I used to post what I believed to be the best 10 films of the year in chronological order. Being as the Academy Awards are coming early this year, I feel compelled to assess the best of early on as well, but this time, there is no chronology to these ten. To make a film of beauty and honesty is accomplishment enough, so I’m noting my favorites as equals.
Best of 2003
Lost in Translation
Elephant
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
All the Real Girls
21 Grams
American Splendor
Girl with a Pearl Earring
House of Sand and Fog
City of God*
Kill Bill Vol. 1
10 other films worth seeing:
28 Days Later
Cold Mountain
Big Fish
Monster
Mystic River
The Son (Le Fils)
Irreversible
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Russian Ark
10 films to avoid at all costs:
Jeepers Creepers 2
Final Destination 2
Bad Boys 2
The Life of David Gale
Gods and Generals
Cabin Fever
Dreamcatcher
Just Married
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake)
*This is an addition (and revision) to this entry, added on 1-28-04. Last year I was stunned when the nominations from the Acadamy of Arts and Sciences gave no recognition to City of God. Although released last year, it was (apparently) ineligible in last year's foreign film category because Brazilians refused to nominate their film (even the director had protest - fuck yeah!) It is brutal, heartbreaking and brilliant, and I place it here because it is now being recognized by the Acadamy. It is a masterpiece, and I have no problem recommending it all over again, one year late. Look for its release on DVD and video on February 17th.