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2003 Film List - Page 16

post #451 of 601
12/16/03 at 6:01am
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
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post #452 of 601
12/16/03 at 8:53pm
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. Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
until the speechifyin' ending that is
B-
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post #453 of 601
12/17/03 at 12:50am
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.
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post #454 of 601
12/17/03 at 1:57am
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.
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post #455 of 601
12/17/03 at 2:16am
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).
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post #456 of 601
12/17/03 at 11:52am
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.
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post #457 of 601
12/17/03 at 8:59pm
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.
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post #458 of 601
12/17/03 at 10:58pm
Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King.


Next Up: Cold Mountain

~Edwin
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post #459 of 601
12/18/03 at 11:07pm
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.
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post #460 of 601
12/19/03 at 8:38pm
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.
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post #461 of 601
12/21/03 at 4:13pm
Updated with:

Love Actually, a rather entertaining multi-threaded story from Richard Curtis (although I can't reconcile the Richard Curtis who writes sweet Hugh Grant romantic comedies with the one who came up with Black Adder) -

The Last Samurai, a well-filmed epic which I can't help but wish had been Ken Wanatabe's movie - ¼

The Missing, a skilled Western from Ron Howard that Tommy Lee Jones doesn't quite fit into - ¾

Looney Tunes: Back In Action, which somehow manages to not be watered down crap! Joe Dante packs the screen with little gags, and delivers a pretty entertaining movie -

As always, more detailed reviews along with thoughts on the various "oldies" I've seen (be they kung fu sci-fi exploitation or "Golden Age Of Hollywood" stuff) in the "Jay's Movie Blog" link
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post #462 of 601
12/21/03 at 10:41pm
Updated with,

Lord of the Rings : Return of the King 1/2 out of

The only thing that prevents it being 4 stars were some minor problems I have, ranging from nitpicks (what happened to Gandalf's staff while trying to rescue Famamir?) to pacing/editing - the best scene in the movie is broken up (Witch-King), also the ending - it kinda took the steam out of it.

Still, a great movie that was better for me the 2nd time around and definitely better then Two Towers and might be better then Fellowship.

Raymond
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post #463 of 601
12/22/03 at 7:28am
Added Once Upon a Time in the Midlands and Bus 174, plus The Wild Bunch on DVD. That should mark the end of theatrical moviegoing for me this year, at least any new films that aren't already on my list.

I also slightly retooled my list, moving Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, Nowhere in Africa, and Spider to the 2003 list from the non-qualifiers. I'm going according to New York release, which can be found here:

http://www.panix.com/~dangelo/nymaster.html
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post #464 of 601
12/23/03 at 7:46am
Amandla! A Revolution In Four Part Harmony is a documentary describing the history, importance, and connectedness of music to the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Told through interviews, newsreel footage, and other media, it weaves an interesting story of courage, struggle, and beautiful music. B

Next up: I'm the last person on Earth to see Return of the King
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post #465 of 601
12/23/03 at 12:06pm
Just updated my list to reflect having seen Elf.

Who would have thought that 2003 would produce not one, but two holiday classics in Elf and Bad Santa? They're about as far apart as you can get, but they're both Christmas movies as heart in one way or another. I'm relieved that Elf didn't go the sentimental route at the end. Will Ferrel for once, didn't annoy me at all. Zooey Deschanel was really cute in that elf costume.
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post #466 of 601
12/25/03 at 7:51pm
Cold Mountain is completely conventional in every way. There isn't a single memorable thing about it, the script, the acting, technically, the score, nothing. It has moments of emotional connection, and moments of a deeper allusion to the dehumanizing effects of war on both combatants and noncombatants, but it always pulls away from delving deeper in favor, after a promising opening 20-30m, into a movie of pieces, going from one scene to the next, each with a different star actor as the focal point. It felt not so much like following a character's arc as, here Jude Law meets Philip Seymour Hoffman, oh look now Jude Law meets Giovanni Ribisi, and what have we here? Why its Natalie Portman, etc. etc.

Also I don't like Renee Zellweger. She pulls me out of virtually every movie she's in with her facial tics and less than convincing vocal affectations. But I did enjoy the early bits of the movie, the "in the past" segments, much of that is probably due to Donald Sutherland, always fine, even in this small role. But with an ending as paint by numbers seen it all before right down to the cuts as this one has, I can't give it much of a grade. C+
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post #467 of 601
12/26/03 at 5:59am
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Director Stephen Norrington (Blade) uses every single trick known for an action adventure film adding to it some bad dialogue, cheesy special effects along with plotlines and characters that have very little motivations. The result: an incomprehensible mess.


