Best Films of 2003

'21 Grams' weighs in as year's best, 'Nemo' swims for gold in timeless tale

When it comes to the cinema of 2003, the year has been — despite the usual case of summer sequelitis — a rousing success. So here, with little fanfare (maybe a mild drumbeat), are this critic's top 10 films of 2003. These are the films that, in this critic's humble opinion, make 2003 a banner year for movies and reaffirm the idea that trips to the local cineplexare still worthwhile.

1. "21 Grams" — Yes, it's emotionally devastating and not the year's most uplifting film. But, it features three brave performances by Sean Penn ("Mystic River"), Naomi Watts ("The Ring") and Benicio Del Toro ("The Hunted"), and a narrative that remains affecting, despite the intriguing, fractured structure.

2. "28 Days Later" — Perhaps the summer's best film, this end-of-the-world scenario, shot in digital video, is not so much about the flesh-eating plague victims that hunt a band of survivors as it is about the loss of human communication and the melancholic atmosphere evoked by a deserted London.

3. "Kill Bill, Vol. 1" — Though it's probably best to come to a decision once the second volume is to be released in April 2004, the first half of Quentin Tarantino's ("Little Nicky") return to film was a triumph of over-the-top gore — a 90-minute homage to kung fu films and spaghetti Westerns.

4. "Lost in Translation" — A quiet, introspective film about two loners making a brief connection amid the hyperkinetic bustle of Tokyo. How refreshing to watch an honest relationship develop onscreen — a relationship that doesn't involve sex at first sight.

5. "Cold Mountain" — The least impressive of writer-director Anthony Minghella's ("The Talented Mr. Ripley") three film adaptations, this Civil War epic stands out for its beautiful cinematography and its ability to capture the essences of Charles Frazier's novel.

6. "The Dancer Upstairs" — John Malkovich's ("Knockaround Guys") directorial debut about the search for a Latin American terrorist is the best film you probably haven't seen, with the ability to go from subtle to shocking in a matter of minutes.

7. "Finding Nemo" — This is a hilarious film that cements Pixar's position as the best animated storytellers who can combine breathtaking visuals with the kind of touching story that transcends age.

8. "The Human Stain" — While at times burdened by its own literariness, "Stain" is a successful film adaptation dealing with the havoc of political correctness and the overwhelming burden of secrets.

9. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" — An impressive, jaw-dropping conclusion to the fantasy trilogy. Forget the "Matrix" trilogy and those measly "Star Wars" prequels — this is where it's at.

10. "House of Sand and Fog" — Another of winter's film adaptations, this real-estate story quickly descends into the darkest of hells and becomes less a dark suburban drama than a full-blown Greek tragedy transplanted to the California coast.