The way she saw it.

By Natalie Miller
210 west Content Editor [send email]

In 2003 America looked outward, as opposed to 2002 when they looked more inward after national tragedy. Our attention was drawn outward to serious topics, such as the American war in Iraq, SARS and North Korea's antics. But in sharp contrast to those stories, we distracted ourselves with lighter fare. Here are the top 10 entertainment stories of 2003.

1. Michael Jackson:

For topping all celebrity coverage, Michael Jackson is the King himself.
Who could have predicted 20 years ago, that one of the first omni-celebrities would be on a downward spiral of such incredible strangeness? With some of the best-selling albums ever and a strong worldwide following, Michael Jackson's name was synonymous with "bad," but in a good way. He was called a musical genius and a pop culture icon. Now his career is fading, and he’s a freak and suspected pedophile. Even his longtime fans have backed off because Jackson is truly unpredictable.

Who didn’t know he was beyond freakish after that interview with the British journalist, covering his children’s faces with masks and hanging the baby over the balcony. Anyone with two synapses could have foreseen more scandal ahead for this man-child.

This entertainment story broke late in the year, and will undoubtedly be a hot topic for 2004 as the allegations are defended and criticized in the courts and in the media. To quote the king: "Who said this wouldn't last?"

2. Celebrity Couple overload

Ben and J Lo: This couple’s publicity level reached a fever pitch this summer, with their impending nuptials being front cover news everywhere. Maybe the country just needed the beautiful and intriguing distraction of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. These two, with the apt moniker “Bennifer,” can’t be that mesmerizing…can they? And by the end of 2003, the ruckus had died down, although the two of them seemed to still be dating, as evidenced by their attendance at a Red Sox playoff game.

Gwyneth and Coldplay guy

Could the public obsess a bit less about how Gwyneth Paltrow’s vulnerable from her father’s death and seeking solace in the arms of Brit Rocker Chris Martin. But could they get some privacy? From their jaunts to yoga and out for coffee to their baby on the way and their secretive wedding, this couple can’t get any peace.

Jennifer Garner and whats-his-name

Yet another celebrity couple gone bust because one’s career took off and the other’s, well, wasn’t helped by sitcom “A.U.S.A.” Ever heard of it? Didn’t think so. But you gotta feel a bit sorry for ol’ Scott Foley. His wife, formerly a bit player in “Dude, Where’s My Car?” transformed into a hot, tough TV action star pretty much overnight, and he’s still looking bewildered. But, he had a few cameos on “Scrubs,” that should get him by for a little while.

Liza Minnelli and David Gest

Most people Gen X and past have no idea why Liza Minnelli is famous. Apparently she has famous parents and starred in some old movies or on Broadway. Anyhoo, even we can tell that a man with a plasticized face will probably not make a great lover. Although, with Michael Jackson in the wedding party, maybe Liza wasn't getting great advice. The allegations about her abuse still stand, but seem to have faded from public interest. If these two were better looking or had more sex appeal, the public might still be interested in this twisted domestic arrangement that may never have been consumated. But as it is now, it's easy to see why.

Demi and Ashton

Smart Demi Moore breaks back onto the scene with a hip “it” boy toy, which is the perfect way to publicize her new movie. In a brilliant summer publicity barrage, the Demi-Ashton coupling got buzz for the age difference and the premiere with the lovably gruff Bruce Willis in tow. This is a stunt that turned out to maybe not be a stunt after all, but stay tuned in ’04.

3. Matrix and Lord of the Rings finish trilogies

2003 was a year of conclusions for two of the largest movie franchises in recent years. But one finished up, the other down…The Matrix Revolutions was a letdown to many, especially with the strange unsettled ending. People need closure, and that’s what they got in the last installment of Lord of the Rings. A nice long wrap up of what happens to each character, from Frodo to Arwen. Maybe that was a tad long, but after the anxiety-filled march to Mordor for the hobbits, it was necessary to soothe the audience that good had indeed triumphed.

Although the Matrix followed a similar plot of good vs. evil, it became a tangled web of subplots and loose ends. Very little of the third movie occurs in the Matrix, and the questions of Agent Smith’s motives becomes clouded with the introduction of the being in the machine. It is never explained as to why it gives in to Neo or what happens with the people who are released from the Matrix, a key element for closure.

