Read and Appreciated in 2002
An Editorial Year’s Best List
Ghost in the Shell
Directed by Mamoru Oshii
(Production I.G, 1995)
I also got the chance to watch the original Ghost in the Shell on the silver screen, part of an awesome animation cycle organized by Zero em Comportamento. I had seen the movie before, but it was such a thrill to see everything big that I’m including it in this list.
By the way, Innocence: Ghost in the Shell 2 is scheduled to arrive shortly in English translation from Dark Horse, with the nastiest bits obviously edited out so the book won’t shake the readers’ fragile sense of morality. Innocence, indeed…
The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended DVD Edition)
Directed by Peter Jackson
(New Line Cinema, 2002)
The books are dull as fuck, but I have to congratulate Peter Jackson (and the entire production team) for a job well done adapting the first part of Tolkien’s saga onto the screen. Besides, this DVD set is so huge I’m not done through it yet. Full of documentaries, commentaries, and other assorted extras, this is the way all DVD editions should be.
In addition to the movies and tv programmes listed above, I would like to hand out honourable mentions to “24” (2001), Mulholland Dr. (2001), The Wall (1982), The Eye (2002), Road to Perdition (2002), and Lantana (2001). I only half-liked The Two Towers (2002) and Insomnia (2002), as both Peter Jackson and Christopher Nolan needlessly resorted to cheap and clichéd Hollywood approaches that I think were below their talent and stature as directors.
...and Sound
Radiohead, Coliseu dos Recreios, 23 July 2002
This was, without shadow of doubt, the best concert of the year. Thom York and his band played to a crowded house at the Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon, and even premiered a few songs from their upcoming album: “Keep the Wolf from the Door”, “There There”, “Scatterbrain” and “Myxomatosis”, to name just a handful.
Other performers I mainly enjoyed last year include Kristin Hersh and her Throwing Muses, Aimee Mann, Goldfrapp (thanks, Rhys!), Madredeus, The Breeders, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Cocteau Twins, Hooverphonic, Massive Attack, Tori Amos, Juliana Hatfield, Remy Zero, Republica, Coldplay, and Joy Division (mostly because of Donnie Darko).
Copyright © 2003 by Luís Rodrigues.
