2004-02-10 - 6:02 p.m.
OK, it's finally here...Gerard's Top 10 Movies of 2003. I just want to preface my list by saying that I am not a critic or film expert, the movies I have chosen are simply the 10 movies of 2003 which i enjoyed the most. This list is my personal opinion, nothing else. Now that I said that, here are my favorite movies of 2003 in desending order because it's just more fun that way.
10. The Last Samurai
This is just a good movie. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end. The acting in the movie was superb, and the final battle sequence is awesome and extremely emotional. The only major fault of the movie is the fact that if Tom Cruise's character was wiped from the story entirely, it would have been much more historically accurate, and it really wouldn't have hurt the outcome of the movie. But then we wouldn't have gotten to look at his dreamy hair for a couple hours. Oh well. Definitely a good movie.
9. Old School
As far as college comedies are concerned, Animal House is and will always be #1, but this year Old School made itself #2. You can watch this movie constantly and never really get tired of any of the jokes. The lines are extremely quotable and hilarious. Will Ferrell really stands out throughout the movie, and in 2003 he has really proven himself to be one of the best comedic actors in hollywood today.
8. Lost in Translation
When I first saw this movie I expected it to be a hilarious comedy in which Bill Murray did much of the same stuff he does in every movie he's in, but the movie wasn't like that at all. Bill Murray was really magnificent in this movie. He's hilarious at times, but also very emotionally moving throughout most of the movie. Scarlett Johansson also puts forth an emotionally moving performance in this film. So, overall, Lost in Translation wasn't what I expected, but it is a very well-made, extremely emotional, and at times funny movie that everyone should see. Bill Murray definitely deserves his best actor nomination for this movie because he really did help to make it one of the best films of 2003.
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Overall, pirate movies are just that fucking cool, Johnny Depp is that fucking good, Keira Knightley is that fucking hott, the musical score is taht fucking fantastic, and the effects are amazing. This movie is just simply fun and enjoyable to watch over and over again. It's just great.
6. X2: X-Men United
Wolverine in Berzerker Rage and more great comic book action than Superman 2. This is quite possibly the greatest comic book action movie ever made...Enough Said.
5. Peter Pan
Finally, the story of Peter Pan the way it was always meant to be...dark. First of all, the story of Peter Pan will always have a special place in my heart because I have always been in touch with my childhood and personally relate to Pan's philosophy on not wanting to ever grow up or do grown up things. I feel that this version of Peter Pan really correctly portrays Pan's character and philosophies. Also, Hook is portrayed as the evil, madman, obsessed with Peter Pan the way he should be, and the casting of Jason Isaacs as Hook is perfect. Pretty much this version of Peter Pan tells the story flawlessly and emotionally. I know I was in tears during several parts of the movie. Take all this and add the great flying effects and action and you definitely have one of the best movies of the year.
4. Kill Bill Vol. 1
The music kicks ass, the action kicks ass, Uma Thurman kicks ass, and Tarantino kicks ass. Take all that ass kicking and add more blood and flying limbs than an independent zombie movie and you get the fourth best movie of the year.
3. American Splendor
This movie is extremely unique and original. It combines live action with animated comic book art, and it combines actors with the real people they are portraying. It's one of the most original movies I have ever seen. In addition, Paul Giamatti puts forth a flawless acting performance. This film is both hilarious and heartwarming, and the best part about it is that it's based on a graphic novel (comic book).
2. Big Fish
Sad, Funny, Heartwarming, Tear-jerking. This movie is magnificent. Tim Burton got the absolute best out of every actor in this movie. He was also able to simply tell a great story. The movie made me laugh and made me cry. It's as close to flawless a movie can be. I can't say enough about how much this film moved me.
and the number 1 movie of 2003 is.............
#1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING
Surprise, Surprise. As a self-proclaimed Tolkien scholar I have read the Lord of the Rings trilogy numerous times. Overall, Return of the King has always been my favorite book. As a result, I had HUGE expectations going into this movie. More expectations than any other movie i have ever seen. Did Return of the King live up to all of these expectations? Honestly, no it didn't, but it still blew away every other movie I have ever seen in the theater for the first time. The battle sequences and emotion in this movie blows the other two out of the water. Honestly, I can't pay any more homage to this movie other than to say that it was the second greatest movie I have ever seen. The first being Empire Strikes Back.
There you have it, my Top 10 Movies of 2003. There's only one thing left now, and that is to announce the absolute worst, piece of garbage movie of 2003 in my opinion, and that movie was not Gigli or From Justin to Kelly, and not even Matrix Reloaded or Revolutions, No, ladies and gentlemen, the worst movie of 2003 was......................
UNDERWORLD
That's it for me, have a great day.
