Movies 2003

This year seemed so short, but when I look back over the movies I saw in 2003, I can hardly believe that I saw the Quiet American and the Hours in the same year as two Lord of the Rings movies and the Matrix Reloaded.

As usual, the list is ordered from most to least favorite. As such, it’s not quite a “Best of 2003” list. I saw a lot of movies I liked this year, and they are so different that it’s hard to rate one against another. The way I do it though is I imagine this, “If I had to watch A or B right now, which one would I chose?” Keeping that criteria in mind, choosing Master and Commander for the number one spot was easy. I’ve already seen it three times and I’ve tried to convince everyone else I know to see it too. We’ve watched Identity and The Two Towers a second time this year (on DVD). I was pleased that I enjoyed Identity just as much (and it has a good commentary) and that I enjoyed The Two Towers even more on DVD than I did in the theater.

Recommended

  • 2003-11-16. Master and Commander. With AJM at the Gateway; 2003-11-21 with JQS. 2003-11-28 with AJM and Boy S.
  • 2003-05-10. Identity. With JQS at the Cinemark.
  • 2003-08-02. Pirates of the Carribean. With AJM and JQS Gateway Cinemas 16.
  • 2003-09-28. Lost in Translation. With AJM and JQS.
  • 2003. LOTR: The Two Towers.
  • 2003-09-21. Rivers and Tides. With JQS at the Dobie.
  • 2003-12-13. The Last Samurai. With JQS at the Alamo Drafthouse*
  • 2003-02-17. The Quiet American. With AJM at the Westgate 11.
  • 2003-04-16. Bend It Like Beckham. With AJM and the Boy S. and the Westgate.
  • 2003-08-24. I Capture the Castle.
  • 2003-07-16. Whale Rider. With the Boy S at the Westgate 11.
  • 2003-01-17. The Hours. At the Westgate 11.
  • 2003-12-25. LOTR: The Return of the King. With AJM and JQS at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Okay

  • 2003-11-15. Love Actually. With AJM at the Westgate.
  • 2003-09-12. Thirteen. Barton Creek Cinema. (Cinemark)
  • 2003-06-22. The Italian Job. With AJM at the Gateway Cinemas 16.

Not Recommended

  • 2003-12-06. Honey
  • 2003-06-01. The Matrix Reloaded. With AJM at the Gateway Cinemas 16.
  • 2003-07-16. League of Extradordinary Gentlemen. With the Boy S at AMC Barton Creek Square.

Critic’s Choice

If you like top ten lists, check out MCN Critics Top Ten: The Big Chart.

Barton Creek Cinema. $3.75; $4.75.