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ZAPFFE'S TOP 10 MOVIES FOR 2003:
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1. "MYSTIC RIVER"
"Mystic River" is a MASTERPIECE! A gritty, urban East Coast film noir done to perfection! This is a bravura
cinematic creation of the classic American film noir art form from start to finish. Clint Eastwood is at the top of his game
in the direction of this movie. Each of the actors who star in this movie give the performances of their lifetime. In short,
every role in this movie is perfectly cast and brilliantly played. The broad sweep of this movie is truly Shakespearean in
its scope.
This is a powerful, searing portrait of urban life in the underbelly of a shabby section of Boston near the Mystic River
in its story about three children who are forever bonded together by an unspeakable crime committed against one of them. Now
all three are adults in varying stages of recovery from this macabre incident and all are still living in or near the same
shabby section of downtown Boston.
When the daughter of one is found brutally murdered, suspicion naturally falls on the earlier victim, still a shattered
man. This luckless man also seems to have a dark secret of his own to hide, a violent act that may, or may not, have been
committed the very same evening that the young girl lost her life.
Kudos to Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Marcia Gay Harden, Screenwriter, Brian Helgeland, and, especially, to Director Clint
Eastwood. Oscars are due to all!
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2. "THE MAN ON THE TRAIN"(2002)
("Homme du train, L'")
(In French with English subtitles)
A Classic of the genre. Atmospheric & beautifully filmed. Fabulous character study. A movie of quiet intelligence
and innovative cinematography. This movie is an absolute masterpiece.
French director Patrice Leconte is to be congratulated for his directorial vision in bringing this film to life. While
this movie may not appeal to all tastes, it will be a treasure of discovery for those who enjoy films with a noirish style,
innovative cinematography, fully developed characterizations, extraordinary acting, and a beautifully developed story line.
Like a fine symphony, this movie starts off slowly and then gradually builds to a crescendo of events in which two strangers,
once having met, find their lives to be much more intertwined than might have previously been guessed given their widely disparate
backgrounds and personalities.
One is a bank robber newly arrived in town on the train and the other is a long term resident, now retired, but formerly
a teacher of poetry at the local high school. Each is the polar opposite of the other, and it is this very oppositeness that
allows both of them the luxury of an intense personal admiration, perhaps even envy, of the life that the other has led.
What "The Man on the Train" exhibits is the perfect intersection of two lives, two men who blend seamlessly
in a story of near perfection. This is truly memorable casting in an exquisitely well made movie.
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3. "DIRTY PRETTY THINGS"(2002)
"Dirty Pretty Things" is an incredible movie: haunting, atmospheric, and very beautifully filmed. Director Frears
has filled this movie with inspired, heartfelt roles, especially by that of Chiwetel Ejiofor as Okwe, a highly educated Nigerian
illegal immigrant driving a cab by day and working the night desk at a London hotel. Equally impressive is the very lovely
Audrey Tautoo ("Amelie") who plays a Turkish legal immigrant who also works as a cleaning maid at the same hotel
while waiting in quiet desperation for her British residency permit.
"Dirty Pretty Things" is a study of characters living in quiet desperation, a study of honest people trying
to survive in a world filled with sordid criminality and corruption, a study of personal greed and selfishness, and, finally,
a study of an off beat and unlikely romance. It succeeds on each and every one of these levels. This movie has one of the
finest ensemble casts of exquisite acting that I have seen in years. Ejiofor should receive an Oscar nod for his role in this
film!
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4. "THE STATION AGENT"
An original story beautifully filmed and a lovely movie with a warm heart that charts its course without being either
overly sentimental or needlessly cynical.
Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) is a young man who has long tired of being made the object of curiosity and even ridicule
because he is a dwarf. A train fanatic, he finds out that he has been willed a train station along with a half acre of land
in Newfoundland, New Jersey.
All he wants to do is be to left alone, but Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson), a depressed, recently divorced middle aged
artist keeps running into him, literally, and Joe Oramas (Bobby Cannavale), who runs a meal on wheels next to the station,
turns out to be a garrulous and sociable young man who can't resist meeting and forming social bonds with this new owner of
the small town's train station.
The three form an unlikely trio who find out a new balance in life through trials, tribulations, and much error in this
wonderful and wonderfully warm hearted movie that charts a perfect course between sentimentality and cynicism to achieve its
admirable goal of faithfully portraying three interesting and very human people.
All three are deserving of Oscar nods for their heartfelt roles in this film!
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5. "MASTER AND COMMANDER:
THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD"
"Master and Commander" is probably the finest naval movie ever filmed. The realism in this movie is just astonishing.
And by realism I am referring to the scenes of everyday life aboard a naval war ship during the early Nineteenth Century.
While the battle sequences are certainly thrilling enough on their own, it must be noted that these scenes actually make up
only a very small part of this movie.
The battle scenes are far surpassed by the more than realistic representation of life aboard a ship of war which spends
many months, if not years, away from home port.
What really carries this movie and elevates it far above the normal is the interaction of the various characters who inhabit
this ship. Heading that list is the wonderfully filmed relationship between the ship's captain, Jack Aubrey, and the ship's
surgeon, Dr. Stephen Maturin, two long time friends who live, argue, make war, and even make music by playing duets after
dinner together.
This movie is also a classic study of the command structure between Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), called "Lucky
Jack" by his very appreciative and respectful crew members, and every other person aboard his ship all the way down to
the lowliest members of the crew. Crowe and Maturin both deserve Oscar nominations!
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6. "HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG"
"House of Sand and Fog" is a movie that develops the concept of the home, a place to live and one of the most
basic of all human needs, to the level of high tragedy as two very different people both lay valid claims to the same residence.
This is another one of those thoughtful movies that starts out with a simple premise and ends up getting more and more
complex as each of the claimants is forced to utilize increasingly desperate measures to assert their rights of ownership.
Kathy (Jennifer Connelly), a recovering alcoholic, loses her beloved home after the county mistakenly identifies her as being
delinquent in the payment of business taxes due on the property.
Behrani (Ben Kingsley), a refugee from Iran after the fall of the Shah, tries to regain some of his former dignity and
station in life as a military officer and confidante to the Shah with the purchase of Kathy's home on the cheap at a tax sale.
This small home with its view of the Pacific Ocean in the distance from a deck on the roof reminds him of the villa that he
once had owned on the shore of the Caspian Sea .
When the error of the tax sale is discovered, Kathy confronts Behrani to demand the return of her home. A tragic test
of wills is set up between the distraught woman and this man of honor and integrity who does not feel that he should be penalized
once again by another government, this time for a simple clerical error. Kingsley is just astonishing in his role in this
film; he surely deserves an Oscar nomination.
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7. "FINDING NEMO"
This is truly a movie for "kids" of all ages with its heartwarming story and astonishing graphics. While the
basic plot may be formulaic, in "Finding Nemo" it is the characterizations and the graphics that help raise this
story and this movie to levels far beyond the normal.
I have to marvel at the brilliance of the casting. The perfection of each choice only adds to my perception that every
element that went into the making of this film was done with exquisite care and professionalism. Albert Brooks is an absolute
delight as Marlin, Nemo's rather chicken hearted and neurotic Clown fish of a father and Ellen DeGeneres is every bit his
exasperating equal in a perfectly envisioned character of a slightly off centered and more than slightly ditzy Blue Tang fish
named Dory who tags along for the ride and Marlin's companionship.
That kids will love this movie is a no brainer, but adults will also find great joy in this story well told and filled
with characters perfectly matched to the screen life personas of the stars used for the voices of these fish. The banter between
Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) might match a real screen pairing between these two in a dialogue that approaches
the sophisticated, albeit neurotic, edginess that is Brook's trademark. This movie will will a Best Animated Feature Length
Film Oscar in a walk!
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8. "SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE"
A superb comedy written for adults and starring adults. A witty, sophisticated romp in the Hamptons and New York City
by Nicholson and Keaton, who, even if they are playing their public personas, have a great time doing it. This movie is a
comedic gem!
"Something's Gotta Give" is a cinematic delight as two old pros show the world how funny and charming they can
be in trying to disprove the adage that sex is the province of the young and that older women can't be sexy. Diane Keaton
looks absolutely smashing in this movie.
This movie is a wonderful recapitulation of a Forties Screwball comedy updated to the Twenty First Century. Every character
in this movie is perfectly cast. Amanda Peet shines as Keaton's daughter and Nicholson's initial love interest. Frances McDormand
is a screen (and a scream!) delight as she steals every scene that she is in and leaves us wanting to see much more of her.
Nicholson does a brilliant job playing to type as an aging bad boy, man child who has chased every young skirt that he
has seen for the last 40 years. But it is Diane Keaton's role as Erica Barry that really elevates this movie. She is initially
appalled by Nicholson's sexual quest of her daughter, then she is flummoxed by her attraction to him, and, finally, she suffers
the pangs of emotional torture as a woman who has given her heart to a man who represents the very symbol of male irresponsibility.
She tries to be modern and sophisticated about it, but she has the rotten luck to have the heart of an old fashioned girl.
She deserves an Oscar nomination for her role in this movie!
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9. "SEABISCUIT"
"Seabiscuit" is a very fine film about a little horse with a very big heart. This inspiring story has been capably
brought to the silver screen by Dreamworks Studios, among others. The filming is luscious, the acting is superb, the casting
is inspired, and the voice over snippets provided by historian David McCullough add even more historical interest to this
Depression Era story.
"Seabiscuit" has it all as a story almost beyond belief about a horse who achieved iconic status during the
1930's and who almost single-handedly (single hoofedly?) can be credited for getting the American population, then so psychologically
crippled by the Depression, once again to believe in themselves enough to try for another shot at success. After all, if this
unlikely runt of a horse could do it, so could they.
"Seabiscuit" is a story crying to have been told, for it proves that "Truth Really Is Stranger Than Fiction."
This movie, adapted from the highly praised novel by Laura Hillenbrand, pairs actors who are all inspired choices for their
roles. Most notable is the laconic Chris Cooper who stars as Tom Smith, the horse trainer with a dubious background who was
chosen to train Seabiscuit. He deserves another Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination here!
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10. "WHALE RIDER"
Seldom does the success of a movie rest entirely on such tiny, talented shoulders as does "Whale Rider" with
those of Keisha Castle-Hughes. This young lady, who was only 11 years old when this movie was made, dominates the screen with
such a magnetic and charismatic presence that you are drawn into her every thought and emotion.
The emotional setup takes quite a while as the conflict between an obviously talented young girl and her obdurate grandfather,
a chief of a Maori clan living in a small, down at its heels coastal community in New Zealand, is represented in great detail.
This movie about Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is a beautiful and an uplifting story that should be seen by everyone, but
especially by young girls. The emotional payoff and the rich ending of this film provide more than an ample reward for anyone
lucky enough to see this movie.
Little Pai is so good that our hearts beat with hers, our tears flow with hers, and our spirits finally soar with hers
when an unusual and a highly original occurrence lifts her out of her chains of male bondage into the much deserved limelight
as the spirited and truly deserving new chieftain of her Maori tribe. If Anna Paquin can win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar
for her role in "The Piano," then Keisha Castle-Hughes, who does a far better job here, deserves the same! And why
not Best Actress?
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HONORABLE MENTION:
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"BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM" (2002)
"Bend it Like Beckham" is a sweet hearted movie about a high school girl who defies the wishes of her strict
Sikh parents in her desire for success on the football (soccer) field. Now living with her family in a small flat in London,
she practices football in the local park where she often bests her fellow Indian male friends at their own game. While doing
this, she catches the eye of a player for the West London Hounslow Harriers, a female football team, who then invites her
to play for the team.
Thrilled to be invited to play, Jess (Parminder K. Nagra) is heartbroken when her parents inform her that this is not
how she should spend her young life. She should study hard, learn how to cook spicy Indian dishes, and make herself ready
for whichever future husband her parents will select for her. Furthermore, young girls like Jess don't run around "half
naked" on a playing field in front of men.
Jess turns to subterfuge to get out of the house and over to the soccer field. Whether feigning sickness, lying about
a non existent summer job, wheedling extra money out of her mother for football shoes, or stashing her football clothes behind
a bush in front of the house, it all seems to be so easy until the truth eventually comes out, as it always does.
"Bend It Like Beckham" is a wonderful movie for families, especially those with teenaged girls. Perseverance,
familial love, loyalty, tolerance, and the desire to excel are all positive images along with a wish for all parents to be
wise enough to let their children find a different path in life.
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"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:
THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL"
Superb production values, great action sequences, and the very effective use of technology enhance the many special effects
in this, the first successful pirate movie in many years.
Geoffrey Rush and, especially, Johnny Depp, steal this movie in every scene and Keira Knightley is also wonderful in her
role. Everything is done "over the top," and you will receive far more than your money's worth in this, the best
of this summer's blockbuster movies. This movie just looks great as every scene is done to visual perfection. It is obvious
that nothing was spared in every effort to make this movie right.
But it is Johnny Depp who steals this movie as "Captain" Jack Sparrow. Depp takes his wonderful script and
runs with it into cinematic history as one of the most fun pirates of all time. I'm always grateful for small cinematic gifts,
and Depp's glorious role is the main treasure of this movie.
Love or hate the idea that the Disney Company is milking all their franchises for all the money they're worth, one cannot
argue with the fact that the superb production values and the very effective use of computer animation technology have raised
the bar in creating this movie to the level of a great summer popcorn flick.
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"MATCHSTICK MEN"
This movie offers an exceptional performance by Nicolas Cage as a "con artist" who suffers from an obsessive
compulsive disorder. He has grown tired of his lifetime of deception and he longs to be respectable, especially when his long
lost daughter shows up.
Alison Lohman also gives a moving and sometimes startling performance as the newly discovered daughter who Roy Waller
(Nicholas Cage) discovers that he has had from a failed relationship many years before. Surprisingly enough, she wants in
on the con business. As young and as inexperienced as Lohman is (when compared to Cage and the others), she is more than able
to hold her own with all the experienced old pros around her.
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"WINGED MIGRATION"(2001)
("Peuple Migrateur, Le")
Be forewarned that "Winged Migration" is not the typical movie that we are all used to. There is no plot, no
story, and very little narration. The action consists solely of exquisitely beautiful scenes of migratory birds flying, swimming,
and walking through the many hazards they must face in order to get from their winter homes to their summer homes and breeding
grounds. And then back again as the seasons change.
The photography is beautiful almost beyond belief. Each shot is like a painting with the camera so close to the birds
that you can see their eyes looking at you and hear them chattering with their flying mates hundreds of feet above the earth.
Apparently the project consumed several years, much of which was spent in acclimatizing the wild birds to the presence of
the photographers flying along side them in ultra light aircraft.
If you are a nature lover or, especially, a "birder," then you will love this movie. Almost every shot could
be described as a work of art of almost magisterial beauty. A moment in time and motion captured forever of these glorious
birds in their never-ending flights from their winter homes in the south to their true homes in the north, a home of transitory
warmth and sunshine where they mate and breed and raise the next generation ready to start the same process all over again
the following year.
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"UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN"
"Under the Tuscan Sun" is a glorious example of a movie that is just a pleasure to see. Diane Lane is as talented
as she is beautiful to watch on the silver screen. This movie is hers, and she shines in it. The landscape of Tuscany is as
gorgeous and as romantic as ever, and, finally, the local people in this movie are portrayed with a soft, loving, and very
affectionate brush.
Purists can, and have, nit picked around the edges of this movie for being pure escapism, but so what? There is always
room in my book for a movie like this where I can walk out of the theater happy with the feeling that my money and my time
have been well spent. With every thing else going on in the world, there is nothing wrong with that.
"Under the Tuscan Sun" is like an Impressionist painting. The romance and the visual splendor of it all make
for an immensely entertaining movie. If Paris is the City of Love, then Italy is the Country of Love. And if Italy is the
Country of Love, then Tuscany is surely the Heart of Love in that very lovely country.
This movie is like an Architectural Digest version of Tuscany with the added visual splendor of Diane Lane thrown in for
good measure. The depth of color and the joie de vie in this movie add a resonance that more than adequately hides its rather
formulaic plot and escapist story line.
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