The results? There were some surprises. Independent films and music were more than amply represented, a tribute to a good year for both fields. Of course, there were plenty of obvious choices. “”Lord of the Rings”” and “”Pirates of the Caribbean”” ruled the film category while the White Stripes, OutKast, the Strokes and Queens of the Stone Age ruled music. The Guardian would like to thank everyone who contributed. Here it is, the umpteenth end-of-the-year list.
Best Films
1. “”The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King””
Frodo and company try to destroy the great ring of power in Mordor before it brings Middle Earth to ruin. The question is: Does anyone care? Yes! An overwhelming majority voted for the third installment of the series as the best film of the year. As the film rakes in the cash and nabs more award nominations than Norah Jones at Grammy time, this won’t be the last time the film is recognized as the best of the year.
2. “”Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl””
The second fantasy flick with two titles on the list is the people’s second-favorite film of the year. Critics weren’t impressed with the lack of innovation or long running time, but scene-stealers Johnny Depp, Kiera Knightley and Orlando Bloom infused the film with wild energy. Plus, they’re all damn hot.
3. “”Lost in Translation””
Sofia Coppola’s second film is a sonic masterpiece. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson gave unforgettable performances as wandering loners in a foreign country who discover a deep and satisfying connection. This was a film both critics and the public agreed was spectacular.
4. “”28 Days Later””
An unexpected amount of votes came in for the surprise hit of the summer. The striking horror flick found a deserved summer audience sick of Hollywood dregs and looking for genuine, intelligent thrills.
5. “”Finding Nemo””
There’s no getting around the cartoon fish. The fact of the matter is that Pixar Studios produces jaw-dropping animation which, when combined with a great plot and hilarious voice actors, add up to a terrific film.
6. “”Mystic River””
One of the most critically acclaimed pictures of the year, “”Mystic River”” centers around a murder that reunites old friends. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film features a show-stopping performance by Sean Penn that is generating endless accolades.
7. “”Kill Bill, Vol. 1″”
Uma Thurman slices and dices her way through Quentin Tarantino’s schizophrenic splatter-fest. Expect the next installment in 2004.
8. “”In America””
An unanticipated choice, “”In America”” tells writer/director Jim Sheridan’s story about his family’s experience emigrating from Ireland to America.
9. “”Spellbound””
2003’s best documentary is energetic, hilarious and completely fascinating. Yes, it’s about spelling bees, but you’ll be holding your breath as the kids utter each letter.
10. “”21 Grams””/””Big Fish””/””Cold Mountain””/””Dummy””
The out-of-sequence death-drama “”21 Grams,”” Tim Burton’s fantastical “”Big Fish,”” the civil war epic “”Cold Mountain”” and the indie starring Adrien Brody, “”Dummy,”” tied for tenth place.
Best Singles
1. OutKast ‹ “”Hey Ya!””
There was no contest here, nor should there have been: Almost every response had Outkast’s “”Hey Ya!”” at number one. The ridiculous “”Hey Ya!”” is one of the best pop songs anyone will hear for a long time. It represents the exciting possibilities of pop music. It’s the sound of the Flaming Lips jamming with De La Soul. And lots of drugs.
2. The White Stripes ‹ “”Seven Nation Army””
The year’s best rock song by the little-band-that-could showed that rock songs can be both relevant and fun. Jack White’s fake bassline and Meg White’s sloppy drumming slammed a nail in the coffin of nu-metal and showed a new generation how to rock.
3. Queens of the Stone Age ‹ “”Go With the Flow””
Dave Grohl’s thunderous drumming and a pounding piano gave this song its unique pulsating beat. May cause involuntary head-bobbing.
4. The Roots ‹ “”The Seed (2.0)””
Featuring Cody Chesnutt on guitar and vocals, the Roots turned rap-rock upside-down with this revelation of a song.
5. The Mars Volta ‹ “”Inertiatic ESP””
The Mars Volta received heavy airplay on FM 94.9 as a featured artist. This dense blast of tangled guitar-rock is about the closest thing the Mars Volta does to its members’ old band, At the Drive-In.
6. Radiohead ‹ “”2+2=5″”/””Go to Sleep””/””There, There””
Radiohead’s three singles all received votes, so they were combined out of fairness to the band, who deserves every accolade for these moving and intellectual pieces of music.
7. Junior Senior ‹ “”Move Your Feet””
“”Everybody! Move your feet and feel united! Oh yeah!”” You didn’t want to, but you sang along anyway. And the music? Pure Super Mario Brothers.
8. Zwan ‹ “”Honestly””
Billy Corgan’s new band may have broken up before the year’s end, but Zwan’s first single was a rich, melodic treat.
