With the Oscar nominations to be announced in a matter of weeks (February 11th to be exact), the time has come once again to look back upon 2002 and reflect upon those films that may have touched us, made us laugh, cry...or choke on our own rage. 2002 was a great year for cinema. Last year brought us several types of films that are a rarity in today's high budget, but low on quality, day in age. These rarities include MARVELous comic book to big screen adaptations, new and creative ideas, outstanding remakes of lesser known foreign films, breathtaking breakout performances from unknown newcomers, CG that aids a great story rather than attempting to carry it, as well as the comeback of the musical. With that having been said, let's take a look back at the year 2002 as I run down my favorite films of the year, the films and performances that I deem to be Oscar worthy, and the films and performances that are most likely to garner several Oscar nominations.

MY OSCAR HOPEFULS - These are the films and actors/actresses that I feel, and hope, will receive Oscar nominations. Chances are they will be drastically different from the ACTUAL nominations.

BEST PICTURE
Adaptation
Minority Report
Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers
Gangs Of New York
The Pianist
What I Want To Win: Adaptation

BEST DIRECTOR
Peter Jackson - Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers
Spike Jonze - Adaptation
Martin Scorsese - Gangs Of New York
Steven Spielberg - Minority Report
Roman Polanski - The Pianist
Who I Want To Win: Steven Spielberg

BEST ACTOR
Derek Luke - Antwone Fisher
Daniel Day Lewis - Gangs Of New York
Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt
Nicholas Cage - Adaptation
Adrien Brody - The Pianist
Who I Want To Win: Daniel Day Lewis

BEST ACTRESS
Julianne Moore - Far From Heaven
Nicole Kidman - The Hours
Meryl Streep - The Hours
Meryl Streep - Adaptation
Renee Zelwegger - Chicago
Who I Want To Win: Nicole Kidman

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Colin Farrell - Minority Report
Jude Law - Road To Perdition
Ed Harris - The Hours
Chris Cooper - Adaptation
Gollum - Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers
Who I Want To Win: Gollum

BEST ORIGINAL OR ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Adaptation
Adaptation
Adaptation
Adaptation
Adaptation
What I Want To Win: Adaptation

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (since I do not know all of the cinematographer names, I will just list the film)
Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (Andrew Lesnie)
Far From Heaven
Road To Perdition
8 Mile
Rules Of Attraction
What I Want To Win: Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers

MY OSCAR PROBABLES: These are the films and actors/actresses that I feel are most likely to actually receive nominations from The Academy.

BEST PICTURE
The Pianist
About Schmidt
The Hours
Gangs Of New York
Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers
What I Want To Win: Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers

BEST DIRECTOR
Peter Jackson - Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers
Spike Jonze - Adaptation
Rob Marshall - Chicago
Martin Scorsese - Gangs Of New York
Alexander Payne - About Schmidt
Who I Want To Win - Peter Jackson

BEST ACTOR
Derek Luke - Antwone Fisher
Daniel Day Lewis - Gangs Of New York
Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt
Nicholas Cage - Adaptation
Adrien Brody - The Pianistbr> Who I Want To Win: Daniel Day Lewis

BEST ACTRESS
Julianne Moore - Far From Heaven
Julianne Moore - The Hours
Nicole Kidman - The Hours
Meryl Streep - Adaptation or The Hours
Salma Hayek - Frida
Who I Want To Win: Nicole Kidman

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Chris Cooper - Adaptation
Ed Harris - The Hours
Paul Newman - Road To Perdition
Richard Gere - Chicago
Dennis Quaid - Far From Heaven Who I Want To Win: Chris Cooper

THE BEST FILMS OF 2002 - This is my list, in order starting from #10 up to the best film of 2002, of the films that I feel are the best that Hollywood had to offer last year. Anyone who calls themselves a "film buff," or even simply a big movie fan, owes it to themself to see these films.

10. Signs - "Signs" succeeded in doing something that I felt it had absolutely no chance in doing: it made me believe a premise that I felt was ridiculous and unfeasible. In addition to that, it also managed to be a quite suspenseful film. I hadn't been that...let's say, nervous...since the original Jurassic Park. Making me tense in the theater is a sure way of earning my praise, and "Signs" certainly succeeded in doing that.

