2002: The Summer's Best

NOTE: All of these movies were theatrically released from June 1, 2002 - August 30, 2002.
Any other films released this year will qualify for my "Top 10 of 2002", but not for this one.
2003 NOTE: It's almost been a year since I've made this list. Right now, I wouldn't have
placed the films in this order. Minority Report has stayed with me much more than Road
to Perdition, One Hour Photo, and Signs. This list shows my basic initial reactions. The
films on it are ranked according to entertainment value, not necessarily effectiveness.

#10
Tadpole - With a great laid-back feel, one of the years more memorable indies is a summer success. I caught this one in the last few weeks of August, because it didn't come down to our side of the city until then, but I'm glad I was able to see it before it came out on DVD. Aaron Stanford made a wonderful debut, and Sigourney Weaver proved her great acting skills to be true once again. Tadpole is a beautiful little sitcommy piece.

#09
Blood Work - Most likely to be one of the last, if not the last itself, of Clint Eastwood's films; Blood Work proves that the old guy still has it.We get an excellent story, terrific acting (with the absence of Anjelica Huston's dreadful performance), and likable set design. Jeff Daniels was also incredibly good in the movie, and was strangely not hard to picture as his character because of his odd-ball performance in Dumb and Dumber. The film worked, plain and simple.

#08
Lilo & Sitich - Keeping the infallible Disney name alive once again, Lilo & Sitich succeeds in making an excellent family trip. With creative characters and great voices, I was thoroughly amused with all the animated feature had to offer. I am thirteen years old, and I enjoyed a movie intended for a six or seven year old! That is very hard to find. The film accomplishes a ton in its short running length, and is far superior to the disastrous Scooby Doo.

#07
The Bourne Identity - Working brilliantly as Jason Bourne, Matt Damon is now a certified action star, as he offered one of the most solid performances of the year. Doug Liman's direction was downed by many, but I felt that he brought a stylized addition into the already top-notch action. The fight scenes were good, the dialogue was great, and the clip of Damon and Potente getting feisty was cool/bizarre! The popcorn-flick was a treat to watch, and should be remembered.

#06
Possession - With an astonishing cast, and a brilliant story; this was one of the only films this year that was able to leave me in pure amazement. The direction was great, the cinematography was fantastic, the original score worked, and Gwyneth Paltrow created a kick-ass British accent. The effect that the producers gave the movie gave it a sort-of "time machine" type feel, and I liked that about it more than anything. It is still worth catching while you can.

#05
The Good Girl - Finally able to show that she can do better than "Friends", Jennifer Anniston comes out of her shell in the remarkable Good Girl. Everything in the film was as realistic as an be, and all of the performances were right on. I believed that the small Texas town was real, I felt the misery in which the "Retail Rodeo" caused, and above all; I thought that the movie could've been a true story. This is one of the flicks that makes you feel good, despite its depressing content.

#04
Minority Report - Barely clocking in as a "summer movie", this was the seasons first hit! Starring Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell, directed by Steven Spielberg; Minority Report is the most intelligent thriller of passing years. The advanced but traumatic world created by Spielberg and screenwriters Jon Cohen and Scott Frank was strangely believable. All of the special effects were edgy and creatively advanced for the genre. The film is hands-down a masterpiece!

#03
Road to Perdition - With performances of Oscar quality by Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law; The Road to Perdition is an incredible achievement. The direction by Sam Mendes was a great follow-up to the acclaimed American Beauty. The whole picture was like a painting being acted out, due to the gorgeous cinematography, realistic scenery, and beautiful costume design. The complete package is an amazing result and a triumphant work.

#02
One Hour Photo - This movie contains Robin Williams best performance, ever. The incomparable Sy Parrish was the most terrifying criminal in a movie of all time, next to Anothny Hopkins' "Hannibal". The film also proves that the Fox Searchlight franchise is the most worthy distributor of movies in recent days. I was blown away by the logic in the screenplay, the villainy side of Parrish was well thought out. Spooky, smart, and twisty: One Hour Photo simply works.

#01
Signs - "Silence has never been so scary." - Roger Ebert. M Night Shylaman's latest speaks when no words are being exchanged. The screenplay, direction, and production were absolutely flawless, and made the film even more haunting. From the opening credits you're scared, the music is violent, the action is violent, and the dialogue is violent; everything is well-executed. This is the best movie of the summer, and maybe even of the year; see it as many times you can.