Welcome Oscars: WWTT? fans to the 2003 Oscars for the films of 2002.  In the US we are in post-9/11 recovery; in the Middle East the Iraq War has just begun and on the Oscar stage it’s a battle between the hit musical adaptation of Chicago VS. The Hours, Gangs of New York, The Pianist and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. So, which film about murder and/or death takes home the gold and why? And who else should have been considered?  That’s what we’re here to find out  as we re-examine an Academy Awards show that was equal parts razzle-dazzle and controversy — including some things that would never fly today!   

MOVIES MENTIONED

Bowling for Columbine 

Chicago

Gangs of New York

The Hours

The Pianist

Frida

Road to Perdition

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Adaptation

Far From Heaven

Talk to Her

About Schmidt

Catch Me if you Can

Spiderman

Oliver

Joker 2

The Aviator

Shutter Island

The Lord of the Rings

25th Hour

Minority Report

Spirited Away

Y tu mama tambien

The Quiet American

Leaving Las Vegas

One Hour Photo

Punch Drunk Love

Uncut Gems

8 Mile

Secretary

Igby Goes Down

Unfaithful

The Deer Hunter

Entrapment

About a Boy

Winged Migration

Roger & Me

Fahrenheit 9/11

The Wild Thornberrys Movie

The Lion King

A Hard Day’s Night

Cats

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

The Departed

Amelia Perez

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