4. Disney Wins Big

Finding Nemo: you gotta love this modern take on perennial issues such as parenting, courage and friendship for its classic story, spunk and humor. Too bad people didn’t take the message of artificial containment seriously, but instead went out and bought clown fish by the dozen. Hello?

Pirates of the Caribbean: Pirates were hot in 2003, from the elusive ones in Master and Commander to this smash hit for Disney based on their theme park. The movie gets it panache from Johnny Depp, there is no contest. His lovable rogue character from other movies, carries over to this flick. The inclusion of up and coming stars Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley provide the eye candy for both sexes. See review on 210west.

5. Kooky Men Rock

Elf and School of Rock were two of the most fun, laugh all the way to the parking lot movies this year, followed by Stuck on You, which was just wacky fun. First, Elf and School of Rock have a central funny man who knows how to use physical comedy. So I’m not sure the vehicle even matters. Jack Black rocks from SNL to Saving Silverman to High Fidelity. How could he not rock in a movie called School of Rock? It doesn’t even seem like acting, this character that he plays who loves music and is wildly self-assured. The kids and the non-fluffy script give the movie the pump it needs.

6. Love at the Movies, Actually.

Top Chick Flicks of 2003

Bend it Like Beckham: I knew I would love this movie, because a) it’s about girls playing soccer and b) it’s English and c) there’s the time honored culture/generation clash that most people can relate to. But, despite the easy-to-see plot conflict, there are several very funny scenes, good characters to root for and against and complicated personal relationships. It’s well done, thoughtful and there’s enough action for a bloke to even enjoy it. Stars Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightly entered the Hollywood scene with this film, with Nagra now on ER and Knightly landing a plum role in Pirates of the Caribbean (see above).

Love Actually: OK, so it’s hard to see simulated sex scenes while at the theater with your entire family for Thanksgiving. But despite that, this movie was perfect for depth and variety about love in all its shapes and sizes. Recovering love, desperate love, unrequited love, love despite language barriers, complicated love, family bond love – it’s all there. So it’s not just about true mushy romance, although there is some of that. It’s a movie that speaks of hope and the endurance of love despite our mixed up modern lives. And I appreciate that during the holidays – lay off the schmaltz, give me the good stuff. Damn that Keira Knightley, she’s everywhere!

OK, well not in Mona Lisa Smile, but she could have been if she had room on her calendar. Critics panned this 1950’s era chick flick, but it’s unclear where their expectations where coming from. They said it wasn’t inspirational enough, but I thought it was appropriately complex. They said the message was too flat and just a platitude, but the ending is a multitude of choices for women. The idea that it’s a Dead Poets Society for women has some credence. Both elite men and women have socially assigned roles they are expected to fill, and a great teacher can give them the motivation or contrast to examine them. Despite criticism, this is a likable and relevant movie. The women in the movie who are not the leads give depth to the variety of women’s roles: the boarding house spinster who teaches poise, the lesbian school nurse who dispenses contraception and the society grand dame who sends her daughter back to her empty house while her husband is out carousing. Even Julia Roberts’ Kate Watson has no clearly defined path, and it doesn’t end with her making the “right” decision. Highlighting the movie are new young stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ginnifer Goodwin, plus the already hot Julia Stiles and Kirsten Dunst.

7. Top Acts on the Music Scene

Although I loved the first Charlie’s Angels movie, the best thing about the sequel was that awesome Pink song “Feel Good Time.” Pink had a great year with solid songwriting, and plenty of authentic buzz. And this end of 2003 welcomes a new album that may hold more.
Unfortunately, the promising but desperately overexposed Avril Lavigne lost her indie cred. Her publicity machine just went too far. With a rebellious image, you can’t push the slick, media-trained star into every media crevice and still keep your core audience.

Audioslave – what a name for a band. I dig this band and their songs, as much as I love the sound of Chris Cornell’s luscious voice. It’s great to see disbanded bands getting together to synergize even better music. Everywhere this year was rapper 50 cent, from the cover of Rolling Stone to a parody on SNL. When the city mouse has to hear this CD in a one-traffic-light town, it’s hot and it is ubiquitous. Could Outkast be funkier or more stuck in your head with “Hey Ya?” It even makes me watch the commercials for “Celebrity Poker” on Bravo.

