OK.... here's the list of the films I've seen in the year 2002. For the first year, the list also includes a few 2002 films I saw via DVD in my 'home theatre'.
Given the conditions of local movie houses (films out of focus, sound out of synch, scratchy prints, noisy audiences), I have to admit that the home theatre has become a better way to see smaller films. The big plexes are still preferable for big-screen epics where lots of stuff blows up or the sheer scope is part of the pleasure, but the DVD/Home Theatre has finally come of age as a better way to see many movies. I was lucky enough to borrow a few "Oscar Screener DVDs" this year, which means I caught a few more of the films that annoyingly remain in limited release at the end of the year -- with only the critics able to comment on them during their year of release!
As a new policy, I'll be adding to this list as the year goes on, as I catch additional 2002 films. I'll be placing them via rank where they would have fallen if I'd seen them by year's end. They will have designations like 3A (which means, it would have ranked between #3 and #4 on my list if I'd seen it in the year it was "released". I've also gone back and done this with a few prior years, so this lists can more accurately reflect the best and worst of each year. These films will appear in the list with astericks and in a grayer type.
At the bottom of this list were films released in 2001 that I didn't catch till they made it out in 2002. They are ranked seperately.
The Best of 2002
1. Gangs of New York
2. About Schmidt
3. Bowling for Columbine
4. Lovely and Amazing
5. Punch Drunk Love
6. Frailty
7. Adaptation
8. Far From Heaven
9. The Two Towers
10. Y Tu Mama Tambien
11. Talk To Her
*11A. Chicago*
PASS
THE POPCORN:
12. The Good Girl
13. Road to Perdition
14. Secretary
15. Spider Man
16. Minority Report
17. Spy Kids 2
18. About a Boy
19. Igby Goes Down
20. Spirited Away
21. Insomnia
22. Changing Lanes
*22A.
The Hours*
23. The Pianist
24. 8 Mile
*24A. Stevie*
*24B. The Quiet American*
25. Auto Focus
26. Die Another Day
27. Signs
28. Catch Me If You Can
29. Kissing Jessica Stein
30. Panic Room
31. The Believer
*31A. Rabbitproof Fence*
32. Unfaithful
33. Comedian
34. Naqoyqatsi
35. One Hour Photo
*35A. 13 Conversations About one Thing*
BUSINESS AS USUAL:
36. Star Wars Episode 2
37. The Bourne Identity
38. Harry Potter and whatever the Harry Potter Movie was called this year
39. The Ring
40 . Austin Powers in Goldmember
41. Men In Black 2
42. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
43. The Rookie
44. Crocodile Hunter – Collision Course
45. Real Women Have Curves
*45A. Sunshine State*
*45B. Tadpole*
YAWNERS:
46. Moonlight Mile
47. Frida
48. Sum of All Fears
*48A.Confessions of a Dangerous Mind*
49. Two Weeks Notice
50 . Red Dragon
51. XXX
52. Master of the Flying Guillotine
53. Femme Fatale
54. Ice Age
WORST
OF THE YEAR:
55. Eight Legged Freaks
56. Full Frontal
57. Solaris
58. Collateral Damage
59. Showtime
60 . ClockStoppers
61. Star Trek Nemesis
62. Rollerball
63. Reign of Fire
64. Blade 2
2001
Films Seen in 2002 (star ratings from 4-1 indicate how good or bad these would
have wound up in last year's list)
7 films from last year
Amelie ***
I am Sam ***
Monsters Ball ***
Gosford Park ***
Lantana **
BlackHawk Down **
Iris**
Films seen on home theatre for first time during the year... with ratings and year of release.
American Movie: The
Making of Northwestern (1999) * * * *
Say Anything (1989) * * *
The Family Man (2000) * * *
Bamboozled (2000) * *
The Mexican (2001) * *
My Favorite Martian (1999) **
Document of the Dead (1989) **
I Married A Strange Person (1997) *
Duets (2000) *
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001) BOMB
Films seen in 2008 and beyond are all now housed on TroutcoBlog.
The films I saw in 2007 Rated.
The films I saw in 2006 Rated.
The films I saw in 2005 Rated
The films I saw in 2004 Rated.
The films I saw in 2003 Rated.
The films I saw in 2002 Rated.
The films I saw in 2001 Rated.