What are your favorite 2004 films?
Happy New Year everyone...
Would you guys mind listing your favorite films of 2004 along with a little blurb explaining your choices? Hopefully Dave can post our lists when he has the time. My list will take some time...it's gonna take another week or 2 to catch the remaining films on my list.
Blessings and good writing in 2005...
Chris Utley
posted by Greg Wright at 10:29 AM
12 Comments:
Sad to say it, but 2004 was one of the most mediocre years in film. Of the potential Best Picture nominees and winners that the pundits are figuring into the Oscar race, there's only one film that I'd give an A grade with a straight face. And even that one has some significant flaws. In addition, the one film that truly deserves the crown will probably get one or two throwaway nominations for "obvious" reasons.
Enough babbling...here's my top 5 of 04:
5. "Ray": As we speak, the Oscar is being buffed, shined, and polished for Jamie Foxx. I can't see anyone else taking that Oscar. I said it in my HJ review: "Ray" is the best African-American biographical film ever. It's kinetic, electric, and powerful!
4. "Fahrenheit 911": Oft debated, debased, and hated, this film was the spark to revolution: both in the country and in my own personal life. I applaud Michael Moore for having the gall to challenge authority and to demand for answers for questions lurking in the shadows. In spite of the outcome of the 2004 elections, I believe that God used this film to wake up this country on both sides of the voting spectrum. I am proud to have seen it in theatres and I am equally proud to own it in my DVD collection.
3. "Garden State": Zach Braff's wonderful directorial debut; Natalie Portman's finest hour; a story that resonates within the soul of many of us 20-30 somethings who are desperately seeking to hide our pain through, sex, drugs, medication and whatever else we can get our hands on. But only through love can we claim true victory over our pain. This film teaches us through the song played over it's closing credits to "let go...for there is beauty in the breakdown".
2. "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind": How anyone could come up with a story like this is beyond me! It's a strange, twisted, and very familiar world created by writer Charlie Kaufman and director Michel Gondry. The moral of the film still sticks within my soul: Change one thing, change everything. All things truly do work together...the love, the joy, the pain, the anguish, our insecure adulthood, our fragile childhood. It all comes together to define who we are. In the end, it's all worth it.
1. "The Passion Of The Christ": It almost doesn't make any sense for me to write anymore about this film. What more can I (or anyone else) say that hasn't been said. In a nutshell, the events of that film are the reason why we're here. Until Feburary 2004, the Cross could only be experienced through my faith-fueled imagination. Now it is alive. Living, breathing, gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. I am that wretch who caused His flesh to be ripped through that catonine. I am that lost one who was found through a trail of blood and sand made on the journey to Calvary. Because Mel Gibson had the courage to put his life, his reputaion and his money on the line, we, the blind, can see ever more clearly.
Hey everyone:
Great idea for a roundtable--though harder than I thought. It strikes me that I haven't yet seen a lot of the movies that I'd like to this year (I see most movies on DVD), and it also strikes me that in coming up with this list, I tended to pick movies that were simply the most memorable for me (yes, I think they're well-made and enjoyable, but not necessarily "the best" in critical terms). So my list isn't really a "Best Movies of 2004" list. It's more like a "Movies That I've Seen So Far This Year, Which Personally Struck Me the Most" list. Oh yeah, and The Passion isn't on this list for the same reason that I don't answer "The Bible" when someone asks me what my favorite book is--though it was a film, watching it was (primarily) a religious experience for me, and so I don't want to judge it next to films that weren't (primarily) religious experiences.
1) Kill Bill Vol. 2 -- Along with Vol. 1, I think Tarantino's revenge-tale/homage-to-his-favorite-genres is one of the best times I've had watching a movie. The story is so simple and classic, yet the characters, dialogue, and presentation flesh it out in such a unique way. And in the end, it's a story about family and wanting to settle down to a good, safe life.
2) Finding Neverland -- I felt like this movie got to some very deep truths about what people need, and how a fantasy--a story--can meet those needs.
