I remember reading with a raised eyebrow that Bill Paxton was making his
directorial debut with the April release Frailty. One of those actors
who is recognizable yet not memorable, Paxton has turned in a string of
solid if less-than-breakout performances. Marketed as somewhat of a
horror movie, Frailty never found much of an audience. What a shame.
Almost a year after its release, Frailty continues to make a strong
impression on me. Told in flashback, the movie tells a simple story of
a small family that sets off on a puzzling and troubling trail of
murder. Paxton fills his role with gravity, while newcomer Matthew
O'Leary steals the show as the young Fenton. Frailty could have gone
seriously awry if made by the wrong personnel. Paxton's direction is
sure-handed, remaining understated to bring out the themes of the film.
Frailty is a movie that remains intriguing long after a first viewing.
This fine piece of work earns a spot as my number one movie of 2003.
Special Recognition Award
The "There's no Melissa Rivers on Naboo" Award:
Natalie Portman's clothiers, Attack of the Clones
Best Picture
Position
Film
1
Frailty
2
The Hours
3
Minority Report
4
Chicago
5
About a Boy
6
Brotherhood of the Wolf
7
25th Hour
8
Signs
9
Adaptation
10
Insomnia
Best Director
Director
Film
Stephen Daldry
The Hours
Spike Lee
25th Hour
Steven Spielberg
Minority Report
Bill Paxton
Frailty
Rob Marshall
Chicago
M. Night Shyamalan
Signs
Christopher Nolan
Insomnia
Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz
About a Boy
Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
George Clooney
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Best Actor
Actor
Film
Mel Gibson
Signs
Nicolas Cage
Adaptation
Hugh Grant
About a Boy
Bill Paxton
Frailty
Leonardo DiCaprio
Catch Me If You Can
Val Kilmer
The Salton Sea
Tom Cruise
Minority Report
Sam Rockwell
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Al Pacino
Insomnia
Eminem
8 Mile
Best Actress
Actress
Film
Diane Lane
Unfaithful
Nicole Kidman
The Hours
Renée Zellweger
Chicago
Naomi Watts
The Ring
Jodie Foster
Panic Room
Nia Vardalos
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Meryl Streep
The Hours
Alexis Bledel
Tuck Everlasting
Julianne Moore
The Hours
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos
Femme Fatale
Best Supporting Actor
Actor
Film
Matthew O'Leary
Frailty
Barry Pepper
25th Hour
Chris Cooper
Adaptation
Robin Williams
Insomnia
Ian McKellen
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Mark Dacascos
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Christopher Walken
Catch Me If You Can
J.K. Simmons
Spider-Man
Joaquin Phoenix
Signs
David Dorfman
The Ring
Best Supporting Actress
Actress
Film
Samantha Morton
Minority Report
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Chicago
Miranda Otto
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Toni Collette
About a Boy
Rosario Dawson
25th Hour
Aunjanue Ellis
Undercover Brother
Laura Linney
The Mothman Prophecies
Emily Watson
Red Dragon
Queen Latifah
Chicago
Meryl Streep
Adaptation
Best Screenplay
Writer(s)
Film
David Hare
The Hours
Brent Hanley
Frailty
M. Night Shyamalan
Signs
Peter Hedges, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz
About a Boy
Frances Walsh, Peter Jackson, Stephen Sinclair and Philippa Boynes
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Scott Frank and Jon Cohen
Minority Report
Hillary Seitz
Insomnia
Jeff Nathanson
Catch Me If You Can
Charlie Kaufman
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman
Adaptation
Best Scene
Scene
Film
Video Comes to Life
The Ring
Laure steals the jewels
Femme Fatale
Battle of Helm's Deep
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Mr. Cellophane
Chicago
Eagle soars through the canyon
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Spiders searching the building
Minority Report
'It's All Happening'
Signs
'All that Jazz'
Chicago
'Dating Game' contestants are warned
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Meow
Super Troopers
Best Use of Music
Position
Film
1
The Hours
2
Unfaithful
3
Undercover Brother
4
Chicago
5
About a Boy
6
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
7
Catch Me If You Can
8
8 Mile
9
Signs
10
Barbershop
Worst Picture
Position
Film
1
The Sweetest Thing
2
Mr. Deeds
3
Jackass: The Movie
4
The Count of Monte Cristo
5
Austin Powers in Goldmember
6
Maid in Manhattan
7
xXx
8
Murder by Numbers
9
Like Mike
10
Spider-Man
Best Trailer
Position
Film
1
The Ring
2
Comedian
3
Kill Bill
4
Daredevil
5
Eight Legged Freaks
6
Panic Room
7
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
8
Jason X
9
Catch Me If You Can
10
Chicago
Best DVD
Position
Film
1
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Edition
