Top 10 Films of 2004

The year is 2004, and a lot has happened in the movie world. To help take you back in time, here's a look back at some of the film-related events that took place:

Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ opens to huge box office numbers and becomes one of the most talked about films of the year.

Shrek 2 becomes the year's highest-grossing film, earning over $919 million at the worldwide box office.
Million Dollar Baby wins four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Clint Eastwood) and Best Actress (Hilary Swank).

The world loses the likes of Peter Ustinov, Ronald Reagan, Marlon Brando, Jerry Goldsmith, Fay Wray, Elmer Bernstein, Janet Leigh, Rodney Dangerfield and Christopher Reeve.

I've been able to see 71 films released in 2004, and from those, I've compiled my own top ten list. As one can imagine, some great films had to be left off the final list. Here's a look at some of the movies (listed alphabetically) that just missed the cut:

Open Water
The Passion of the Christ
Riding Giants
Secret Window
Shrek 2

But enough about the runners-up; here's the list you've been waiting to see! Counting down from number ten to number one, I've listed each film and have given the principal cast list as well as if and how fared at the Academy Awards. Also, I've listed the film's rank on my "Best Films of All-Time" list, if applicable. So without any further delay, here's my top ten movies of 2004!

*****

10. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Rated: PG
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall
Academy Awards: 2 nominations
***
Although I have never read the source novels, I've managed to enjoy the Harry Potter film franchise quite easily, and this third installment proves to be the best, in my opinion. This is where the storyline starts to turn a little bit darker for our wizarding trio of heroes, and Alfonso Cuarón was the perfect choice to take the franchise in that direction. This one's at least a head above the next closest Potter film, in my opinion.

*****

9. The Incredibles
Rated: PG
Directed by: Brad Bird
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Spencer Fox, Sarah Vowell
Academy Awards: 4 nominations, 2 wins
***
It's going to be tough to leave any Pixar films off these top ten lists, and The Incredibles did enough to warrant at least a number nine spot. Combining their fantastic visuals with an action-oriented storyline, Pixar managed to make a pitch-perfect popcorn-muncher that delivers the excitement of an action/adventure flick with the laughter and sentimentality that has become a Pixar trademark. Cemented by great vocal performances from the likes of Nelson, Hunter and Lee, this one's not one to miss.

*****

8. Friday Night Lights
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Peter Berg
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Garrett Hedlund, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez, Tim McGraw
***
You know that feeling you get when you're completely surprised by how good a movie turns out to be? That's how I felt after watching Friday Night Lights. What seems like your standard high school football movie about a team destined for greatness takes a different turn and proves to be one of the most powerful sports films I've ever seen. Aided by strong performances from Thornton, Luke and a spectacular Tim McGraw, this is a football movie that every sports fan should be sure to watch.

*****

7. Ray
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Terrence Howard
Academy Awards: 6 nominations, 2 wins
***
It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to see Ray, but I can remember that this one was all about Jamie Foxx and his brilliant performance of the late musician Ray Charles. Otherwise your standard biopic, Foxx found a way to encapsulate everything that was Ray Charles and bring forth the very character of the man whose music so many people had grown to know and love over the years. The tale has its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, this film is truly inspiring.

*****

6. Garden State
Rated: R
Directed by: Zach Braff
Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm
***
I've only seen Garden State once, but it brought together a lot of my favorite plot and character devices and consolidated them all into one film. We have an easily relatable character in the leading role, and the quirky, offbeat style of drama and comedy works well and blends together. Throw in the charm of the cast as well as the successful romantic arc, and you're going to have me hooked. I'd have to say we should applaud Braff for his directorial effort here.

*****

5. The Aviator
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law
Academy Awards: 11 nominations, 5 wins
All-Time Ranking: 124
***
The Aviator tied together one of Scorsese's strongest career efforts with DiCaprio's best career performance (in my opinion), and yet I feel as though it hasn't received the recognition it deserves. Upset at the Academy Awards by Million Dollar Baby, the film still took home five awards at the end of the night, but it deserved so much more. This film should rank as one of the better films of the 2000s, and as you can see, I've ranked it as one of the best I've ever seen.