3) Hero -- Okay, I admit it: I'm a big Jet Li fan. But this would still be a great movie without him. The story felt almost Shakespearean to me, but told visually. And what visuals--the colors, the scope of thousands surrounding one, the backdrops. An altogether enjoyable, moving piece of art.
4) The Butterfly Effect -- A very dark, but cool movie (though not liked by critics). Remove the shock of the violence/language, and you're left with a meditation on the consequences of our actions, done up like an edgy time-travel story.
5) Mean Girls -- I just thought this was a funny, smart, and fun movie. It also helps that the humorous depiction of how nasty high schoolers can be was spot on--and that the obligatory happy ending didn't ruin the rest of the movie's tongue-in-cheek credibility. Hooray for Tina Fey!
Matthew Hill
Glad I waited until 2005 to make this list, because otherwise I would have missed the most important film of 2004: "Hotel Rwanda." As far as "must-see" viewing goes, that pretty much sums it up for me. Other 2004 films that I think will be remembered in years to come are, of course, "The Passion of the Christ," and "Farenheit 9/11." In terms of spiritual and cultural significance, that pretty much sums things up.
How could I forget "Kill Bill Vol.2" from my list? That was one of the most fun times I had at the movies all year! It's not the most spiritually intense movie in the world, but it's a whole lot of fun. Hopefully David Carradine will get a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
in no particular order:
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind - with the truman show and bruce almighty, jim carrey continues his run as pop culture theologian.
hero - poetic violence and beautiful cinematography. you can't get much better than a pretty kung fu flick.
this does seem to be the year of good sequels:
kill bill - vol. 2 - this quieter sequel to (or other half of) kill bill - vol. 1 feels more like a western, but is a genre lover's dream.
spider-man 2 - one of the few sequels that surpasses the original.
everything about this was better: action, effects, acting, and story.
harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban - um, ditto (see spider-man 2)
shrek 2 - picks up where the original left off.
speaking of which, this also seems to be the year of stand out animation,
but topping that list is the incredibles. this wasn't just a great
animated film, this was a great film period.
to be fair, however, i haven't seen sideways, maria full of grace, collateral, or ray and i have a feeling that they would be high on my list.
To be fair, I haven't seen Sideways, Maria Full of Grace, Collateral, or Ray and I have a feeling that they would be high on my list.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - with The Truman Show and Bruce Almighty, Jim Carrey continues his run as pop culture theologian.
Hero - poetic violence and beautiful cinematography. you can't get much better than a pretty kung fu flick.
this does seem to be the year of good sequels:
Kill Bill - Vol. 2 - this quieter sequel to (or other half of) Kill Bill - Vol. 1 feels more like a western, but is a genre lover's dream.
Spider-Man 2 - one of the few sequels that surpasses the original. everything about this was better: action, effects, acting, and story.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - um, ditto (see Spider-Man 2)
Shrek 2 - picks up where the original left off.
Speaking of which, this also seems to be the year of stand out animation, but topping that list is The Incredibles. this wasn't just a great
animated film, this was a great film period.
Top Films of 2004:
Finding Neverland
Johnny Depp is wonderful in this film, as is the entire cast. The movie brought me and the rest of the theater to tears because we all long for a place called Neverland. Poetic and beautiful.
The Incredibles
One of the best comic book movies ever; it shows that Americans are finally discovering that animation isn’t just for kids. Fun, smart, and exciting, this film is now the blueprint for future comic book movies, including the upcoming Fantastic Four.
Kill Bill 2
Tarantino’s love for all things film shines through in the Kill Bill movies. This is the most fun I’ve had at the theater in a long time. Uma Thurman rocks, the action and style are cool and this final chapter close to perfect.
Spiderman 2
This was a strong year for the superhero genre. Spidey 2 expands on the superb original film by digging deeper into the characters and sets the stage for part 3.
Fahrenheit 9/11
Entertaining, thought provoking, and controversial…this pretty much sums up Michael Moore. The film has even greater irony after the election year. Yes, it may have stretched some facts here and there, but Moore dared to ask the questions many Americans were already thinking and did so in a challenging way.
