2002 Was An Amazing Year For The Cinema
I have to say before the list is revealed, that 2002 was a GREAT year for the movies. Honestly, after last year's slump, this year seemed even more doubtful, but it exceeded expectations. This year was so good that I saw over 35 movies. I know that might not sound like a lot, but for me, IT IS! And I thank God for this great year. This list was almost impossible to compile the competition was so great. Cheers to 2002, and here's to hoping 2003 will be another GREAT year at the movies.

	NUMBER ONE Far From Heaven MY NEWLY DUBBED #1 MOVIE OF 2002. How can I not love this film? The best performance from an actress is arguably in this movie with stunning work from the amazing Julianne Moore. I still have not been able to get this perf. out of my head. If she doesn't win Oscar this year, there will be plenty of pissed off folks, and I will be one of them. And what about Dennis Quaid? He totally knocked my socks off with this performance. I didn't know he had it in him. Elmer Bernstein's heartfelt and 'true to it's time' score makes it one of the best musical arrangements of the year. This movie deals with the issues of homosexuality and racism in a way that could never had been incorporated in a film of it's time in the golden '50s, and it does so beautifully, mainly due to the amazing director, Todd Haynes. It's a movie out of it's own time, but the issues dealt with are still alive in this day and age as well. This is one of the year's best, let alone one of my favorites. This is a movie that should have been made in the time it's set in, but it couldn't be. Regardless, I'm glad it has surfaced and I'm glad it is here.
	NUMBER TWO The Hours I was blown out of my seat by this movie. I was expecting good, but I got brilliant. First there is the acting. This is the most beautifully acted movie of the year, and arguably, one of all time. Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore were the perfect actresses to play these roles. None other than these three could have fully captured the essence in the characters. Streep takes all the praise in the screen time she has. And Moore. What a brilliant portrayal of the suicidal and troubled Laura Brown. It's hard to pick the best, but if I had to, it would be Streep. She captured her character the best. And what about Kidman?? Well, that is the #1 reason this movie has been knocked out of the #1 spot. Her perf. impresses me less and less with each viewing. The overracting and screaming and flailing of arms was one thing only: Oscar bait. But congrats Nikki. They bought into it. There are some good moments to the perf., though. Not enough though. All the supporting players are great in the movie as well, particularly Ed Harris and Stephen Dillane. The screenplay was magnificently adapted from Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by the great David Hare. And all praise for this feature also goes to the director, Stephen Daldry, who beautifully captures the beauty of this story. This is a magnificent, deep, and moving story of life that is important and needs to be seen. It was close between this, The Two Towers, and the #1 movie. But in the end, after repeated viewings, it has been dethroned, by a movie that holds up much better with repeat viewings.
	NUMBER THREE Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers I went into the second chapter of the Lord Of The Rings franchise expecting to be impressed, but I was in fact blown away. While this movie was playing out before my eyes, I was mesmerized by it. My expectations were blown out of the water. The thing that impresses me the most is how Peter Jackson never ceases to amaze us. The direction in this movie was better than the first. There were more complicated battle scenes and intense situations, and they were highly successful. What a talent Jackson is! His camera work and talents with special effects are worth the price of the movie alone. And of course Andy Serkis, who plays Smeagal/Gollum, was the standout. I cannot believe the realism in this character. Truly mind-boggling. All of the acting was top-notch in fact. Overall, it's better than the first with more characters and challenges. The 'middle movie' in a trilogy can sometimes be very hard to make. It's hard to take off when the first part left off and it's hard to lead into the next chapter. This movie does both amazingly. Jackson, bring on The Return Of The King!!! We're all ready to be even more captivated.
	NUMBER FOUR The Pianist This was the biggest movie for me in 2002 that REALLY struck me emotionally. What a powerful, important, and riveting story of a man who just wanted to be a pianist. Problem was, he a Jew living in Warsaw during the Holocaust. His struggles in this story are mind boggling and force you to tears. The accuracy of the murders and slaughtering brings you to tears. I sobbed in a scene, and cried in many others. This is one of the most important movies of our time. The accuracy and simplicity are amazing. All the credit is due to the director, Roman Polanski and the star, Adrien Brody. Both of these men created an accurate, stirring, and moving piece of work. Wow.
