MinerWerks' Nebulous
Best of 2002 List
12.
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING - Yeah, I liked it, and I'm not ashamed to say so! Even though the film portrays a Greek family's idiosyncrasies, there's something universal in the idea that families can be as frustrating as they are supportive. The film's flaws are far outweighed by its honest heart and soul. And it's funny!
11.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - Returning from the land of so-so sci-fi, Spielberg once again has his humor and his heart in the right places. A fun and amusing story, given just enough weight by a poignant dose of family politics.
10.
STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN - Not just a documentary, but a celebration. Few are aware of the great musical contributions of "The Funk Brothers," the session musicians who played on all the classic Motown records of the sixties. Watching the remaining Funk Brothers perform said classics with contemporary vocalists only serves to prove how overlooked their legacy has been.
9.
ROGER DODGER - Okay, I'm a sucker for sexual politics, and this is an interesting little dose. This film has drawn comparisons to Neil LaBute's work, but to do so is to miss the point, I think. While LaBute's misogynist characters are unrepentant and fearsome creatures, Campbell Scott's Roger is merely stubborn and misdirected. Ultimately, there's a humanity at work here in an all too rare attempt to suggest triumph over cynicism.
8.
LOVELY & AMAZING - The most deft character piece I saw this year. I am starting to wonder if Catherine Keener desires to play anything but the cold and detached type, but at least this film provides a convincing construct to accept the attitudes and actions of the characters. The film comes close to painting men in a negative light, but not in a vindictive fashion.
7.
PANIC ROOM - Is it implausible? I suppose, but nothing of the sort crossed my mind as I sat on the edge of my seat for the entire length of this thriller. Jodie Foster displays an interesting vulnerability here that helps the viewer invest in the character and her daughter. Once they were trapped in the panic room, I was completely sucked in.
6.
KISSING JESSICA STEIN - A wonderful romantic comedy that twists up the formula in just enough ways to make it memorable. I guess there's more of that interest in sexual politics affecting my judgment here, but I think this is a story that deserved to be told.
5.
PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE - This one is definitely growing on me. While P.T. Anderson runs the risk of pushing things too far, this is still a fascinating film. I can imagine many people relating to the Adam Sandler character, yet they wouldn't think of admitting those feelings prior to seeing this film. Count me among them. Bonus points for having a featured role for Mary Lynn Rajskub!
4.
ADAPTATION - I had high hopes for this collaboration between Spike Jonze and Charlie Kauffman, but my first viewing ended on a down note. The ending didn't seem to match the themes sprinkled through the rest of the film. Then I watched again, and I finally unlocked the secret that made the ending come alive in a new way. A brilliant and economical screenplay lies within, waiting to be discovered.
3.
BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE - Regardless of the politics, Bowling For Columbine is a thought-provoking and entertaining filmic essay. While Michael Moore has no trouble attempting to make himself appear to be the voice of reason, yet he is remarkably restrained by leaving some questions of this film unanswered.
2.
CHICAGO - Some people absolutely hate musicals. It's movies like Chicago that can sometimes break down that prejudice. This is an impeccably staged crowd pleaser, with excellent performances all around. Perhaps the best integration of song and story I've seen in a while. Nothing deep or profound, but a hell of a show.
1.
LILO & STITCH - I had to wonder if Disney's story people have been taking lessons from the folks over at Pixar. Lilo & Stitch represents a remarkable departure from the stale Disney formula that hasn't quite worked for the past several years. I loved the characters in this film. The relationships in this story are the most colorful I've seen in a while, and the jokes are darn funny, to boot.
MinerWerks' Pee-Ew
of 2002 (aka The Bottom Five)
5. John
Q - Heart in the right
place, brains in the ass. This "message" film completely negates any
positive points it has to make by grandstanding and preaching. Not to
mention the story is riddled with chlicés, which makes the drama
hard to swallow from the start.4. Hollywood Ending - My how the mighty have fallen. Woody Allen continues his streak of miscalculated and slack "comedies," pushing terrific talent to a bundle of clichés and limp satire. The idea that Woody's character (essentially the real Woody - again) is desired by gorgeous women is getting beyond unbelievable. The best thing about this film is that it's not as bad as Deconstructing Harry.
3. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course - I was having fits of laughter over the woefully misconceived spy "story" that frames the interludes of Steve Irwin giving lessons on various creatures of the outback. If you love Irwin's interactions with such beasties, fine, check it out on TV. But for cryin' out loud, you shouldn't have to sit through a stinkin' slice of movie cheese and a dance remake of "Crocodile Rock" to see that!
2. Equilibrium - A promising cast in an over-stylized mess that kills all credibility with over the top theatrics and brutally distracting kung-phooey fight scenes. I witnessed two professional critics rendered hysterical with laughter over the film's finale.
1. Friday After Next - Hostile, crude, aimless and (worst of all) NOT FUNNY. Well, okay, I laughed at one joke, and I'll save you all the agony of the entire mess by revealing it here: A guy peruses a haul of stolen goods to discover a sports jersey marked size "extra medium".
I think I came out pretty lucky that these were the worst films I saw all year. I know there were much worse, but I couldn't bring myself to pay for those. If someone could tell me how to get on the press list for advance screenings, then I'd be more than happy to stomach a few stinkers.