List #2: 2003’s best flicks, from hobbits to anemones

Before narrowing down my top 10, I raced around Pittsburgh catching shows and renting the… Before narrowing down my top 10, I raced around Pittsburgh catching shows and renting the movies I managed to miss during their theatrical runs. Some were gladly discarded (after “Seabiscuit,” it’ll be years before I can subject myself to another horserace), while others were tough to put down (“X-2” will always hold a special place in my superhero-loving heart). That being said, here’s the verdict.

10. (The middle of) “The Last Samurai”

Nathan Algren’s (Tom Cruise) immersion into samurai culture, and his endeavors to aid the warriors therein in a hopeless cause earns Edward Zwick’s film a spot in the top 10. Ken Watanabe manages to tug the spotlight away from Cruise, building sympathy for the plight of the samurai without lessening their strength. However, the first and last 10 minutes are entirely too melodramatic and overly moralized, respectively – I’m pretending they don’t exist.

9. “Mystic River”

The performances, particularly those of Sean Penn and Tim Robbins, stole Clint Eastwood’s latest. As three childhood friends attempt to cope with a young woman’s death, each is forced to reexamine a tragedy of the past and subsequent events. The solution to the murder mystery, in its sheer implausibility, pushes “Mystic River” to number nine.

8. “Finding Nemo”

Pixar just gets better and better, as is shown by their latest computer-animated piece, which depicts an underwater adventure. The humor appeals to all ages, and the stretches of coral reefs and varieties of exotic sea life are stunningly beautiful. Life in a fish tank is equally entertaining, offering a unique perspective on human behavior in the spirit of previous Pixar films.

7. “The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara”

Errol Morris’s documentary on Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense under Kennedy and Johnson, is a startlingly candid and emotional account of one man’s involvement in major events of the 20th century, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. Philip Glass’ foreboding score intensifies the occasionally tearful recollections and observations of a man critics loved to hate. Wartime archival footage blends into McNamara’s interviews, presenting stark reality alongside stark confessions.

6. “Big Fish”

Master of the gothic atmosphere and quirky characters, Tim Burton captures the outrageous stories of a dying father’s youth. Utopian realms tucked into the forest and witches capable of foreseeing death are only a fraction of the bizarre ensemble of typical Burton concepts. The potentially banal father-son tension of the plot is energized with the haunting, eerie beauty of each adventure into the past.

5. “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”

Director Peter Weir captures the excitement of a seek-and-destroy story along with the strained relationships of a crew long at sea. The brutal, chaotic combat feels realistic, foregoing glossy clarity in favor of a genuine portrayal of ruthless naval warfare. The inter-battle myth, tension and fellowship conspire to create a believable portrait of life aboard a 19th-century warship.

4. “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”

Gore Verbinski’s film was based on a ride, and it must have been a damn good one. The swashbuckling action and adventure are non-stop and relentlessly engaging, particularly with the help of Johnny Depp’s comedic genius. His perpetually drunk, flamboyant Jack Sparrow is a delight to watch as he crosses blades with a digital skeleton crew. The obligatory love story drives the action without diminishing the thrill of commandeering British ships and seeking lost treasures.

3. “Kill Bill vol. 1”

Quentin Tarantino’s fourth film uses visuals to inject a fresh, ultra-modern edge into the traditions of classic cinema. By referencing a multitude of genres, from westerns to samurai, Tarantino masters and reinterprets established technique while paying homage to cinema legends. The gore factor is off the chart, but when fighting is so fast, so flashy, and so downright stylish, you can’t help but root for the vengeful Bride

2. “Lost in Translation”

With a portrayal of two temporary insomniacs finding solace in one another, director Sophia Coppola demonstrates the power of subtlety and silence. Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) establish an island of happiness in Tokyo, a city in which they meet awe and complete isolation. The wry humor and wisps of romance contrast sharply and beautifully with the fluorescent glow and hype of Tokyo.

1. “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”

The final installment of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy easily comes out on top. Jackson’s massive project redefined a genre previously shoved into the background and raised the bar for future trilogies. The magnitude of the battles and sets are balanced by the emotional bonds of the broken Fellowship, grounding breathtaking spectacle with steadfast love and loyalty. The trilogy comes to a fine end with this tear-jerking conclusion.

From the digital/human duo of Gollum to mast-shattering naval warfare, 2003 had its fair share of strong performances and dazzling spectacles. A few choices were harder to make than others, but I tried to give credit where it was due. If nothing else, I’ve discovered my strange affinities for aquatic epics, katanas and ridiculously long subtitles.