Biggest Surprise Films/2002?

[bskutle]

The title says it all (as it almost always seems to do with me). I didn't do this as a poll since one persons surprise film could easily be another film's nightmare, but what film(s) this year have blindsided you the most in terms of being entertaining, or shockingly good?

No surprise disappointments please; just pleasant surprises.

Mine are "Lilo & Stitch" (A+)- how Disney made the drooling genetic experiment touching is beyond me- and "A Walk to Remember" (B), which I was expecting to be put-your-head-in-a-vice-and-squeeze sentimental, but ended up being sweet and sentimental and simply irresistible thanks to Mandy Moore.

[Grebdron]

Lilo & Stitch, Frailty, One-Hour Photo and The Bourne Identity come to mind.

[tbone]

I was really surprised with Minority Report I was expecting a kind of bland film, but I was caught by total surpise at how wonderful of a movie it was. Two movies that surpised me that I did not see were Bourne Idenity and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Bourne to me looked like it would get lost in films like Minority Report, but it held strong to pass the 100 mil. mark, and Greek Wedding came out of nowhere to be the the biggest box office surprise of the year.

[Horror_chick]

Mine would have to be Attack of the Clones.

I'm not a very big Star Wars fan (yes, yes-commence the throwing of sharp objects!) but I really liked this movie!

[A.J. Hakari]

UNDERCOVER BROTHER - The first trailers were barren and laughless, but the film turned out to be terrific and quite amusing.

THE BANGER SISTERS - I thought it would be YA-YA SISTERHOOD, PART II. The flick is actually sweet and funny.

KUNG POW: ENTER THE FIST - Should've been stupid as hell, but it's one of the funniest movies of recent years.

RESIDENT EVIL - Paul W.S. Anderson's streak as an underrated director continues.

BIG FAT LIAR - A nice, kiddie-friendly Hollywood satire.

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS MOVIE - Simply kick-ass.

[Barnumyay]

I was pleasantly surprised with MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING when I thoguht going to it that it was going to be a nother crappy romantic comedy.

[Jerk Shapiro]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding of course...


HaHa...made so much money, and still at the top of the charts, and it was realeased the same weekend as "The Scorpion King"... gotta see it!

[the movie guy]

Definately The Bourne Identity. I actually thought the movie was great, when the trailer made it look like complete horse vomit.

Also, Resident Evil, Attack of the Clones (I'm not a Star Wars fan in the least, but I liked this one) and Mr. Deeds (I thought it was HILARIOUS).

[notchreturns]

probably, Barbershop.

Entertaining and funny... what else can you ask for these days?

[SenorSpielbergo]

Resident Evil - After hearing all the bad comments about this flick I thought it would suck, but as it turns out I did like it.

MIB 2 - This movie got bad reviews from most of my favorite critics, but like Resident Evil I ended up liking it.

40 Days and 40 Nights - Surprised that I actually liked a teen film for once. (Teen movies are my most hated kind of movies)

[Puck Bond]

Hart's War-8/10...underrated war drama featuring a good story and fine performances.

Changing Lanes-8/10...a lot more than what looked like a formlaic thriller...Jackson and Affleck were great as was the rest of the cast.

Unfaithful-8/10...solid adult thriller with still the best lead performance by a female so far this year Diane Lane...was terrific!

The Four Feathers-8/10...surprised that the young cast was able to pull off this emotional sweeping epic...fine performances especially Heath Ledger.

40 Days and 40 Nights-7/10...I agree this was a good fun teen comedy that was a pleasant surprise.

The Mothman Prophecies-7/10...eerie, suspenseful supernatural thriller delivers the goods and Richard Gere is very good.

Trapped-7/10...solid thriller featuring an excellent cast that are all good...just good solid etertainment that surprised me.

Blue Crush-7/10...surprised that this film was more than just a light, teen, bikini surf movie...it was entertaining and the surfing scenes were incredible.

[dannywalker17]

HART'S WAR was alot different than what I thought it would be, but I thought it was an interesting take on the war drama and well acted. very underrated.

A WALK TO REMEMBER was less sappy and better acted than I expected. I knew Shane West was good (did you watch Once & Again?), but I was very impressed with Miss Mandy Moore. She needs to quit singing and take on acting full force. I also liked the movie's positive message.

I also thought BIG FAT LIAR was an interesting satire of Hollywood with an entertaining performance by Amanda Bynes and some interesting cameos. A very fun flick that I liked despite its target demographic being 12 year olds.

Before THE MOTHMAN PROFECIES came out, I hadn't heard much about it and there wasn't much buzz here at Joblo or anywhere, but It was a genuinely creepy movie with a very intriguing storyline, good acting, and impressively fresh cinematography.

I went into THE FOUR FEATHERS knowing little more about it other than its stars and the fact that it was supposed to be a possible Oscar contender. I thought it was a great epic story that seemed very original (i know its based on a novel and this isn't the first time, but you know what I mean). I was impressed with all the actors, especially the three stars, who I saw as "teen actors" prior to this. I also liked James Horner's score because it was different and added alot to the feel of the film. FF is also very underrated.:(