Charles
Mitchell’s Favorite Films of 2003 (all
films are ranked in order and out of five stars)
Copyright
2004 by Charles Mitchell
1) The
Barbarian Invasions *****
In 1986 a little Quebec film named the Decline
of the American Empire became fodder for an infinite number of college
essays in classes like sociology, 
English
and history. That brilliant work was
like an intellectual’s version of the Big Chill. Who can forget the scene where the female
masseuse performs an intimate act while giving a history lesson to her
client? Now 15 years later the sequel is
even better. The Barbarian Invasions
contains everything an art house flick should: intelligence, great acting
and superb dialogue -- just to name a few. The same friends are back, only this
time under tragic circumstances that could unite father and son. 2004 Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Language
film.
2) Dirty
Pretty Things *****
A wonderful look at what
lengths illegal immigrants will go to in order to have a better life. Tragic, haunting, and at the same time,
uplifting.
3) In
America****1/2
A nearly perfect tale of an immigrant family seeking the American dream
while coming to terms with tragedy. If
only it offered more shared scenes
between the two male protagonists, who reach out to each other as one tries to
come to terms with a death, and the other faces his own.
4) Whale
Rider ****1/2
A classic Joan of Arc tale. An
insightful look into
5) Winged Migration ****1/2
This documentary on the migration of birds is no Discovery Channel
nature special. In the age of bad CGI
the incredible visuals in this film could show
6) Elephant
****1/2
This tale is a not so subtle re-enactment of Columbine. Transparent metaphors, and predictable
character motivation do very little to shake its brilliance. Uniquely directed by my favorite man behind
the camera, (Gus Van Sant), it weaves back and forth between time and
characters leading to the final comeuppance.
7) The
Station Agent ****
A quiet film that ponders the question of friendship, and isolation and
what it’s like to be different. Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) gives the performance of a lifetime as a
man on a “train”
to solitude.
8) Girl
with a Pearl Earring ****
A servant girl (Scarlett Johansson) is so poor she sees the world in
nothing but grays until she meets the painter who infuses her life with color,
and passion. Outstanding art direction
and cinematography turn every frame into a canvas that’s brushed in a palette
of rich oils.
9) Swimming
Pool ****
When a writer searches for inspiration she finds it
in a highly sexual teenager. A twisted
psychological thriller that is 2003’s answer to David Lynch’s Mulholland
Drive.
10) Mystic
River ****
Sean Penn deserved the Oscar win for his meaty performance as father who
seeks revenge when his daughter is murdered.
2004 Oscar Nominee for Best Picture.
11) Thirteen ****
Illustrates what little power an adolescent has when her world exists of
drugs, violence, and a desperate need to fit in. For a night of teenage angst rent this effort
along with 2002 gem Blue Car.
12) Capturing
the Friedmans ****
A documentary of a
13)
The
Magdalene Sisters ****
This vehicle tells the story of Irish penitential asylums for unruly young women, which seemed to
emotionally cripple the “sinful” women it was trying to rehabilitate, rather
than bringing them closer to God.
14) Shattered
Glass ****
A must see for any budding reporter.
Shattered Glass is Ethics 101 for journalism majors
everywhere. A tight suspenseful story
about a real young writer who fabricates articles at the esteemed New
Republic magazine. Hayden
Christensen, gives a fine performance, yet I can’t help
wondering if he is just allowing his own insecurities to pour out, rather than
genuinely acting.
15) 21 Grams
****
A raw tale that’s more about going on after a tragedy than it is about
drug abuse.
16) The
House of Sand and Fog ****
For the first time the bushy eyebrows of Jennifer Connelly make sense in
this tale of a woman and an Iranian family who battle for a home, in a
quest for the comfort of the past. But remember even if your house brings
security if it’s built on sand it may not sink but nothing can stop the fog
from rolling in.
17) Cold
Mountain ****
Being a Civil War buff and a critic of
18) Big Fish ****
Welcome to the zany mind of a southerner Edward
Bloom (Albert Finney) with a penchant for telling tall tales. Why tell the truth when fiction is more
colorful and captivating?
19) American
Splendor ***1/2
With nothing much going on his life a nerdy comic book fan decides to
start writing one of his own, and his art becomes the voice of the everyday
working 
man.
20) Raising
Victor Vargas ***1/2
An honest and revealing coming of age story. Raising Victor Vargas introduces us to a
young Hispanic playa, (Victor Rasuk), in
Honorable mentions:
The
Company ***1/2
A documentary style tale that tells us more about
the process of dance than about performance.
The dancers themselves embrace every movement with a quiet elegance
that’s almost lost in the big theatrical ending.
Lost in
Translation ***1/2
A flick about reaching a
turning point in your life, whether
you’re in your forties or in your twenties like Scarlett Johansson in a thinly
veiled portrayal of the picture’s director Sofia Coppola.
Home Travel
Diary Stories Bio Photo Gallery Favorite Links