*Nix’s pix for 2004
I will go so far as to say that Hollywood has fallen a long way down in the last 10 years. I can’t imagine a single movie from 2004 that would compare to Braveheart or American Beauty. 2004 will be remembered as the year when talent went on strike, and we brought the squibs into finish it all off. In fact, if I had a choice, I would only have a list of the top 4 of 2004. This is because only 4 movies shine as incredible works of cinema.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – We haven’t had this much fun in a movie since, well, I can’t even remember. This movie highlights all the qualities that a great movie should highlight: it has incredibly good acting, complex human interactions, and actual subplots. It is a travesty to include this film with the others in this list; it is so far above the crowd that it doesn’t even belong here, even if it stars Jim Carrey.
- Ray – The term biopic is a relatively new one, used to describe fictional movies based on a person’s real life experiences. Ray has risen the bar on this young genre. Not only do we see a side of Popular Americana as we’ve never seen it before, but even the ugly side of life was portrayed in a beautiful and touching manor. Although this movie didn’t illuminate Ray Charles as an exceptional human, the movie is a soulful tribute to his life and accomplishments. Kudos to writer / director team Taylor Hackford and James L. White for having such a strong creative vision and Jaime Foxx for bringing it all together.
- The Bourne Supremacy – The Action genre has been begging, pleading, and aching for a strong movie to take it to the top. This year, the entire genre might get strong recognition as a force not to be taken trivially. This movie doesn’t fit the typical Hollywood formula, and that is where the directorial strengths of Paul Greengrass are so evident. Strong acting, a rarity in the action film genre, supports an incredible screenplay adaptation.
- Man on Fire – Again, the Action genre gets a new face with Man on Fire. Washington’s performance is absolutely incredible, and his interaction with Dakota is both touching and sad. It is near spooky how much joy can come from the resolution of bitter revenge.
- The Aviator – Yeah, its Leo again. One more Titanic for his back pocket.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Alfonso Cuar
