Top 10 Movies of 2004
BY TRAVIS LEAMONS, InsidePulse Movies
10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet were brilliant together in this little seen gem. Writer Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich and Adaptation) weaves together an idiosyncratic love tale the only way Charlie Kaufman can. The unusual editing scheme and the direction of Michael Gondry are also a plus. Eternal Sunshine is a film that really shows the importance of remembrance and lost love.
09. Spartan
This was a little seen drama of betrayal and deception from writer/director David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross), a student of magic and confidence games. During the film we don’t know what to believe. The characters define themselves gradually and the plot is structured like a puzzle. Val Kilmer, in his best performance since Doc Holiday, is Scott, an espionage agent who doesn’t give out orders he takes them. His mission is to recover the President’s daughter by any means necessary. The action of Spartan is tense, the gunplay exquisite.
08. The Incredibles
Move over Spider-man. Pixar’s The Incredibles was the best superhero movie of the year. It wasn’t only a good superhero movie, it was a great movie overall. This PG-rated animated film deals with themes you don’t normally see in a children’s movie. Director Brad Bird (The Iron Giant) hints at marital problems like infidelity, the doldrums of family life, and an understanding of hip fashion (Thank you Edna Mode!).
07. Garden State
This is the story of Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff). For the last nine years, Andrew has been living in Los Angeles trying to make it as an actor. His most notable role is that of a mentally challenged football player on some TV show. When he receives a call from his father informing him that his mother has died, Andrew makes a trip to New Jersey. So is the story of Garden State. Zach Braff not only stars in the feature, but he also wrote and directed. His film is quirky and works on many levels, like Andrew trying to find meaning within himself and the world around him. But what I really enjoyed is how the characters exude life beyond the film – much like the indy hit The Station Agent from last year. If you are a fan of Natalie Portman check out her performance as Sam. Brilliant.
06. Baadasssss!
Talk about your diamond in ruff. Earlier this year Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper were ecstatic about this film. And they were right. Baadasssss! is a fascinating film about Melvin Van Peebles and his odyssey to get his neo-blaxploitation epic Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song to the audience. Mario Van Peebles (Melvin’s son) stars as Melvin. Not only does Mario star, but he sits in the director’s chair as well. Just a great candid portrait of Melvin Van Peebles and his struggle as a young, black director during socially shifting early ’70s.
05. Closer
Director Mike Nichols gives us an unflinching look at the lives of four people. Jude Law plays Dan, a writer of obituaries for his London newspaper; Natalie Portman is Alice, a stripper who left New York after a bad relationship; Julia Roberts is Anna, a photographer; and Clive Owen is Larry, a dermatologist. Based on the hit play by Patrick Marber, Closer is a film about four people fascinated with love and are seduced by infidelity. To me, this film is reminiscent of Neil LaBute’s first foray into filmmaking In the Company of Men. Both films have male protagonists that are both vicious and nasty. Listen to some of the things Dr. Larry spouts forth. You’ll understand.
04. Collateral
Just another night in the City of Angels? I don’t think so. Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise team up for a wild night in Los Angeles filled with cold-blooded murder. Michael Mann (Heat) creates a gripping atmosphere by having the action take place during the course of a single night. Foxx plays Max, a lowly cabdriver, who is coerced into driving Vincent (Cruise), a hit man, to his assassination stops. During the film Cruise acts as a killer and a mentor to Max. Vincent is a mentor in the fact that he unconsciously gives Max all the tools necessary to end this deadly cat and mouse game.
The cast, the dialogue, the directing, and the ambiance of Los Angeles make for a great film. And unlike a lot of the summer blockbusters, this is a film that sticks with you after the last reel.
03. Ray
Jamie Foxx gives a very enthusiastic, Oscar-worthy performance as Ray Charles. Physically, Jamie Foxx is “the” Ray Charles. Watching the film you lose sight (no pun intended) of how much Foxx resembles the musician and begin believing he is Ray.
