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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 2, 2003
1. Chicago -- The celebrated Broadway hit becomes a movie that really moves, full of co-creator Bob Fosse's sexy struts, a dynamic score and director Rob Marshall's ingenious methods of transferring the action from stage to screen. Renee Zellweger gives a terrific performance in the best film of 2002.
2. Gangs of New York -- Martin Scorsese revisits a dark chapter of American history, when Civil War draft laws and intolerance of immigrants caused riots in 19th century New York. Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz share a Titanic-style romance against that backdrop while Daniel Day-Lewis steals the show as Bill the Butcher.
3. Antwone Fisher -- Derek Luke's wonderful debut performance in the title role is the linchpin of a moving directorial debut by co-star Denzel Washington. One of the best films of 2002.
4. Far From Heaven -- Those Technicolor tear-jerkers of the 1950s are recalled by director Todd Haynes. National Board of Review award winner Julianne Moore plays a housewife coping with her husband (Dennis Quaid) being gay. Nominated for four Golden Globe awards.
5. Catch Me If You Can -- Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a true-life teenage con artist, and Tom Hanks plays the no-nonsense FBI agent on his trail. Directed in casual fashion, sometimes sluggishly, by Steven Spielberg.