Five phantasmagoric flicks from the year 2002

Notice of Angela Bettis, slight of build and often demure in demeanor, began with her supporting role as an anorexic in 1999's "Girl, Interrupted." She went on to star in the title role in the 2002 made-for-TV version of Stephen King's "Carrie," in Tobe Hooper's 2004 "Toolbox Murders," for which she was nominated for the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress, and in Lucky McKee's 2011 "The Woman." It's in McKee's "May," however, that this little slip of a woman proves herself a powerhouse. Bettis masterfully and utterly completely becomes the seriously deranged title character. Click here for a complete review.Actor Bill Paxton adroitly transitions to director for "Frailty," a dark psychological thriller. Paxton stars alongside fellow Texans Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe, who all turn in powerful performances, equally matched by those from young actors Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter.All is well for the young Meiks boys, being raised by their widowed father (Paxton), until an angel appears to Dad with a mission that forever changes their lives. Click here for a complete review.Although Brit film "Dog Soldiers" released in the U.S. directly onto the Sci Fi Channel, this little known/seen horror flick managed to make it onto lists not only of the best horror of 2002, but also of the best for the entire decade. This debut from "The Descent" writer/director Neil Marshall concerns British soldiers dropped in the Scottish Highlands for a training mission who get much more than they expected when attacked by intelligent werewolves. Although not a unique plot, the film's excellently crafted mix of over-the-top gore and humor caused Mark Rahner (in his October 25, 2002, Seattle Times review) to call the film "One of the most gloriously unsubtle and adrenalized extreme shockers since 'The Evil Dead.' " An apropos remark since Marshall named one of his characters for "Evil Dead" star Bruce Campbell. "Dog Soldiers" stars Kevin McKidd ("Trainspotting"), Liam Cunningham and Sean Pertwee ("Devil's Playground"). Click here to watch the trailer.View the list »
The release and popularity of British director Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later” in 2002 sparked the  current zombie craze, which now includes the well-received zombie TV show “The Walking Dead” and zombie walks across the world, as well as countless zombie movies, including zom-com’s and even a zom-rom-com (“Warm Bodies”). While the new concept of fast-moving zombies in “28 Days Later” provide a great, gory backdrop, the film’s primary intrigue arises from the interpersonal conflicts between remaining humans - the battles for power in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes from a coma to an empty hospital and even emptier streets outside. He’s soon attacked by the infected and saved at the last minute by Selena (Naomie Harris). Upon hearing a radio broadcast of a safe haven, Jim, Selena and a couple of compatriots join a military installation in a mansion, led by Major West (Christopher Eccleston), but they soon learn the Major has his own agenda.The film received critical acclaim, box office success and spawned the sequel “28 Weeks Later” in 2007. Click here to watch the trailer.

Movies newsletter

2002 provided a plethora of notable horror movies. These included Japan's "Ju-On," which sparked the 2004 American remake/box office success "The Grudge"; industrial horror rocker Rob Zombie's directorial debut "House of 1000 Corpses"; the first in the sci-fi/zombie "Resident Evil" series (based on the video games); the tenth in the "Friday the 13th" series Jason X; and "Cabin Fever," the debut from "Hostel" director Eli Roth. Also of note in 2002 from the New French Extremity movement came Gaspar Noé's "Irréversible," not a horror film by definition, but one that deservingly makes "hardest to watch" lists. Although some of these have cult followings and are favorites among horror fans, the following list includes five others this column chooses as the year's best.

Related topics

Advertisement
View the list
  • The release and popularity of British director Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later” in 2002 sparked the  current zombie craze, which now includes the well-received zombie TV show “The Walking Dead” and zombie walks across the world, as well as countless zombie movies, including zom-com’s and even a zom-rom-com (“Warm Bodies”). While the new concept of fast-moving zombies in “28 Days Later” provide a great, gory backdrop, the film’s primary intrigue arises from the interpersonal conflicts between remaining humans - the battles for power in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes from a coma to an empty hospital and even emptier streets outside. He’s soon attacked by the infected and saved at the last minute by Selena (Naomie Harris). Upon hearing a radio broadcast of a safe haven, Jim, Selena and a couple of compatriots join a military installation in a mansion, led by Major West (Christopher Eccleston), but they soon learn the Major has his own agenda.The film received critical acclaim, box office success and spawned the sequel “28 Weeks Later” in 2007. Click here to watch the trailer.
  • Although Brit film "Dog Soldiers" released in the U.S. directly onto the Sci Fi Channel, this little known/seen horror flick managed to make it onto lists not only of the best horror of 2002, but also of the best for the entire decade. This debut from "The Descent" writer/director Neil Marshall concerns British soldiers dropped in the Scottish Highlands for a training mission who get much more than they expected when attacked by intelligent werewolves. Although not a unique plot, the film's excellently crafted mix of over-the-top gore and humor caused Mark Rahner (in his October 25, 2002, Seattle Times review) to call the film "One of the most gloriously unsubtle and adrenalized extreme shockers since 'The Evil Dead.' " An apropos remark since Marshall named one of his characters for "Evil Dead" star Bruce Campbell. "Dog Soldiers" stars Kevin McKidd ("Trainspotting"), Liam Cunningham and Sean Pertwee ("Devil's Playground"). Click here to watch the trailer.
  • Actor Bill Paxton adroitly transitions to director for "Frailty," a dark psychological thriller. Paxton stars alongside fellow Texans Matthew McConaughey and Powers Boothe, who all turn in powerful performances, equally matched by those from young actors Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter.All is well for the young Meiks boys, being raised by their widowed father (Paxton), until an angel appears to Dad with a mission that forever changes their lives. Click here for a complete review.
  • Notice of Angela Bettis, slight of build and often demure in demeanor, began with her supporting role as an anorexic in 1999's "Girl, Interrupted." She went on to star in the title role in the 2002 made-for-TV version of Stephen King's "Carrie," in Tobe Hooper's 2004 "Toolbox Murders," for which she was nominated for the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress, and in Lucky McKee's 2011 "The Woman." It's in McKee's "May," however, that this little slip of a woman proves herself a powerhouse. Bettis masterfully and utterly completely becomes the seriously deranged title character. Click here for a complete review.
  • Director Gore Verbinski, in adapting the 1998 Japanese "Ringu" into "The Ring," makes not only believable but also chillingly terrifying the cockamamie concept that watching a videotape will effect one's death in seven days. Naomi Watts stars as Rachel, who, through her investigation into her niece's mysterious death, discovers evidence that the videotape myth is no myth but instead attributable to a spirit with a tragic past. Her efforts to uncover the secret become desperate when she finds out her young son Aidan (David Dorfman) also watched the tape. Click here to watch the trailer. For those that have seen the film, click here for a complete review (which contains spoilers).
View the list
Suggested by the author:

, Jacksonville Horror Films Examiner

At times Susan’s passion for film, especially horror and dark independent and foreign films, seems to take possession of her very soul. She began journalistic and essay writing in high school, taught essay writing to high school and college students, and, as she transitioned to the business...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...