9. Spiderman - This was arguably the best comic book to film adaptation ever done. No, "Spiderman" did not feature Oscar worthy performances or an intricate plot full of twists and turns. It was simply a great film that was a great joy to anyone that saw it. Whether you're a fan of the comic or not, "Spiderman" is a must-own DVD because it's one of those films that you can watch over and over and it never loses its appeal.

8. Gangs Of New York - "Gangs Of New York" was simply an outstanding film. Martin Scorsese has done it again with what is arguably his best film since "Goodfellas." Though it is not on the level of "Goodfellas," "Taxi Driver," or "Raging Bull," "Gangs Of New York" flawlessly delivers all of those things that make a film great. The film is beautifully shot, extremely well acted and directed, and simply very engaging and interesting. The only reason that "Gangs Of New York" is not higher on the list is that I felt a little disappointed by the ending. It is by no means a bad ending, just not as great as I was anticipating.

7. Road To Perdition - This film received very few accolades, which is unfortunate because it deserves all the recognition, if not more, than the artsy films released at the end of the year. The cinematography in this movie is amazing and the sets and costume design remind me of another great film called "The Untouchables." Though on the surface it appears to be a gangster film, it is moreso a film about the relationship between a father and a son...in which the father just happens to be murderer. Beautifully acted by Tom Hanks and also featuring a great, albeit under-appreciated, performance by Jude Law, "Road To Perdition" is certainly one of the best films of the year.

6. 8 Mile - Yes, I'm prejudiced. I love Eminem, so shoot me. However, setting my love for Eminem aside, as a film lover, "8 Mile" was simply a great movie. "8 Mile" took a somewhat over-used and cliched idea and reinvented it, setting the standard a bit higher for future films that will undoubtedly attempt to recreate its brilliance. I feel that it also helped those who are not familiar with rap, gain a greater appreciation for the talent it takes to be successful and good at it. Finally, whether he was "playing himself" or not, Eminem did an outstanding job.

5. Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers - What can I say? Everyone has seen it and everyone knows how great it is. When it is all said and done, The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy will go down as the greatest epic adventure of all time. What is the secret? The fact that it is one long movie that is being released in 3 parts. George Lucas should take notes. Just like "The Fellowship Of The Ring," "The Two Towers" is going to rake in the Oscars this year. So why is it #4? Well, besides there being 3 movies I liked more, I liked the first film better than this one. Despite featuring one of the greatest film segments that I have ever seen known as the battle at Helms Deep, as well as THE greatest CG character of all-time, this film had some lulls. In contrast, I felt that the first film was flawless in every way. Minor flaws aside, "The Two Towers" is simply a mind-blowing experience that is only going to get better. "Return Of The King" - December 17th, 2003.

4. Solaris - I have yet to see one critic who put this film on their Top 10 list. All that tells me is that todays average critic has no taste. "Solaris," a remake of the 1972 Tarkovski film from Russia by the same name, is an outstanding film. Soderbergh took the original film and eliminated its only flaw, periodic tediousness, to create one of the best and most original films that I have ever seen. However, "Solaris" is not for the average film goer. It is a very confusing and thought-provoking film that requires participation from its audience. The payoff is well worth the effort. I do not want to give away the plot, thereby taking away some of the required mental effort, but rest assured that those film goers that enjoy smart films that are original and thought-provoking will love this film.

3. The Pianist - The director of "Chinatown" has done it again. What an amazing film. "The Pianist" is the story of a jewish...well, pianist...separated from his family during the Holocaust. After they are separated, he is forced to fend for himself. This film features some of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever seen in a film and it is a gritty, very real film. Adrien Brody is amazing as the lead character. You can actually see and feel him starting to decay as time passes and food becomes harder to come by. "The Pianist" is quite simply a remarkable film going experience and a certain Best Picture candidate.

2. Minority Report - Movies like this are the reason that I am a film major and aspire to be involved in movies in some way. "Minority Report" was simply brilliant in every way. I've had my fill of films that rehash the same tired ideas: questioning ones life and/or significance; black people having a hard time; people getting chopped up; people falling down; and romantic comedies starring Julia Roberts. It was so refreshing to see an original film with an original idea so beautifully crafted and held up as model to which other directors should attempt to emulate. If I were to attempt to praise this film in all the ways in which it deserves, you would be reading forever and I would contract arthritis. "Minority Report" is quite simply why cinema will always be a profitable business. As long as there is even a POSSIBILITY that we will pay $8.50 and experience a film like that, we will continue to empty our wallets.

