Tonya M. Fleetwood

If you'd like to contact me: TMF222@YAHOO.COM

Best & Worst Movies of 2004

March 12, 2005 - 4:15 pm

I'm a little behind with this post, but nevertheless, here are the best and worst movies of 2004. These aren't in any kind of order, except Good Movie #1.

Good Movies:

Movie #1 & My favorite movie of the year: Garden State
I absolutely loved this movie. I connected with every single character, and during most of the movie, I felt like I was watching pieces of my own life. This was such an original movie. All these random moments, wrapped up with the best feel-good music and portrayed by such likable characters...how could you not love this movie!? And I have to add that Natalie Portman was great! I particularly liked the scene where she and Zach Braff are burying her dead hamster, Jelly. It's both funny and sentimental.

Movie #2: The Notebook
I read this book shortly after it came out on paperback. That was a few years ago. I finished the book within a day or two. Granted, it was an easy read, but it was also one of the greatest love stories I'd ever read. I loved the book. So I was pretty excited that there was a movie being made. The movie turned out to be an exact replica of the book. And the actors playing the leads had incredible chemistry. You get to see their story from start to finish, from the very moment they see each other to the very last moment they see each other. You get to watch them fall in love only to be driven apart from outside forces, and then watch them find each other again. It really is a wonderful love story and one that is believable, which is so rare to find in movies these days.

Movie #3: Birth

I went into this movie with great skepticism. I knew that Nicole Kidman looked a little Rosemary's-Baby-ish and that she had some controversial scenes with a little boy. The music plays a large role in the film, because it completely sets the tone and the pace. The music starts off light and slow and gradually grows very dark and rapid. I feel the music is allowing the audience to experience what Nicole's character is going through. You get to see how normal she is and that she isn't some crazy woman falling for a kid. She's a woman who deeply loved her husband. She's so incredibly confused when this boy shows up. You see how torn she is. The boy knows things that he couldn't possibly know, and he definitely acts more mature than your typical pre-teen. You feel her pain as she gives in, going against everything her head is telling her and only reacting to her heart. Then the lies come out and all you want to do is reach out to her character. She's been through so much emotionally. And the ending completely breaks my heart. Nicole's character is a victim, and it isn't fair that she has to experience so much pain and confusion. The controversial scenes are the main reason why most people hated this film. I admit I was uncomfortable at first, but I looked past the surface and tried to understand the characters. The story isn't very original, but the acting and direction make this movie unique. Nicole is so wonderful. This is definitely one of her best performances ever!

Movie #4: Closer

This is another movie that most people hated. Well, my film friends loved it, but in general, most people hated it. It's like Birth in the sense that it pushes people's limits. You won't necesarily feel better about life after seeing it. I really wish people would pay more attention to the details of a movie rather than the content. Yes, it's about infidelity, and infidelity is a bad thing. Yes, the characters are sleezy, all of them. However, the characters are incredibly human. The movie merely points out how cheating is a conscious choice people make and that it is so easy to hurt someone you care about. It shows just how much you may not know about a person. It also shows you how evil people can be. While I think the story has great lines and great timing, it isn't what I loved most. The movie was cast really well, it was directed really well, and it was definitely acted really well. I loved that Julia and Natalie went places they've never really gone before. Jude was good, but my opinion of him has really dropped since Alfie. Clive was brilliant. He was so sleezy, yet so irresistible. There are so many things you can say about Natalie...colorful, emotional, composed, turbulent...but I'll just sum it up with perfect.

Movie #5: Bad Education

I didn't really know that much about this movie when I saw it. I was intrigued by Gael Garcia Bernal. I had just seen him in Motorcycle Diaries, and he's quickly becoming one of my favorites. This movie is incredibly confusing. Just when you think you have everything figured out, a new piece of the story is revealed and you're completely thrown. You have to watch this movie from start to finish in order to experience it fully. Everytime I think about it, I am reminded of how colorful it was and how great Bernal was. He was in practically every scene, and it didn't matter which character he was at the time, he stole every shot. You cannot take your eyes off of her...wait, him...no wait, her....no, him. It was subtitled, and that is usually very distracting, but not in this case. It was Spanish subtitles, but still. I was very impressed!

Movie #6: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This is probably the most original and crazy movie I've ever seen. It's another movie you'll need to watch from start to finish, without missing a single shot. The story is what I love here. I like the message that you can't just erase love. It's very well executed too. You want to keep watching to see where they're going to go next. It has a great mix of characters too. I enjoyed the cast. Kate Winslet was so great. But when is she not great!? Jim Carrey was great too. I really like roles like this for him.

Movie #7: The Aviator

I really appreciate what this movie brings. This movie delivered in every aspect. It was directed by the iconic and legendary Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio has been researching and trying to get this movie made for years. All of his hard word definitely paid off. It's just a visually wonderful film. If Nicole Kidman had been playing the part of Kate Hepburn, then I'd almost believe it was Baz Luhrmann film. The look of the movie (as a result of using the old-time two-strip Technicolor process) was very Baz-like. It makes the movie look like a pristine antique. Of course, Cate Blanchett was wonderful, and Nicole could never have given the performance that Cate gave. Great film!

Movie #8: Hotel Rwanda
I have to admit that I wasn't completely educated about the massacre that takes place in this movie. This movie was very difficult to watch on several levels. The first being the story. Even if this would have been fiction, it is so powerful. Just the idea that so many people of all ages were slaughtered is heart-wrenching. I couldn't believe this happened during my lifetime. It definitely made me feel like a spoiled American. I realized how many things we take for granted. America is like a bubble. We have bad things happen here, but there are even more devastating things happening in other parts of the world. The movie showed that very little was done to help these people. So much more could have been done, but most of the world closed their eyes and covered their ears. It's just so tragic, and I'm glad this movie was made. More people should be educated on events like this. Besides the story, Don Cheadle was brilliant. Don is always great, but he finally got to carry a picture.

Movie #9: Million Dollar Baby

Do I think this movie should have won the Best Picture Oscar? No. However, despite being Million Dollar Baby-ed out from the Oscars and other awards, it is undeniably a great film. It is well directed and the acting is great. It's hard to digest the ending. It sort of comes out of nowhere. It's a powerful film and one of the best of it's genre.

Movie #10: Ray

I saved all of the Oscar-contenders for last. I guess I just wanted to talk about other movies first for a change. I really liked this movie. Jamie Foxx makes this movie though. Before seeing the movie (and previews) it was hard to imagine Jamie playing Ray Charles, but now afterwards, I can't imagine anyone else tackling the part as thoroughly and whole-heartedly as Foxx. The movie was very stylish too. The flashback scenes are so incredible. The trees are so green and sky is so clear. It's beautiful. It's a very moving story. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Ray's mom is watching little Ray start to use his other senses as a guide. It's so emotional and cried like a baby!

So that's the Top 10 of the year. This was a great year for movies, so here are some other films that I loved: Open Water, Saved!, The Passion of the Christ, Collateral, Vera Drake, Saw, De-Lovely. The Forgotten, The Final Cut, Miracle, The Dreamers, Dawn of the Dead, Kinsey, Mean Girls, Napoleon Dynamite, The Machinist, 13 Going on 30 and Fahrenheit 9/11.

Bad Movies of 2004: (in no order)

Bad #1: The Day After Tomorrow
I'm embarrassed that this movie is even a part of film history. It's so incredibly bad that it's funny. In fact, I laughed the whole way through it, and it's not supposed to be a comedy. I can't believe how much money and talent was wasted on this piece of shit. It's ridiculous that this was green-lit.

Bad #2: Dogville
I went into this movie knowing absolutely nothing about it. I hated this movie! Hated, hated! Not only was this one of the longest bad movies, but it was so stupid. It just took things too far. I felt it was too arrogant.

Bad #3: Alexander
Colin Farrell is a bad actor, and that was one of the main reasons this movie sucked. I don't know how he got cast as the lead in such a big budget so-called epic with having so little talent! Besides Colin, the story just didn't make any sense. It was completely out of order, and just bad all around. And Angelina wasn't in it long enough. More Angelina, please!

Bad #4: A Home at the End of the World
Have I said that Colin Farrell is a bad actor? Well, I can never say that enough. He completely over-acted the character in this film and very quickly got on my nerves. The other main guy in this movie was just annoying. I normally really like Robin Wright-Penn, so I'm going to forgive her for doing this movie. She actually wasn't that bad, but overall, this movie was terrible.

Bad #5: The Stepford Wives
This is another example of too much money and talent wasted on a piece of shit script. How could they tarnish such a classic with a remake that reminds me of a cartoon cake? This movie was way too Hollywood and the ending should not have been changed. Stupid!

Bad #6: Ocean's 12
I don't like it when movies like this get made. They serve no purpose. This movie was nothing more than an excuse for a group of friends to hang out. I'm sure they're all happy about that. Make a few million to hang out and get crazy with a bunch of buddies, but why should something like that deserve my $10.50? If you want to hang out with your buddies, go spend $10.50 of your own and see some independent film.

Bad #7: Kill Bill, Volume 2
I'm so deeply disappointed that Michael Madsen got killed off because of a snake bite!! How could Tarantino deny us the pleasure of seeing he and Uma make each other bleed? That was the one fight I was looking forward to most, but it never happened. I didn't like this movie. It was just too disappointing.

Well those are all the movies that I felt like commenting on. Here are a few more movies that I didn't care for: Young Adam, Alfie, Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut, Godsend, A Door in the Floor, Secret Window and The village.



