted from the priceless novel. The star, who steals the show, is the computer-generated masterpiece, Gollum. Thoughtful, powerful, and provoking.
5. The Hours – A portrait of three women’s lives, all inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf, Steven Daldry’s The Hours is magically triumphant. Performances by Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman bring out the best in this gorgeously made drama. From the opening credits, to the ending finale; The Hours is captivating.
4. 25th Hour –An ironically stunning collage of great performances, Spike Lee’s 25th Hour is mystifyingly beautiful. Rosario Dawson, Edward Norton, Barry Pepper, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are all equally great in the magnificently written roles put to life by the creative David Benioff. This is one of the holiday season’s biggest treasures.
3. Chicago – A lively, cheerful, and at the same time, dark musical full of color. The sharp singing, dancing, cinematography, choreography, direction, and acting are simply beautiful. Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta Jones are superb performers, that head this sexy show, and make it a full-fledged knockout.
2. Far From Heaven – Made in the style of a true fifties movie, but discussing issues that were kept quiet in that time period, Todd Hayne’s Far From Heaven is a beautiful film about prejudge against African Americans and homosexuals. Julianne Moore gives a career-best performance, and Dennis Quaid provides handsome support.
1. The Pianist – Roman Polanski’s artful representation of Warsaw during the Holocaust is a winner. Adrien Brody gives an amazing performance as Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish pianist who escapes the train that heads to Nazi controlled death camps, and must fight a heart-wrenching battle for survival in what’s left of Warsaw.
Honorable Mentions: Moonlight Mile, Road to Perdition, One Hour Photo, Signs, 24 Hour Party People, Punch Drunk Love, About Schmidt, Antwone Fisher, The Banger Sisters, Blood Work, The Bourne Identity, Bowling for Columbine, Catch Me If You Can, Dogtown and Z-Boys, Gangs of New York, The Good Girl, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Insomnia, Panic Room, Possession, Pumpkin, Red Dragon, The Rookie, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, The Sum of All Fears, Sweet Home Alabama, Treasure Planet, Tuck Everlasting, Unfaithful, 8 Mile, Blue Crush, Tadpole.
Notable Films I Missed: Igby Goes Down, Spirited Away, Talk To Her, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Rabbit Proof Fence, Secretary, The Fast Runner, The Kid Stays in the Picture, Ivans xtc., All or Nothing, Personal Velocity, Invincible.
Memo to the Academy
Best Actors: Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt, Derek Luke in Antwone Fisher, Robin Williams in One Hour Photo, Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York, Nicholas Cage in Adaptation, Adrien Brody in the Pianist and Eminem in 8 Mile.
Best Actresses: Nicole Kidman in The Hours and Birthday Girl, Julianne Moore in Far From Heaven and The Hours, Meryl Streep in the Hours, Jennifer Anniston in the Good Girl, Renee Zellweger in Chicago, Emily Watson in Punch Drunk Love, and Diane Lane in Unfaithful.
Best Supporting Actors: Richard Gere in Chicago, Joaquin Phoenix in Signs, Ralph Fiennes in Red Dragon, Dustin Hoffman in Moonlight Mile, Paul Newman in Road to Perdition, Tom Hanks in Catch Me If You Can, Chris Cooper in Adaptation, and Robin Williams in Insomnia.
Best Supporting Actresses – Kathy Bates in About Schmidt, Meryl Streep in Adaptation, Samantha Morton in Minority Report, Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago, Connie Nielson in One Hour Photo, Emily Watson in Red Dragon, and Cameron Diaz in Gangs of New York.