2002 was the year I left home and made my way in the world. It was also the year that Enron collapsed and sent a lot of people I knew to the unemployment line. And it was a rather enjoyable year in film. As usual, this list came from a younger version of myself that I will respect, though I might have changed the list a little if I knew then what I know now.

1. Solaris: Steven Sodenburgh’s adaptation of the Stanislaw Lem novel provides more questions than answers, but in the best way possible. This is science fiction at it’s finest as George Clooney and Natasha McEllohne give quietly powerful performances. But the real treat here is Viola Davis as the realist in a space station starting to lose it’s grip on reality. Can man really grasp the concept of God with all of His power? Solaris has an idea, but it’s not a pretty one.
2. Bowling for Columbine: Michael Moore’s powerful documentary is one that asks a question and searches for an answer that doesn’t exist. Why are American’s so eager to shoot and kill each other? What starts off being about bloodlust quickly turns into a documentary about fear.
3. Signs: M. Night Shyamalan has finally made the masterpiece he has been threatening to make since The Sixth Sense. Signs is terrifying intimate about a former priest who tries to protect his family from a possible alien invasion. Mel Gibson gives an Oscar Worthy performance as Tak Fujimoto deserves all the acclaim he will get for his photography.
4. Adaptation: Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman has made a film that makes the ultimate statement about adapting books and articles into movies as Kaufman writes himself and his “twin” Donald (played by Nicholas Cage) into his own movie adaptation of The Orchid Thief. The movie works on levels beyond simple comprehension. Chris Cooper deserves an Oscar Nomination for an amazing performance.
5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Opa! How many movies not only make you want to join the party, but actually HAVE you join the party? A star is born in Nia Vardallos as Toulla, a young woman coming on her own as she defies her designated role in her family and marry a non-Greek (John Corbett). The fun just drips from scene to scene.
6. One Hour Photo: Robin Williams gives his most challenging performance to date in Mark Romenek’s film about a photo technician who finds himself desperate for the love and affection of a young family he comes to idolize. Creepy and unnerving is an understatement as Williams provides us a look into a man who has never been loved before.
7. Chicago: Musicals will never be more dour and yet exciting as Chicago. And director Rob Marshall brings the classic Broadway musical to life on film with an impressive cast with the likes of Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, and John. C. Reilly, an array of technical glitz and pizzazz, and one truly fireball story. And if you don’t find yourself singing along on the first go-round, wait until the second.
8. Road to Perdition: Sam Mendes’ film about fathers and sons is one that really catches your breath. It’s always great to see Tom Hanks take on a challenging role, but here he’s playing against the legend Paul Newman in one of his best roles in ten, possibly twenty, years. Conrad Hall’s cinematography is just amazing and Thomas Newman’s score hits all the right notes.
9. Gangs of New York: Martin Scorsese has made greater films, but none as ambitious as Gangs of New York. The production is so amazing that you just want to stare and gawk. Daniel Day-Lewis gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Bill the Butcher, which almost seems tailor-made for the actor. And while I still don’t buy Leonardo DiCaprio as a viable actor, he does try his best and it works very well.
10. Spider-Man: Who knew that the web-slinger would make top ten lists? Sam Raimi’s adaptation of the Marvel Superhero is one of the most exciting superhero movies to come down the pipeline, hopefully to redefine the experience. Tobey Maguire makes the dual role of Peter Parker and Spider-Man into a real performance and Willem Defoe is juicy as the menacing Green Goblin. I can’t wait to see what happens next!