That’s Entertainment

Gangsters, psycho killers, superheroes in love and just plain thrills — the films of 2002 had it all.

By: Jim Boyle

Robin Williams churned out two memorable performances in 2002, including Insomnia (above) and One Hour Photo.

   If
nothing else, the year in film for 2002 will leave everybody scratching their
heads. Did Adam Sandler really produce one of the best performances of the year?
Is a low-budget independent film about a wedding really one of the biggest hits
of the year, despite the fact that it never reached the top of the weekly box-office
charts? Is Star Wars forever tarnished?

   Many franchises, such as The Ring, XXX and Scooby-Doo,
got an unexpected jumpstart, while others, including Harry Potter and Lord
of the Rings, continued their blockbuster success. On the other hand, some
franchises limped to a probable conclusion. By all indications, including a sagging
box office, Star Trek: Nemesis appears to be the final installment featuring
Jean-Luc Picard and his crew. Meanwhile, don’t expect the Analyze This series
to become a trilogy.

   Our thirst for nostalgia was dutifully quenched and soundly
punished. Todd Haynes’ Far From Heaven removed the rose-colored glasses
from the ’50s and exposed issues and problems that are still dealt with today.
Auto Focus shined a light on the dark and kinky life of Hogan’s Heroes
star Bob Crane, while Confessions of a Dangerous Mind analyzed the
possible double life of Gong Show host Chuck Barris.

   In terms of quality, it has been one of the best turn-outs since
1999, the year of The Matrix, American Beauty and Being John
Malkovich. Three of the major critic’s circles have already announced their
choices for best film of the year, each with different selections. The New York
Film Critics chose Far From Heaven, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association
picked About Schmidt and the National Board of Review selected The Hours.
Other candidates include Chicago, Gangs of New York and The Quiet
American.

   Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of these late arrivals yet,
but of the multitude of films I did manage to see, I’ve compiled a respectable
list of the best and most entertaining of the year.



       Spirited Away As three-dimensional
continues to become the preferred style of animation, the best film of the year
gives a great argument for the two-dimensional world. Hayao Miyazaki has created
a lush and lavish world with bright colors and moving images. This isn’t just
a pretty picture, however. A winding plot filled with surprises follows Chihiro,
a young girl trapped in a strange realm of witches and creatures. By the end,
she has become one of the year’s strongest heroines.

Paul Newman and Tom Hanks starred in Road to Perdition.

   
   Road to Perdition Director Sam Mendes explores the bond
between father and son in this gangster drama set in 1931. Tom Hanks plays against
type as Michael Sullivan, right-hand man and killer for mob boss Paul Newman.
After his wife and youngest child are murdered, Sullivan grabs his surviving son
and looks for vengeance. Strong performances combine with an atmospheric story
and striking images for a tense and satisfying experience.



       Insomnia Christopher Nolan follows
up his directorial debut, Memento, with what appears on the surface as
a by-the-book murder mystery. Instead, it is a taut thriller with plenty of unexpected
twists to go around. Al Pacino perfectly captures the look and behavior of a man
gradually losing sleep. As the detective for a murder investigation that leads
him to a quaint town in Alaska, Pacino strikes up an uneasy relationship with
the prime suspect, played by Robin Williams. The former Mrs. Doubtfire manages
to hold his own against the veteran Pacino, with the two creating fantastic scenes.
Meanwhile, Hilary Swank makes a solid contribution as a local cop with her own
suspicions.



       Spider-Man The reason Superman
is considered the definitive superhero flick is because it contained a likeable
good guy, a deliciously evil villain and a strong plot that developed characters.
It wasn’t until May of 2002 that the combination was successful again. Right from
the start, the audience is rooting for Tobey Maguire to come out on top. As Peter
Parker, Maguire gets the viewers to feel the same emotions he does. Willem Dafoe
proves to be more terrifying as Norman Osborne than all dressed up as the Green
Goblin, possessing one of the most menacing stares in film. The special-effects-laden
action scenes seem almost secondary to the touching love story between Maguire
and Kirsten Dunst, making it the highest-grossing film of the year.



       Punch-Drunk Love The glimpse of talent
Adam Sandler showed in The Wedding Singer is brought out in full force
by director Paul Thomas Anderson. Trying to win the heart of Emily Watson while
embroiled in a violent battle with a phone-sex operator, Sandler deftly maneuvers
from intimidated neurosis to unbottled rage. Anderson’s most disciplined film,
the sweet story is punctuated by humorous moments, with welcome contributions
from Philip Seymour Hoffman and Luis Guzman.



       Y tu Mamá También The
Hispanic community has executed a welcome invasion of American cinema this year,
with critically successful films such as Frida, Talk to Her, Real
Women Have Curves and El Crimen del Padre Amaro. One of the best is
a sexy and introspective work directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Two boys allow
an older woman to tag along on their trip to a secluded Mexican beach. Along the
way, discoveries are made and friendships are redefined. The right mix of comedy
and drama make for an unexpectedly entertaining affair.



       I Am Trying to Break Your Heart Originally
planned as a documentary about the making of Wilco’s new album, Yankee Hotel
Foxtrot, filmmaker Sam Jones managed to capture one of the year’s more bizarre
stories. After completing one of 2002’s best records, the members of the alt-country
group were dropped by their label. After shopping around for several months, they
were picked up by Nonesuch Records. The payoff: both labels are subsidiaries of
Warner Brothers. Essentially, the media conglomerate bought the same album twice.
Shot with grainy black-and-white film stock, the story is illustrated by rousing
performances by the band.



       One Hour Photo Robin Williams concludes
his yearlong effort to shake up his image with an off-kilter portrayal of a man
obsessed with a family whose film he develops at the local department store. Desperately
in search of a sense of belonging, his world comes crashing down after losing
his job. The concept of life captured on film serves as subtext for a story of
a man descending into madness.



       Lansdown Shot on location throughout
New Jersey, including Hillsborough and Bound Brook, this low-budget film turns
out to be an unexpected treat. Piscataway native Tom Zuber directs this dark comedy
that follows the descent of a defense lawyer as he plots revenge for his wife’s
infidelities. He hires a trio of hitmen to take out his wife’s lover, but everything
goes wrong. Watch for strong performances by Tom Shield as the jilted spouse,
Jennifer Carlson as the sexy and manipulative wife and D. W. Warren as career
criminal Gustav.



       Signs M. Night Shyamalan proves he’s
not a fluke with one of the most entertaining films of the year. A tight story
about crop circles and the threat of alien invasion surrounds a rural family headed
by ex-minister Mel Gibson. His fractured faith is challenged further as he tries
to protect his loved ones from the impending danger. Shyamalan mixes humor with
tension and comes up with a thrilling result.