The Five Best Movies of 2004
Discussion
los angeles said:
I'm with you on your choice, Toppstuff, with Eternal Sunshine by far the most original script. But I'd put all those excellent films second level to those I choose as memorable.
Indeed. For me, Eternal Sunshine makes it to the "memorable" list simply because it was so original.
It was also one of those films that I think polarises opinions. I also suspect that those of us who have been around the block a few times identified with the film a bit more. Personally, I find the central theme profoundly moving.
As for Garden State, I am very impressed with Zach Braff. He'll be grappling with the troubling "second movie" phase right now I guess, having set the bar pretty high.
And I liked Man on Fire because it breathed fresh life into over-used genre. Not much original in the story, but the cinematography and the locations ( not to forget Washington ! ) made it a special movie IMO.
Sorry los angeles, I haven't seen any of the films that you have listed. I did, however, enjoy Collateral and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The worst film that I saw last year was Dogville. Watching it was torture. Although I enjoyed the final scene, I don't think I could bear to sit through it again just for that.
I shall make a point of seeing your top five though
>> Edited by EmmaP on Monday 10th January 11:49
I shall make a point of seeing your top five though
>> Edited by EmmaP on Monday 10th January 11:49
los angeles said:
TURKEYS OF 2004
Alexander: My name is Sandy, and this is my friend ...
Ocean's Twelve: Have you guys tried acting for a living?
Phantom of the Opera: Lloyd Webber's home video - he picked up the tab.
Meet the Fockers: If this is focking comedy I must be focking dead.
Closer: Four glum narcissists moan on and on and on (and on) talking and screwing.
With honourable mentions to
King Arthur
Van Helsing
Alien Vs Predator
The Stepford Wives
Chronicles of Riddick
and Resident Evil - Apocalypse.
And all availble in bargain bin DVD sales very soon.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 10th January 12:07
FourWheelDrift said:Oh, I dunno. I quite enjoyed it, overblown and over-the-top though it was. Total popcorn movie, and enjoyable if you simply take it at that level.
With honourable mentions to
Van Helsing
los angeles said:How does it compare to Crouching Tiger? I didn't get on very well with that, not being a fan of wire work for a start.
House of the Flying Daggers Zhang Yimou's gorgeous triangular love story, the main characters swept aside by intense emotions - a superior piece to his formal, stiff, Hero. Superb costumes, seductive colours, plausible martial arts sequences, memorable sets. Saw it twice and still swooned.
toppstuff said:
Agree with flying daggers and incredibles...
Must admit to not having seen the others.
I also enjoyed
Garden State
Man on Fire
Collateral
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
And no doubt a few others, but the bottle of merlot I have opened seems to have eroded my memory....
I'll second Collateral, possibly my favourite movie of 2004.
I can't wait to see Million Dollar Baby.
Spiderman 2 - the best superhero movie made yet, with the possible exception of:
The Incredibles - simply amazing; animation, wit, characterisation. Superb.
Thing is, I was going to say that they weren't comparable as The Incredibles is CGI - but then, on reflection, so is most of Spiderman 2!
>> Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 10th January 13:33
The Incredibles - simply amazing; animation, wit, characterisation. Superb.
Thing is, I was going to say that they weren't comparable as The Incredibles is CGI - but then, on reflection, so is most of Spiderman 2!
>> Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 10th January 13:33
toppstuff said:
was lost in translation 2004 if so that was the best by far...
Oh Yes ! Slipped my mind that did.
Stunning film. Both Bill Murray and Scarlet Johanssen were fantastic in that ..
And it was beautifully filmed.
I loved that film too. I agree with you, toppstuff. The cinematography was superb.
Mmm. Sorry, I saw Lost in Translation and thought it was awful. Possibly beaten into 2nd place in my "worst films ever forced to sit through" list by that giant turkey, Alexander. Good God. Don't pay to see it. Total drivel.
I saw it on Friday, in the hottest cinema in the world (everyone sweating), that also doubled as the most uncomfortable cinema in the world (seats that only come half way up your back - grr). If I hadn't needed fresh air so badly, I would have demanded my money back. Grrrr!
I saw it on Friday, in the hottest cinema in the world (everyone sweating), that also doubled as the most uncomfortable cinema in the world (seats that only come half way up your back - grr). If I hadn't needed fresh air so badly, I would have demanded my money back. Grrrr!
And with regard to House of Flying Daggers I must say that the fight scenes are better staged, more dramatic and simply more involving than anything from Hollywood..
The final fight between the two male rivals , staged against the landscape changing from Autumn to Winter with the arrival of a snowstorm , is breathtaking.
And yes, the Mrs loved it too. Every scene looks like a still photograph, or even a painting.
Awesome stuff indeed. Awaiting the DVD release with much anticipation so that I can linger over it all again.
The final fight between the two male rivals , staged against the landscape changing from Autumn to Winter with the arrival of a snowstorm , is breathtaking.
And yes, the Mrs loved it too. Every scene looks like a still photograph, or even a painting.
Awesome stuff indeed. Awaiting the DVD release with much anticipation so that I can linger over it all again.
Virginia Madsen slipped to TV movies on Hallmark and stuff like CSI, but she did flirt with popular movies early in the 80's I believe...
Is she not the actor who played the female lead in Electric Dreams in , when, 83, 84 ??
Played the Cello I remember.
God thats dated me...
Glad to hear she is back into films again, and has found a successful vehicle.
>> Edited by toppstuff on Monday 10th January 18:43
Is she not the actor who played the female lead in Electric Dreams in , when, 83, 84 ??
Played the Cello I remember.
God thats dated me...
Glad to hear she is back into films again, and has found a successful vehicle.
>> Edited by toppstuff on Monday 10th January 18:43
Just watched the trailor for Sideways..
Looks good. A proper movie.
It is considerably enhanced by the fact that the theme song used in the trailor is an obscure but much loved song that is a regular on my ipod...
No Rain, by Blind Melon...they were big in the Seattle grunge scene....god knows where they are now.
Looks good. A proper movie.
It is considerably enhanced by the fact that the theme song used in the trailor is an obscure but much loved song that is a regular on my ipod...
No Rain, by Blind Melon...they were big in the Seattle grunge scene....god knows where they are now.
los angeles said:
It's a hellish existence as an actress, Toppstuff - I'm thinking of Hilary Swank and her Oscar for Boys Don't Cry followed by a few years of average stuff; the love interest or second banana roles, and she slips out of our awareness, her talents poorly used. Finally, out of the blue, just when you thought her career a flash in the pan, a real role comes along again.
Surely there is a screenplay in that alone !
It does puzzle me how some really talented actors get left behind when at the same time some truly awful ones get to make multiple movies..
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