This is truly an amazing film with one of the best acting performances of this year (or any year for that matter) and an energetic soundtrack. I applaud the fact that Ray Charles worked with the filmmakers and allowed unfettered access into his life story. Jamie Foxx is destined for at least an Oscar nomination. (Heck, I say give it to him.)
02. Finding Neverland
Pure magic. Johnny Depp gives a stirring performance as playwright J.M. Barrie, the man who created Peter Pan. Finding Neverland is the story of a man who doesn’t want to grow up. Not unusual. Maybe that’s why women refer to it as the “Peter Pan Syndrome.” J.M. Barrie falls under the spell of a widow and her four boys. Barrie plays games with boys; games involving cowboys, Indians, and pirates. Though he is affectionate for Sylvia (Kate Winslet), the boys’ mother, Barrie does it in a neutral way. Partly due to the fact that Barrie was married. For Barrie, Sylvia is his muse. The early 20th century set design and Marc Forster’s direction is a sight to behold, as is young Freddie Highmore. He almost steals the spotlight from Mr. Depp. Keep an eye on this film come Oscar time.
01. Kill Bill, Volume 2
Honestly, was there any other movie that could be number one? That’s what I thought. With Kill Bill, Volume 2, Quentin Tarantino shows why he is the most intensely eccentric filmmaker of his generation. Much like the first installment, Tarantino implements flashbacks, Black & White photography, and a kick-ass soundtrack throughout this great film.
To me, Tarantino’s Volume 1 was his Yin film and Volume 2 was his Yang. Both work well on their own, but I believe by putting the two parts together and you have one hell of a martial arts epic. An epic in which the exuberant filmmaker interweaves irony, satire, drama, and pure action adrenaline into one.
Watch Kill Bill, Volume 2 for the hypnotic storytelling as well as what could be the best femme fatale in cinematic history.
Here are some Honorable mentions:
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle — The funniest comedy of 2004 that nobody saw. Advertisements for Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle presented it as a feature with “that Asian guy from American Pie” (Harold) and “that Indian guy from Van Wilder” (Kumar). Talk about your stereotypes. But these two guys are so likeable I could care less what demographic they fit in. This is the type of R-rated feature that pot smokers have been clamoring for. Now if they could only remember how to get to the movie theater.
Hero — Talk about diversity. This film works as a martial arts epic, a mystery, and a fantasy – all in a nice, 96-minute package. The fight scenes are spectacular, pure poetry in motion. The mysteriousness of Hero is also unique. It was like watching a chess match with martial arts involved. Each move is calculated, not always about the action or the violence.
The Terminal — Many in 2004 overlooked this comedy-drama by Steven Spielberg. That’s too bad because it was a fun movie. Tom Hanks stars as Viktor Navorksi, a man who falls through the cracks – leaving him to live in a transit lounge – and how he copes to his new environment.
Touching the Void — a remarkably filmed documentary chronicling one man’s struggle to survive after his mountain climbing partner cuts him lose.
Performer of the year: Jamie Foxx
Jude Law movie of the year: Closer
Ben Stiller movie of the year: Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Best import: Hero
Runner-up: Shaun of the Dead
Best Comedies of 2004:
1. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (Five theater viewings and never a dull moment)
2. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
3. Mean Girls
4. Napoleon Dynamite
5. Shaun of the Dead
Best Family Films of 2004:
1. Finding Neverland
2. The Incredibles
3. Shrek 2
4. Two Brothers
The Sleeper Hits of 2004:
1. The Notebook
2. Napoleon Dynamite
3. Mean Girls
Best Movies of 2004 that nobody saw:
1. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
2. Spartan
3. Cellular
4. Jersey Girl
At last, the moment you have been all waiting for, the worst movies I saw in 2004:
1. Van Helsing
2. Soul Plane
3. Christmas with the Kranks
4. Along Came Polly