8. TV keeps our interest, somewhat

CSI – Now that CSI has expanded its franchise, ala Law and Order, they still work on keeping it interesting. CSI Miami’s cast has changed a bit, dumping Kim Delaney and seemingly replacing her with Horatio Caine’s dead brother’s wife. A bit too complicated compared to the Las Vegas group, but hey, we can roll with that. Just keep focused on the cases.

The original CSI by far topped itself with the “Fur and Loathing” episode this season, about people whose fetish is wearing animal costumes for maximum kinkage. Who knew that “furpile” and “scrimping” could enter the American lexicon via primetime? This season went deeper into the twisted psychology of people living in the desert and the tropics – kidnapping for thrills, a professor of torture, bigamy and infanticide.

Without A Trace – In my opinion, the best new show this year. Issues this year ranged from parents’ enabling of violent children, to the emotional human rubble of the World Trade Center, to a missing pregnant woman hiding from her husband. They follow the clues from the person’s life to figure out where they went…there is always a trace, despite the name of the show. A great cast and clever plot twists make you forget this is yet another New York City crime show.

West Wing -- Losing its creator has made this drama’s tone a little too edgy. Watching it this season, with people flying off the handle at each other from Leo to Toby to CJ makes viewers feel like their parents are fighting and we can’t figure out why. Apparently this is meant to be a reflection of the paternal Jeb Bartlett’s inner turmoil over his MS and his daughter’s kidnapping and his second term. West Wing used to gleam and soar over the bumps in the road to running a democracy, even when they didn’t win the issue. It gave light to random issues like getting rid of the penny or use of the filibuster. Now it seems like the real Washington, which if we wanted to watch we’d turn to C-SPAN. I hold onto hope that this Beltway drama can regain its momentum.

Six Feet Under -- A series that is compelling in the sense that you watch with a tight chest at other people’s pain. And no one does the pain better, from complicated relationships among the family to the stories of the dead that pass through their funeral home. This juxtaposition of home and funeral home is a great setting for any story about life. HBO has produced some solid shows when the networks cannot, mainly for their willingness to be truly daring.

Friends – In the last season, (they really mean it, the last season,) it’s time for our six Manhattan buddies to move on. It’s a hard thing to deal with, but it’s gotta happen. There aren’t anymore viable hookups that can occur between this group. At least Phoebe, Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler and Joey can live on in reruns for eternal hilarity. And there’s still Joey’s show….

But it wasn't a great year for the networks and their primetime lineups. Reality TV has lost nearly all its steam and Fear Factor is running out of gross things for people to eat. American Idol was a phenom again, but can it keep things fresh for 2004? Please stop with the dating shows – it’s getting ridiculous. We need some new sitcom ideas but is that an oxymoron? There’s hope for the future of TV, though -- see the next two entries for breakout shows.

9. The Fab Five live up to their name

When Queer Eye for the Straight Guy first started being promoted, I loved the idea. A great concept can make a reality show work. There are some undeniable pulls, see earlier review HERE, to this funny, frenetic makeover show. What surprised me again and again was the ability of the straight guy to bond with his five handlers fairly easily. One guy was tearing up during their final toast, and it was very heartfelt to see how much things had improved for him. Sometimes the subject is just hopeless in one area – burning things in the kitchen, shaving against the grain, old habits like ratty underwear -- and you feel for him and the Fab Five. Besides the actual show, the buzz around it and it’s growing popularity have made it emblematic of the pop culture’s gay infusion. No show takes fashionable problem-solving, caustic humor and honest relating to such a fun level.

10. The Best Fake News Show Ever.

I’m glad to see The Daily Show getting it’s due this year. Few people can put things in such a true but truly absurd way as the Daily Show’s senior correspondents. From celebrity interviews to political satire, they cover it all with alternating pseudo-seriousness to “we’re just outright deranged, OK?” I still can’t figure out if they really say some of those things to people in interviews…can they really call the Rear Admiral all those names?

Even if I don’t like the guest, I stayed tuned, because superhost Jon Stewart can draw some surprising humor or revelations from nearly everyone.