December 27, 2002

THE BEST FILMS OF 2002

People talked a lot about how bad this year was for movies.  But in putting together this list, I found 54 movies that were worthy of consideration.  And that didn’t include a half dozen titles - The Mothman Prophecies, Sunshine State, Death to Smoochy, The Piano Teacher, Possession, The Man from Elysian Fields – that I haven’t seen that might otherwise be candidates for the list.

The ultimate list misser is the great, glorious, brilliant Brazilian film, City of God, which Miramax has been very clear about placing as a 2003 title, which is a shame since, like Y tu Mama Tambien, even a great film opening early in the year may get critics awards, but is pretty much dead in the big awards race that helps an art/foreign film generate a bigger audience.  I can only hope that Miramax shows the skill and patience with City of God that Sony Classics showed with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon a couple of years ago.  City of God is not CT, HD.  But it is a film that should be a big cult hit to the tune of at least $15 million domestic.  We shall see. 

THE 33

Just because these titles are not in my Top Ten or Top Twenty does not mean that I don’t love them.  It’s all a matter of degree.  Some are lightweight, fun films.  Some are heavy, demanding films.  But all 33 are worth spending your two hours with more than once. 

Antwone Fisher – Denzel does a really strong job with a classic man-overcomes-odds story.  One of two really strong debuts by actors who still have strong acting careers (with apologies to John Stockwell).

Birthday Girl – A very underrated movie with a great performance by Nicole Kidman, who speaks Russian through the entire first act.  But the secret weapons are French stars Vincent Kassel and Mathieu Kassovitz as Russian hoods. 

Blade II – Guillermo del Toro is proving to be the director that everyone thought he was after Kronos.  Last December, The Devil’s Backbone signaled something wonderful.  Then this pure, silly genre picture was taken to a surprisingly high level by del Toro… providing you are comfortable with blood…. lots of blood.

Bloody Sunday – Paul Greengrass’ expert work of fiction cum documentary is a unique experience well worth having.  And if you wait for it to show up on cable, you’ll probably think it’s “just” some Cinemax doc… but it’s more.

Blue Crush – How does a T&A surfer chick flick become more that that?  Start with the sincere love of Susan Orlean for the material, add a driven Brian Grazer and bring along John Stockwell, who has become a director of women with a master touch.

The Bourne Identity – Doug Liman had a hard time getting this filly in the starting gate – it’s a solid 70s style thriller with interesting characters, strong performances and compelling – and not overdone – European landscapes.  Just a plain good movie… which is a rare commodity these days. 

Changing Lanes – A really smart screenplay and really strong casting made more of this Paramount programmer than most.  Ben Affleck has never been better.  Samuel L. Jackson is one of our greatest actors.  And the movie made you think.

City by the Sea – Michael Caton-Jones’ drama is one of the year’s lost movies.  It was mostly reviewed in passing, as critics left for or came back from Toronto.  But the performances are spectacular, including DeNiro actually acting instead of phoning in movie star roles based on his long history.  Frances McDormand was great.  James Franco chewed a little scenery, but is a very interesting actor.  And William Forstythe had his first great role to play in years.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind – The second solid directing debut by a movie star, Confessions is as ambitious and ballsy as Antwone Fisher is simple and unflappable.  Not everything works, but I am anxious to see it again as soon as possible.

CQ – Roman Coppola shows style and range and a real vision in his first feature.  This is a must-see movie for people who love movies, particularly Italian films of the 60s and 70s.  It’s a wild ride with that always wigged out Jeremy Davies and movie landmarks aplenty.

Dogtown and Z-Boys – I feel like I’ve been writing about this one for years.  The first time director is also one of the subjects of this doc about surfing, boarding and rocking through life… and the filmmaking is its own bizarre poetry.

Eight Legged Freaks – Freaks!!!!  It’s dumb.  Dumb as a show.  But it’s also a whole lot of fun in the classic B-movie way.  Check your brain at the door (unless, like some critics, you can’t find it in the first place) and let it rip. 

Far From Heaven – It’s a movie.  It’s a gimmick.  It’s a movie AND a gimmick!  Todd Haynes looks back as a way of looking at the here and now, and it is smart and very well made.  I obviously didn’t lose my heart and soul to it, but it’s one of the movies that everyone needs to see before they can say they’ve seen this year’s movies.

The Grey Zone – Tim Blake Nelson’s savagely smart and raw look at Jews working inside the concentration camp system to survive.  But what will this survival do to them?  A tough, powerful film.

Heaven – A lyrical poem that stands as a Polish cousin to Solaris.  Blanchett is just amazing.

How I Killed My Father – A dark, brooding drama about the crucial relationships that we take for granted.  Very French, but very powerful without being too heavy handed.

Max – A movie about loss and fate and what might have been, if only we took a different road.  I don’t really think of it as a Hitler movie.  It’s really a Max movie.

Mostly Martha – Delightful romantic comedy.  The characters manage to be stereotypes and complete originals at the same time.  And it’s always wonderful to have  sexy lead performances from actors who would not be tagged as sexy on first sight.

Morvern Callar – Samantha Morton.  She is just impossible to look away from.  It’s essentially a one-woman tour d’ force that takes you places you’ve never been with a film. 

Nine Queens – A really strong Mamet film that happens to be set in Argentina.

Rabbit-Proof Fence – A power packed film by Phillip Noyce, based on the true stories of three sisters who will do anything to get home.

Read My Lips – She’s good.  He’s bad.  But it’s so much more.

Secretary – One of the oddest films of this year or any year.  Maggie Gyllenhaal assures her own stardom.  James Spader fits.  But this film that everyone says is about S&M is oddly about freedom and loving yourself enough to tell yourself the truth.

A Song for Martin – A heavy load, but very rewarding.  They meet, they fall in love, he gets Alzheimer’s.  Will love survive? 

Spirited Away – A really interesting piece of anime from the master.  Buckle your seatbelt. 

Standing in the Shadows of Motown – A terrific documentary that has a better subject than execution.  Still, a great way to spend a Saturday night.

Time Out – The cars on the road go round and round.  The film anesthetizes you before forcing you to look really hard at your own life.  Not for the easily bored and distracted.  But if you can stick with it, it gets complex.

The Trials of Henry Kissinger – A strong piece of documentary filmmaking.  The title explains it all. 

War Photographer – James Nachtwey is a great photographer.  But it’s not as easy as it looks.

The Way Home – A beautiful piece about slowing down and appreciating life… even if you are 6 years old. 

We Were Soldiers – People kept throwing politics on this Vietnam soldier’s story but, for me, the fact that these soldiers are in a war that we disapprove of makes it all the more apolitical. 

White Oleander – A parade of great performances led by Michelle Pfeiffer as the lioness of all lionesses. 

Y tu Mama Tambien – Alfonso’s Cuaron’s surprising sex romp tuned melodrama.  Don’t ask. Just take the ride. 

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