Do filmmakers work on anything but sequels and re-makes these days? Yes, at least during 2002. And I was thankful for that – although I admit enjoying an entertaining sequel like Men in Black II and the newest well-filmed version of The Count of Monte Cristo. But it was cinematic originality and creativity that captured my interest last year, as indicated by most of the movies on my top ten list. And here they are (in order of preference):

1. MOONLIGHT MILE (Brad Silberling) – This most substantive and haunting film of the year features superb performances by Susan Sarandon, Dustin Hoffman, and Jake Gyllenhaal as three individuals grieving over the random killing of a loved one.
2. NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (Douglas McGrath) – Humorous and heartfelt, this film version of Charles Dickens’s poignant novel left me feeling refreshed and hopeful. Not too many movies have that kind of impact on me lately.
3. ABOUT SCHMIDT (Alexander Payne) – A tour de force performance by Jack Nicholson enriches this brilliant, edgy drama about a man searching for meaning after retirement.
4. FRIDA (Julie Taymor) – Finally, a biopic treated with cinematic artistry to match the talent of its subject!
5. RABBIT-PROOF FENCE (Phillip Noyce) – An incredible film about an incredible true-life journey by three courageous young girls.
6. SPIDER-MAN (Sam Raimi) – By focusing as much on human relationships as on action, here’s a superhero movie even Jane Austen fans can enjoy.
7. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (Joel Zwick) – This hilarious romantic comedy is a delight from beginning to end – even while poking fun at eccentric family members of the Greek persuasion.
8. BARAN (Majid Majidi) – Poetic visuals in this thought-provoking Iranian drama emphasize how love changes everything, no matter where one is born.
9. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Steven Spielberg) – With more on its mind than showing how to be a successful con man, this engrossing caper film oozes nostalgic sights and sounds in every entertaining scene.
10. ICE AGE (Chris Wedge) – No amount of ice and snow on sweeping prehistoric landscapes could take away the warm feeling this animated adventure gave me.

Although 2002 saw its share of wonderful films, there were also some stinkers foisted upon moviegoers. To me, these (listed in alphabetical order) were at the bottom of the barrel:

THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH – In one of filmdom's most misguided sci-fi comedies, lame attempts at humor by Eddie Murphy mount up and lie there, unappreciated, like a plate of overcooked spaghetti. 

AUTO FOCUS – This raunchy biopic about television’s Bob Crane ("Hogan’s Heroes") seems more suited to stag parties than multiplexes.

BAD COMPANY – Chris Rock doing stereotypical comedy and Anthony Hopkins giving a ho-hum performance make very bad company indeed.

8 WOMEN – Is it a mystery or a musical? Both, but the real mystery is why such amateurish musical numbers were included in this disappointing French film.

FEMME FATALE – Rebecca Romijn Stamos proves conclusively that more than beauty is needed to be a convincing "femme fatale" on screen. And what else would that be? Two words: acting talent.

40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS – I wish I’d given up juvenile romantic comedies like this one for Lent.

THE NEW GUY – We can only hope there’s no sequel. Think about it. THE OLD GUY? Oh, the inhumanity!

PINOCCHIO – Roberto Benigni, the film’s middle-aged star (and director), thinks he looks like a puppet and only needs a change of clothes to resemble "a real boy." Sorry, Roberto, no Oscar this year.

STEALING HARVARD – Tom Green and Jason Lee still owe me an apology for those 82 minutes they stole from me in this stilted comedy about two bunglers trying to rob enough money for a young girl’s college tuition

THE TUXEDO – The usually remarkable Jackie Chan’s Kung Fu comedy comes across more like Kung Phooey here. Help! I need a Jackie Chan/Owen Wilson fix as soon as possible.

DISHONORABLE MENTION: BLOOD WORK, DRAGONFLY, FULL FRONTAL, K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER, LOVELY AND AMAZING, PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, SWEET HOME ALABAMA, TROUBLE EVERY DAY, THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE.