Best Films of 2004

A fiction/reality of models, partying, and access to excess

The first completely green-screened film proves story is a hell of a lot more important than special effects, as cool as they were.

Liam Neeson nails the role but I watched this with my parents so I was very uncomfortable and couldn't enjoy it throughout.

Makes you want to come to the US, eh?

Not bad for a zombie remake. Tried some different things, which I appreciated, as I anticipated the usual cliches.

Jesus, you gotta stop getting whipped!

Better the second time around. Far better to watch for entertainment than actual journalism, which means the editors are great at what they do.

Not bad for a 'Big' female remake.

A great cast playing at half-mast.

I lived in Wicker Park, but this movie wasn't about the neighborhood... it's about an idiot who loves a gorgeous woman and gives up on another gorgeous woman.

Cheadle and Gosling lead a solid cast in this depressing yet not melodramatic film about facing the realities of our modern world.

Roland, you gotta stop destroying the earth! Typical destruction film, however it does boast several beautiful shots, both real and VFX'd.

Two solid up-and-coming actors couldn't bring this out of the mediocrity they were stewing in.

The acting is rough and the dialogue seems superfluous at times, and well, it's direction (Shyamalan) is likely the overall issue. But I will admit it had a great twist that I kind of saw coming, or at least it was a scenario I thought possible. But even with this thought I liked it. Of course, it could have been much better under better direction.

Filled with cliche characters, lines and twists the characters happen to be funny from time to time and and the adventure is an entertaining one.

What potential for a solid sequel! Too bad the writing was horrid; but Law is charming and Sienna Miller and the other girls are quite pretty... still not enough to qualify it as a good way to spend your time.

Ifans is a likable Aussie in this likable Aussie tale that starts with a clever premise but falls into many cliches as the tale unfolds.

A new way to look at high school oafs

An average Depp outing; but nonetheless it's a film any Depp fan will enjoy.

I film any hellboy would enjoy.

A doc any music lover will enjoy.

Viggo's follow-up to the the 'Rings' trilogy was a bit stoic and dry, like the desert it takes place in.

Another slow-paced film. Nice cinematography and Imelda is quite good.

I met Bukowski years back, so that encounter made this doc at least moderately interesting.

A team of guys who are rightfully and successfully disrupting the narrative of the corrupt WTO.

A really interesting concept and solid performance from Williams, but the second half loses the energy from the first.

Director: Rowdy Herrington
His 8th movie (Final Movie)
My 2nd movie watched from the director

Caviezel is affable, the story watchable, the variation in tone confusing, and the themes are pretty weak. There is really no big conflict in the movie, with the only real challenge a physical one he is born with that seems to be forced into the movie and something that is "barely an inconvenience". But in the end, it's a harmless movie that would be nice for a family to watch together.

Added to Lists:
Cinematic Links: Top Ten Golf Movies
The History of Sports Through Movies

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Location: Atlanta, GA, USA; St. Andrews, Scottland

Oh the drama! If you're a dude, you'll fall in love with McAdams, if you're a chick, you'll fall in love with Gosling.

I liked the strangeness, I didn't like the pace, but I love Paz Vega.

The 'perfect' title for this movie. A typical MTV flick that 'scores'

A slow moving, bleak yet beautifully shot film that tests your patience and conscience.
The debut director takes a ballsy turn in the last thirty minutes, ending a movie in a way I've never seen.

I lived in Wicker Park, but this movie wasn't about the neighborhood... it's about an idiot who loves a gorgeous woman and gives up on another gorgeous woman.

Grace is likable and Bosworth is lovable in this entertaining chick flick.

Gets me excited for surfing season!

Carrey is glorious in this dark and moderately interesting film that boasts impressive production design.

A very dumb comedy, but I love Broken Lizard.

Scarlett Johansson has won my heart after this film. Topher Grace gives me reason to believe he'll do well on the big-screen. He's very likable and relatable.

A lot of good dancing scenes and even more wardrobe changes. Far from groundbreaking, but the historal aspects of the movie made it more than just a dance/romance movie. The two leads are likable as well, which is important in a dance movie.
Why don't they make good dance movies any more? Someone needs to create the next great dance movie.

A long ass, depressing documentary that packs a lot of ideas into a nice piece of terror for the world we live in.

Frightening and realistic. I am a diver myself, so it really caught my attention.

Cole Porter probably wouldn't have cared for it; but I thought Kline did a superb job.
The music is respected and certainly the highlight and reason to see this film. The film wasn't as fun and epic as I'd hoped, meddling in less important aspects of a life worth telling.

Director: István Szabó
His 17th movie
My 1st movie watched from the director

Added to Lists:

Top Ten Performances - Annette Bening
Life's a Stage

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Location: London

Four beautiful women and fresh writing make this pink-laden chick flick very watchable.

A weird and experimental delight. Probably the least mainstream film on this list.

I have always been intrigued buy this theory and I think this movie does a really good job of conveying it.

Bardem is fantastic in this very challenging role. The movie made the difficult subject matter surprisingly digestible.

Scavenger hunts have never been so entertaining.
What's this? Oh cool, oh but then we have to figure this out. Great we found it, oh but then we have to find this in order to find that, then once we find that then we'll have to do this to get to that which will be bring us to another thing that will ask us to figure out where what we think is one last thing but will only lead us to another item that will force us to ask why this is that and that is this which is why we must find that... or this. And that's just the half of it.

The film that inspired 'The Departed' is definitely worth a viewing if you're a fan of Scorsese's version.

This could be the only time Hanks teams up with the Coens; but I think it was a winning combination. It's a film that needs to be seen more than once (as with every Coen Brothers film) to really enjoy it.