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By THE MOVIE MINXb>
Nine and a half billion dollars is more than an impressive number for the national box office to pull in. After all with all the uninspired movies made this past year there should be no complaints.
But as high as that number is it was still a testament as to the lack of spectacular pictures made in 2003. It is the first time in 12 years that the total national box office did not surpass the previous year's.
Yet, even with the dwindling numbers, ticket sales in 2003 will still represented the second-highest total since 1957 according to The Hollywood Reporter. In 2002 records were set in almost every category.
This year some of the best movies to hit the big screen weren't made by the big studioes, even though three major studios made more than $1 billian dollars.
The arthouses were producing some of the more intriguing and ingenious films.
Here is the year in review.
Best Films of 2003
1. "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"
Writer-Director Peter Jackson's third installment was the best of the trilogy. He brought J.R.R. Tolkein's fantasy epic to life with this stimulating conclusion.
2. Mystic River
Clint Eastwood's version of the Dennis Lehane best-selling thriller was less of a story than whodunnit and rather about the intricate characters and their journey to the final chapter was outstanding performances by Sean Penn and Tim Robbins.
3. Finding Nemo
Pixar's latest film became one of the funniest made to date. With a clownfish searching the ocean for his son and a forgetful friend made this one of the best all around movies.
4. Cold Mountain
While not on par with his first film "The English Patient," Anthony Minghella created another masterpiece that circumvented the Cival War and made the audience feel for the players involved.
5. 21 Grams
Starring Naomi Watts, Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn's secnd fabulous performance of year, as three people who lives are intersected after a tragic accident.
6. The Italian Job
An exciting thrilling remake that of the 1969 film of
the same name. It was an hour and half of pure fun.
7. Whale Rider
The New Zealand import starred the 12-year-old Keisha Castle-Hughes in the magnificent coming of age story and the need for adaptation and change.
8. American Splendor
In a quest for the meaning of life Paul Giamatti stars as Harvey Pekar, a comic-book writer. A terrific mix that had dramatization, documentary and animation.
9. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
The swash-buckling film was on the biggest surprises of the year that featured Johnny Depp is his most eccentric, yet finest roles to date.
10. Seabiscuit
Inspired by the novel and horse of the same name, the great underdog movie proved that the little guys can finish on top.
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