After watching Peter Pan yesterday I decided that it belonged in my top 5 list of flicks for 2003. I also decided that since I had a damned difficult time picking five flicks I watched that were released in 2003 and which I liked that 2003 was a pretty crappy year for flicks. Nonetheless, I am determined, with the help of a list of almost all flicks released in 2003 to compile my
13. Bad Boys II – I loved the first one and the second had more of almost everything, including silliness. A fine popcorn flick.
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – I’m not certain I’ve placed this correctly. I’m not sure I liked it more than Bad Boys or Kill Bill. I may have been swayed by the incessant positive commentary swirling about this film – sometimes I wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Why didn’t I like this flick a whole lot more?” Then I realize that sword and sorcery is basically crap and feel much better.
11. Johnny English – Rowan Atkinson. It had to be at least enjoyable. It was. Wake me when they make a Black Adder movie.
10. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – Another film, like Paycheck that ought to have been great, but wasn’t. Nevertheless, based on my unabashed love of the idea and the comic it was based on I have a soft spot in my heart for this film. Hellboy better not suck.
9. Underworld – Good. Forgettable but good. Another excellent idea gone nearly awry.
8. Once Upon a Time in Mexico – Hot diggity damn! A psychotic Johnny Depp and the line, “Are you a Mexi-can or a Mexi-can’t?” It’s hard to top that.
7. X2: X-Men United – Just watched this again the other night. Most of the characters (Cyclops, Jean Grey) grate on my nerves but it was eminently superior to the first film and thoroughly enjoyable so it gets a high billing.
6. Big Fish – I liked it. Dunno why exactly except I have a soft spot for films that border on insanity. They make me happy.
5. In America – I really liked it, but I’m a sucker for that sort of thing. Trying to go to sleep the evening after I’d seen it I found myself thinking in a brogue. Damn funny. I wish I could do accents as easily and seamlessly as the father too.
4. Lost in Translation – Whatta film. One of those flicks like Leaving Las Vegas, you have to be in just the right frame of mind to truly appreciate it. Still, the thing was so beautifully written, framed and acted you empathized with the characters even if you don’t think you’ve ever experienced their travails.
3. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – Mmmm, seafaring and large boomsticks. A great film with great acting, great scenery and a great story. I’d say that numbers five through one on this list are the only films I am very glad to have seen, the rest get a big fat, “Meh.”
2. Peter Pan – Excellent in every way. That about covers it.
1. Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – Seafaring, large boomsticks and Johnny Depp. That is a formula for the finest film of the year. If only they’d have let the shrewish love interest drown at the beginning and filled the film out with Depp wisecracking and generally making a nuisance of himself. Can’t be beat.
Looking back I have to say: it’s really been a shite year for movies. So much promise, so little realization. I can’t even make an Honorable Mention list. So, instead I’ll make a list of the films I didn’t see – because I live in a cultural backwater – and hope someday to take in:
American Splendor
Buffalo Soldiers
Bubba Ho-Tep
The Quiet American
As of 3/5/2004, having seen In America I decided I liked Bad Boys II better than Kill Bill: Vol 1 but I still wanted to post my thoughts on the latter:
Kill Bill: Volume 1 – I came out of this film not thinking, “How cool was that?” But rather, “My God, I have just witnessed a two hour monument to Quentin’s oversized ego.” Still, it had some cool swordfights and good music so it couldn’t be all bad.
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