*****

4. Collateral
Rated: R
Directed by: Michael Mann
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Tom Cruise, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo
Academy Awards: 2 nominations
All-Time Ranking: 92
***
For those of you who aren't sold on Tom Cruise's ability to act, I'd wave you towards this little gem of a film. Despite receiving two Academy Award nominations, Collateral managed to slip under the radar for most people, and that's quite a shame considering we're getting top-notch performances from a great cast as well as a stellar screenplay to boot. And seeing Cruise in the antagonist role is quite a refreshing change, to say the least. He definitely knocks this one outta the park.

*****

3. Shaun of the Dead
Rated: R
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Penelope Wilton, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy
All-Time Ranking: 75
***
Shaun of the Dead was my first introduction to the comedic genius that is Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and I'll never forget the first time I saw it. I was sixteen years old, and my mother decided we should make it a family outing see as the titular character spelled his name the way I spell mine. And so, with my mother and younger sister in tow, we went into this gory, raunchy romp of brilliance. They didn't much care for it, but I fell in love with Shaun of the Dead from the opening credits. This is horror-comedy at its finest, folks.

*****

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Rated: R
Directed by: Michel Gondry
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson
Academy Awards: 2 nominations, 1 win
All-Time Ranking: 64
***
I first saw this film about a year after it was initially released, but it wasn't until I re-watched it recently that I truly saw how brilliant it is. With a Charlie Kaufman-written screenplay, it only makes sense to throw Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet into the offbeat mix. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more original romantic dramatic comedy out there, and this one's so well-done that it's going to keep even the most skeptical viewer engaged throughout its entirety.

*****

1. Finding Neverland
Rated: PG
Directed by: Marc Forster
Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Freddie Highmore, Julie Christie, Dustin Hoffman, Radha Mitchell
Academy Awards: 7 nominations, 1 win
All-Time Ranking: 59
***
Call me a sap and call me biased towards films relating to the "Peter Pan" story, but there's something incredibly magical about this journey into the creative process behind J.M. Barrie's writing of the original "Pan" play. Mixing in a story of romance only adds to the emotional tale, and a powerhouse supporting performance from a young Freddie Highmore puts the final seal of approval on this one. It's a fun film good for the whole family, and at the end of the day, that's part of its overall appeal.

Happy Birthday, John Williams!

Today, we are celebrating the 80th birthday of five-time Academy Award-winning composer John Williams. Lauded as one of the greatest cinematic composers of all time, Williams has found a way to enter the collective public consciousness more often than any of his peers. While I could easily go through his list of work, I'd rather make this a more personal post. I've grown up listening to John Williams, and his work became a part of my life at an early age. I can remember listening to one of his "Greatest Hits" albums on family road trips, and it was from this particular CD that I garnered my initial appreciation for Williams's exceptional talent. My dad is just as taken by each John Williams score, so much so that he has associated a score with each of his three children. In his mind, I was given the score to the 1978 film, Superman, which has become one of my all-time favorites. The fact that this man has scored such iconic films as Jaws, Star Wars, the Indiana Jones series and, more recently, the start of the Harry Potter saga goes to show that he has quite a bit of range, and he is extremely well-respected throughout the Hollywood community. I mean, the man has nabbed a whopping forty-seven Oscar nominations in his career, bringing home the aforementioned five statuettes. There must be something brilliant about him, right? Most recently, we've heard his work in the 2011 films War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin, for both of which he received Oscar nominations. We'll next hear his work in the 2012 film, Lincoln. So, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my ten favorite of John Williams's film scores, and I've provided a snippet of each for your listening pleasure. Once again, happy birthday, Mr. Williams. I look forward to hearing more of your work in the coming years.