9. Belle & Sebastian ‹ “”Step Into My Office, Baby””
Belle & Sebastian did the unthinkable and went mainstream in 2003. Luckily, the music is still great and this witty and sleazy trifle is no exception.
10. Johnny Cash ‹ “”Hurt””
It was depressing even before his untimely death, but now Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “”Hurt”” retains a haunting timelessness.
Best Singles
1. The White Stripes ‹ Elephant
Song after song, the White Stripes’ Elephant proved to be the year’s most consistently excellent rock record. It should be illegal for a band to put out so many great records in so short a time, but this one, full of subtle wordplay and big mean hooks, is the best of all.
2. The Strokes ‹ Room on Fire
Say what you want about the Strokes, but the music speaks for itself. The Strokes released a sister record to Is This It? in terms of its minimalistic approach, but the deceptively well-considered sound of the album sets each song into overdrive.
3. The Postal Service ‹ Give Up
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Figurine teamed up on this pretty album of romantic synth-pop. Let’s hope they keep it going.
4. Radiohead ‹ Hail to the Thief
Not as immediately likable as other Radiohead releases, this album stuck around and snuck up on people thanks to the actual guitars on its singles and the forward-thinking electronica of the rest of the album.
5. OutKast ‹ Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Hip-hop’s reigning kings released an unprecedented double album that got everyone listening. Although it is essentially two solo discs, each one is soulful and daring.
6. The Shins ‹ Chutes Too Narrow
Along with the Postal Service, the Shins were the indie-pop darlings of the year. The Shins’ sound was improved with clear production that allowed the well-crafted pop songs to shine through the band’s indie leanings.
7. The Mars Volta ‹ De-Loused at the Comatorium
A dark, torrential mess, the Mars Volta’s first proper album was polarizing, but there’s no denying the band’s idiosyncratic approach, which takes the listener on meandering but intriguing journeys.
8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs ‹ Fever to Tell
“”Exciting”” is a massive understatement to describe the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, whose raunchy, explosive songs burn a hole in your memory with Karen O’s insistent howl.
9. Damien Rice ‹ O
Winner of the Shortlist Award over hopefuls as acclaimed as Bright Eyes, the singer/songwriter’s emotional songs have made Rice one of the hottest up-and-comers around.
10. Cat Power ‹ You Are Free
Chan Marshall’s insecure voice and hushed guitars got the audience they deserved on this heartbreaking album.
Best Live Shows
1. WinterFest
Featuring Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Rye Coalition and others, last year’s WinterFest was the favorite show of the year. Most cited headliners Queens of the Stone Age, one of the best live acts on the planet, as their reason for voting
2. Street Scene
The annual three-day beer and music festival had its share of ups and downs, but was ultimately a highly memorable musical event. The highlight: electric back-to-back sets by Wilco and R.E.M.
3. The Faint/Les Savy Fav ‹ The Scene
The favorite indie show of the year came from synth revivalists the Faint and erratic rockers Les Savy Fav. Sure, there are skinny indie kids dancing, but there’s also great music.
4. Tori Amos ‹ SDSU Open Air Theatre
Tori Amos’ fanatical fanbase came out in droves to see the flame-headed siren hump her piano and sing about fairies and oral sex. Some fans have taken to wearing wings at shows.
5. White Stripes ‹ RIMAC Arena/Soma
The White Stripes played two amazing shows in San Diego in 2003, the first with the also spectacular Yeah Yeah Yeahs at RIMAC Arena and the second at Soma. Thank you, Jack, may we have another?
6. Flaming Lips ‹ 4th & B/Coors Amphitheatre
A bizarre spectacle of confetti, balloons, blood and animal costumes greets fans at the Flaming Lips’ notorious live shows. Buried underneath the visual attack is stunning experimental pop music.
7. Phantom Planet ‹ The Scene
They may have lost celebrity drummer Jason Schwartzman, but Phantom Planet presses on, singing pretty pop tunes to the delight of many a swooning girl. The band has enjoyed renewed success from its song “”California”” as heard in the opening of the television show “”The O.C.””
8. Radiohead ‹ Coors Amphitheatre
It’s a strange thing how Radiohead’s brainy electro-rock translates so well to large venues, but Radiohead’s San Diego show displayed the band’s skill at making their experiments work wonders in a live setting.
9 & 10. Death Cab for Cutie ‹The Scene / FallFest ‹ RIMAC Arena / Kings of Leon & Jet ‹The Scene / Zwan ‹ RIMAC Arena
Indie-poppers Death Cab For Cutie, FallFest featuring rapper Common, rising garage bands Kings of Leon and Jet and Billy Corgan’s Zwan tied as the 9th-best live show in San Diego in 2003.
