I was finishing out my first year of high school, and I still maintain that 2003 was the beset summer of my life. That being said, I didn't see a lot of movies, which is why this is a slightly shorter list.
Bend it Like Beckham
Kiera Knightley and Parminder Nagra are fantastic in this girl power comedy about soccer, family and finding yourself. But without this movie we probably never would have gotten Neela on ER.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
I've mentioned my Duff-love, no? I loved this little gem of a Disney tween flick. When Lizzie and crew head to Rome for the summer and she becomes a pop star it's absolutely perfect. And she and Gordo get together at the end, and Kate and Ethan do too. Plus try getting that song out of your head. "Have you ever seen such a beautiful night? I could almost kiss the stars for shining so bright..."
X2: X Men United
The first X Men movie brought about the era of comic book movie blockbusters. This one proved that they could be amazing movies. With the mythos of the X-Men established the movie was allowed to dive into the characters. Centered around a combination of stories, including Wolverine's quest to piece together his past, Jean Grey's growing powers, and a government sponsored researching wanting to take revenge on Dr. X and the other mutants, it makes for an extremely compelling action flick. Plus you know, HUGH JACKMAN!
Down With Love
A more modern take on the screwball comedies of Doris Day and Rock Hudson, starring Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellwegger. The clothes and look are divine, the script is pithy and bantery, and of course, it ends with a song. The twist ending is kind of out there but nothing says "Battle of The Sexes" like that montage where we hear the Sinatra version of "Fly Me To The Moon" mashed up with the Astrud Gibrelto version (in that battle, Frank wins. Frank always wins!)
Finding Nemo
"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..." Pixar has magical powers. I've always admired how well they tell stories. Nemo is not an exception. Brightly colored, fast moving and lovely, the story of the little fish and his dedicated father is beautiful. I still haven't yet figured out if Marlin and Dory are supposed to be a couple at the end. Also, I love the sharks. "Fish are friends, not food."
Camp
As a Sondheim obsessed, overly critical sixteen year old, I truly felt that this was the greatest piece of film ever. My friends and I still quote it incessantly, although we do feel that it's probably not the cinematic masterpiece it once was. And a few of the Camp alumni have done pretty well for themselves. Anna Kendrick, is well, Anna Kendrick. Dequina Moore has done some really great work on Broadway and Robin DeJesus...well, "Lights up on Washington Heights..."
(He's the little kid in the hat!)
Pirates of The Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl
"They're making a movie based on a Disney ride? That'll never work!" Guess what? It worked. The first Pirates movie was unbelievably brilliant. Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow is one of his greatest method creations, and Geoffrey Rush's Captain Barbosa is still my favorite part of this whole series. Orlando Bloom is even decent in this first one, and Elizabeth was still really cool and hadn't gotten annoying yet. Work has begun on a fourth installment (Without Will and Elizabeth) but nothing will ever beat this first go round, probably because it was such a surprise.
School of Rock
Jack Black is a comic genius. This is a movie that showcases every minute detail of that. Not to mention the music is very very good. And Adam Pascal plays the lead singer of the band that kicks Black out. And Sarah Silverman is great as the annoying girlfriend. And Miranda Cosgrove...just Miranda Cosgrove.
Elf
Instantly quotable, warm, fuzzy. Jon Favreau's instant Christmas classic, gave us everything we like about Will Ferrell without all of that stuff that's annoying. Not to mention it introduced everyone to Zooey DesChanel's singing voice. "The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!"
The Lord of The Ring: The Return of The King
Sometimes movies become events. Sometimes event movies tie themselves in with a moment in our lives and we can't ever untie them. This is one of those movies. My sister and I went to go see it not two hours after hearing that our Uncle Billy had passed on, to escape from what we were feeling. We laughed, we cried, we were those obnoxious people that chanted "Rudy, Rudy, Rudy!" as Sam carried Frodo up Mount Doom. It was a good three hours.
So that was 2003.
Coming in 2004: Garden State, De-Lovely, The Incredibles.
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