10. War Horse
2011


*****

9. Schindler's List
1993


*****

8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2001


*****

7. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
1982


*****

6. Superman
1978


*****

5. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1977


*****

4. Jurassic Park
1993


*****

3. Raiders of the Lost Ark
1981


*****

2. Star Wars
1977


*****

1. Jaws
1975


*****

And now, for your added viewing pleasure, I've included a fan video entitled "Star Wars (John Williams Is the Man)" by Corey Vidal that became an overnight Internet sensation a few years back. I just love this video, and it truly serves as a real tribute to John Williams's composing prowess. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Ralph Fiennes!

Today, we're celebrating the 49th birthday of two-time Academy Award-nominated actor Ralph (pronounced: "Rafe") Fiennes. He nabbed his first role in a theatrically-released feature film as Heathcliff in 1992's Wuthering Heights but made his first major splash in Schindler's List, for which he scored an Oscar nomination, the following year. He appeared in 1994's Quiz Show and 1995's Strange Days before nabbing another Oscar nomination for his role in 1996's The English Patient. From there, Fiennes starred in a string of lesser films and didn't nab a role in another legitimate film until 2005's The Constant Gardener, which also marked the year he reinvigorated his career by portraying the central villain in the Harry Potter franchise. In between his portrayal of the evil Lord Voldemort, he's managed to make small appearances in critically-acclaimed films like 2008's In Bruges and 2009's The Hurt Locker. Audiences last saw him in the final chapter of the Harry Potter franchise, and they'll next be able to see him in the sequel to the 2010 film Clash of the Titans entitled Wrath of the Titans in 2012. So, to celebrate his birthday, I've created a list of my five favorite Ralph Fiennes performances. I hope you enjoy the videos I was able to supply. Once again, happy birthday, Ralph!

5. Michael Berg
The Reader (2008)

*****

4. Lord Voldemort
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)


*****

3. Contractor Team Leader
The Hurt Locker (2009)


*****

2. Harry
In Bruges (2008)


*****

1. Amon Goeth
Schindler's List (1993)

Movie Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2

2011
PG-13

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is a 2011 fantasy adventure film directed by David Yates that serves as the eighth and final film in the Harry Potter film franchise. This film picks up where Part 1 left off, with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) kneeling before Dobby's grave. However, we quickly get to the action as he and his friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) attempt to find the remaining horcruxes in order to defeat Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). I could probably go into more detail about the actual specifics of the plot, but I'm going to refrain from doing so rather than attempt to explain all the intricacies of what transpires on-screen. Because I haven't read any of the books in the series, I feel as though I would butcher any real attempt at explaining the storyline here, so I'll simply stop at this point because I think I've given you everything you really need to know going forward. It's a battle between Harry and Voldemort, and that's exactly how the film plays out.

Now as I previously mentioned, I have not read any of J.K. Rowling's books, so I don't have the deep and intimate knowledge of the Harry Potter storyline that fans surely have. Because of this, my level of excitement for each film has been dramatically lower than that of your average Potter moviegoer. Still, I've found most of the films in the franchise to be rather entertaining, with The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Order of the Phoenix serving as my personal favorites. Those of you who have been reading me for a while will know that I didn't review Deathly Hallows: Part 1 very favorably, which I something I alluded to in my breakdown of the trailer for Part 2. I had my concerns heading into this final chapter, and I can honestly say that they were only slightly alleviated.

While I thought that the screenplay was a little less confusing this time around, I didn't think that there was anything truly "epic" being brought to the screen. I'm sure had I read the novels, the closing moments would have spurred a number of emotions, but without that prior knowledge, I think it fell a little bit flat. Still, there's quite a lot to like about the storyline, and I've always been a sucker for stories coming full circle. When you have an eight-part film franchise, it's very difficult to make them convincingly decent after a while, but at the end of the day, I think that director David Yates crafted a solid film that works on a number of levels. Some of the dialogue is spotty, but at its base, there's a good foundation and enough twists and turns to keep your uninitiated viewer guessing.

