What a fantastic year 2004 was for movies! My pick of the year is a tie between "Kinsey" and "Bad Education," but I've listed my 12 picks for best of the year in alpha order.
BAD EDUCATION
Pedro Almodovar channels Hitchcock (a la Vertigo) and pulls you closer and closer into a plot within a plot within a plot. You'll be so involved you'll forget you don't even speak Spanish!
BIRTH
This one came out of nowhere. Splitting audiences completely like no other film since Nicole's "Dogville," probably. Nevertheless, "Birth" is a film you will talk about for days after seeing it, regardless of whether you liked it or not, and that's worth something.
CLOSER
Again, not for everyone, but Mike Nichols has not been this dark since his early days of film. A strong cast performs above and beyond their call of duty and the look and feel of this one is not to be forgotten. Upsetting and uplifting throughout, its mood swings are as consistent as any relationships.
FINDING NEVERLAND
Told with a sense of wonder that Barie would have been really proud of. Is there anything Depp can not do? His performance was so convincing my parents still swear he is British. I'm sending them Jump Street videos asap.
GARDEN STATE
Ah, the hype, the trailer, and then - the payoff?! This turned out to be as good as all signs pointed to. Maybe even better, in fact. I still think Natalie Portman deserves the Oscar for this one over consideration for "Closer." Again, full of images you will not forget.
KINSEY
What amazing timing for this unique take on the achievements of Prok and the many characters that passed through his life. Amazing performances from Linney and Niesen, but also filled with some genuinely funny moments as well.
MAIN HOON NA
Bollywood's biggest yet, and a solid popcorn flick if there ever was one. Great music, great dancing (in fountains), and action sequences not to be believed this side of Jon Woo.
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Another amazing surprise. When Clint makes a good movie he makes a great one, when he makes a bad movie he makes an unwatchable one. Here's one astonishing film, possibly his best yet. Who knew?!
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Man how this one could have sucked! Recalling the great cinemascope musicals at the end of their time (i.e. "Camelot"), Phantom proves you don't have to cut away every two seconds in the edit room to keep today's musical audience's attention.
SIDEWAYS
Heartwarming, entertaining, and just plain flat out funny as hell, this is the road trip movie for our times. I dare you not to want to buy a case of wine after seeing it.
SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW
These days any film with over 2/3 CGI effects in it's scenes pretty much guarantees that the script will be a complete wash out. Here's a film 100% CGI special effects in every shot and a script that not only holds together, but is good for a laugh or two along the way. I haven't been this giddy over a movie since “The Rocketeer.â€
A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT
Amelie meets Saving Private Ryan, and some of the most powerful war sequences ever put on film. Also, who knew Jodie Foster spoke such amazing French?! Simply wonderful.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
THE DREAMERS
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
FAHRENHEIT 911
THE GRUDGE
HARRY POTTER 3
MEAN GIRLS
NAPOLEON DYNAMTIE
RAY
THE LIFE AQUATIC
THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR
THE TERMINAL
TODD'S 2004 MOVIE PICKS
