I saw 53 movies in 2003, but only the following were released this year so those are the only ones getting reviewed because that is the Raphaelian way. And I'm a believer. Which is also why no one gets numbers except my number one because can you really judge art? Also, I'm going to see less movies in 2004 because 53 movies is too many to write about.
My Favorite:
Spellbound - My favorite movie of the year captures the torturous rituals and self-flagellation kids go through to be the best speller in the land. I am a horrible speller - in the 2nd grade, I was knocked out in the first round because I spelled tomorrow with two "m"s - but am fascinated by the entire process of the bee. Really there's nothing special about this documentary except that the filmmakers were smart enough to chose a topic that's engaging, sad, hilarious and let the story unfold fairly naturally.
Other movies that were wicked awesome.
City of God - Wow. What a gorgeous film. When I think of this film, I see beautiful yellow and golds, ochres and oranges. Amazing look at the lives of very different young personalities in the slums of Brazil.
Raising Victor Vargas - Sweet and innocent Lower East Side love story in the sticky heat of NYC summers. This movie is filled with unique and flawed but likable characters played by acting novices who make it look so effortless. The grandmother is the BEST! I want to eat the great hamburgers she cooked for her family.
American Splendor - Paul Giamotti is one of the most underrated actors working today? The use of the real Harvey and Toby were great ideas. Chris Mooney's Toby halloween costume was an even greater idea!
Triplets of Belleville - The total anti-Disney animated film. Beautifully rendered and colored with barely a hint of dialogue. The best parts of illustration and animation past and present combined.
Blue Gate Crossing - Another sweet, sweet love story. Only in this one Girl A likes Boy. Boy likes Girl B. Girl B likes Girl A. Uh-oh! Fun characters, dialogues and scenes.
Etre et Avoir (To Be and To Have) - Memo to anyone who is interested in targeting me as a movie-goer. Just keep making movies featuring kids, untainted and in natural settings. In Etre et Avoir, we get a very intimate look at the sole teacher in a French one-room schoolhouse who is on the verge of retiring. His interactions with his students are just fascinating to watch.
Capturing the Friedmans - The second documentary in the upper tier. Disturbing and thought-provoking. Are we supposed to focus on the guilt and innocence of the parties involves or on their complete dysfunctionality?
The Man Without a Past - Really interesting movie about a man with amnesia that unfolded along at its own particular pace. I don't have much else to say, but I did really like this.
Marooned in Iraq - Ok, read Dan's list to find out the greatness of this movie. But on this day, I saw my first ever segueway with mine own eyes and we ate shish kebobs from the street fair outside the theater.
L'Homme du train (Man on the Train) - Je t'aime Jean Rochefort. Et Johnny Hallayday? Il n'est pas trop mauvais non plus!
The middle of the bunch that I don't have much to say about.
Chiwahseon - I think this was the first time I saw a Korean sex scene on film. The little girl was really good.
Love and Diane - Love is a person. And this movie is kind of about love, I think.
Holes - I saw this with a bunch the third graders of 3R.
X-Men 2 - Not as good as the first, but still my favorite of this genre.
Cinemania - And I thought Dan was bad!
Finding Nemo - Another winner from Pixar.
Old School - Welcome back, Vince Vaughan!
Zero Day - Better depiction of school shootings than Elephant.
Bus 174 - Documentary about a troubled Brazilian street kid. Made all the more interesting post-City of God.
Elf - Will Ferrell is super duper funny. So is Bob Newhart. And neither have to be "big." I loved the use of the old timey Christmas cartoon figures too.
School of Rock - Hellooooo Jack Black. Back to his High Fidelity days when he wasn't so annoying and "big."
Turning Gate - Hey, two Korean movies in one year! Kinda interesting, but it didn't really go anywhere and I guess that was my main problem. But I did like observing my people in a contemporary setting.
Winged Migration - Not as good as Microcosmos, but these were some birds that didn't scare me. Poor bird who got shot down.
In America - Featuring my favorite line of the year: "We're on holidays!" Said with such brightness and energy by one Miss Emma Bolger.
Warrior of Light - The slums of Brazil, take three. This time, the focus is on a wealthy woman who has taken it upon herself to do something for the benefit of this impoverished kids. What's interesting is that it's really not the money, but the love, affection and attention that really makes a difference to these kids.
LOTR- Return of the King - I managed to not take a pee break during this film. For that I should get a gold star. However, the gold star should be taken away because I accidentally hit the girl in front of me twice. And even though I apologized, Dan says I should still feel bad because he didn't think the girl heard me.
21 Grams - The more I think about this, the less I think I like this film. Oh well. Sean Penn was pretty intense, yo.
Lost in La Mancha - Cute little documentary about the failed take on the making of Don Quixote. Eh, take it or leave it.
Lawless Heart - I don't remember much about this movie other than that afterwards I felt bad for myself for spending money to watch it. It was likable and pleasant enough I guess.
The middle of the bunch that I found disappointing because I expected more
All the Real Girls - I jumped on Dan's David Gordon Green hype train after finally watching George Washington on DVD. I remember liking it a little more, but I've jumped off the train. This was just really boring.
A Mighty Wind - This gets a disappointing rating only because Christopher Guest and company have set the bar too high for themselves.
Lost in Translation - Bill Murray was fucking fantastic. But other than that, what makes this movie great? Sofia Copola's movies have left me with the same reaction. Tastes great, less filling.
Elephant - Again, tastes great, less filling. The last half was not as interesting as the first.
I Would Like My Money Back and Some Extra for the Pain and Suffering These Movies Caused Me
Gerry - Hey look at me. I'm walking in the desert with my friend Gerry and guess what, my name is Gerry too. We're exchanging "witty" dialogue. Pander, pander, pander. Some call this Van Sants back to form movie. I call it shit.
10 - I don't remember ever fidgeting during a movie as much as I did during 10.
Laurel Canyon - Hey Hollywood, get a fucking grip.
Matrix Reloaded - I wish someone would give me some pills so I could have escaped this movie.
Thirteen - Annoying. Really really annoying.
Party Monster - Stupid, stupid, stupid. Macualay Culkin gave one of the worst performances ever. Was this a nightmare? How on earth did I think this would be remotely good? Barf.
2003
LISTS
dan
sujan
sarah f.
mitch
marc
jeremy
jim
amy r.
matt b.
shawn
