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Roundup of '02

I saw 56 movies in theaters this year, and many more on video and TV. It was hard to choose a lot of these, since it's hard to remember all the way back to January, but I'll do the best I can. I thought this year was a very good year for movies. Since I had to pay for my own movies (and I don't have a job), I can't go all the movies, only the ones I want to (that's why there's no review of feardotcom, etc. Movies in theaters also mean that they are movies I did not see in theaters but I saw on video this year. Anyway, here are my lists:

BEST (THEATERS)

  1. Solaris-A mind-boggling dramatic thriller. Most critics did not like this movie because it wasn't clear, but if they had thought about it, they would have found the beauty and the quality of the picture. I pity them.
  2. Spirited Away-A very cool, exciting trip to the unknown, where anything can happen. Enthralling, it is impossible to like and is a great mind-trip.
  3. About a Boy-Hilarious (Lorena Bobbit for Surgeon General) and touching, this is Hugh Grant at his best. His comedic timing is like nothing every seen.
  4. The Ring-Very creepy and scary, it had yet to leave my mind for one day. Its spooky images and its surprising jumps will stay inside of you for a long time.
  5. Changing Lanes-A taut thriller without the violence. The best acting of the year comes from Sam Jackson, who is the best part of the movie.
  6. John Q.-An unpredictable thriller, with an ending that leaves you hanging, which I like. Great acting all around.
  7. Far from Heaven-A heartful drama that perfectly recreates the fifties. Julianne Moore puts in the best performance of her carreer (well, maybe next to Evolution).
  8. Blood Work-I don't know why I like it so much, I just do. Clint Eastwood didn't put another facial expression on or anything, maybe I was just too engrossed into the mystery.
  9. Road to Perdition-A beautifully shot drama, with involving characters that you care about and it soon comes to an exciting adventure.
  10. Catch Me If You Can-Fun and funny whismical comma with a perfect sixties set. About as unpredictable as Michael Jackson's next skin color.

RUNNERS UP (alphabetical order): Austin Powers in Goldmember, Minority Report, Panic Room, The Rookie, Signs, Spider-Man.

WORST (THEATERS)

  1. Mostly Martha-Not funny enough for a comedy and no characters to care about. It also has a stupid title.
  2. Swimfan-Stupid premise with a stupid script and stupid acting (save Erika Christensen). It was also stupidly predictable.
  3. Bad Company-A cookie cutter "action comedy" that I didn't laugh at.
  4. Lilo and Stitch-Harmless kid's fare but so ignorant for anyone over 8, it's hard to image why it has such a large following.
  5. Eight Crazy Nights-Gross, with only a few funny parts and obvious product placement.
  6. Showtime-Occasionally funny, but an overused premise.
  7. I Spy-Not many laughs.
  8. Stolen Summer-Not too dramatic with fakey ways of lump-in-the-throat.
  9. The Scorpion King-Unlikely and not harrowing.
  10. The Two Towers-Fight scenes that are actually boring.

RUNNERS UP (alphabetical order): Barbershop, Men in Black 2, Undercover Brother, XXX

BEST (VIDEO/TV)

  1. The Shining-Super scary and superbly acted, this is one movie that you should not pass up.
  2. The Graduate-Original, touching, and funny, it has the perfect blend to make almost a perfect movie (with Simon and Garfunkel music, of course).
  3. Ghost World-Great acting, great script, great plot, great movie.
  4. Broadway Danny Rose-I don't know why, I just love it-Woody's best that I've seen.
  5. Fight Club-Hard to put into words-Edward Norton's voice overs are the best part of the film!
  6. Carrie-Creepy and well acted, this is an underrated horror pic.
  7. Memento-Trippy and mysterious, you stll think about it days after you've seen it.
  8. The Exorcist-Classic movie is very scary and memorable.
  9. The Cider House Rules-Touching and beautifully shot.
  10. Mulholland Drive-Another trippy movie that you think about afterwards and may not make much sense, but it does.

RUNNERS UP (alphabetical order): Annie Hall, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, The Deep End of the Ocean, A Fish Called Wanda, The Green Mile, The Naked Gun

WORST (VIDEO/TV)

  1. Gosford Park-No actual characters and no plot make this movie a "no" on my list.
  2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off-Few laughs and no characters to care about.
  3. The Phantom-Impossible and stupid.
  4. Monty Python's Meaning of Life-Not funny, gross, and a disgrace to the group.
  5. 1941-Marginally funny but too much muckruck of characters.
  6. Iron Monkey-Tries too hard to be funny and a Crouching Tiger clone.
  7. The Little Shop of Horrors-Tries too hard yet again.
  8. Saving Grace-Self concious and not very funny.
  9. Hollow Man-No real thrills and gets too technical.
  10. Back to the Future Part 2-Lacks fun as first one.


BEST ACTOR

Fight Club/Edward Norton

RUNNERS UP (alphabetical order): The Graduate/Dustin Hoffman, Changing Lanes/Samuel L. Jackson

BEST ACTRESS

Far from Heaven/Julianne Moore

RUNNERS UP (alphabetical order): Solaris/Viola Davis, Memento/Carrie-Anne Moss

COOLEST SCENE: Johnny Depp's death (don't we wish): A Nightmare on Elm Street

BEST PLOT TWIST: Fight Club

TRIPPIEST MOVIE: Mulholland Drive

BEST ANIMATED MOVIE: Spirited Away

MOST SURPRISING: Blood Work

MOST DISAPPOINTING: The Two Towers

MOST UNDERRATED: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

MOST OVERRATED: The Two Towers

FUNNIEST (THEATERS): About a Boy

FUNNIEST (VIDEO/TV): A Fish Called Wanda

MOST HORRIFYING (TIE): The Shining, The Ring

BEST VILLAIN: The Ring/Samara/Daveigh Chase 1
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