The Life Aquatic
Quirky, stylish, and different, it has something many Hollywood films lack: originality. I’m a huge Wes Anderson fan, and Bill Murray continues to impress with his off beat roles. The film is not for everyone, but this critic dug it.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Probably the single best fantasy film ever made (next to the epic Lord of the Rings). I was thoroughly swept away by it, and loved it even more on DVD. Here’s hoping that the rest of the series translates just as well on film.
Hero
Wonderful storytelling and stunningly beautiful to look at. Powerful themes and strong performances definitely make this one of the best of the year. The dance-like fight choreography among the falling golden leaves and on the still lake is still etched in my mind.
Other standouts:
Mean Girls
House of Flying Daggers
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Garden State
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Another honorable mention goes to "Hotel Rwanda": a very powerful and inspiring film. Don Cheadle deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance. However, it was Sophie Okonedo's performance as his wife that knocked me off my feet and onto the theatre floor. Awesome!
My 3 favorite films of 2004:
3) Garden State -- Incredible directorial debut by Zach Braff, moving performances by Natalie Portman and Mr. Braff. And a special shout-out to Peter Saarsgard. His character, like the movie itself, sneaks up on you -- cynicism and bravado transmogrify into compassionate love.
2) Fahrenheit 9/11 -- This film moved me deeply, and I don't see that we Michael Moore fans have to square off against Mel Gibson fans. (I love 'em both). Angry, over-the-top, but full of truth, Fahrenheit 9/11 will be discussed many years hence. Anger is a great heartener, and F 9/11 had it in spades.
1) Passion of the Christ -- Yep, what can you say. Everything's been said, and I need to take a break from even thinking about this film. But...what a thorn-filled, no-holds-barred bloody gorgeous masterpiece. Again, a film that will still be remembered long after any Oscars, Golden Globes or other mainstream awards have been handed out.
Interestingly...the 2 best films made this year -- the ones that dared to make mistakes and push the envelope -- are being pretty much ignored by the Oscars. That's OK, and almost to be expected. Both of them are difficult films and it will take time for a full appreciation of their value.
(crossposted at my blog)
My 2004 top ten films
Here are my picks for the year.
1. The Sea Inside A beautiful look at life and death and love. Well done at every level.
2. (and a very close 2nd) Dogville It's love it or hate it, and I love it.
3. Sideways
4. Hotel Rwanda
5. Hero
6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
7. Baadasssss!
8. The Incredibles
9. Control Room
10. Vera Drake
Films I wish I could include in my top 10 (alphabetically):
Coffee and Cigarettes
Collateral
Finding Neverland
Kinsey
Mean Creek
Million Dollar Baby
Monsieur Ibraham et les fluers de coran
Spring Summer Fall Winter ... and Spring
Films worth a note, even if not quite top 10 level:
The Aviator
The Motorcycle Diaries
Taegukgi
Benn's Top 10 (and more) sorry for the length ...
1. SIDEWAYS
This was just the best overall film experience for me this year. It has a little bit of everything … humor and depth, yet we really get a feel for the area the film takes place in … I really, truly loved it. A beautiful film moment occurs between Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Maya (Virginia Madsen) as they sit on a porch discussing wine while really discussing themselves and wine as a metaphor. Madsen’s delivery is especially wonderful, however especially observe how Miles looks at her while she pontificates.
2. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
The great screenwriter Charlie Kaufmann delivers again. The movie actually works as an ode to love … a love you cannot help but surrender to. Great performances by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as well as a supporting cast of Mark Ruffalo, Tom Wilkinson, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, and David Cross. The film asks us to consider regrets and whether we’d truly want to change our past experiences or memories if we could. A one of a kind film from a one of a kind screenwriter.
3. KILL BILL: VOLUME 2
Tarantino delivers a film that makes Volume 1 even better just by existing … of course they were originally one film, but you know how that goes. Irregardless of the martial arts and gore, there is the typical Tarantino feel for dialogue. Another great film experience overall and David Carradine is especially great as the subtly evil Bill. Visually this film is quite a ride. Less action and more dialogue and meaningful plot in this one compared to Volume 1.