If there's one thing that I've always applauded about the Harry Potter films, it's their ability to draw fantastic actors into the fray. The cast list for the franchise is a laundry list of A-listers who all bring great performances to the screen. I've had my issues in the past with Radcliffe's ability, and he didn't really wow me here, but he does well enough to make him convincing until the end. I've always been fond of Watson and Grint in their roles, and they finish out the series just as strongly as they entered it, even if they've taken more of a backseat than usual. I could probably go into a great amount of detail in talking about each individual here, but I'll save that for a later date. There's just too many big names to mention here and now, but know that I was, and have always been, a fan of the acting in the Potter films, and Deathly Hallows: Part 2 does not disappoint.

On a quick side note, I thought the music in the film - this time composed by Alexandre Desplat - fits perfectly once again. He took John Williams's original score and made it fit the darker mood of this last film, and he should be applauded.

At the end of the day, I thought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was a very good film that puts a stamp on a fantastic franchise. Could it have been better? Probably. Seeing as I'm only viewing the films as films, not adaptations of a beloved novel franchise, I can only see what they give me. There's no room for me to read between the lines and see what's going on in the background because I don't know what's there to see. Were I a Potter fanatic, I'd probably review this one more favorably, but as it stands, I think it's a serviceable film that ends things on a high note.

Movie Review Summary:

Grade: B+1 Thumb Up

Trailer Breakdown: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2

I know that I'm treading on some very sacred territory here, but I've made the decision to break down the latest trailer for the upcoming finale of the Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. I would like to preface this breakdown by saying that I have never read any of the novels and only know the storyline based off what has been told through the first seven films. Therefore, if I ask a question that was answered in the books but not the movies, please don't jump all over me for not already knowing the answer because I honestly have no idea. Let's try to keep the fanboyishness to a minimum, if possible.

And now for the questions...

Will Part 2 be any better than Part 1?
For those of you who have been reading me since the last film came out, I'm sure you'll recall that I didn't review Part 1 very favorably. I found it to be rather dull, and it took leaps of faith that I would know everything that was going on, choosing to show bits of the story rather than explain what was happening. Having not read any of the novels, I felt that Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was truly for fans of J.K. Rowling's series rather than for fans of the film franchise. Ultimately, it just didn't prove to be entertaining in the slightest. As one can imagine, I received a lot of negative feedback for my review, but I still think I'm entitled to my own opinion. I've been a fan of the franchise since its start, but the most recent installment just didn't do it for me. Here's hoping the final chapter will be a step up.

That being said, will Part 2 be accessible to Harry Potter fans who haven't read the novels?
This has always been one of the problems for me since I'm not familiar with every single detail of the plot as exposed in Rowling's books. I believe that film adaptations of novels should hold true to the source material while being completely accessible and understandable to the audience who may not have read the original stories. With a prolonged franchise such as this, it's difficult to remain approachable to the casual fan because so much needs to be said. That's probably why they decided to split Deathly Hallows into two parts (although I assume monetary gain was also a huge driving factor). But if I can't figure out what's going on, I'll be forced to view Part 2 as another failure.

Will there be too much happening in the film?
It's the final chapter, the end of a franchise. You're not going to get any legitimate, off-handed sequels after this one, so everything has to be summed up. Every question has to be answered. Will there be enough time to do so in an orderly fashion, or are we going to be thrown so much information that it'll be difficult to keep it all in focus?

Will the level of acting be stronger than previous films?
I've never had major beef with the level of acting brought to the screen in the Harry Potter franchise. The filmmakers have managed to draw a large number of big-name stars to aid our three young heroes (in case you're unfamiliar, you can expect the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Jason Isaacs, John Hurt, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis and Jim Broadbent in the upcoming film). The aforementioned actors are generally great, but the overall acting appeal truly lies on Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. If they don't bring their A-game, I'm not going to believe them as the characters they've played seven times before.

