Best Movies of 2003

Every year is unique and it’s really very hard to define which are and were the best movies in some particular year. However, there are many rating and review sites which rate these movies on many parameters by giving different weightage to different points. Choice is up to you, but we are discussing few Best Movies of 2003, which are[1]:

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the Best Movies of 2003 - Peter Jackson is a genius. Could any other filmmaker have handled the Tolkien trilogy and had it turn out as breathtakingly beautiful as Jackson? Probably not. It took his artistic vision to bring this epic saga to life. With the release of the final film, Jackson has proven he can mix effects, action, and adventure, with equal servings of heart and soul. Bravo to Mr. Jackson and the entire cast and crew.

Cold Mountain is another Best Movies of 2003– Cold Mountain isn’t a war story, it’s not a love story, and it’s not a story of friendship. It’s the perfect blend of all three, making it attractive to both genders and a wide age range. Renee Zellweger deserves the awards buzz, as do Nicole Kidman and Jude Law. And put aside any trepidation you may have over seeing Kidman and Law play Southerners. They pull it off without a hitch.

Big Fish is also hitting the list of Best Movies of 2003 – Big Fish earns 3rd place because of the work of director Tim Burton, not McGregor. If the overall film hadn’t worked on its own merit, no one performance could have saved it. This moving celebration of love and family had me totally captivated, and it didn’t hurt that Burton’s twisted vision is clearly imprinted on every frame of this film.

The Station Agent is amongst other Best Movies of 2003 – In "The Station Agent" a man named Fin settles into a remote outpost — a rundown train depot in the wilds of New Jersey — that is so restful it seems perfect for him. The movie's writer and director, Tom McCarthy, has such an appreciation for quiet that it occupies the same space as a character in this film, a delicate, thoughtful and often hilarious take on loneliness.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is also an enjoyable and Best Movies of 2003– Taken just at face value, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” has a lot going against it. First, it’s loosely based on a popular Disney theme park ride - and tagging “The Curse of the Black Pearl” after the title doesn’t soften the initial blow. Secondly, it’s a pirate movie and that particular genre hasn’t done very well in the past 10 or so years. And finally, it’s hitting theaters at the same time as every other big effects/action drama seems to have chosen to set upon audiences.

Laurel Canyon is another Best Movies of 2003 – Frances McDormand gets the chance to show off her sexy side in this ensemble drama, which also features Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, and Alessandro Nivola. Sex, drugs, rock 'n roll, loyalty, love, and family combine to make a steamy and erotic film centered around the music industry. "Laurel Canyon" also serves as a reminder we don’t get to see enough movies that star Christian Bale.

In America is the Best Movies of 2003 – Director Jim Sheridan and his two daughters wrote this script based loosely on their shared experience of coming to America and establishing themselves in New York. The adult cast – Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, and Djimon Hounsou – are terrific but it’s the two kids who steal this film. Real-life sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger are endearingly innocent and somehow manage to never succumb to the annoying child actor trait of being precocious.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 is also in Best Movies of 2003 – Quentin Tarantino’s reverential tribute to martial arts films and samurai movies - rocks. It’s contemporary Tarantino out Tarantino. He leaves no stone unturned visually, jumping from black & white to Day-Glo, to a breathtakingly violent anime sequence, and finally landing in a sumptuous battle bathed in blue. Full of inside jokes and pop culture references (Quentin fans will pick up on these quickly while the uninitiated will unfortunately miss out on the fun), Tarantino puts on a giddy show that exceeds expectations.

The Last Samurai is another Best Movies of 2003 –The production design is gorgeous, the cinematography is first-rate, and 40+ year-old Tom Cruise shows he can still kick some serious butt. "The Last Samurai" deserves a spot on this Top 10 list due to its heady mix of action, drama, romance, and Cruise.