Between the Golden Globes,

Sundance and the Oscars, everybody is talking movies. Of course, the problems

with awards and professional critics, for that matter, none of their choices

are really for the common man.

For example, critic darling

"About Schmidt" is the most boring, depressing, feel-bad movie

of the new millennium. Yet, to read the paper or the magazines, it is

a "must see." Believe me, it is a "must miss."

To better assist the average

movie-going public, here are my recommendations for the best of 2002 in

my very special, all-purpose categories. So clip this column and take

it with your next trip to Blockbuster.

Best Movies Nobody Saw

"Blood Work" If you

can forgive Clint Eastwood for being old, this was a fun, simple, entertaining

thriller.

"Reign of Fire" In

the grimy, apocalyptic tradition of "The Road Warrior," this

is terrific, if forgettable, escapism with very few weaknesses in special

effects and machismo (featuring "feminismo" too).

"The Mothman Prophecies"

Go and read the real story on the Internet about the Ohio bridge collapse

that inspired the movie, then watch it. You will have goosebumps for weeks.

"Fraility" Best surprise

ending since "The Sixth Sense."

"The Gift" This movie

was filmed in Savannah, featuring former Oscar winners and nominees Kate

Blanchett, Hilary Swank, Greg Kinnear, and written by Billy Bob Thornton.

This movie may be older but still worth mentioning every year.

Most Overrated Movies that

Deserved to be Ignored

"Maid in Manhattan"

For the first half of the movie I thought they were using cardboard cutouts

of the actors and for the second half, I was back at my house on the Playstation.

"Unfaithful" Diane

Lane probably does deserve an Oscar nod for this, but it has the campiest,

most stupid pickup lines ever heard in the movies or at 2 a.m. in any

bar. "Your eyes are so lovely, you should never close them."

Black Movies that Every

White Person Should See

"Barbershop" Nothing

but funny, truthful and telling. Watching this movie just would be the

equivalent to a semester's worth of ethnic sensitivity training at any

liberal arts college.

"Drumline" Filmed

in Atlanta, it is witty, romantic and obviously rhythmic.

"Antwoine Fisher"

Everything emotional 20 other movies this year wished they could be.

"8 Mile" To sell

it to the hip-hop crowd they made it look like it was just about rap music.

It was actually a 21st century redo of "Saturday Night Fever"

with Eminem filling Travolta's shoes. The movie actually featured very

little music at all and it was more comedic than irritating.

Most humorous movie trend of

2002? White guys trying to play "black." (Sorry, "Juwanna

Mann," didn't make this list.)

All Around "Bests"

Just plain fun: "Catch

Me if You Can."

Biggest surprise, good: "Chicago."

Biggest surprise, bad: "Enough."

Best independent: "Adaptation."

Worst independent that it was

cool to say it was good: "Y Tu Mama Tambien."

Best Movie of 2002: "Signs."