	NUMBER FIVE About Schmidt This was definitely the biggest surprise for me at the movies this year. I wasn't excited about seeing it at all, but it really impressed me and lands as one of my favorite movies of the year. This movie would not have worked if it hadn't been for the genius in Jack Nicholson. This is a role totally away from him that you don't think would work. It works, and it wouldn't have worked as well with any other actor. There's also the hilarious encounters with Kathy Bates (what about that hot tub scene, huh?). The story was very funny but also really tugged at your heart. The story of a retired old widower trying to find himself in life is really emotional, yet at times flat out funny. This is the perfect mixture of drama and comedy. Although slow at times, it's supposed to be and this movie is a winner.
	NUMBER SIX Spirited Away If you haven't seen this gem, GO SEE IT NOW!!! I didn't have the chance of seeing it on the big screen, but when it came out on DVD I made a bee-line to the video store, and was absolutely spirited away (pun intended). I want to buy it now. This is the best animated movie since Beauty & The Beast and it is arguably one of the best (if not THE best) animated movies of all time. Hayao Mayazaki, writer and director of the movie, is sheer genius. He weaves this amazing story in front of us about a scared girl fixing to adapt to a new home. She, along with her mom and dad, make a detour and fall upon an enchanted and spell-bound amusement park. The girl must find herself through this mysterious world and in the end, she becomes a strong and firm person. This movie is enchanting, mysterious, riveting. It's spirited away.
	NUMBER SEVEN Minority Report This is definitely one of the best sci-fi movies I have seen in quite some time. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through. Tom Cruise shocked me with his performance. He flew with it. The standout was Samantha Morton. It's sad that she doesn't have a lot of buzz because she gives one of the most haunting perfs. of the year, and it is award-worthy. The story about pre-crime and the Precogs was different and very interesting. This is also one of the most beautifully shot movies of the year, mainly due in part to the great Steven Spielberg. Talk about special effects. The ones in this movie are top notch. I was blown away by the look of this movie. With it's innovative story, great acting, superb directing and look of the film, no doubt of my faves.
	NUMBER EIGHT The Good Girl I re-watched this one very recently, and I completely fell in love with it. When I initially saw it, I liked it, but didn't love it completely. With second time viewing, this is by far one of my faves and one of the best of 2002. A wonderful gem with amazing performances from John C. Reilly, Jake Gyllenhaal, and at the heart of it all...Ms. Jennifer Aniston. The story here was great as well. Overall, a very great movie and the new 'second time viewing made me love it' movie of 2002.
	NUMBER NINE White Oleander You're probably looking at the movies above and saying, "This movie is one your list among these other movies?" Well, yeah it is, and you can sue me if you like, but I really enjoyed this movie. It is definitely one of the best acted ensembles of the year. The standout is Michelle Pfeiffer. She gave a haunting perf. in this movie and it's definitely award-worthy. I can never get this perf. out of my head. The way she played a beautiful lady who was ugly inside left me with goosebumps. Robin Wright-Penn shocked as well with her great perf. Renee Zellweger was good too, and we got a great look at one of the biggest up-and-coming actresses out there, Alison Lohman. Sure the story lacked a bit, but overall this is still one of my favorites of the year.
	NUMBER TEN Chicago When going into this movie all I was expecting to be disappointed by it. I don't know what I was thinking before-hand, but during this movie and at its end, I was totally mesmerized by it's look, it's feel, it's acting, it's songs, it's dancing. After repeated viewings, however, my initial thoughts of being disappointed came true. While good, this movie is no masterpiece, but it is still one of the best of the year. Renee Zellweger's singing is a bit off but it works for this character. This role was totally out of her norm, but she took off with it. The highlight of the movie though is Catherine Zeta-Jones. Her turn as Velma Kelly made my jaw drop each time she came on the screen. She's talented out the foot. What a great performance. Now Richard Gere. I thought his singing was majorly annoying, although his acting and dancing were very well done. The songs adapt wonderfully to the screen from the stage (as does the story) and Rob Marshall's direction on this potentially difficult piece of work is good, just totally overrated.

Honorable Mentions:
8 Mile, About A Boy, Adaptation, Catch Me If You Can, Frailty, Ice Age, Lilo & Stitch, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, One Hour Photo, The Ring, Road To Perdition, Talk To Her, A Walk To Remember, Y Tu Mama También.