Dice's Top 15 Movies of 2003
Submitted by pastordice on Thu, 08/17/2006 - 09:43
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- 15. Spy Kids 3D - Yeah, Yeah, I know, kid's movie. Well, it won't be the last on this list. Cut me some slack, I've got three little ones of my own, ages 4 and under. Kids movie or not, this message, that instead of getting revenge we should work together to forgive and rebuild, is one we all could use. Plus, 3D rocks!! I must admit in the theater the 3D was a little off, but come on, why aren't all movies shifting to a high tech 3D like the IMAX3D format. Please, I'm begging you, talkies weren't a gimmick, color wasn't a gimmick, and 3D doesn't have to be either. It adds a whole new depth (ba dum bum) to any movie that uses it. Rumor has it that James Cameron is set on making his next big sci-fi fx extravaganza in 3 dimensions and I'm pumped. Time to enter the next dimension.
- 14. About A Boy - Not a Hugh Grant, fan. Really. Hate pretty much everything he's done. His apathetic sarcasm plays about as good with me as a group of vegans touring a slaughter house. (Talk about Mad Cow Disease) Yet in this one he manages to eventually actually care about something. He actually cares about, well, a boy. In fact, the central theme is about the importance and role of relationships in our life. God laid it out in Genesis, It wasn't good for man to be alone. This movie shines a light on our hermit tendencies and independent leanings. Watch it with a friend or two.
- 13. Mr. Deeds - No matter where you fall on the Adam Sandler battle, (Genius or Goofball?, maybe Genius Goofball?) this is a movie to check out. The man who brought you Opera-man, and the Herlihy boy, actually manages to go deep and be funny at the same time. (Reminds me a little of Jim Carrey's turn in Liar, Liar.) A movie about the surface value of material things (money) versus the true importance of intangible things (integrity and friendship). Managing to put a message this solid in a movie this funny, now that's "Sneaky, Sneaky, Sir."
- 12. Tuck Everlasting - Maybe it's just here cause I love the book so much. The idea that the search for immortality is actually the search for boredom. Questioning why we do so much to extend this lousy life when the best part is after it's over. In truth, this movie was more mediocre than good on most levels, but these themes alone (and my fondness for the story) lift it to the list.
- 11. Phone Booth - The first of two movies with an R rating to make the list, and with more f-words then the E-G edition of Encyclopedia Britanica, there is a reason. So why is it worth seeing? Well first, I'm not saying it is. It is up to you to decide if a movie's content makes it inappropriate for your viewing. But it was the 11th best movie I saw this year because it excelled in the other two areas. First this movie is mega intense, very much the kind of movie Hitchcock would have had his hands on. The acting is superb, I still can't believe Collin Farrell isn't a household name, and Keifer Sutherland, though only a voice, is once again phenomenal (note to directors, want intensity? Hire Keif.) And the message is astounding. Not since Quiz Show, has a movie been this dead on about the power of integrity and truth and the inevitable destruction of a life lived in a lie. If you can get past the language, (Drop $20 on a "Curse Free TV" box if you need to) there is treasure to be found.
- 10. The Count of Monte Cristo - Great story, for sure. Classic piece of literature, got it. But you know what? I don't care. (English teachers, prepare to send hate mail.) Give me a good movie over a good book any day. (Unless it's Tuck Everlasting.) From what I understand, this movie strays quite a bit from the text, and again, so what?!? This is a captivating group of actors presenting a captivating tale on the hollowness and madness of revenge. [Special Note: Pay close attention to Jim Caveizal as Dante/Count for a possible taste of his portrayal of Christ in Mel Gibson's upcoming movie "The Passion of the Christ".]
- 9. We Were Soldiers - R movie number 2. This time for violence (it is a war movie after all.) Again, if the content is not too much for you, there is a great movie waiting underneath. My wife and I watched this on Memorial Day this year and were both in awe of the strength and sacrifice our soldiers have worn for us. I will never look at Memorial Day weekend the same way again. No longer will it be just an excuse to take the day off, grill some dogs, and play some touch football. I will remember, and pray for peace.
- 8. A Mighty Wind - Christopher Guest has managed something quite amazing. He has invented a new genre, one that he proves again, he owns. This improvisational mockumentary style that began with his Spinal Tap and continued through such gems as Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, once again provides some of the most entertaining scenes I saw in a theater this year. Calling on basically the same actors, Guest focuses his satirical laser on the world of Folk Singing this time. The amazing thing is, even if you know nothing about this subculture, you never feel left out of the jokes.