1. Adaptation - Susan Orlean wrote a book called "The Orchid Thief." The book is about flowers. Someone thought it would be a good idea to make that book into a movie. "Adaptation" is that movie. Charlie Kaufman, played by Nicholas Cage, is the screenwriter that is given the arduous task of adapting "The Orchid Thief" into a screenplay. "Adaptation" is also about Kaufman's troubles in succeeding in that seemingly impossible task. Simply put, though the simplicity is a matter of opinion, "Adaptation" is the film adaptation of "The Orchid Thief" as well as an example of the difficulties it took in making a screenplay for a movie about an adaptation of "The Orchid Thief." Still with me? Don't worry, you shouldn't be. You have to see it to believe it. "Adaptation" is #1 because it is one of the funniest, most entertaining, and most importantly, ORIGINAL films that I have ever seen. The genius it must have taken to write such a complicated film like this AND succeed in making it funny is mind boggling. I'm fully aware that most people will not be as impressed with this film as I was, but it would be a shame if "Adaptation" does not get AT LEAST a Best Picture nomination. See it and judge for yourself. "Adaptation" is simply an amazing film that I will never forget. Did I forget to mention that Charlie Kaufman is the real life person that actually wrote the screenplay for the movie that is about the process of writing a screenplay for a film adaptation of a book? Just thought I'd throw that in.

HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order):

Chicago, Rules Of Attraction, One Hour Photo, Star Wars EP 2, Frailty, The Count Of Monte Cristo, Insomnia, The Bourne Identity, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, Catch Me If You Can, The 25th Hour.

RATINGS FOR THE FILMS OF 2002:

The Pianist 4 out of 4 stars

The Hours: 2 out of 4 stars

Narc: 2.5 out of 4 stars

25th Hour: 3 out of 4 stars

About Schmidt: 2 out of 4 stars

Chicago: 3.5 out of 4 stars

Antwone Fisher: 2 out of 4 stars

Catch Me If You Can: 3 out of 4 stars

Far From Heaven: 3 out of 4 stars

Adaptation: 4 out of 4 stars

Gangs Of New York: 4 out of 4 stars

Lord Of The Rings The Two Towers: 4 out of 4 stars

Analyze That: 1.5 out of 4 stars

Solaris: 4 out of 4 stars

Die Another Day: 3 out of 4 stars

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets: 3.5 out of 4 stars

8 Mile: 4 out of 4 stars

Jackass: 2 out of 4 stars

Ghost Ship: 1 out of 4 stars

The Ring: 0 out of 4 stars

Rules Of Attraction: 3.5 out of 4 stars

Red Dragon: 3.5 out of 4 stars

Martin Lawrence Live RunTelDat: 1 out of 4 stars

Barbershop: 3 out of 4 stars

Fear Dot Com: 0 out of 4 stars

Simone: 2 out of 4 stars

One Hour Photo: 3.5 out of 4 stars

xXx: 2 out of 4 stars

Blood Work: 2 out of 4 stars

Signs: 4 out of 4 stars

Austin Powers In Goldmember: 2 out of 4 stars

Road To Perdition: 4 out of 4 stars

Halloween Resurrection: 1 out of 4 stars

Men In Black 2: 3 out of 4 stars

Minority Report: 4 out of 4 stars

The Bourne Identity: 3.5 out of 4 stars

Scooby Doo: 3 out of 4 stars

Insomnia: 3 out of 4 stars

Star Wars Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones: 4 out of 4 stars

Spider-man: 4 out of 4 stars

Jason X: 2 out of 4 stars

The Scorpion King: 3 out of 4 stars

Frailty: 3.5 out of 4 stars

Panic Room: 2 out of 4 stars

Blade 2: 3 out of 4 stars

Resident Evil: 3 out of 4 stars

The Time Machine: 0 out of 4 stars

The Queen Of The Damned: 1 out of 4 stars

Super Troopers: 2.5 out of 4 stars

Kung Pow: Enter The Fist: 1 out of 4 stars

The Count Of Monte Cristo: 3 out of 4 stars

A Beautiful Mind: 3 out of 4 stars