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and our awards go to...
Ben Pluimer
Let me start by saying that I didn't see nearly enough movies this year. It was one of those things where I had good intentions of getting to the theater, but in the end, a lot of them slipped by me. These are the films that I really enjoyed and recommend, but couldn't fit on a small top ten list: "Fog of War," "Whale Rider," "28 Days Later," "Finding Nemo," "The Last Samurai," "A Mighty Wind," "Alexandra's Project" and "Willard." Now my Top 10:
1) Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
No surprise here. This is simply one of the best movies, not just of 2003, but of all time. An epic, powerful, amazing, brutal and glorious film. These could have been three half-assed films in the hands of a lesser director, but Peter Jackson takes the rope, delivers three works of genius and establishes himself as a master of the art of cinema. This firmly grounds the "Lord of the Rings" series as the single best movie trilogy of all time.
If films could ever approach perfection, it is here.
2) Mystic River
This is a very dark, powerful film about the many faces of friendship and love. The acting and writing in this film is top notch, and Clint Eastwood once again makes a strong showing as a great director.
3) Matrix Reloaded/Matrix Revolutions
This is where my inner fanboy gets to come out. Combining these is cheating a bit, and I'm sure many of you will disagree, but I really liked both of these films. Great action and effects, and at times, they come close to the brilliance of the original.
4) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
After Johnny Depp's magnificent performance, it's now safe for all flamboyant, mascara wearing, Keith Richards-esque pirates to come out of hiding. I just hope Disney doesn't get carried away and give us Teacups: The Movie.
5) Dogville
A highly stylized tale about the small-mindedness and idiocy that infects much of America. Many felt that director Lars Von Trier was taking a swing at the good ol' USA, and he was. Interesting that he was close to hitting the nail on the head. Has the best ending of the year.
6) Elephant
With his main tool being a well-handled Steadicam, Gus VanSant directs this haunting, jumbled view of a Columbine-like school shooting. While it's definitely not an easy film to watch, it's an interesting study of the one thing that seemed to be ignored during Columbine: the children.
7) The Barbarian Invasions
Writer and director Denys Arcand brings us this all at once hilarious, smart and deeply moving film about family and a man confronting the end of his life. Keep an eye out for it. A very strong contender for Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars.
8) Lost in Translation
Probably Bill Murray's best performance, and my new girlfriend, Scarlett Johansson, is great as well. It's not a perfect film, but it comes close. It's witty, touching and very beautiful to watch. Sofia Coppola once again proves that she is better suited to work behind the camera than in front of it.
9) Cold Mountain
It should have been a strong contender for the Best Picture Oscar award. It got the shaft. But it is still a very good film. Incredibly well-acted, written and directed. A great performance by Jude Law.
10) Down With Love
I didn't expect much from this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's a throwback to the sex-movie-sans-the-sex format that was popular in the 1960s. Lighthearted, well-written and directed and comical.
Ben Pluimer contributes to "Back to the Movies" on UTVS.
Adam Johnson
It was supposed to be the "Year of the Matrix," but after the meandering philosophizing of 'Reloaded' and the bafflingly depressing 'Revolutions,' all eyes turned elsewhere for entertainment. It may not have been the year everyone expected, but is that really a bad thing? Here is my list of the top ten films of the year:
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The best film of the series, 'The Return of the King' succeeds at accomplishing what 'The Two Towers' could not, brilliantly balancing the mural and the miniature, juxtaposing the smaller struggles of Frodo and Sam with the sheer opulence of the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Sure, the film's closing minutes are achingly slow, but Jackson's hand has been so steady and sure for the first nine hours of this journey that I think we can forgive him for this one sin.
2. Finding Nemo
To call 'Finding Nemo' the best of Pixar's five films is saying a lot. Full of stark, nearly photograph-real animation, Nemo redefined the term "fun for all ages" and not only kept the dimming star of Disney animation alive, it set a new standard.
3. Big Fish
If there is one complaint that can be made of Tim Burton films, it's that he employs style over substance. The aesthetic overshadows the story and prevents the audience from getting emotionally involved in the film. Which is why the tears rolling down my cheeks during the final minutes came as such a pleasant surprise. The movie is packed with enough imagination and real emotion to bring about a surprisingly heartfelt finale.
4. Kill Bill, Vol. 1
Quentin Tarantino may be a weirdo, but the first part of his epic 'B' movie double feature is pure cinematic fun. A collage of pungent melodrama, gory action and (gasp) Japanese anime, the film brims with the giddiness of a director making the film he'd always aspired to make.
5. Love Actually
The guilty pleasure of the year (unless you count "The Matrix Reloaded"). Sure you have to sit through a few "kids being cute" scenes and a lame "Titanic" reference, but the film is so constantly charming you can't help but get sucked in. Maybe it's not a masterpiece, but how many films leave you wanting to hug everyone in the theater?
6. X2: X-Men United
In a year full of so-so sequels, this one is rare in that it surpasses its predecessor and actually makes you want to see the inevitable X3.
7. School of Rock
A love letter to rock music, the film makes you want to run out of the theater right away and start a band. Jack Black proves he can be a leading man and still work in his over-the-top comedic style in a movie that would have been truly cheesy in a lesser actor's hands.
8. Identity
Director James Mangold took a bizarre head-scratcher of a script and turned it into an impressively taut suspense thriller about 10 strangers stranded at a hotel.
9. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp's hilariously eccentric performance is only one reason to watch this fun swashbuckling epic. Sure, the story is paper-thin, but the direction and special effects are top notch, and Keira Knightley isn't bad to look at either.
10. Anger Management
The first truly funny Sandler film since his turn from immature goofball to idiosyncratic straight man. The movie is chock full of hilarious bits and supporting characters that make Sandler's wonderfully low-brow antics from his "Billy Madison" days seem like Shakespeare by comparison.
Adam Johnson is a staff writer at University Chronicle.
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