2003 was, surprisingly, one of the best years for films in the last decade. Unlike past years where I struggled to find even 10 films I was really enthused by, the growth of Independant cinema, and the resurgence of documentary films has produced some real winners. Sure -- the summer was still filled with overblown, big budget B-movies -- but the advent of digital filmmaking seems to have brought a lot of new talent up on the screens. Too bad most multiplexes won't show many of these pictures and they wind up in art houses. Still, I found more films to admire and/or enjoy this year.
I did not list the many DVDs I saw this year and kept the list to those I managed to find on the big screen. I'm sure many of these will be available for your home theatre soon!
As always, at the bottom of this list were films released in 2002 that I didn't catch till they made it out in 2003. They are ranked seperately. Films released in 2003 but not seen till 2004 are marked in Gray and with an astericks and appended to the list.
The Best of 2003
1. City of God -- even subtitled, this stunning depiction of
the drug trade on kids in Brazil is dazzling. Released in the U.S. in January
of 2003, it stuck with me all year. Raw, theatrical, and full of power!
2. Return of the king -- a fitting climax to the greatest film
trilogy ever created. Jackson's ability to balance battles of epic scope while
still focusing on individual characters and emotions makes these three films
for the ages. While the second installment disappointed, this packs the punch
of the first! The rare trilogy that really, ultimately, is just one big 12 hour
film!
3. American Splendor -- best comic-book adaption of the year.
A clever blend of scripted story and documentary, it captures the mundane adventures
of every-day life in a unique way. Funny and touching. It actually made me go
out and buy the underground comic on which it's based.
4. House of Sand & Fog -- Avoiding melodrama, this riveting
tale of lives in collision remains gripping throughout. Ben Kingsley is outstanding
in a great ensemble of interesting and believable characters. Hollywood routinely
makes these sorts of things all about good guys and villains -- here you can
see every point of view and believe the unavoidable escalation to tragedy.
5. Kill Bill -volume 1 -- A virtuoso gorefest for lovers of
Kung-Fu and escapist action. Pure cinematic popcorn pleasure. Every frame is
a treat for the eyes. If you don't like violence in films -- run for cover!
Gallons of blood!!!
6. The Station Agent -- Another Indy treat. A small story that
is never blown out of proportion. Great characters in sad little lives. Tender
and touching, and like life, mostly unresolved.
7. Finding Nemo -- Sure, it was a big commercial hit -- but
Pixar hits another home run! Proof that a good story is at the core of anything
memorable. Add in great voice performances, brilliant animation, and you've
can't help but enjoy this. Not just for kids.
*7A. In America*
8. Owning Mahoney
-- Phillip Seymour Hoffman is one of our greatest supporting actors (along with
Bill Macy), and here he shines in this gripping story of a life sucked downward
by gambling. The fact that it is based on fact makes it all the more compelling.
From Director Richard Kwietniowski, who last directed the wonderful "Love
and Death in Long Island."
9. Lost in Translation -- Bill Murray proves yet again that
he's capable of moving us unexpectedly. (Why do we continue to be surprised)
But what's really amazing here is the astute screenplay by 32-year old Sofia
Coppola who is wise beyond her years!
10. A Mighty Wind -- Not just funny, this film was actually
touching! Christopher Guest's affection for this music and the people who created
it makes this more than just a romp. Eugene Levy is terrific here!
11. Shattered Glass -- Hayden Christensen shows great acting
chops in this sad story of self-denial, fraud, and journalism. Based on a true
story.
12. Spellbound -- The best documentary in a year of great documentaries.
The lives of these kids competing in spelling bees is the stuff of real drama!
13. Thirteen -- Nikki Reed was but a young teen herself when
she co-wrote this harrowing portrait of adolescence. Holly Hunter is amazing
here in a difficult and unflattering role.
*13A. Capturing the Friedmans*
PASS
THE POPCORN: (Not the year's best, but still entertaining, enjoyable
movie going! The best of the rest. All well worth a rental or reviewing)
14. Elf
*14A. Monster*
15. Master and Commander
16. Seabiscuit
17. Cold Mountain
18. School of Rock
19. Mystic River
20. 21 Grams
*20A. The Cooler*
21. Matchstick Men
22. Stuck on you
23. Love Actually
24. Better Luck Tomorrow
*24A. The Triplet of Belleville*
*24B. The Fog of War*
25. Dirty Pretty Things
26. Laurel Canyon
27. Camp
28. Blue car
29. Xmen 2
30. The Rundown
31. Terminator 3
32. Bad Santa
33. The Magdalene Sisters
34. Winged migration
35. 28 days later
BUSINESS AS USUAL:
36. 2 Fast 2 Furious
*36A. Big Fish*
37. Once upon a Time in Mexico
38. The Last Samurai
39. Charlie's angels: Full Throttle
40 . SWAT
41. Spy kids 3d
42. Intolerable Cruelty
43. The Hulk
44. Phone Booth
45.
Somethings gotta give
46. Identity
YAWNERS:
47. Confidence
48. The Italian Job
49. Matrix Revolutions
50 . Swimming Pool
51 . Daredevil
52 . Matrix Reloaded
53. Paycheck
54. Tears of the Sun
55. Bruce Almighty
WORST
OF THE YEAR:
56. Pirates of the caribean
57. Runaway Jury
58. Shanghai Knights
59. Dreamcatcher
60 . The Human Stain
61 . Bad Boys 2
62. The Medallion
63. Anger Management
64. The Cat in the Hat
65. Northfork
2002
Films Seen in 2003 (star ratings from 4-1 indicate how good or bad these would
have wound up in last year's list)
9 films from last year (they have been placed in the 2002 list
in gray)
Chicago - 4 stars
The Hours - 3 stars
Stevie - 3 stars
The Quiet American - 3 stars
Rabbit Proof Fence - 2.5 stars
13 conversations about one thing - 2.5 stars
Sunshine State - 2.5 stars
Tadpole - 2 stars
Confessions of a dangerous mind - 1 star
Films seen in 2008 and beyond are all now housed on TroutcoBlog.
The films I saw in 2007 Rated.
The films I saw in 2006 Rated.
The films I saw in 2005 Rated
The films I saw in 2004 Rated.
The films I saw in 2003 Rated.
The films I saw in 2002 Rated.
The films I saw in 2001 Rated.