And now for some off-beat questions:

Who's gonna die?
Fans of the series will already know this answer, but I personally don't know exactly who's going to bite the dust by the end of Part 2. I'd prefer if you didn't tell me - I'd like to go into the theater not really knowing what's going to happen - but my money's on Voldemort (obviously) and Harry driving the final nail into their respective coffins. I'm sure a slew of smaller characters won't make it - in the trailer, it looks like one of the Weasley boys dies - but I won't even attempt to guess who else won't make it to the final credits.

Why 3D?
The final chapter in the Harry Potter franchise will be the first and only one released in the third dimension. Warner Bros. had every intention of releasing Part 1 in 3D as well, but time didn't allow for the possibility. I know that 3D is the big thing right now, but this film was not shot with 3D - rather, the third dimension has been added after the fact. As many of us know, when the effect is added later, it generally doesn't look as crisp as it does when it's shot in 3D, so I'm a little worried about the visual aspect of Part 2. The special effects have been a driving force in the franchise, so to have them sullied by 3D at the end seems a little disappointing.

Snakes, dragons AND Voldemort?! Harry's in for a bumpy ride...
Harry already has to deal with the ultimate bad guy, but you're going to throw some snakes and dragons his way as well? This all just doesn't seem very fair for our young hero! But bring it on, I suppose.


I honestly hope that Deathly Hallows: Part 2 will give us a legitimate ending to this saga. Anything would be better than Part 1, but I've still got my fingers crossed.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 will hit U.S. theaters on July 15, 2011.

Movie Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - PART 1

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1

2010
PG-13


You can watch the trailer here

I would like to start by saying that I am not a huge Harry Potter fanatic; I have not read the books, but I have been relatively pleased with the franchise thus far. I'm sure that there is plenty of information in the books that has not been translated to the screen, but you can always chalk that up to time constraints. However, I feel as though the previous six films found ways to make the movies accessible to your average viewer like me who may simply be following the story chronicled by the films. Unfortunately (and I know I'm going to catch a lot of heat for this, so if you're a die-hard Potter fan, you should probably stop reading now), Deathly Hallows: Part I just simply did not deliver.

Part of what makes a movie a good one is its ability to be easily understood. For a franchise such as Harry Potter, this means that anyone should be able to watch the films and understand them without actually having read the books themselves. Sure, fans of the books will have more appreciation for the films (as is evidenced by the $24 million the newest installment made on last night's midnight showings), but a good film will make sure that everyone, readers and non-readers alike, can access and enjoy the story being told.

Deathly Hallows: Part I did not do that for me. From the opening sequence, I was left in utter confusion. I had followed the previous six films pretty easily, but this one never really gave me a chance. There were scenes of seeming explanation every once in a while, but they moved so quickly that there was no way an unfamiliar viewer could possibly keep up. Then, the sequences between those explanations mostly consisted of the lead characters teleporting from place to place and staring blankly into the distance. There was nothing to grab me; there was nothing to hook me. It was just way too confusing, and to make matters worse, it was completely boring. I found myself nodding off time and again - that did not bode well for this movie. Direction from David Yates just didn't fulfill any expectations I had going into the theater.

I understand that Deathly Hallows was the second-longest book in the series, trailing only Order of the Phoenix in page length; however, the filmmakers found a way to keep Order of the Phoenix as a single film, whereas the split of Deathly Hallows now more than ever seems like a ploy to pull as much money from the franchise as possible. What's even more difficult for me was that the film version of Order of the Phoenix was my second favorite installment in the franchise. Essentially, Deathly Hallows: Part I offers little more than a build-up to the grand finale coming next summer. I hope above all hopes that Part II can deliver; otherwise, I'll have to think of the end of the Harry Potter franchise as a total and complete failure.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: C-
Thumb... Down