- 7. X2 - I was introduced to the world of X-Men in the same way I have been introduced to many of the things in this world I love, my little brother. While I was buried in high-school pursuits like basketball and plays, he was living adventures with mutants in some TV cartoon. I shrugged it off then (I had a jump shot to work on) but now I get it. There is a creative gold-mine in this concept with endless stories, characters, and messages to dig up. Obviously the main message of these stories is tolerance, but I was struck in X2 by the message about faith. Nightcrawler might be my favorite non-Tolkien character to hit the screen this year. With so much source material and such a great concept they could make an X-men movie every year for, well, ever. Here's hoping they do.
- 6. Catch Me If You Can - Have you lost your mind? How can you rank a movie that glorifies dishonesty and theft this high? First, I'm not sure it does. Second, those issues and other messages in this film are what keep it from being in the top 5. The truth is, one of the central themes in this movie is that your sin will find you out. It could have been titled. Caught you, cause I did. The bad guy does get punished in the end, remember? (T hough the irony that he is now making millions off of his past sins does not escape me, and in fact strikes me as the biggest scam of his life.) In the end though, even if you put the message to the side, this is an amazingly crafted film. It's engaging, well acted, beautifully shot, and wonderfully entertaining. Spielberg makes good movies, admit it. (Like you were disagreeing).
- 5. Master and Commander - This one is still sinking in. (Was that a pun?) For a movie about not much more than one big slow ship chasing another big slow ship, this sure had me on the edge of my seat (Not literally, lest the gentleman in front of me recieve my knees embedded in his starboard deck) This movie is visually stunning and the story is engaging. I dare you not to care about each man on this ship and the things they go through. Here's the shocking part, It was.... EDUCATIONAL. I learned more about maritime warfare than I every knew existed. (Come to think of it, I never much considered the topic before.) Sea it today! (Start with a pun, end with a pun, it's a rule.)
- 4. Chicago - Didn't get a chance to see last year's big Oscar winner 'til just a few months ago. Did it deserve to beat Two Towers. Uhh... No. Did it deserve it's nomination. Big time yes. I'm a big proponent of the modern musical. Music is such a powerful tool, and if you can accept a reality where people sing their thoughts instead of speak them, you are in for a much more emotionally engaging film. One thing people seem to miss when they shred this film for it's immorality is that it is SATIRE!! The Simpsons get the same grief. Chicago is overstating sin to the point where you truly see how ridiculous it is. "He Had It Comin'" is possibly the best example of this. This isn't a song glorifying spousal murder, it's a song showing how insane the "twinkie defense" is. (check your law text books for that one.) Anyway, the actors and actresses in this one floored me, (who knew Rene could dance and sing?) And I hope we see more musicals soon.
- 3. Pirates of the Carribean - Johnny Depp rules! 'Nuff said.
- 2. Finding Nemo - If Peter Jackson hadn't stuck his thumb into middle earth and pulled out a plumb perfect movie this movie would be by far the best of the year. In fact, I think it's one of the best 5 movies I've seen, ever. Visually breathtaking, laugh out loud funny, and heart wrenchingly (adverb making is fun) emotional, this movie managed to both entertain and enlighten. As a dad with three little Nemos of my own, I already know the pain of walking the "protect or progress" tightrope. Pixar's secret isn't in their skill with computer artistry (though it doesn't hurt) it's in their story telling. They craft complete unique characters, put them in wonderful environments, and flat out tell a great tale. I fell for this one hook. line, and sinker.
- 1. LOTR: Return of the King - Ok, for fear of sounding absolutely off my rocker. I will not delve too deeply into the many reason's this is the best movie ever made. (enough hyperbole has been shed on the film already) I will just say that this saga has been the defining movie going experience of my life. If anyone pulls off anything of this magnitude again, it will be a miracle. I truly see these movies now as one 12 hour film (ok just 11 right now but the ROTK extended edition is due in less than a year.) that cannot be separated from each other, and together they are absolutely astounding. Yes I and 8 friends (My own fellowship of 9) did spend a Saturday watching the first two extendeds before attending the third. This doesn't make me a geek (OK maybe a little) it makes me fortunate. When this DVD hits you must, I repeat, must take a day to watch them together. Break for meals and... ahem... necessities, but see them all on the same day. You'll be amazed at the continuity of vision and performance that transpire, and all of the sudden a 20 minute ending to a 12 hour movie doesn't seem too long. To finish, "The Hobbit" must be made now!! I don't have an "enemies of Dice" list, but if anyone stands in the way of Jackson making this movie they will initiate one. Me wants me 12 hour movie to becomes 16 and why not, after all it is my preciousss.
My favorites of the movies I saw for the first time in 2003. In reverse order