2003 Film List - Page 16

Edwin Pereyra · 12-16-2003, 09:01 AM

Brook, its on its way. My Netflix dictribution center shows it being available. It's interesting to see where this film is in such high demand.

Vladimír Michálek’s Babi Leto (Czech Republic).

Next Up: Return Of The King

~Edwin

Brook K · 12-16-2003, 11:53 PM

Very interesting Edwin, it's a long wait in my queue.

Dark Blue: Corrupt cops in Rodney King torn '92 LA. A pretty good 2 hours spent with Ron Shelton's by-the-book direction and a quality Kurt Russell performance. Russell's character is by far the most nuanced part of the film - a corrupted man who is not so corrupt that he doesn't know right from wrong, but too far gone to do the right thing.

Spoiler:

B-

Arman · 12-17-2003, 03:50 AM

Updated my list with or should I say ...

And the winner is ... Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King A+ (<- want to add another + but I would more look like an e-bay reviewer than a savvy HTF film buff

)

If George Lucas was the one who pioneered the great film era for sci-fi fantasy genre then if it was Steven Spielberg who revolutionized it, I would say now here, Peter Jackson has just perfected it.

Seth Paxton · 12-17-2003, 04:57 AM

The Station Agent
7.5 of 10
It's a adequately directed film with a good story, not quite as good script. It suffers a bit from small film syndrome in that it feels as small as its budget probably was, it plays down to its own level rather than exceeding it like the greater small indy films are able to.

Peter Dinklage really carries the film with the one truly strong performance to be found in it. Much of the rest, the other acting, the writing, even the editing and direction show amateurish qualities which restrict the film from being as sublime as the basic premise and story might have allowed.

Worth seeing with a more interesting and honest ending than Hollywood would be willing to leave you with, but that's not enough to expect a life-altering viewing out of the film.

Return of the King
10 of 10
My review is in the official thread, about 5 down on the first page (too lazy to paste in the link right now). Best film of the year and definitely stronger than the first two installments, even without the resolution that this film has to offer.

Seth Paxton · 12-17-2003, 05:16 AM

City of God - yes, it is up for all the other Oscar fields EXCEPT FF since it was submitted and passed over for that last year (2002 home country release but a 2003 Oscar qualifying US release).

This was considered a gamble and mistake by the studio since they didn't get it run in time for last years other Oscars but then put it out way too early for a small film for the next year's Oscars.

I would agree with Edwin that Gangs of NY was a similar film that was enjoyable and even had very good moments, yet was also highly (and frustratingly) flawed. However, I think Scorese's mistakes ring more like confused efforts while those of TLS are more in line with comfortable cliches, and I would always side more with confused but interesting mistakes over tired cliches as the backbone of a film (or scene).

As a popcorn film TLS is enjoyable enough, thus the 7 rating, a "matinee, first run" rating but not worth the evening prices.

The only reason I compare a film to another film is when they have an obvious genre, narrative, star, director, or other connection, never to "promote" one film over another. Historical period action epics is a pretty specific category which happens to include both M&C and TLS, as well as DWW and Gladiator. There may be variations in how much they are trying to align to such a genre, but clearly none of those films is trying to be Amelie or Chicago, for example. Thus, I don't compare to those film (or City of God or X-Men 2, and so on).

Mark Pfeiffer · 12-17-2003, 02:52 PM

Hmm, I had City of God as 2003 and Nowhere in Africa and Spider as non-qualifying 2002. So you're telling me I can push at least one of those to the 2003 list? I can't keep anything straight with the number of screenings over the last week and a half...

A major update, not to mention one that pushes me to a new all-time high. Plus, I just signed up for Netflix, so those DVD viewings may be increasing next year.

Grades for films seen at this time of year may be revised once I get the chance to revisit some of them. Seeing so many in such a short period of time makes separating them all the more difficult. (Yeah, boo hoo, right?)

Looking like three more theatrical releases for me this year (Mona Lisa Smile, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands, and Bus 174) since I've seen everything else that should be opening.

Arman · 12-17-2003, 11:59 PM

Quote:

A major update, not to mention one that pushes me to a new all-time high. Plus, I just signed up for Netflix, so those DVD viewings may be increasing next year.

Grades for films seen at this time of year may be revised once I get the chance to revisit some of them. Seeing so many in such a short period of time makes separating them all the more difficult. (Yeah, boo hoo, right?)

Right! I (started Netflixing & visiting our local library again for 2 weeks now) have these exact same agenda added in my film planner/schedule but (in spite of 200+ 2003 films I've seen) unlike Mark I have lot of 2003 films catching-up to do.

Edwin Pereyra · 12-18-2003, 01:58 AM

Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King.

Next Up: Cold Mountain

~Edwin

Seth Paxton · 12-19-2003, 02:07 AM

It's the S&S list and various catelog viewings (and Tivo viewings) that are killing my 2003 viewings so far. But I'm on a hot streak (for a non-reviewer), so I should still hit at least 100+ before the Oscars.

Speaking of City of God, too bad the release got pushed from Decemeber into next year.

Lost in Translation
8.5 of 10
It's a very nice performance from both Scarlett and Bill, yet at the same time it's exactly what I've come to expect from both. That's not a knock, just a lack of surprise on my end. Between them I'd say Scarlett does more to earn an Oscar nom, but Bill's character is nice. I'd say his effort in Rushmore is still the stronger role, but whatever, it's all good.

What was most likeable about LiT was it's approach to romance and how circumstances and surroundings can affect that, among other themes to be found in the film. It's actually one of the stronger romances I have seen in some time (add to that Bill's comedy charm), especially in the area of realism in what actions can and can not be taken.

In that way the film most reminded me of the father's story from Yi Yi.

ZacharyTait · 12-19-2003, 11:38 PM

Just updated my list to reflect that I saw Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Bad Santa, and Last Samurai.

ROTK is hands down, the best film of the year. As great as Reloaded and Revolutions were, ROTK towers over everything else.

Bad Santa joins Christmas Vacation and It's a Wonderful Life as a Christmas classic I'll enjoy watching every year. It's vulgar, yet funny.

Last Samurai was terrific as well. Gorgeous cinematography, terrific choreography in the battle scenes, and wonderful performaces from all around. Tom Cruise shows he can do just about anything. He more than makes up for his last period epic, Far and Away. Ken Watanabe should be nominated for Best Supporting Actor.