2004 at the Movies

For those of you who read The Life of Leisure regularly, you know that I spend much of my time at the cinema. Here’s my take on 2004’s best and worst movies. If anybody else has a best/worst list, chime in on the comments section.

The very best: Sideways, Before Sunset (with the best movie ending of all time) , and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

The rest of my 2004 favorites (in no particular order): Incredibles, Bourne Supremacy, Dawn of the Dead, Garden State, Shaun of the Dead, Maria Full of Grace, The Machinist, Kill Bill V.2, Anchorman, Sponge Bob, Brown Bunny, Friday Night Lights, Infernal Affairs, I Heart Huckabees, Intermission, Dogville, Finding Neverland, Closer, Aviator

I have yet to see and am looking forward to: Million Dollar Baby, A Very Long Engagement, House of Flying Daggers, Bad Education, The Life Aquatic

The worst movie of the year, no contest: Envy

The rest of the really bad movies that i’ve sat through (in no particular order): The Day After Tomorrow, The Village, The Grudge, The Terminal, Garfield, The Forgotten, Secret Window, Walking Tall, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, The Punisher, Jersey Girl, Wicker Park, Blade III

Posted by chuck at December 30, 2004 8:19 PM

Comments

Great List Chuck. Very well rounded. Here goes it in my brain…..

THE VERY BEST: Kill Bill Volume 2 (at the way top of the list) The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (still in my head and I saw it a month ago) Dawn of the Dead remake (it takes place in Milwaukee, c’mon! awesomeness) Wake Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Spiderman 2 The Incredibles Shaun of the Dead Supersize Me “3” The Dale Earnhardt Story *Seeing a screeining of ‘The Warriors’ (1979) at the American Cinematheque with Q&A with Director Walter Hill. Speechless. In my top ten of movies all time. Do yourself a favor and see it. *Seeing a screening of Toho Studios finest (Mothra, son of Godzilla) at the American Cinematheque with Q&A with 95 year old Japanese filmmakers that had interpreters and could barely walk.A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet them and hear them talk about legendary pop icons and old school filmmaking. Like film school on speed and steroids. Truly incredible.

THE COOLEST DVDs: Darby o’Gill and the Little People (Disney, 1959) Dawn of the Dead (Extras of fake newscasts are awesome, cheesy fun) SCTV Box Sets Arrested Develpoment Season 1 Wake (hahahaha) Indiana Jones Collection Box Set Larry Bird NBA Legends Box set (full games on DVD, insane. Bird drops 60 on the Hawks in Louisiana, Fratello fines Hawks on Bench for cheering for Bird.) John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 (super violence)

BEST VHS: Death Promise (1979) Best Kung fu movie ever.

*Coolest Movie thing overall in ‘04: getting to personally meet Ray Harryhausen and shake his hand at a screening of his work in Hollywood. He ripped on the Matrix during his talk, one of the coolest things ever. I was blessed. He told me to be responsible and tell stories not just flashy garbage.

-Andy

Posted by: Andy Gorzalski at December 31, 2004 11:53 AM

Judy & I saw a new year’s eve matinee of The Life Aquatic. I loved it, she liked it. When you get around to seeing it, make sure you stay through the closing credits - the film features a guy singing david bowie songs in portugese, and he does one last song over the credits. great stuff.

Some of the best stuff in the movie isn’t what’s going on with the main characters, but what’s in the background of a scene. But I think that’s typical of a Wes Anderson movie.

Anyways, if you liked “Rushmore” and “The Royal Tennenbaums”, you’ll enjoy this. Not Bill Murray at his best, but pretty damn good.

Posted by: Bryan Buchs at January 3, 2005 12:21 PM

We saw it last night. Fantastic.

You’re so right about the background stuff.

How about that scene with Goldblum, Murray and the three legged dog? Classic.

I can’t wait to see it again. I would rank this one ahead of Tennenbaums and right up there with Bottle Rocket and Rushmore.

The great thing about Wes Anderson is that he tackles many of the same themes in his movies, perseverance, strained family relationships, blind optimism, complicated love, etc. and does it so well.

This story is his most absurd. It really rewards the patient viewer. That soundtrack was great, wasn’t it?. I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on it.

Posted by: Chuck at January 3, 2005 12:54 PM

Chuck,

Have you received your Wake DVD yet? Jim should have it.

-andy

Posted by: Andy Gorzalski at January 3, 2005 2:56 PM

No. I’m sure i’ll get it from Jim the next time I see him. I can’t wait.

Jim told me that you and Janelle are engaged. Congratulations!

Posted by: Chuck at January 3, 2005 6:41 PM

Great work!

Posted by: Ingrid at June 30, 2006 6:30 AM

Thank you!

Posted by: Zane at July 1, 2006 1:28 AM

Great work!

Posted by: Sally at July 1, 2006 1:33 AM

Good design!

Posted by: Simon at July 1, 2006 1:54 AM