8. Kill Bill, Vol. 1
An assault on the eyes filled with gore and surprising grace. Quentin Tarantino's sword-wielding opera was one of the most dramatic, erratic and exhilarating experiences in a theater, period.
9. The Last Samurai
Beautifully shot with battle scenes that are stirring and loaded with depth. Who is the last samurai? It doesn't matter, thereby showcasing the film's loyalty to giving us something we could honestly appreciate.
10. Elf
Will Ferrell in yellow tights is Christmas magic. This comedy proved that Ferrell has leading man status and that Christmas films can still inspire and make children and adults smile.
Honorable mentions: Shattered Glass, Thirteen, 28 Days Later, Pieces of April and The Human Stain
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
CAL CREEK
1. Lost in Translation
This story of two "lost" Americans who "find" each other in Tokyo contains performances, writing and directing that bounces audiences from laughter to tears from one scene to the next. Sophia Coppola doesn't just prove herself as a director. She defines a new generation of filmmaking. Don't miss this movie.
2. Kill Bill Vol.I
Heads roll, arteries spurt and a plethora of f-bombs drop in Quentin Tarantino's fourth movie. Audiences enjoyed watching the Bride kill everybody, but Bill in this first installment. Nauseating and fun, this movie combines so many film styles to be the unique film of the year.
3. School of Rock
Richard Linklater directs Jack Black and a coterie of school kid musicians to new heights of good, clean comic fun. Black's funny without working blue,and the kid's are equally impressive musicians.
Harvey Pekar's got it rough. Fortunately, Harvey has an outlet in the comics he writes, so that others can share in his misery. Under the helm of Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, Paul Giamatti delivers the performance of his career.
5. Mystic River
A well-crafted, well-acted murder mystery never disappoints. Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon all deliver performances that drive this intense character study, set in Boston.
6. X2
This movie had little exposition, little character development and a simple plot...but, man, was it fun. High-flying mutant action makes for a quick two hours and Magneto's escape from his plastic prison is the best "bad guy" scene of the year.
7. Old School
Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson and Will Ferrell create comic gold in this hilarious frat-boy flick. Nothing was funnier in the past year than seeing Ferrell drunkenly try to rap with Snoop Dogg.
8. A Mighty Wind
Christopher Geust and Co. deliver another hilarious, improvised look at an eccentric group of people. This time they satire folk musicians and fans as Eugene Levy, as usual, weirds the audience out while making them choke on laughs;
9. Finding Nemo
So far Pixar hasn't failed. In their latest tale a fish father's search for his son makes for a cute and life-affirming hour and a half. It might be cheesy, but anyone who's seen the movie now smiles when they here the phrase "lucky fin."
10.28 Days Later
This delightfully sickening zombie blood fest created a plausible world in which zombies could exist. Director Danny Boyle even weaves in a little bit of thought and creativity in between the bodily explosions.
4. American Splendor
Honorable mentions: Whale Rider, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Daredevil, Willard, and Secret Lives of Dentists
jayplay
thursday, december 11, 2003
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