The Best and Worst of 2004: My Humble List
Published January 03, 2005
Top 5 Supporting Actors
- 5. Jamie Foxx for Collateral. What a performance! I had no idea this talent that Foxx had, this is a truly eye-opening performance.
- 4. Tony Leung for Hero. I love Leung's performance emotional and powerful at the same time.
- 3. Willem Dafoe for The Clearing. A great performance of a desperate man in an ultimately mediocre film.
- 2. Thomas Haden Church for Sideways. Just one of a great ensemble performance.
- 1. David Carradine for Kill Bill Vol. 2. Hands down best supporting performance of the year.
- Honorable Mention: David Arquette for Never Die Alone, Ben Kingsley for Suspect Zero
Top 5 Supporting Actresses
- 5. Dakota Fanning for Man on Fire. She is a wonderful young talent, it will be interesting to watch her grow up into other roles.
- 4. Isabella Rossellini for The Saddest Music in the World. A fun, legless performance.
- 3. Natalie Portman for Garden State. A character you feel for, yet never really know.
- 2. Cloris Leachman for Spanglish. Ahhh, the advice given from a drunk. Hilarious.
- 1. Cate Blanchett for The Aviator. The second coming of Katharine Hepburn.
- Honorable Mention: Laura Linney for Kinsey, Maggie Cheung for Hero, and Monica Bellucci for The Passion of the Christ
Top 5 Directors
- 5. Pedro Almodovar for Bad Education. It takes a skilled director to be able to hold this labyrinth together.
- 4. Martin Scorsese for The Aviator. Worlds above Gangs of New York. Scorsese's knowledge of film history is but to great use.
- 3. Alexander Payne for Sideways. Combining laugh out loud comedy and heart wrenching drama is no easy task.
- 2. Quentin Tarantino for Kill Bill Vol. 2. What can I say? His work here is genius. Can't wait for what's next.
- 1. Michel Gondry for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Comedy, drama, science fiction, all blended into the best film of the year.
- Honorable Mention: Zhang Yimou for Hero, Guy Maddin for The Saddest Music in the World, and Mel Gibson for The Passion of the Christ
Some Favorite DVD's of 2004. There are others, but these are a few that have stuck in my mind.
- Seinfeld Seasons 1,2 and 3. It took a long time, but they are finally here, packed with lots of extras!
- Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: Extended Edition: Gift Set. Can never get to much of this series.
- Star Wars Trilogy. Granted they are not the same versions as they were originally, or even the Special Editions from the 90's, but I am still ecstatic to have them.
- Daredevil: Director's Cut. It is great to see this get revisited.
- Shaun of the Dead. What a wonderful movie, and it comes with some nice extras too.
- WWE: The Rise and Fall of ECW. An even handed documentary with a nice selection of matches.
- Gone with the Wind: Special Edition. A four disk set restoring this classic.
- Marx Brothers Film Sets. There have been two sets of their feature films released, and I am happy to get to see them all.
- Dawn of the Dead Ultimate Edition. Featuring the three cuts of the film and a host of extras, this is a great set.
- Clerks: Tenth Anniversary. Who doesn't like Kevin Smith? Wait, don't answer that.
Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about entertainment when he isn't sitting in a movie theater. He is known around the office as the "Movie Guy" and is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests include science fiction, horror, and metal music. His writings can be found at Draven99's Musings and Draven99's Media Center. 
- The Best and Worst of 2004: My Humble List
- Published: January 03, 2005
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- Section: Video
- Writer: Chris Beaumont
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Thanks!
The 5 star film was The Passion.
As for Sideways, I haven't checked out too many other lists yet, but when I walked out of the theater, I loved how the film seemed to be filled with real world characters in a situation that was more or less realistic, it just struck a chord.
super job of boiling things down and coming to conclusions - thanks Chris!
welcome back, Eric - I guess we'll see more of you hereabouts now?
Thanks Aaman, I am deciding how interesting the many obstacles to my participation in the electronic world over the last 10 days or so would be to hte world at large - I'm sure I'll do something on it
I'm impressed with your incredibly detailed breakdown of the year in film. This list reminds me, above all others, how many fine films I manage to miss annually.
I agree that you should include your star ratings for each film. For instance, I'd like to see where the Surprises and Guilty Pleasures match up against the Best (and Worst).
Eric Berlin
Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash
http://dumpsterbust.blogspot.com
Eric,
I'll do that. When I am home at my own PC. If you visit my blog, there is a link on the left side which will show you the complete list of films I have seen. I originally thought about ranking and posting the entire list, but there are so many films in the middle that could go in a variety of directions. Maybe I will post the list with a one line review each?
I think you could do a separate post listing all 100+ movies with a one-line review and your rating. That would be a great way for people to get a quick read on your take from the entire year in film. Personally, I'd like to see your 5 stars, 4.5s, 4s, etc. separated out, then alphabetized.
But that's just the opinion of one (just graduated) academic librarian...
Eric Berlin
Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash
http://dumpsterbust.blogspot.com
Congratulations!
I'll be putting something up, keep your eye out!
That's a great roundup! I missed a lot of these movies, but I'll be using this list to help me decide what to try and catch while it's still playing.
Excellent list. I'm in the process of putting my own together. I know how much sweat and blood went into all those stats, man. This isn't a task to be taken lightly. And happy new year and such to you all.
I haven't gotten to start the one line review quick guide to my viewing '04, hopefully by the weekend.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/23859)
Excellent, well-detailed list. Which was the 5-star rated film in your list?
Also, seeing Sideways appear across the board reminds me of A O Scott's gripes about the film in this Sunday's NY Times - he perceives the film as being a critic's favorite because the lead character has the temperament of a critic. He is not a big fan of the film.