Here are my Top 10 movies for 2003. They are best seen on the on the big screen or rent them when they are released on video. You can find the full review for each film by going to our home page at www.reelmoviecritic.com and clicking on the "Best Films of the Year" link.

1.City of God/Bus 174: "City of God" offers evidence of what happens when society does not provide a social safety net for children from families that don’t really care about them. "Bus 174" further illustrates the affects 15 years of this type of neglect can have on these street children. It follows the desperate exploits of a young man, trapped when the gangland actions of the underbelly of the city make it naturally spill over into the greater society. Some human lives are valued greater than others are, simply because of where they come from or what they look like. Most frightening is that "City of God" is fiction based upon a lot of fact and "Bus 174" is a documentary.

2. The Magdalene Sisters: This story about the enslavement of young women in Ireland, in the not too distant past, is incredible in a "civilized" society. It raised the question of how much organized religion is about power, status and money rather than faith and moral values for the human race.

3. 21 Grams: A powerful family drama and thriller told with some of the mystery of "Memento." Oscar caliber performances reign by Naomi Watts, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn and Melissa Leo.

4. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: Epic in every aspect with good triumphing over evil. Computer generated graphic images seem natural in this make believe world. The extended ending, with the song "Into the West" as the credits roll, is hypnotically beautiful. Arguably one of the best movie endings of all time.

5. Mystic River: Things are often not what they seem. Clint Eastwood’s family drama set in Boston brings out the best in his cast. Sean Penn is exceptional, as is Tim Robbins.

6. Whale Rider: It’s refreshing to see newcomer Keisha Castle-Hughes, at only 13 years of age, get a well-deserved Oscar nomination. A must see for every young teenager, especially pre teen girls.

7. In America: Based upon the true story of director Jim Sheridan, the story about new immigrants is really about taking care of ones family more so than dealing with being new to America and dirt poor. Exceptional acting by Djimon Hounsou, Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine and real life child actors and sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger.

8. House of Sand and Fog: The American Dream goes bad in a story about two people with different points of view when one buys a house at auction that another loses because of unpaid taxes. Ben Kingsley, Jennifer Connelly and, new to American audiences, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jonny Ahdout bring us acting performances that tell a powerful story about American culture and human nature.

9. Finding Nemo: You can’t help but love this picture with its great story of family values and beautiful Pixar cinematography. It’s refreshing to see (or in this case, hear) Ellen DeGeneres in a family movie and enjoy her performance rather than what the political pundits and gossip sheets have to say.

10. "Irreversible": Like "City of God" and "Bus 174," this movie shakes you up about society. It delves deeper because it may reveal who "you" are and how you determine your values and treat other people. The movie is not a pleasant one to watch. One tortuous scene is a nearly ten minute rape. Is rape a lesser crime if you think the woman is a prostitute who just didn’t get paid for sex? Is the crime more horrendous if the victim is an attractive woman, who works for a Fortune 500 company, and has a husband and two kids? Stars Monica Bellucci ("The Passion of The Christ").