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 The year 2002 came and went and while there were many disappointments, there were also some great surprises. The blockbusters came and went, yet come Oscar time, the smaller films will resonate with Oscar voters. As a reviewer here at TheWorldJournal.com, it has been a pleasure trying to inform our advanced readers into what to watch, and what to avoid. For those who have been with us since the beginning, you know we make repeated attempts at giving you the most coverage. And this year, with the addition of one of the most talented critics out there who understands the language of cinema, we are furiously attempting to better ourselves. Frank Ochieng has brought his eclectic views to the site and we are pleased to work alongside a true professional who is passionate about the craft he loves. On a side note, as a contributing reviewer to TheWorldJournal.com, it is paramount to mention that unlike my talented colleague Frank Ochieng, I am not a professional reviewer and as such, for a strong majority of the films you have seen me review, I probably paid to see that film. Movie studios are not kind to graduate students who write for the University paper and a web site, and while I try as best to my abilities to land as many screenings as possible, I will let my great colleague Frank handle the better part of riskier films, and I will screen the films I am interested in. It is difficult to see all the latest films and risky independent films, rather, I see the movies I have vested interest in and the movies I basically want to see. I would just like to thank all those who have let me know what they think of the writing here at TheWorldJournal.com and for their continued support with the site. Therefore, for the year of 2002, these are the 10 Best Films in alphabetical order. About Schmidt [ click for review ] Jack Nicholson’s performance alone is worth the price of admission as he lands the role of a lifetime. Alexander Payne’s dark comedy contains a sprinkling of nostalgia and a surreal proportion of realism as the journey of one man coming of age in his old age benchmarks the quality of Jack’s scope in performances. Adaptation [ click for review ] Director Spike Jonze engineers a chaotic and warped film from a script by Charlie Kaufman. By far the most perverse and unconventional film this past year and my chips are bet high on this film winning the Oscar for Best Screenplay. Furthermore, it does not hurt when Nicolas Cage turns in a rare noteworthy performance. City by the Sea [ click for review ] Although I was probably one of the only ones who saw this film, and despite my soft spot for Robert De Niro, the credit must go to Director Micheal Caton-Jones. He returns to back to basics filmmaking extracting rich performances from Robert De Niro and James Franco. While the film does have its’ clichéd script flaws, it still is a deeply compelling and raw film focusing on the struggles of a father and son relationship. Frailty [ click for review by Gino Pagliuca ] Actor Bill Paxton turned in two great performances both in front of and behind the camera as actor and Director. The film’s dark and gothic undertone is established from the rain soaked first frame and extends past the twist climax as this film is one for the ages. Yes, it does have a formulaic twist ending and depending on how involved you were with the film, you could have probably detected it. But recognition must be given to Director Paxton for a phenomenal debut with this dark and twisted tale. Gangs of New York [ click for review ] Director Martin Scorcese made us wait more than a year from its’ original release date but the delay was well worth it. Powerful, compelling, violent and sensational, this film not only retold the origins of immigrants into New York City, but showed how the city was built upon the ruins of families and political wretchedness. From the epic battle sequences to the astounding performance of Daniel Day Lewis, this film is a gem and another masterwork of Martin Scorcese displaying the feats of his imagination. Minority Report [ click for review ] While Spielberg did not wow us with his Christmas release ‘Catch Me if You Can’ he simply overwhelmed us with this simply superb futuristic tale. While the film is set in the future, it is not about the future. It is about one man overcoming his inner flaws in hopes of stopping a murder. Speilberg and Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski outdo the sets on ‘A.I’ and deliver a popcorn film with class. Road to Perdition [ click for review ] Director Sam Mendes brings paintings to life as every frame of this gangster film is brushed with the finest strokes. Mendes packs the film with symbolism and displays a darker side of Tom Hanks while still not tainting his good guy persona. But perhaps the film’s finest trait is the bravura performance of Paul Newman who incarnates ruthlessness with a layer of devilish charm. Signs [ click for review ] Instead of fooling us with trick photography and special effects, Director Shymalan microscopically brings us into the psyche of a family who faces the end of the world by extraterrestrials. I have absolutely no words for this film except – magnificent. How difficult is it to avoid showing how the world is reacting and stay focused on the perils of one family in a dire situation – yet Shymalan does it, and does it flawlessly. One Hour Photo [ click for review ] A small little film brings out a vexing script eerily reminiscent of ‘Memento’ and flabbergasts us with the performance of Robin Williams. Who knew your local film developer could be so malicious? This film proves just that. HONORABLE MENTION: Punch-Drunk Love [ click for review ] Forget Adam Sandler, Director P.T. Anderson presents another creative cinematic excursion that leaves a viewer sideswiped. Abandoning the ideologies that made ‘Magnolia’ and ‘Boogie Nights’ special films, he centers his film on love and what effect it can have on two people. Moviemaking in its’ purest sense. Click here to comment on this list or post your own top list. Giancarlo De Lisi © TheWorldJournal.com |
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