Despite a string of steamy hookups, Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) can't seem to get over his last girlfriend (Vinessa Shaw). In a last ditch effort, he decides to give up all sexual activity for the duration of Lent. When Matt's roommate Ryan (Paulo Costanzo) and their coworkers get wind of Matt's plan, they're decidedly skeptical and begin placing bets on when he will break his vow. Things become even more difficult when Matt meets Erica Sutton (Shannyn Sossamon), a beautiful, intriguing woman who puts Matt's willpower to the test. Directed by Michael Lehmann. With Griffin Dunne and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Categories: Comedy, Romance, Drama. Year: 2002.
2002 in 40 Days and 40 Nights
Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage), a neurotic screenwriter, is having trouble adapting a book about an orchid thief into a movie. While Charlie agonizes over his writer's block, his less cerebral twin brother Donald (also Cage) decides to become a screenwriter himself, much to Charlie's disdain. When Charlie finally gets his inspiration, he becomes so caught up in his screenplay that the line between reality and fantasy begins to blur, and he sets out to locate the book's author, Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep), and the real-life orchid thief, John Laroche (Chris Cooper). Directed by Spike Jonze. With Cara Seymour, Tilda Swinton, Ron Livingston, Brian Cox and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Categories: Comedy, Drama. Year: 2002.
2002 in Adaptation
When mentally unstable mafia don Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) is released from prison, he returns to the care of Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), the only psychiatrist who could work with the unsound killer. Unfortunately, Sobol is in need of help himself, as his inheritance of the family practice and the stress of married life is threatening to put him out of service. Directed by Harold Ramis. With Joe Viterelli, Cathy Moriarty and Lisa Kudrow as Laura Sobel. Categories: Comedy, Crime, New York. Year: 2002.
2002 in Analyze That
Antwone Fisher (Derek Luke) is a navy man with a violent past whose aggressive outbursts bring him to the attention of a naval psychiatrist (Denzel Washington). Together, they break down Fisher's barriers and force a confrontation with his painful memories. As Antwone begins a search for the family he never knew, he is supported only by his doctor and a wish for peace. Directed by Denzel Washington. With Malcolm David Kelley and Joy Bryant. Categories: Drama, Based on a True Story. Year: 2002.
2002 in Antwone Fisher
Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra) and Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley) are two young women in England who, although separated by cultural differences, are united by a love for soccer. Though competition over their cute coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and family drama threaten to turn their friendship sour, a love of the game and talent to match keeps them focused on the sport they love and the bond they share. Directed by Gurinder Chadha. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sports. Year: 2002.
2002 in Bend It Like Beckham
Blade (Wesley Snipes) is a Vampire hunter who must team up with his mortal enemies to rid the world of an even deadlier threat: the Reaper, a vampire that feasts on humans and vampires alike, turning them into unstoppable killers. Together with the Bloodpack, an elite group of vampire fighters, Blade must set aside his hatred long enough to prevent the destruction of mankind. Directed by Guillermo del Toro. With Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Matt Schulze and Leonor Varela. Categories: Action, Thriller, Horror. Year: 2002.
2002 in Blade II
Discovered by a fisherman and riddled with bullets, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is near death and can remember nothing of his life before his rescue. As he begins to try to rebuild his memory, Bourne soon realizes that he is being hunted and takes off with a woman named Marie (Franka Potente) on a search to find out who he is and why people are out to kill him. Directed by Doug Liman. With Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Categories: Action, Thriller, Mystery, Drama, Adventure. Year: 2002.
2002 in The Bourne Identity
Controversial documentarian Michael Moore explores the incredible level of gun violence in the world's most powerful democracy. No one factor, from violent entertainment to ease of availability to powerful gun lobbyists, is enough to explain the culture of fear, prejudice and freedom of choice that makes the streets of America a battleground. With thousands of people killed each year, firearms are the number two killer of Americans aged 15 to 24. Directed by Michael Moore. With Charlton Heston. Categories: Documentary. Year: 2002.
2002 in Bowling for Columbine
Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a brilliant conman, uses his wit and multiple identities to stay a step ahead of the FBI for years. Impersonating a doctor, an airline pilot, a lawyer and more, Abagnale cashes more than two million dollars in forged checks over his career before being brought down by FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks). Directed by Steven Spielberg. With Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Jennifer Garner and Nathalie Baye. Categories: Crime, Drama, Thriller, New York. Year: 2002.
2002 in Catch Me If You Can
After murdering her cheating husband, nightclub singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) ends up on Chicago's famed murderess row. Represented by Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the slickest lawyer in town, Velma's case grabs the headlines and makes her an even bigger star. But, when struggling performer Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) joins Velma behind bars, Billy diverts his attention from Velma's case sensing the opportunity to create another tabloid sensation. Instant rivals, Velma and Roxie will stop at nothing to outdo one another in their obsessive pursuit of fame and celebrity. Directed by Rob Marshall. With Taye Diggs, John C. Reilly and Queen Latifah. Categories: Crime, Drama, Music. Year: 2002.
2002 in Chicago
In one of Rio de Janeiro's poorest neighborhoods, Buscapé (Alexandre Rodrigues) grows up in a violent environment filled with guns and drugs. With the keen eye of a self-taught photographer, Buscapé narrates a true-life tale of a street war fought between Li'l Zé (Leandro Firmino) and Knockout Ned (Seu Jorge). Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. Categories: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Foreign Film. Year: 2002.
2002 in City of God
A Los Angeles fireman (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sees his wife and son killed by a terrorist's bomb and devotes himself to getting revenge. This takes him to the jungles of Colombia, where he finds himself in conflict with drug-dealing gangs, unfriendly locals and a mystery man (Elias Koteas) who may or may not be an FBI agent. Directed by Andrew Davis. With Cliff Curtis, John Turturro, Francesca Neri, Lindsay Frost, and Ethan Dampf. Categories: Action, Thriller. Year: 2002.
2002 in Collateral Damage