Next Up: Cold Mountain

~Edwin
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post #468 of 601
12/27/03 at 8:33am
Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain


Next Up: Peter Pan

~Edwin
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post #469 of 601
12/27/03 at 3:39pm
Added:

School of Rock
In America
S.W.A.T.
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post #470 of 601
12/28/03 at 6:36pm
P.J. Hogan's Peter Pan


Next Up: Kukushka

~Edwin
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post #471 of 601
12/30/03 at 8:50am
.
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post #472 of 601
12/31/03 at 1:35am
21 Grams was something of a disappointment. A good movie containing an interesting story, fine performances, and some powerful scenes, but simply felt far too long. Because of the disjointed editing I was often waiting for the movie to fill in blanks I'd already figured out and I just grew impatient waiting for things to happen. Also while I usually have no problem with voice over narration, it was poorly used here. The cycle of life theme was evident without the need for an awkward explanation. B
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post #473 of 601
12/31/03 at 1:55am
Added American Wedding and Underworld.
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post #474 of 601
12/31/03 at 5:56am
Aleksandr Rogozhkin's Kukushka


Next Up: 21 Grams

~Edwin
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post #475 of 601
1/1/04 at 8:16am
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's 21 Grams


At Bat: In America

~Edwin
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post #476 of 601
1/1/04 at 2:51pm
Big ass update to ye olde list (about 3 weeks worth): Bad Santa, Big Fish, Cinemania, Cold Mountain, The Cooler, Gerry, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Man on the Train, Melvin Goes to Dinner, Millennium Actress, Mona Lisa Smile, Poolhall Junkies, Seabiscuit, The Station Agent, Stuck on You, The Triplets of Belleville, View From the Top and Winged Migration.

And since it's the new year, the final tally for 2003 films seen is 142 (144 unofficially), a record for me.

Now it's time to create various year-end lists...
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post #477 of 601
1/2/04 at 9:41am
I'm relieved that Elf didn't go the sentimental route at the end.


My response to this should probably be saved for the Elf thread, but did we see the same film??!! The ending is the only thing that made me dislike this film. It was fantastic up to the point that all the characters conveniently were brought together for a heart warming hug of an ending. Blah.
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post #478 of 601
1/2/04 at 11:44am
Finally finished my reviews for Something's Gotta Give (85%) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the latter the first film I've given a 100% to in a long time, and is tied for first place for my personal Best Film of All Time (along with Miyazaki's Kaze no tani no Nausicaa).

I still need to see a bunch of 2003 films, including Cold Mountain and Mystic River, if only to have an informed opinion come Oscar time.
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post #479 of 601
1/3/04 at 5:20pm
Finally got around to updating my list with 3 terrific epics:


The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (**** / ****)

The Last Samurai (**** / ****)

Cold Mountain (***1/2 / ****)

21 Grams (*** / ****)

I can't wait to see Big Fish soon, and I still have some limited releases I'll get around to seeing.

Lowell
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post #480 of 601
1/3/04 at 7:56pm
Made my final "big" update with:

Cold Mountain
Cheaper by the Dozen
City of God
My Life Without Me
The Magdalene Sisters
Paycheck
The Barbarian Invasions
Monster
Demonlover
Sylvia
Love Don't Cost a Thing

...and a few others. As far as 2003 goes, the only wide release I still haven't seen is Rugrats Go Wild. Damn Rugrats.

2003 releases I'm planning to see ASAP:

The Secret Lives of Dentists
Stone Reader
The Man Without a Past
Ghosts of the Abyss
People I Know
Jet Lag
The Anarchist's Cookbook
Garage Days
Masked and Anonymous
Hotel
Le Divorce
The Princess Blade
Step Into Liquid
Carnage
Millennium Actress
The Triplets of Belleville
Casa de los Babys
Luther
Dorm Daze
Returner
The Singing Detective
Die Mommie Die!
Suspended Animation
Manic
The Young Unknowns
Anything But Love
The Big Empty
Pride and Prejudice
The Fog of War
The Company
The Statement
High Times Potluck
Young Black Stallion

Happy New Year, all!
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