2004 Year in Review: Movies
Well, kids, 2004 has come to close. With the passing of a year comes my first annual Year in Review! Today I'll be looking back at all of the movies made in 2004 that I saw and picking the cream of the crop and the cream of the dump. Without further ado, grab your bag of popcorn and enjoy!!
ACTION FILMS
Best Action Film: "The Bourne Supremecy." This sequel to 2002's "The Bourne Identity" featured Matt Damon reprising his role as amnesiac super-spy Jason Bourne. Featuring the same fast-paced action, knuckle-clenching car chases, and thought-provoking escapes (can you blow up a house with a toaster?) that made the first film a hit, this "Bourne" delievers all that and a bag of chips. Critics agreed, giving the film an 80% fresh rating on rottentomatoes.com.
Honorable Mention: "Troy." I know that this is just a summer Hollywood blockbuster. Ever since the success of "Gladiator," film companies have been spitting out historical epics on a yearly basis. But I can't get enough of them and this film doesn't disappoint. It sucessfully re-creates all of the magic of an invading Greek army, whose sole purpose is to get a girl.
Worst Action Film: "Ocean's Twelve." Where was the spirit that made "Ocean's Eleven" so enjoyable? Conspicuously absent from this yawn-fest. Granted, it kept me entertained with acrobatics and over-the-top stunts, but gave me nothing that a Bond film can't deliver and none of the feeling of the caper that it was supposed to be.
COMEDY FILMS
Best Comedy Film: "Shaun of the Dead." Had all of the humor that a British comedy should, but with the interesting twist of having zombies as supporting characters. Throw in two Brits with no brains and zombies who will stop at nothing to find that out, and you get certainly the best comedy to come out this year.
Honorable Mention: "Shrek 2." Although I didn't see the first Shrek, I was impressed at how funny I found this movie, sitting through it as a twenty-two year old. I appreciated that even though the film was targeted towards people younger than myself, that I could still enjoy it. Either that, or I just have a REALLY immature sense of humor. Let's hope for the former...
Worst Comedy Film: "Eurotrip." I'm not even going to waste space on this awful, awful film. Movies this bad should not even be allowed to exist.
THRILLER FILMS
Best Thriller Film: "Collateral." Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx keep this film interesting from start to finish. I went into this movie not really knowing what to expect and came out thinking it was one of the best movies I had seen all year. And it still is.
Worst Thriller Film: "The Grudge." Apparently there is a Japanese movie that this one was based on that is much better. Shouldn't be hard as this movie was so terrible it didn't even have an ending.
DRAMA FILMS
Best Drama Film: "Garden State." Although it starts a little strange, you can't help but like Andrew Largeman. Even though he is a Hollywood actor (I can't believe he's not really retarded!), he seems very relatable to schlubs like myself. And how could I say no Natalie Portman as a compulsive liar? A movie that greatly exceeded my expectations.
Honorable Mention: "Miracle." *Sigh*, I would say this movie was predictable, but that's because it was based on actual events. Ha! I knew that the US would beat Russia in that "Miracle on Ice" game, but what I would have loved to see was the GOLD MEDAL game!! Gee, might that have been important to the team too? Winning a gold medal? Apparently not, because the movie ends before it gets to that part. But we already know that outcome.
DOCUMENTARY FILMS
Best Documentary Film: "Super Size Me." I wasn't a big fan of McDonald's before this movie, but I have managed to eat there only once since I've seen it (I had $0, and only a McD's GC). Not only was it insightful, but surprisingly funny as well as we get to watch Morgan Spurlock's health literally go down the toilet! Don't see this movie if you ever care about eating fast food again!
Honorable Mention: "FahrenHYPE 9/11." Although I haven't seen the "documentary" that this film rebukes, I have heard enough about the scenes that this film disproved. I would be very interested to hear Mr. Moore's response to the points made in this film. Very insightful indeed.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...
Worst Film of 2004: EUROTRIP. 'Nuff said.
And...
Best Film of 2004: "Shaun of the Dead." When it comes down to it, I just thoroughly enjoyed myself as I watched this movie. You can't help but be entertained. You don't have to be a comedy fan or a horror fan, just a sense of humor fan and you'll get your kicks!
Well, that's all for this installment, stay tuned for future Year in Review's coming soon!!
ACTION FILMS
Best Action Film: "The Bourne Supremecy." This sequel to 2002's "The Bourne Identity" featured Matt Damon reprising his role as amnesiac super-spy Jason Bourne. Featuring the same fast-paced action, knuckle-clenching car chases, and thought-provoking escapes (can you blow up a house with a toaster?) that made the first film a hit, this "Bourne" delievers all that and a bag of chips. Critics agreed, giving the film an 80% fresh rating on rottentomatoes.com.
Honorable Mention: "Troy." I know that this is just a summer Hollywood blockbuster. Ever since the success of "Gladiator," film companies have been spitting out historical epics on a yearly basis. But I can't get enough of them and this film doesn't disappoint. It sucessfully re-creates all of the magic of an invading Greek army, whose sole purpose is to get a girl.
Worst Action Film: "Ocean's Twelve." Where was the spirit that made "Ocean's Eleven" so enjoyable? Conspicuously absent from this yawn-fest. Granted, it kept me entertained with acrobatics and over-the-top stunts, but gave me nothing that a Bond film can't deliver and none of the feeling of the caper that it was supposed to be.