4. BEFORE SUNSET
This is a sequel to the 1995 film BEFORE SUNRISE. Totally dialogue driven with long takes as a couple who met on a train in Europe 9 years earlier and sort of fell in love run into each other again in France and get reacquainted. Some wonderful insights and we get a true feel for Paris as they walk along and talk. Can’t wait to see the 3rd installment if it happens!
5. DOGVILLE
Lars Von Trier’s statement to America it seems. This one was filmed entirely on a soundstage and doesn’t hide that fact, but the setting disappeared in my mind I was pulled into the story. I saw the film as a basic look at the nature of God as portrayed in the Bible … a very simple look which shows the glaring inconsistencies portrayed fairly literally. Grace (Nicole Kidman) enters a town after fleeing from her father (James Caan), listed simply in the credits as “The Big Man”. Grace helps the people of the small town and is the light which enlivens them, eventually being taken for granted and mistreated. On goes the story. This was the most intellectually intriguing film I saw last year.
6. THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXON
Sean Penn is spectacular as a man slowly going mad ... but in an understandable way. The films works both as a warning against projecting our problems and the ills of the world upon others, yet I believe the film also shows us good reason for why a lot of people DO go crazy in this society. This film REALLY stuck with me.
7. CLOSER
Nice look at modern romance in my opinion. Of course it’s a generalization, but it’s quite accurate at its heart concerning our selfish desires when it comes to love/lust. Solid acting all around by Clive Owen, Jude Law, and Natalie Portman. Julia Roberts is the weakest, but still quite good and it’s nice to see her do something like this. I wasn’t prepared to enjoy (probably not the right word) as much as I did, but the ending just elevated and earned my respect.
8. MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Eastwood is such a talented storyteller. This film could've easily been cliche, but works its way right through that ... the acting is top notch. The only problems I have with the film is that it feels a little preachy and drawn out at the end. Still a great film experience and I'm surprised I'm not tired yet of hearing Morgan Freeman as a film narrator ... damn the guy's good!
9. HOTEL RWANDA
Don Cheadle is wonderful and we learn about a story we probably should've heard more about. This films shows us how Western involvement in wars often depends on what they can gain and has little to do about human interests. The heart of the story though is a man who refused to choose sides and decided to have compassion for all people, regardless of affiliation. It shows the horrors of war without being graphic, yet we feel the terror through the people.
10. THE AVIATOR
Scorcese is back on the right track (GANGS … didn’t especially please me) with an interesting look at Howard Hughes’ life. DiCaprio does an solid job and is supported very well also, especially by Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn. We witness Hughes’ genius as well as his obsessive disorders. A beautifully shot movie that is engaging and quite magnificent. The only reason it’s lower on the list is because it didn’t really stick with me at all.
Films Highly Considered for my Top 10:
COLLATERAL
CONTROL ROOM
FAHRENHEIT 911
GARDEN STATE
KINSEY
KITCHEN STORIES
MARIA FULL OF GRACE
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
RAY
THE RETURN
SPIDER-MAN 2
SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER … AND SPRING
TOUCHING THE VOID
Films I haven't seen yet, but think could make a push for the list:
BAD EDUCATION
BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS
INTIMATE STRANGERS
MOOLAADE
VERA DRAKE
Other films I’d recommend people see from 2004:
50 FIRST DATES
THE AGRONOMIST
ALFIE
BIRTH
THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
DODGEBALL
THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR
FINDING NEVERLAND
I HEART HUCKABEES
THE INCREDIBLES
LADDER 49
THE MACHINIST
MAN ON FIRE
THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE
MEAN CREEK
MEAN GIRLS
MEET THE FOCKERS
THE NOTEBOOK
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
SAVED!
SHREK 2
SPANGLISH
SPARTAN
SPIDER-MAN 2
STARSKY AND HUTCH
STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL
SUPER SIZE ME
TARNATION
TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE
WE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE
Most Disappointing Films I Saw:
ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY
I, ROBOT
THE TERMINAL
THE VILLAGE
Worst film I saw:
SAW
from Benn
Add HERO to my recommendations and THE SEA INSIDE and BEYOND THE SEA to my list of ones yet to see.
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