As for the children's market, Shrek 2, Polar Express, and The Incredibles were enjoyable flicks that will be with us for a long time. What separates the great children's flicks from the mediocre is whether these flicks will be enjoyed by future generations, and all of these flicks have that potential.
Finally, if you want to see what an old fashioned big star and big budget film used to be like, Oceans 12 was that movie. This flick combined some slick writing with some nice film making along with acting ensemble that jelled together.
What can we conclude? In 2003, Peter Jackson’s final installment of the Lord of The Rings showed that Hollywood can produce a movie based on a classic book beautifully. Jackson simply allowed the book to speak on film. When Hollywood decides that they can improve on a classic, we end up with Troy. Movies like Sideways and Finding Neverland illustrate that character development can still sell. What makes a classic movie a classic is the story. No special effects can overcome a bad story or bad writing. It can excite us for a while like the Day After Tomorrow, but in the end, it will be forgotten by the time the next blockbuster shows up.
Article comments
1 - RJ
I've seen many of the movies you write about, and generally agree with your reviews. TDAT was enjoyable for the special-effects only. The storyline was inane. SIDEWAYS was interesting, but not exactly the best thing I've ever seen. TROTK was awesome, but then the entire LOTR trilogy was. Collateral had some great acting and a very interesting premise.
I haven't yet seen the rest, and I refuse to watch F911...
2 - usherer
I can't believe you left out Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind!
3 - Sandra Smallson
I have always preferred great stories and drama to action movies or disaster flicks, whatever you want to call them. Jurassic park, Godzilla, TDAT, Independence day..those are not my flicks. I hate Childrens movies too. I was dragged kicking and screaming to watch the Lion King. I hate animation. Therefore, I have no interest in Shrek, Toystory, Sharktale or whatever else they have out there.
My favourite movie of 2004 was "The Notebook". I can watch that a zillion times. Was it a 2004 movie? LOL.
The others that I can remember are..1)Door in the Floor 2) We don't live here anymore 3)Dreamers 4) Ae Fond Kiss...was "How to lose a guy in 10 days, last year? If it was, add it to my list. I enjoyed that. Cooler, I enjoyed as well. There were some others but these were my absolute favs that I have added or will add to my DVD collection. I can't rave enough about The Notebook. That none of the actors have got any nominations for any awards to my knowledge, is a travesty. Same with Basinger and Bridges for Door In The Floor.
4 - NancyGail
Nicely done. Think you meant Jamie Foxx made his dramamtic debut in Ray, though. Which he also happened to win a Golden Globe for.
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Nancy, Jamie Fox was in Ali too. Ray was after collateral, no?
6 - tom donelson
Aaron and Duke,
You are right. Foxx dramatic debut was Ali and Ray was released after collateral.
7 - Joe
Jamie Foxx played football player in the movie On Any Given Sunday a few years back, I think that was his first dramatic role.
8 - Joe
As one of the half dozen people in the country with that factoid committed to memeory, I just thought I'd share.
9 - tom donelson
Joe,
You are right, I forgot all about Any Given Sunday.