2002 Top 5 Lists

Happy New Year! It is time once again time for my completely unsolicited, though respectfully submitted, year-end Top 5 lists. While these movies, videos, LP's/CD's, and books may not all have been released in 2002, I didn't see/hear/read them until this past year because, well, I've been busy:

TOP 5 MOVIES
The Fast Runner (breathtaking 1000 year old Inuit legend, a DIY digital video triumph)
Y Tu Mama Tambien (true coming of age movie)
Mullholland Drive (Hollywood Rorschach test)
Secretary (the story of a VERY personal assistant)
Adaptation (fear and self loathing in today's Hollywood)

TOP 5 VIDEOS
Hedwig &The Angry Inch (the best musical ever....period.)
Ladies & Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains (original riot grrls)
Save The Tiger (Jack Lemmon updates Willy Loman in 70's-era LA)
Series 7 (the ultimate "reality" tv show...how long until this is actual reality?)
With A Friend Like Harry (see for yourself if the rest is: "who needs enemies?")

TOP 5 LP'S/CD'S
Joey Ramone- Don't Worry About Me (a much needed eulogy)
Hedwig &The Angry Inch Original Soundtrack (Mitchell's origin of love)
Ruth Ruth- The Little Death (the kids call this "emo," whatever that is)
The Briefs- Hit After Hit (scorching punk rock with attitude and hairstyles)
Wayne Kramer- Adult World (still growing, not just growing old)

TOP 5 BOOKS
Survivor- Chuck Palahniuk (death cult survivor becomes rock star prophet)
Spectacular Happiness- Peter D. Kramer (love and terrorism)
The Corrections- Jonathan Franzen (and you thought YOUR family was screwed up)
Two Girls Fat And Thin- Mary Gaitskill (dangers of adolescent Ayn Rand exposure)
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay-Michael Chabon (comic book heroes)

If you have a list of your own, I'd love to see it.

One sad note, I was very sorry to hear the news of Joe Strummer's death on December 23rd at age 50. Strummer was co-leader of The Clash and the band's ideological center. His recent work with The Mescaleros stands alongside the best of The Clash in celebrating cultural diversity through ideas and music. Joe Strummer's intelligence and compassion had an enormous influence on me when I was growing up and continues to inform my beliefs and worldview. If you'd like more information about Joe Strummer, you can click on the link below.

Thanks and here's to a peaceful 2003.