I label 2002 as the year of great roles for mature women. From Meryl Streep in "Adaptation" to Diane Lane in "Unfaithful," women with experience - and more than a few years under their belts - were showcased in gripping roles. Talking about movies in general, studios put out a lot of mediocre movies with very few gems sprinkled into the mix. Here's a list of my personal favorite films of 2002:
Although this movie doesn't top many critics 'Best of' lists it does mine because it was fresh, interesting, well-acted, and above all - something I hadn't seen thousands of times already. Featuring outstanding performances by Emile Hirsch and Kieran Culkin, "Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" proves there are new stories to be told.
Peter Jackson's second excursion into the land of hobbits, elves and other assorted creatures proved beyond a doubt that "The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" was no fluke. This one surpasses the original as Jackson stays fairly loyal to Tolkien while advancing the story of the One Ring.
This one caught me by surprise. I'm a huge fan of movie musicals but was a little leery of this movie's cast - Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere singing and dancing? Sure... 20 minutes into the movie any concerns I had about their ability to pull this off vanished. Vibrant and witty, "Chicago" is a must-see for lovers of splashy movie musicals.
This film tore at me like no other movie released in 2002. What's more, it's a beautifully told story without a single familiar face in any of the lead roles (Kenneth Branagh does play a supporting role).
As you can tell, my favorites are all over the board. "Spider-Man's" huge success at the box office was due to the fact it's just plain fun - and I like to have fun at the movies.
Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman inserts himself into the script for "The Orchid Thief" and what emerges is one of the most interesting, unusual movies in years. Kaufman loves to go inside the mind ("Being John Malkovich," "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind") and in "Adaptation," his journey brings his own story (or a fictionalized version of it) to the screen.
This is the one movie this year that I recommended to everyone. Without a doubt the surprise hit of the year, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is one of the few films that offended absolutely no one while simultaneously entertaining everyone. Men, women, teenagers, and senior citizens found something they could laugh at and relate to in Nia Vardalos' first feature film.
Julianne Moore should be battling herself in the Oscar race with outstanding performances in this movie and "The Hours." "Far From Heaven" is like a great melodrama from the 1950s, and director Todd Haynes perfectly captures the feel and spirit of that era in film.
You need look no further than "The Hours" for examples of actresses in roles they were meant to play. Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman are brilliant as three generations of women battling their own private demons.
I argued with myself over which movie to pick for the last spot on this Top 10 list. "Road to Perdition," "Frailty," and "Punch-Drunk Love" could possibly have made this list but after much debate, "About a Boy" won out. Hugh Grant is at his best in this adorable romantic comedy.
