Oscars Playback has returned! The season kicks off with the 2002 Oscars, post-9/11 America, and Tom Cruise. "Is it important, is it even important, what I do? What about a night like tonight? Should we celebrate the joy and magic movies bring?" Cruise asks during his opening speech. "Well, dare I say it, more than ever. A small scene, a gesture, or even a glance between two characters can cross lines, break through barriers, melt prejudice, and just plain make us laugh. A little bit of magic. That’s just me. What do movies mean to you? Pull up a sofa, it’s just us talking, it’s Oscar night." The 2002 race was marked by some vintage Oscar smear campaigns, historic wins for Denzel Washington and Halle Berry, and big victories for Ron Howard and "A Beautiful Mind." 2001 in film (00:00) Oscars ceremony thoughts (21:04) Best Picture and the campaign gets dirty (33:01) Best Director (45:47) Best Supporting Actress/Best Supporting Actor (52:21) Best Actor (1:00:27) Best Actress (1:08:05) Screenplay winners, Randy Newman wins Best Original Song, final ceremony thoughts (1:27:31) 1:27:31: Screenplay winners, Randy Newman wins Best Original Song, final ceremony thoughts Email us at slugfests@goldderby.com. Make predictions at https://www.goldderby.com. Subscribe to Oscars Playback at Apple and other podcast providers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices