THE RETURN OF THE KING This film, the best of the year, seals the deal: Director Peter Jackson has delivered the most spectacular film trilogy of all-time.
SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE If you enjoy lots of jokes about May-December romances and erectile dysfunction, this is the film for you.
STUCK ON YOU Contains several laugh-out-loud moments and some surprisingly deft comedic performances.
IN AMERICA An inescapably moving elegy about pain and loss and hope and renewal that unabashedly wears its broken heart on its tattered sleeve.
THE LAST SAMURAI An entertaining film, but highly derivative of superior antecedents such as “Dances With Wolves” and “Unforgiven.”
HONEY With Jessica Alba leading the way, it’s only a matter of time before the Crips and the Bloods trade in their colors and guns for tap shoes and ballet slippers.
THE CAT IN THE HAT The cinematic equivalent of a massive flea infestation. For the crime they committed against Seuss’ compact classic, everyone associated with this film should be neutered without anesthesia.
THE HAUNTED MANSION Even the best CGI wizardry cannot compensate for shoddy storytelling, which is precisely what haunts “The Haunted Mansion.”
THE MISSING Ron Howard had the key elements of an extraordinary film at his disposal — great premise, cast — yet, frustratingly, it never quite realizes its potential.
BAD SANTA If you’re game for a little R-rated Christmas fun, this is a great holiday gift, all wrapped up in F-bombs and slaughtered sacred cows.
TIMELINE Quite possibly the most unintentionally funny film of the year.
SHATTERED GLASS Strong film that meticulously connects the dots of the real events surrounding New Republic writer Stephen Glass’ incredible fall from grace.
ELF A fantastic early Christmas present for moviegoers of all ages. Will Ferrell is one of the very best comedic actors working today.
LOVE ACTUALLY Ten different storylines running concurrently is too hard to follow, especially when only half of them are all that interesting.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 19, 2003. Read the original PDF.