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Ten Best Films of 2003 in alphabetical order:

• Big Fish (Columbia) (PG 13)---Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor play the same person as a young man and older man. The story centers on family relationships with fantasy humor by director Tim Burton.
• Finding Nemo (Walt Disney Pictures (G)---a captivating animated film for the entire family, because adults will appreciate the humor as well as the children. 
• House of Sand and Fog (DreamWorks) (R)---adapted from a novel, this intense drama tells of people who make the wrong choices and what happens as a result.  Ben Kingsley steals the film.
• Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (New Line Cinema) (PG 13)---the last of the Tolkien trilogy and a strong contender for an Oscar.  Three hours passes quickly as you watch hobbits win the day.
• Master and Commander: Far Side Of The World (20th Century Fox) (PG 13)---Russell Crowe becomes “Lucky Jack” Aubrey in the first (we hope there will be more) films directed by Peter Weir about a 19th century sea captain and his crew.
• Mystic River (Warner Brothers) (R)---Clint Eastwood directed the film about three men who can’t put their childhood behind them. 
• Shattered Glass (Lions Gate) (PG 13)---the true story of Stephen Glass, who was fired from the New Republic magazine for fabricating his story material.  Hayden Christiansen proves he can act and is more than a “Star Wars” clone.
• The Dancer Upstairs (Fox Searchlight) (R)---John Malkovich directed this film based on the activities of a subversive group in Chile in the middle 1980’s.
• Together (United Artists) (PG)---a Chinese film about a young violin student and the choices he must make as he prepares for a career.
• Whale Rider (Newmarket) (PG 13)---a film from New Zealand that captured American hearts about a girl trying to claim her rightful place within her tribe.

• Secondhand Lions (New Line Cinema) (PG)---Robert Duvall, Michael Caine and Haley Joel Osment as two uncles and their nephew take the audience on a journey through family relationships.
• The Gospel of John (ThinkFilm) (PG 13)---a Canadian production of the last three years of the life of Christ.  A film that strived for accuracy.

• A Mighty Wind (Warner Bros) (PG 13)---overblown mocumentary (and may that term be permanently retired) about the reunion of former folk singers.  The music is fingernails on a blackboard.
• Bruce Almighty (Universal) (PG 13)---God will get you for this.
• Cabin Fever (Lions Gate) (R) and Darkness Falls (Columbia) (PG 13)---horror film of a flesh-rotting virus and the other about a vicious tooth fairy.  Only for fans who want an indoor nap.
• Cat In A Hat (PG)---Will someone tell Mike Myers that it’s time to try another line of work?
• Daredevil (PG 13)---Poor Ben Affleck.  He hasn’t gotten the girl yet and the red leather suit faded in the stretch.  I did not see “Gigli” so can’t say whether it would have made this list or not, but methinks so. Three strikes and you are out?
• Fighting Temptations (PG 13)---the premise looked good on paper, but then so did another of Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s films, “Boat Trip.” 
• Haunted Mansion (PG)---How many theme parks does Disney have?  Is this how many recycled scripts we have to look forward to?
• Matrix 2: Reloaded (Warner Bros) (R) and Matrix 3: Revolutions (Warner Bros) (R)---Special effects gone awry and only for the gelled craniums of video game fans.
• Scary Movie 3 (Dimension Films)  (PG 13)---must have been leftover footage from “Cabin Fever” and “Darkness Falls.”
• The Hulk (PG 13)---Fans eagerly awaited this film only to find their hero looked like a green mushroom bouncing through the U.S.  Will actor Eric Bana ever be able to live this down?

Compiled by Marie Asner