Tony Kollath's Top Ten Lists for 2002
I remember reading with a raised eyebrow that Bill Paxton was making his
directorial debut with the April release Frailty. One of those actors
who is recognizable yet not memorable, Paxton has turned in a string of
solid if less-than-breakout performances. Marketed as somewhat of a
horror movie, Frailty never found much of an audience. What a shame.
Almost a year after its release, Frailty continues to make a strong
impression on me. Told in flashback, the movie tells a simple story of
a small family that sets off on a puzzling and troubling trail of
murder. Paxton fills his role with gravity, while newcomer Matthew
O'Leary steals the show as the young Fenton. Frailty could have gone
seriously awry if made by the wrong personnel. Paxton's direction is
sure-handed, remaining understated to bring out the themes of the film.
Frailty is a movie that remains intriguing long after a first viewing.
This fine piece of work earns a spot as my number one movie of 2003.
Special Recognition Award
The "There's no Melissa Rivers on Naboo" Award:
Natalie Portman's clothiers, Attack of the Clones
|
Best Picture
|
Position |
Film |
|
1
|
Frailty
|
|
2
|
The Hours
|
|
3
|
Minority Report
|
|
4
|
Chicago
|
|
5
|
About a Boy
|
|
6
|
Brotherhood of the Wolf
|
|
7
|
25th Hour
|
|
8
|
Signs
|
|
9
|
Adaptation
|
|
10
|
Insomnia
|
|
Best Director
|
Director |
Film |
|
Stephen Daldry
|
The Hours
|
|
Spike Lee
|
25th Hour
|
|
Steven Spielberg
|
Minority Report
|
|
Bill Paxton
|
Frailty
|
|
Rob Marshall
|
Chicago
|
|
M. Night Shyamalan
|
Signs
|
|
Christopher Nolan
|
Insomnia
|
|
Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz
|
About a Boy
|
|
Peter Jackson
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
George Clooney
|
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
|
|
Best Actor
|
Actor |
Film |
|
Mel Gibson
|
Signs
|
|
Nicolas Cage
|
Adaptation
|
|
Hugh Grant
|
About a Boy
|
|
Bill Paxton
|
Frailty
|
|
Leonardo DiCaprio
|
Catch Me If You Can
|
|
Val Kilmer
|
The Salton Sea
|
|
Tom Cruise
|
Minority Report
|
|
Sam Rockwell
|
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
|
|
Al Pacino
|
Insomnia
|
|
Eminem
|
8 Mile
|
|
Best Actress
|
Actress |
Film |
|
Diane Lane
|
Unfaithful
|
|
Nicole Kidman
|
The Hours
|
|
Renée Zellweger
|
Chicago
|
|
Naomi Watts
|
The Ring
|
|
Jodie Foster
|
Panic Room
|
|
Nia Vardalos
|
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
|
|
Meryl Streep
|
The Hours
|
|
Alexis Bledel
|
Tuck Everlasting
|
|
Julianne Moore
|
The Hours
|
|
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos
|
Femme Fatale
|
|
Best Supporting Actor
|
Actor |
Film |
|
Matthew O'Leary
|
Frailty
|
|
Barry Pepper
|
25th Hour
|
|
Chris Cooper
|
Adaptation
|
|
Robin Williams
|
Insomnia
|
|
Ian McKellen
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
Mark Dacascos
|
Brotherhood of the Wolf
|
|
Christopher Walken
|
Catch Me If You Can
|
|
J.K. Simmons
|
Spider-Man
|
|
Joaquin Phoenix
|
Signs
|
|
David Dorfman
|
The Ring
|
|
Best Supporting Actress
|
Actress |
Film |
|
Samantha Morton
|
Minority Report
|
|
Catherine Zeta-Jones
|
Chicago
|
|
Miranda Otto
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
Toni Collette
|
About a Boy
|
|
Rosario Dawson
|
25th Hour
|
|
Aunjanue Ellis
|
Undercover Brother
|
|
Laura Linney
|
The Mothman Prophecies
|
|
Emily Watson
|
Red Dragon
|
|
Queen Latifah
|
Chicago
|
|
Meryl Streep
|
Adaptation
|
|
Best Screenplay
|
Writer(s) |
Film |
|
David Hare
|
The Hours
|
|
Brent Hanley
|
Frailty
|
|
M. Night Shyamalan
|
Signs
|
|
Peter Hedges, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz
|
About a Boy
|
|
Frances Walsh, Peter Jackson, Stephen Sinclair and Philippa Boynes
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
Scott Frank and Jon Cohen
|
Minority Report
|
|
Hillary Seitz
|
Insomnia
|
|
Jeff Nathanson
|
Catch Me If You Can
|
|
Charlie Kaufman
|
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
|
|
Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman
|
Adaptation
|
|
Best Scene
|
Scene |
Film |
|
Video Comes to Life
|
The Ring
|
|
Laure steals the jewels
|
Femme Fatale
|
|
Battle of Helm's Deep
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
Mr. Cellophane
|
Chicago
|
|
Eagle soars through the canyon
|
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
|
|
Spiders searching the building
|
Minority Report
|
|
'It's All Happening'
|
Signs
|
|
'All that Jazz'
|
Chicago
|
|
'Dating Game' contestants are warned
|
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
|
|
Meow
|
Super Troopers
|
|
Best Use of Music
|
Position |
Film |
|
1
|
The Hours
|
|
2
|
Unfaithful
|
|
3
|
Undercover Brother
|
|
4
|
Chicago
|
|
5
|
About a Boy
|
|
6
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
7
|
Catch Me If You Can
|
|
8
|
8 Mile
|
|
9
|
Signs
|
|
10
|
Barbershop
|
|
Worst Picture
|
Position |
Film |
|
1
|
The Sweetest Thing
|
|
2
|
Mr. Deeds
|
|
3
|
Jackass: The Movie
|
|
4
|
The Count of Monte Cristo
|
|
5
|
Austin Powers in Goldmember
|
|
6
|
Maid in Manhattan
|
|
7
|
xXx
|
|
8
|
Murder by Numbers
|
|
9
|
Like Mike
|
|
10
|
Spider-Man
|
|
Best Trailer
|
Position |
Film |
|
1
|
The Ring
|
|
2
|
Comedian
|
|
3
|
Kill Bill
|
|
4
|
Daredevil
|
|
5
|
Eight Legged Freaks
|
|
6
|
Panic Room
|
|
7
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
8
|
Jason X
|
|
9
|
Catch Me If You Can
|
|
10
|
Chicago
|
|
Best DVD
|
Position |
Film |
|
1
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Edition
|
|
2
|
Monsters, Inc.
|
|
3
|
Sports Night: The Complete Series
|
|
4
|
Memento: Special Edition
|
|
5
|
Vanilla Sky
|
|
Best Cast
|
Position |
Film |
|
1
|
Chicago
|
|
2
|
The Hours
|
|
3
|
25th Hour
|
|
4
|
About a Boy
|
|
5
|
Signs
|
|
6
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
|
|
7
|
Frailty
|
|
8
|
Undercover Brother
|
|
9
|
Adaptation
|
|
10
|
Catch Me If You Can
|
|
Best Overlooked Film
|
Position |
Film |
|
1
|
Frailty
|
|
2
|
Brotherhood of the Wolf
|
|
3
|
Super Troopers
|
|
4
|
25th Hour
|
|
5
|
The Salton Sea
|
|
6
|
Femme Fatale
|
|
7
|
Tuck Everlasting
|
|
8
|
Adaptation
|
|
9
|
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
|
Return to the 2003 Calvin Awards
|
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|
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