Go to Older Entries Directory If you'd like to contact me: TMF222@YAHOO.COM Best & Worst Movies of 2004 March 12, 2005 - 4:15 pm I'm a little behind with this post, but nevertheless, here are the best and worst movies of 2004. These aren't in any kind of order, except Good Movie #1. Good Movies: Movie #1 & My favorite movie of the year: Garden State I absolutely loved this movie. I connected with every single character, and during most of the movie, I felt like I was watching pieces of my own life. This was such an original movie. All these random moments, wrapped up with the best feel-good music and portrayed by such likable characters...how could you not love this movie!? And I have to add that Natalie Portman was great! I particularly liked the scene where she and Zach Braff are burying her dead hamster, Jelly. It's both funny and sentimental. Movie #2: The Notebook I read this book shortly after it came out on paperback. That was a few years ago. I finished the book within a day or two. Granted, it was an easy read, but it was also one of the greatest love stories I'd ever read. I loved the book. So I was pretty excited that there was a movie being made. The movie turned out to be an exact replica of the book. And the actors playing the leads had incredible chemistry. You get to see their story from start to finish, from the very moment they see each other to the very last moment they see each other. You get to watch them fall in love only to be driven apart from outside forces, and then watch them find each other again. It really is a wonderful love story and one that is believable, which is so rare to find in movies these days. Movie #3: Birth I went into this movie with great skepticism. I knew that Nicole Kidman looked a little Rosemary's-Baby-ish and that she had some controversial scenes with a little boy. The music plays a large role in the film, because it completely sets the tone and the pace. The music starts off light and slow and gradually grows very dark and rapid. I feel the music is allowing the audience to experience what Nicole's character is going through. You get to see how normal she is and that she isn't some crazy woman falling for a kid. She's a woman who deeply loved her husband. She's so incredibly confused when this boy shows up. You see how torn she is. The boy knows things that he couldn't possibly know, and he definitely acts more mature than your typical pre-teen. You feel her pain as she gives in, going against everything her head is telling her and only reacting to her heart. Then the lies come out and all you want to do is reach out to her character. She's been through so much emotionally. And the ending completely breaks my heart. Nicole's character is a victim, and it isn't fair that she has to experience so much pain and confusion. The controversial scenes are the main reason why most people hated this film. I admit I was uncomfortable at first, but I looked past the surface and tried to understand the characters. The story isn't very original, but the acting and direction make this movie unique. Nicole is so wonderful. This is definitely one of her best performances ever! Movie #4: Closer This is another movie that most people hated. Well, my film friends loved it, but in general, most people hated it. It's like Birth in the sense that it pushes people's limits. You won't necesarily feel better about life after seeing it. I really wish people would pay more attention to the details of a movie rather than the content. Yes, it's about infidelity, and infidelity is a bad thing. Yes, the characters are sleezy, all of them. However, the characters are incredibly human. The movie merely points out how cheating is a conscious choice people make and that it is so easy to hurt someone you care about. It shows just how much you may not know about a person. It also shows you how evil people can be. While I think the story has great lines and great timing, it isn't what I loved most. The movie was cast really well, it was directed really well, and it was definitely acted really well. I loved that Julia and Natalie went places they've never really gone before. Jude was good, but my opinion of him has really dropped since Alfie. Clive was brilliant. He was so sleezy, yet so irresistible. There are so many things you can say about Natalie...colorful, emotional, composed, turbulent...but I'll just sum it up with perfect. Movie #5: Bad Education I didn't really know that much about this movie when I saw it. I was intrigued by Gael Garcia Bernal. I had just seen him in Motorcycle Diaries, and he's quickly becoming one of my favorites. This movie is incredibly confusing. Just when you think you have everything figured out, a new piece of the story is revealed and you're completely thrown. You have to watch this movie from start to finish in order to experience it fully. Everytime I think about it, I am reminded of how colorful it was and how great Bernal was. He was in practically every scene, and it didn't matter which character he was at the time, he stole every shot. You cannot take your eyes off of her...wait, him...no wait, her....no, him. It was subtitled, and that is usually very distracting, but not in this case. It was Spanish subtitles, but still. I was very impressed! Movie #6: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind This is probably the most original and crazy movie I've ever seen. It's another movie you'll need to watch from start to finish, without missing a single shot. The story is what I love here. I like the message that you can't just erase love. It's very well executed too. You want to keep watching to see where they're going to go next. It has a great mix of characters too. I enjoyed the cast. Kate Winslet was so great. But when is she not great!? Jim Carrey was great too. I really like roles like this for him. Movie #7: The Aviator