COMEDY FILMS
Best Comedy Film: "Shaun of the Dead." Had all of the humor that a British comedy should, but with the interesting twist of having zombies as supporting characters. Throw in two Brits with no brains and zombies who will stop at nothing to find that out, and you get certainly the best comedy to come out this year.
Honorable Mention: "Shrek 2." Although I didn't see the first Shrek, I was impressed at how funny I found this movie, sitting through it as a twenty-two year old. I appreciated that even though the film was targeted towards people younger than myself, that I could still enjoy it. Either that, or I just have a REALLY immature sense of humor. Let's hope for the former...
Worst Comedy Film: "Eurotrip." I'm not even going to waste space on this awful, awful film. Movies this bad should not even be allowed to exist.
THRILLER FILMS
Best Thriller Film: "Collateral." Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx keep this film interesting from start to finish. I went into this movie not really knowing what to expect and came out thinking it was one of the best movies I had seen all year. And it still is.
Worst Thriller Film: "The Grudge." Apparently there is a Japanese movie that this one was based on that is much better. Shouldn't be hard as this movie was so terrible it didn't even have an ending.
DRAMA FILMS
Best Drama Film: "Garden State." Although it starts a little strange, you can't help but like Andrew Largeman. Even though he is a Hollywood actor (I can't believe he's not really retarded!), he seems very relatable to schlubs like myself. And how could I say no Natalie Portman as a compulsive liar? A movie that greatly exceeded my expectations.
Honorable Mention: "Miracle." *Sigh*, I would say this movie was predictable, but that's because it was based on actual events. Ha! I knew that the US would beat Russia in that "Miracle on Ice" game, but what I would have loved to see was the GOLD MEDAL game!! Gee, might that have been important to the team too? Winning a gold medal? Apparently not, because the movie ends before it gets to that part. But we already know that outcome.
DOCUMENTARY FILMS
Best Documentary Film: "Super Size Me." I wasn't a big fan of McDonald's before this movie, but I have managed to eat there only once since I've seen it (I had $0, and only a McD's GC). Not only was it insightful, but surprisingly funny as well as we get to watch Morgan Spurlock's health literally go down the toilet! Don't see this movie if you ever care about eating fast food again!
Honorable Mention: "FahrenHYPE 9/11." Although I haven't seen the "documentary" that this film rebukes, I have heard enough about the scenes that this film disproved. I would be very interested to hear Mr. Moore's response to the points made in this film. Very insightful indeed.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...
Worst Film of 2004: EUROTRIP. 'Nuff said.
And...
Best Film of 2004: "Shaun of the Dead." When it comes down to it, I just thoroughly enjoyed myself as I watched this movie. You can't help but be entertained. You don't have to be a comedy fan or a horror fan, just a sense of humor fan and you'll get your kicks!
Well, that's all for this installment, stay tuned for future Year in Review's coming soon!!
posted by Brad at
5:14 PM
4 Comments:
I really can't argue with your list (though isn't 'Troy' Ebert's worst movie of 2004? Ha!)
I think I might make my own, for fun.
Haha, he may have indeed. But what I did was make a list of every movie I saw this year (with a lot of help from IMDb) and then figured my picks from there. So considering I only saw 7 action films this year and movies like Chronicles of Riddick and Man on Fire were on there, Troy was a natural pick. I look forward to seeing your list!
I liked seeing "Shaun of the Dead" on there.
Some people think I'm a big horror guy, but I'm really not (especially when I've rented to people who treat horror film like a lifestyle.) The truth is, I don't really care what a film is about...it's how it's made. For instance, 'Shaun of the Dead' was less a zombie movie and more about using zombies as a vehicle for satire, comedy, and even a moral or two.
One of the best horror films is "Dawn of the Dead", the second and best in Romero's trilogy. (Don't confuse with the dreadful Day of the Dead.) The zombies and violence are vehicles for important social commentary.
The premise, plot, whatever, is really irrelevant compared to what the movie is trying to say. Good films have a purpose beyond box office sales. Bad films (and most films) are pornography. They serve no social value other than profiting from a basic instinctive urge.
At the same time, some films can exist simply because it's cool that they exist...they don't need a message or reason of being, other than just existing (this point is of particular value to much of art). 'Evil Dead II' is a horror film that means nothing, and can nearly qualify as pornography, if not for the mere audacity, sheer creativeness and investment we see as a product of determined filmmakers.
It's important that, in no matter what we do, we should recognize our actions in relation to the world around us, how it fits, what it means. Having a social and personal conscience often times gives us integrity and a helping hand...because nobody has all the answers. You just gotta ask the right questions.
I enjoyed Man on Fire, though I wouldnt say it was a good movie.
I think my pick of the year for movie of 2004 has to go with "The Terminal".
I rented that a few days ago, and watched it a few times.
It was a wonderful story, great acting, great plotlines, and a heartwarmer!
My pick of the year.
In regards to "Garden State"? Steve and Brad, what makes a movie great? A "soul-seeker" in which you try to throw in the most random items you can find? Hey, here's a 1940 motorcycle what can we do with that? Or, lets make this guy live in a boat on the side of a quarry? Oh, a Shin's reference, sweet! I'm sorry but taking a time-worn plot and wrapping it up with corny weird shit doesnt make it good.
I'd have to say the disappointment of 2004 has to go to Mel Gibson. I had high hopes for Paparazzi, but man that movie was a lot more sadistic and bad than I thought it would be.
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