Movie Poll results
2003 is for the birds. 'Winged Migration' received the highest ranking from the 441 readers who participated in our poll. (Appropriately enough, a cat was the worst-reviewed film of our Top 50.) But it seems you also had a soft spot for two other animals: Many readers chose 'Whale Rider' as their favorite film, with 'Seabiscuit' riding close behind.
Excellent
Winged Migration (NR)
Whale Rider (PG-13)
Finding Nemo (G)
Master and Commander (PG-13)
Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13)
Seabiscuit (PG-13)
Spellbound (NR)
Mystic River (R)
Pirates of the Caribbean (PG-13)
 
 
 
 
 
Seabiscuit
"Like Sandburg said: '... under his ribs is the heart of the (American) people.'"
—Laurel Mohr, Denver, Colo.
Very good
Lost in Translation (R)
Shattered Glass (R)
School of Rock (PG-13)
Secondhand Lions (PG)
Holes (PG)
American Splendor (R)
A Mighty Wind (PG-13)
The Missing (R)
Elf (PG)
Runaway Jury (PG-13)
Love Actually (R)
Matchstick Men (PG-13)
Radio (PG)
X2: X-Men United (PG-13)
28 Days Later (R)

 
 
 
 
Lost In Translation
"Sofia Coppola wrote and directed one of the most moving, modern, and truly real love stories I have ever come into contact with. This film is not just the best of 2003, it is one of the best in the decade."
—Kerr Fletcher-McGookin, Somerville, Mass.
Good
Freaky Friday (PG)
Thirteen (R)
Under the Tuscan Sun (PG-13)
Kill Bill (R)
Phone Booth (R)
Bruce Almighty (PG-13)
Intolerable Cruelty (PG-13)
Old School (R)

 
 
 
Spellbound
"I was thoroughly entertained and left with a very uplifted feeling. A definite must-see, even if you never watch documentaries."
—Tamara Orput, West Haven, Conn.
Fair
Shanghai Knights (PG-13)
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (R)
Brother Bear (G)
The Matrix Revolutions (R)
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (R)
The Rundown (PG-13)
The Matrix Reloaded (R)
Bringing Down the House (PG-13)
Anger Management (PG-13)
Hulk (PG-13)
Scary Movie 3 (PG-13)
Daddy Day Care (PG)
The Lizzie McGuire Movie (PG)
American Wedding (R)
Haunted Mansion (PG)
 
Poor
Daredevil (R)
Freddy vs. Jason (R)
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (PG-13)
The Cat in the Hat (PG)
 

More reader comments

Bend it Like Beckham
A real women sports movie. A first?
—Rachel Gallant, Washington, D.C.

Pirates of the Caribbean
What's not to like about a movie full of people yelling, "Arrr!!" and swinging swords about?
—Kat Wilson, Portland, Ore.

Finding Nemo
Funny and deep at the same time. The sea turtles were awesome, dude!
—Ingrid Peschke, Boston

Whale Rider
Whale Rider was by far one of the most amazing movies I've ever seen. The film raises controversial issues - such as gender roles, spiritual leadership/spiritual inspiration - in a very dignified and humane manner.
—Brooke, Somerville, Mass.