This list covers just about every movie I saw in 2002, in all venues; I have a category for every one of them. [For some reason, I combined American and Foreign films--RJP, ed.]
RON'S TOP TEN MOVIES FOR 2002
1. THE PIANIST (Polanski)
2. Y TU MAMA, TAMBIEN (Mexico: Cuaron)
3. CHICAGO
4. TALK TO HER (Espana: Almodovar)
5. THE HOURS
6. CITY OF GOD* (Brasil: Mereilles)
7. FAR FROM HEAVEN
8. ATANARJUAT: The Fast Runner (3-hr. Inuit movie)
9. 13 CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING
10. IGBY GOES DOWN
* without a doubt, the single most-violent, bloodiest movie I have seen in my LIFE--EVER!
Honorable mention (alpha):
About A Boy
About Schmidt
Adaptation
Enigma
Narc*
The Piano Teacher (Austria-France) [I canot believe I under-rated this movie so! -- ed.]
The Quiet American
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Sex and Lucia (Espana)
Sunshine State
Special mention: Bowling for Columbine
* without a doubt, the single most-violent, bloodiest movie I have seen in my LIFE--EVER!
Saw & Enjoyed (alpha):
US: The Bourne Identity, The Count of Monte Cristo, Frida, Harry Potter 2, The Importance of Being Ernest, Insomnia, Kissing Jessica Stein, Lord of the Rings 2, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Punch Drunk Love, The Ring [starring the lovely Naomi Watts], 25th Hour.
Foreign: Alias Betty (FRA); El Crimen de Padre Amaro (MEX); Happenstance (FRA); Mad Love (ESP); Mostly Martha (GER).
'Had its moments' (self-explanatory):
Austin Powers in Goldmember; Cherish; 8 Mile; The Good Girl; Heaven; Murder by Numbers; Panic Room; Russian Ark (RUS); Secretary; Session 9.
Saw & DIDN'T Enjoy (ranked by increasing level of disappointment):
(Let me reiterate: I did NOT enjoy these movies!!)
12. Gangs of New York
11. Road to Perdition
10. Spiderman
9. Minority Report
8. Die Another Day
7. Tadpole
6. The Sum of All Fears
5. Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones
4. 8 Women (France)
3. Morvern Callar -- horrible, horrible!
2. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
1. TWO WEEKS NOTICE -- Sandra B. reaches her nadir.
"THE THREE WORST VIDEO RENTALS I HAD TO SIT THROUGH THIS YEAR"
3. SWORDFISH -- pointless!
2. CLOCKWATCHERS - pretentious!!
1. JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK - painfully UNfunny!!!
