The Best and Worst of 2002

Halle Berry

2002 was a year of highs and lows.  I could list some good movies like Spiderman and Signs. I could go on about some bad ones like Panic Room and Reign Of Fire. However, there are really only two things that in my opinion really stand out in both the 'I really liked' and 'I really didn't like' categories.

I will start with the 'really didn't like' one.  Halle Berry gave the absolutely worst Oscar acceptance speech since Sally Fields "You really like me" fiasco. Halle Berry was emotional as was  to be expected. She cried and blubbered nicely. She went on and on about the significance of her being the first black woman to win this award (as if the press hadn't reminded us many times already). She gave credit to Dorothy Dandridge and other black actresses who have come before her.

The problem with Sally Fields' speech was that it made it seem that the only reason she won the Academy Award was due to some popularity contest. Halle Berry made the same poor judgment in her speech by making it seem that the only reason she won was because she is black. Halle Berry did an amazing job in Monster's Ball. Her performance was by every means Oscar worthy.

Yes, her name is now in the history books as the first African American to win an Academy Award for best lead actress. No, that is not why she won it. She did a great job of acting and she should take credit for doing so. I understand the cries of joy, but I would have enjoyed it more if she would have just said "Damn, I was good, and I deserve it". The way her speech went it was as if she won it due to Affirmative Action instead of her memorable performance.

In my opinion, the best thing about movies last year was the DVD of The Fellowship Of The Ring. I am talking about the version with the extra 30 minutes. It did the amazing trick of taking a perfect movie and made it even better.

The original version shown at theatres is one of the best movie I have seen in a very long time. I expected the extended version to be nothing more than some extra footage added to sell more DVD's. I was so wrong. The extended version adds greatly to the original. This version gives more to Strider's and Boromir's characters. It gives more history to Middle Earth. It makes for a fuller film. It is the best DVD I have ever seen.

The vast difference between these two subjects is obvious. Berry's speech was unscripted and unfortunately spontaneous. The results speak for themselves. The extended version of The Fellowship Of The Ring shows hours and hours of delicate editing and polishing of an already impeccable film.

The lesson. Preparation.