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Roger Thomas' Top Ten Films of 2002
By Roger W. Thomas, guest writer
Not all of
the most highly praised films opened in metro Atlanta before the end
of the year. For these I had to wait an extra couple of weeks. In
the past year, from January 1, 2002, to January 13, 2003, I saw 112
films on the "Big Screen" ("the way they were meant to be seen."
Jane Fonda once said at the Oscars.) The Academy's eligibility
list for Oscars this year contained 279 titles, so I saw less than half.
Of the films I did see, the list below contains those films which I
thought were the best. This time of year, the only things more numerous
than broken resolutions and leftover fruitcake are Top Ten Lists. All
of them are just opinions. Here is mine, with a few extras thrown in
for good measure.
Listing ten
films is never enough for me. I can decide which ten are the best,
but I always feel guilty for those left in the abyss of the teens and
early twenties. These film deserve recognition as well. More importantly,
many of these films deserve a larger audience. So before I reveal my
Top Ten, here are 15 other films, in alphabetical order, each worthy
of note. Any one of them easily could have been on the "big" list.
About
a Boy, Catch Me If You Can, Changing Lanes, The Emperor's New Clothes,
Frailty, The Good Girl, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Moonlight
Mile, Nicholas Nickleby, One-Hour Photo, The Pianist, Road to Perdition,
Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones, Stolen Summer, The 25th
Hour.
10-
Signs- This is simply a sci-fi thriller which offers the
best scares of the year. Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan has created
another thriller that is perfectly executed and will stand the test
of time. On top of that, the film asked some difficult theological questions.
Some have argued against the answers the film offered. It was not about
the answers though. Signs just had a lot of fun asking the questions.
I can think of few movies that can make one as frightened
and pensive all in a span of two hours.
9-
Chicago- There is nothing deep or meaningful in this film
that seems currently poised to win the Best Picture Oscar for 2002.
On the other hand, one could not have much more fun at the movies this
past year than one has in Chicago. A great cast, wonderful production
values, songs that will get your toes tapping, and lots of laughs fill
out this musical which should usher in an avalanche of stage to film
productions like nothing the cinema has not seen since the 60's. Clocking
in at less than two hours, Chicago
packs entertainment into every second and every frame of film.
8- Gangs
of New York- Though the history may not be 100% accurate, what
is depicted in the film is captivating. The sets, costumes, and other
technical elements are as good as any film this year. Daniel Day Lewis
is the only threat Nicholson has to Jack getting his fourth Oscar.
The rest of the cast including Leo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Jim Broadbent
are all fine. The politics and religious aspects of the film work well.
The film would be higher on the list, except that with all the passion
Martin Scorsese had for making this film, he forgot to put a little
more passion in the story itself.
7-The
Hours- Three women in three stories, each story somehow related
to the others. There are two reasons to see
The Hours. First and foremost, it contains the highest number
of great performances in any film of 2002. Second, it contains some
of the best writing, including the discovery of how and why these stories
intersect. The Hours is the sort of film you watch the first
time intently, desiring to not miss the visuals. In subsequent viewings,
it becomes a film you listen to, not wanting to miss a word. I have
said this is the year of films about people desperate to discover the
meaning of their lives. At least five of the films on this list fall
into this category. The Hours
is the film with the greatest desperation.
6- Adaptation-
If The Hours is the most desperate film about the meaning of
life, then Adaptation is the quirkiest. Though not as surreal
as their previous collaberation (Being John Malkovich), director
Spike Jonze and writer Charlie Kaufman have created a film experience
like nothing else this year. This film skewers Hollywood, relationships,
the creative process, and just about every other topic you can imagine.
It offers many hilarious moments, only to stun you with profound truths.
My favorite single line in any film this year comes from the mouth of
Donald Kaufman to his brother Charlie as they are hiding in the swamp
(you have to see the movie to understand why), "It is whom you love
that determines the kind of person you are, not who loves you." In
addition to great moments like that, Nicholas Cage gives not one, but
two brilliant performances.
5- 13
Conversations about One Thing- There are four films higher on
my list this year, but not one of them asked more provocative questions
than 13 Conversations. In a year when so many films were about
discovering the meaning in life, 13 Conversations was about the
answer, and happiness is not it. This film should be discussed in church
groups, college philosophy classes, and among friends. It should be
watched with great attention, and it should be savored, as all great
films should be. Of all the films I have seen this year, this is the
one I most frequently recommend for people to find, and invariably,
no one has heard of it. It is available on video and DVD now. Rent
it. Watch it. Discuss it. Then recommend it to your friends.
4- The
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers- Slightly inferior to the
first film, but setting the stage for the greatest trilogy conclusion
in film history. Two Towers
lacks some of the emotion of its predecessor, and needed a few more
moments of quiet thought- provoking dialogue. The balance between ideas
and action in Fellowship of the Rings, is weighted more heavily
toward the action in this outing. Also, the film could have used Gandalf's
final scene from the book to give this endless film a little more closure.
It is difficult being the centerpiece, having no true beginning or ending.
All these flaws, however, do not diminish the achievement that is
The Two Towers. Here's to hoping the third one is even half
this good.
3- About
Schmidt- About Schmidt, in that perfectly pitched final
moment before the credits rolled, also answers the question concerning
the meaning of life with a great truth. This is a powerfully moral
film, but it is also the wittiest film of the year. Though the Golden
Globes listed it as a drama, no film this year made me laugh more. I
said in my original review that if
American Beauty is the film about mid-life crisis, then
About Schmidt should become "the" film about post-retirement
trauma. Wives should see this film to prepare for what is coming for
their husbands. Every man should see this film because of the great
truths revealed. If that is not reason enough to see the film,
Schmidt offers Jack Nicholson's best performance in a great many
years.
2- Far
From Heaven- Beautifully photographed with stunning colors.
Perfectly acted by the four leads, all of whom are worthy of Oscar's
attention. This homage to films of the fifties contains very little
action, and only a few characters. It is almost the exact opposite
of my Number 1 film in every way. Yet, it was all but impossible for
me to choose which film truly deserved the top spot.
Far From Heaven is a picture perfect reminder of those bygone
days which are often the standard held up by certain factions as perfection.
This film points a light on that era and dares to ask the question:
Were those Old Days really that Good?
1- Minority
Report- Six months ago I said this was the best film of 2002,
and nothing I saw changed my mind. Steven Spielberg delivered a film
that is wonder to behold, and a story that is engaging on so many levels.
It is a tragedy that the Academy will overlook this achievement because
it rarely honors the sci-fi genre with
Best Picture nominations. Perhaps it will get well-deserved attention
from the Academy for the technical achievements: visual effects, sound,
cinematography, and art direction. Most of all this film should, but
probably will not, get a nomination for screenplay. This is an action-filled
story with great social insight as well as huge moral and ethical questions.
Spielberg is at the top of his game with this visual wonder which is
part murder mystery, part action movie, part social commentary, and
part morality play. The moment when destiny and free choice are thrown
into the mix is still the most memorable single moment in film this
year. Minority Report simply is the best film of 2002.
For every film
fan there are at least one or two films that stand out from this past
year. The above list is just one opinion of the best 2002 had to offer.
So let the debates begin. More importantly though, before you make your
final choices for your personal best, make sure you have seen all the
films above. Each title on this list should not be missed.
Use the form below to give feedback on this article, or to list your own top ten of 2002! Comments will be posted within 48 hours.
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