2003: The Summer's Best

NOTE: All of these movies were theatrically released from May 31, 2003 - September 5, 2003.
Any other films released this year will qualify for my "Top 10 of 2003", but not for this one.
Examples: The Matrix Reloaded was released on May 15, and even though it is considered a

"summer movie" by many, it will not qualify for this list. The same goes for a film, such as Lost

In Translation, which was released on September 12. It's pretty self explanatory; got it? Good.

#10
How to Deal - You can shut up now. Yes, I am putting a Mandy Moore movie on my "Summer's Best List," and for good reason; get over it. How to Deal is a fabulously fresh and a unique twist on the ordinary film for teenage girls. It has more than just the lame positive message that most flicks of its kind do; there are actually passages in it, which I admired. It proves that Moore has the required talent to become an accomplished actress. The writing is brisk and the mood is entrancing; How to Deal certainly does not even come close to failing. Simply wonderful--what more can I say?

#09
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - Oh my holy god--yes! If there is one kind of movie that stood out amongst the pack this summer, it was definitely the action film. With tremendous visuals and a hysterical script, Terminator 3 is a worthy addition to this insanely cool, and landmark, trilogy. With a $170,000,000 budget, it's also one of the best examples of sheer visual power, ever put onto film. While hardly anyone is as good as James Cameron at working from the directors chair, his replacement, Jonathan Mostow, does an excellent job with this one. He admirably leaves the perfect opening for T4, as well.

#08
Open Range - I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of the western, but aside from the cliched ending, Open Range is absolutely perfect. The lead performances, by Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, and Annette Bening are miraculous, and chocked full of inspiration. The sets and the locations it was shot at are absolutely beautiful, as well. Captivating tension is the one trait that Open Range bears, that makes it the movie that it is. Most of the credit for this should go to director Costner and composer Michael Camen. Involving, entertaining, and admirable, this one is, indeed, one of the summer's best movies.

#07
Northfork - While most call Northfork pretentious and boring, I'd definitely beg to differ. It is one of the most profoundly exhilarating experiences I've ever witnessed, in my entire life. The entire cast, which mostly consists of underrated actors, does a handsome job. It's rare to find a film that's as simplistically symbolic as this one; we must cherish it. The Polish brothers, teaming up with a very talented cinematographer, have created this film, for the sole purpose of thought. After viewing Northfork, there is much to converse about, and ponder. I can't wait to see it again.

	#06 American Splendor - Sure, it isn't masterful. Sure, it isn't enlightening. Sure, it's not even all that fun. But it is witty, creative, and ingenious--three traits that are able to combine together, and create one hell of an entertainingly funny movie. Harvey Pekar is a brilliant topic; directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, along with lead-actor Paul Giamatti, bring out the best in the fascinatingly intriguing guy. I was able to relate to the characters in American Splendor, more than a healthy amount of times, and thoroughly enjoyed almost every minute of it. Fabulously fabulous.
	#05 Finding Nemo - Animation is, truly, getting to be unreal these days. Finding Nemo is the latest Pixar effort, and stands as their best film since the Toy Story duo. While the majority of kids movies that are released these days succeed on a visual note, this one actually has a fresh and fun script, as well. Albert Brooks and Ellen Degeneres provide comically genius vocal-performances, and are worth the price of admission, alone. While it does kill me to see Finding Nemo gross a higher amount of money than both Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, I can't help but deem the $330 million dollars it grossed, domestically, well-deserved
	#04 Seabiscuit - It seems like all Hollywood movies now come with little, sticky notes attached to them, which read: "WARNING: Melodramatic stupidity, corny dialogue, dreadfully bland symbolism, and mediocre acting are featured in this film. If you do not enjoy watching features, which contain these characteristics--tough luck." Save for the melodrama, Seabiscuit is the complete opposite of your average, conventional, simplistic, big-budget motion picture. It features great acting, a wonderfully adapted script, and amazingly exhilarating visuals. While I did expect it to be good, this one is the most pleasantly surprising film of the year, so far.

#03
The Hulk - Why is it that the only comic-book movie I love ends up being the one that everyone else on the planet hates? I really do fancy The Hulk; it is a riveting and exciting journey, as well as a psychologically dark thrill. I'm also part of the very small group of people, who are fans of the use of CGI in the movie. Director Ang Lee does just about everything he can to make watching his film, exactly like reading the comic book it was adapted from, and succeeds in doing this. At one time, I believed that The Hulk was the best movie of the year. I did see Nowhere in Africa, a better film, before it, but it'll definitely place on my best of the year list.

#02
Whale Rider - Story-wise, Whale Rider is insanely simplistic. Emotion-wise, it's as deep as the sea itself (yes, mind the fact that I do need a few lessons in utalizing symbolism myself; that was far too cheesy). Most of this leaves the performances to thank. Newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes is astounding; her work is a miracle, and will be cherished for years to come. Rawiri Paratene currently holds the title for the best acting of the year; his portrayal of the character Koro is absolutely mind-blowing. While this definitely deserves to be the best movie of 2003, I witnessed a greater masterpiece, only two months after viewing it...

#01
The Magdalene Sisters - Words are beyond me when discussing The Magdalene Sisters; it's heartbreaking, harrowing, terrifying, shocking, and amazingly spectacular in every way, shape, and form. Many of the people who witness it will be physically shaking when the credits begin to role. Director Peter Mullan captures the mood and theme of the entire story flawlessly; we feel as if we are experiencing The Magdalene Sisters first hand. All the details are done perfectly--from the score to the use of imagery. This is the most haunting and ravishing cinematic event, shown in theatres, since Schindler's List was in 1993.