I really appreciate what this movie brings. This movie delivered in every aspect. It was directed by the iconic and legendary Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio has been researching and trying to get this movie made for years. All of his hard word definitely paid off. It's just a visually wonderful film. If Nicole Kidman had been playing the part of Kate Hepburn, then I'd almost believe it was Baz Luhrmann film. The look of the movie (as a result of using the old-time two-strip Technicolor process) was very Baz-like. It makes the movie look like a pristine antique. Of course, Cate Blanchett was wonderful, and Nicole could never have given the performance that Cate gave. Great film! Movie #8: Hotel Rwanda I have to admit that I wasn't completely educated about the massacre that takes place in this movie. This movie was very difficult to watch on several levels. The first being the story. Even if this would have been fiction, it is so powerful. Just the idea that so many people of all ages were slaughtered is heart-wrenching. I couldn't believe this happened during my lifetime. It definitely made me feel like a spoiled American. I realized how many things we take for granted. America is like a bubble. We have bad things happen here, but there are even more devastating things happening in other parts of the world. The movie showed that very little was done to help these people. So much more could have been done, but most of the world closed their eyes and covered their ears. It's just so tragic, and I'm glad this movie was made. More people should be educated on events like this. Besides the story, Don Cheadle was brilliant. Don is always great, but he finally got to carry a picture. Movie #9: Million Dollar Baby Do I think this movie should have won the Best Picture Oscar? No. However, despite being Million Dollar Baby-ed out from the Oscars and other awards, it is undeniably a great film. It is well directed and the acting is great. It's hard to digest the ending. It sort of comes out of nowhere. It's a powerful film and one of the best of it's genre. Movie #10: Ray I saved all of the Oscar-contenders for last. I guess I just wanted to talk about other movies first for a change. I really liked this movie. Jamie Foxx makes this movie though. Before seeing the movie (and previews) it was hard to imagine Jamie playing Ray Charles, but now afterwards, I can't imagine anyone else tackling the part as thoroughly and whole-heartedly as Foxx. The movie was very stylish too. The flashback scenes are so incredible. The trees are so green and sky is so clear. It's beautiful. It's a very moving story. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Ray's mom is watching little Ray start to use his other senses as a guide. It's so emotional and cried like a baby! So that's the Top 10 of the year. This was a great year for movies, so here are some other films that I loved: Open Water, Saved!, The Passion of the Christ, Collateral, Vera Drake, Saw, De-Lovely. The Forgotten, The Final Cut, Miracle, The Dreamers, Dawn of the Dead, Kinsey, Mean Girls, Napoleon Dynamite, The Machinist, 13 Going on 30 and Fahrenheit 9/11. Bad Movies of 2004: (in no order) Bad #1: The Day After Tomorrow I'm embarrassed that this movie is even a part of film history. It's so incredibly bad that it's funny. In fact, I laughed the whole way through it, and it's not supposed to be a comedy. I can't believe how much money and talent was wasted on this piece of shit. It's ridiculous that this was green-lit. Bad #2: Dogville I went into this movie knowing absolutely nothing about it. I hated this movie! Hated, hated! Not only was this one of the longest bad movies, but it was so stupid. It just took things too far. I felt it was too arrogant. Bad #3: Alexander Colin Farrell is a bad actor, and that was one of the main reasons this movie sucked. I don't know how he got cast as the lead in such a big budget so-called epic with having so little talent! Besides Colin, the story just didn't make any sense. It was completely out of order, and just bad all around. And Angelina wasn't in it long enough. More Angelina, please! Bad #4: A Home at the End of the World Have I said that Colin Farrell is a bad actor? Well, I can never say that enough. He completely over-acted the character in this film and very quickly got on my nerves. The other main guy in this movie was just annoying. I normally really like Robin Wright-Penn, so I'm going to forgive her for doing this movie. She actually wasn't that bad, but overall, this movie was terrible. Bad #5: The Stepford Wives This is another example of too much money and talent wasted on a piece of shit script. How could they tarnish such a classic with a remake that reminds me of a cartoon cake? This movie was way too Hollywood and the ending should not have been changed. Stupid! Bad #6: Ocean's 12 I don't like it when movies like this get made. They serve no purpose. This movie was nothing more than an excuse for a group of friends to hang out. I'm sure they're all happy about that. Make a few million to hang out and get crazy with a bunch of buddies, but why should something like that deserve my $10.50? If you want to hang out with your buddies, go spend $10.50 of your own and see some independent film. Bad #7: Kill Bill, Volume 2 I'm so deeply disappointed that Michael Madsen got killed off because of a snake bite!! How could Tarantino deny us the pleasure of seeing he and Uma make each other bleed? That was the one fight I was looking forward to most, but it never happened. I didn't like this movie. It was just too disappointing. Well those are all the movies that I felt like commenting on. Here are a few more movies that I didn't care for: Young Adam, Alfie, Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut, Godsend, A Door in the Floor, Secret Window and The village.