Films from 2003

2003 saw the end of a trilogy and the beginning (although unexpected and not necessarily planned) of another. The first film on my list is my favorite of the year because of its blend of action, adventure, fantasy, humor, drama - in essence it has it all. While it is my favorite of the year it is not necessarily my favorite of the trilogy. That honor would go to the first film of the three.

My second favorite is a film I find to be nearly perfect. The acting and writing are some of the best of the decade. The soundtrack choices blend perfectly with the tone and scope of the film and the ending is perfect for everything that has happened to the characters. It lets the characters dictate the ending and have a moment to themselves after all they have been through.

• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Lost in Translation
• Mystic River
• Seabiscuit
• The Station Agent
• Finding Nemo
• Matchstick Men
• Kill Bill Vol. 1
• Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
• School of Rock
• Elf
• Under the Tuscan Sun
• Love Actually
• X-2: X-Men United
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

There are two films on this list I urge people to see, if they haven't already. They are "The Station Agent" and "Under the Tuscan Sun".

"The Station Agent" is a small (no pun intended) film starring Peter Dinklage, who also appears in "Elf", as a model train enthusiast who inherits an old train station. There he meets the local people who help him shed his crusty demeanor. Peter Dinklage is main reason this film succeeds and he does so with ease. Also starring Patricia Clarkson from "Good Night, and Good Luck" and most recently the Motherlovin' music video and Bobby Canavale from TV's "Third Watch" and "Will & Grace".

"Under the Tuscan Sun" is just an enjoyable film starring the lovely Diane Lane as a newly divorced writer who, on impulse, buys an Italian villa in Tuscany. We see her embrace life and the natural beauty of the world as she tries to start anew. If nothing, the film is beautiful to look at in terms of scenery and its stars. Diane Lane is the heat and soul of this film and she does not disappoint. Also making appearances are "Grey's Anatomy" stars Sandra Oh and Kate Walsh.

Look at the photo. Now imagine ships are sailing on the water at night and that there are towns around the water's edge. That location was used during "The Return of the King". The photo was taken in September 2007.