Dice's Top 15 Movies of 2004
Submitted by pastordice on Thu, 08/17/2006 - 09:32
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- 15. Polar Express (in IMAX 3D) - This was a decent film whose primary "SHWACK factor" is located in the parenthesis above. In my opinion, it is the first mainstream film to showcase how powerful a medium IMAX 3D can be. The truth is director Robert Zemekis and actor/producer Tom Hanks (who, thanks to the miracle of motion capture, deftly plays almost every character in the movie) used the third dimension perfectly, that is, as a tool not a gimmick. I continue to believe that almost any film would be more powerful and certainly more immersive if 3D were the new standard. Can't you just imagine Frodo standing as Shelob's 3D stinger is revealed from above, or Nemo and Dory escaping Bruce's gaping 3D jaws. But it's not only about these "big moments". 3D even in it's subtlety brings more emotion to a scene and more realism to any environment. Now, before this becomes an essay on "The Wonders of the Third Dimension", I should mention that "Polar Express" succeeds on many other levels as well, not the least of which is a very positive message about imagination, discovery, and most of all using our specific gifts to help those around us. When the Polar Express chugs back into theaters next Christmas, hop aboard and enjoy the ride.
- 14. Hero - It used to be great movies for me fell into one of two categories, visual-effects-laden-spectacles-of-eye-candy or serious-thought-provoking-dramas. "Hero" is one of a recent group of films that excels at both. Stunning colors and intricate martial arts choreography punctuate this beautiful tale of self sacrifice and calls into question whether or not the needs of the many really do outweigh the needs of the few.
- 13. Bubba Ho-Tep - An elderly man who believes he is Elvis seeks the help of a black friend who believes he is JFK to fight a soul eating zombie that has invaded their nursing home. Sigh... I really don't know what to say other than that. I mean, seriously, you must be intrigued. But what takes this movie from quirky sideshow to legit film is the solid acting (by "Evil Dead" star Bruce Campbell and recently departed legend Ossie Davis) and genuine heart that is infused into this insane premise. It certainly won't be the most normal movie you've ever watched, but it might just be one of the most fun and satisfying.
- 12. Freaky Friday - Easily the biggest surprise of my year. My disdain for the original Jodie Foster flick and the very misleading marketing of this as a preteen pop and bubblegum girly girl endeavor made this movie seem about as attractive to me as a "My Little Pony" convention. The only reason I even gave it the time of day is that a respected friend said to check it out. I'm glad I did. Unlike the original, this one captured the true tension between being a teenager, and being the parent of said teenager. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan (I can't believe I'm saying this) give amazing performances as mother and daughter (then daughter and mother) in a movie that really is about looking at other's needs as more important than your own, and the importance of family. Oh yeah, and it was pretty funny too! Chalk another one up for word of mouth.
- 11. Spellbound - In a year where "documentary" seemed to mean "propaganda" (see "Fahrenheit 911" and "Super Size Me" for two prime examples) I discovered a true documentary that snuck by me last year. Spellbound is the story of 8 young kids as they prepare for and participate in the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. Yeah, I know, sounds absolutely enthralling, right? Beyond the amazement of these kids spelling words I couldn't (and sometimes shouldn't) even try to pronounce, there is a real discovery of how defined and varied children's personalities can be, and even more how much a parent's attitude is embraced by their child. From the "never my fault" to the "my life depends on this" to the "I do it cause it's fun" each child has a different approach that highlights both the bad and good in how we attempt to accomplish our goals.
- 10. Miracle - "Based on a true story". It's an easy thing for most movies to say. Chances are if you are making a film based on true events most of your audience isn't familiar enough with those events to know the difference. But what do you do when the movie you are making is based on possibly the single greatest sporting accomplishment ever? Not only that, but one that was watched on TV by most of the nation alive at the time, and then shown over and over again in highlights and clip shows for eternity. Such was the daunting task before the creators of "Miracle". It's the story of the US Olympic hockey team (you remember hockey, right?) that beat the mighty Russians and went on to win gold in the 1980 winter games, and it's stunning how accurately it is reproduced (check the special features on the DVD for more). This ultimately isn't the story of a Hockey Team though, it is the story of a coach (played by Kurt Russell) who knew how to get the best out of his players even when the world doubted him. The fact that this is a wonderful character study allows this one to instantly join Hoosiers and Rudy as one of the greatest sports films of all times.
- 9. Hidalgo - This movie got trashed. I mean big time torn apart, call mom cause your lunch money got taken, thrashed by many mainstream critics. The main complaint, if I remember correctly, was the pacing. Though I agree it did drag at parts, I actually think the pacing is one of the things that makes this movie great. I mean, come on, it's a horse race across the Sahara, not one lap around the track! And second, it's in this pace that Viggo Mortenson has the ability to show true desolation and loneliness. Where Hidalgo ultimately succeeds (both in the race and as a movie) is in it's heart. A true tale of perseverance and integrity against all odds.
- 8. Secondhand Lions - John 10:10 personified. This movie, about living life to its fullest, has the perfect cast, the perfect tone, and the perfect blend of humor and heart. Robert Duvall has steadily become one of my all time favorite actors and Haley Joel Osmet is bridging the impossible gap between child actor and adolescent actor quite nicely. The phrase "Carpe Diem" has been bandied around quite a bit since "Dead Poet's Society" hit screens, but finally a movie encapsulates what it really looks like to "Seize the Day".
- 7. Cheaper by the Dozen - Miss Lohan and Miss Duff on the top 15!?! Good thing I didn't put the Olson twin's "New York Minute" on this list, for surely the apocalypse would be upon us. Much like the afore mentioned "Freaky Friday" I came into this movie with little expectation and was very pleasantly surprised. Though marketed as a Steve Martin comedy, it's the kids that shine in this one (Though Steve and Bonnie Hunt do great work as over committed parents). I can't even imagine how crazy the set was with these kids running around, but they pulled some solid performances from these youngins. In the end, the family realizes that; A. They work better as a team and B. That family must be priority. A very poignant and powerful message to a world of broken homes.
- 6. Napoleon Dynamite - "So Dice, where ya' gonna rank Napoleon Dynamite on your year end list?" "Wherever I feel like ranking it, GOSH!!" ND is the pure definition of cult classic, but that alone doesn't get it to the list. Beyond the goofy fun and high quote quotient, this movie is something that many movies today forgot was possible, clean. The above "gosh" is as close to a swear word as you will find and there is nary an innuendo or shootout in the entire film. Not only is it PG clean, it's message about the importance of true friendship and companionship make it a must see film or as Kip would say: "Now that's what I'm talkin' about"
- 5. Big Fish - I am dubbing Tim Burton the "Onion Genius" for the way that each additional viewing of a Burton film reveals new layers of genius (That and his movies always make me cry). His use of water in this movie as an analogy for knowledge, truth, and remembrance is wonderfully deep and textured. "Big Fish" finds that beautiful balance between being entertaining and thought provoking with some stunning visuals to boot.
- 4. The Village - M. Night is a genius. I still believe it, and nothing personifies it more than the fact that he could misfire and it still be the fourth best movie I saw all year. Now let me be clear, Night's misfire was singular in it's nature, this was another near perfect film with one hard to overlook flaw. The script. Notice I didn't say the story. The story is beautiful, the plot is wonderful, the themes and messages resonated more deeply with me than any movie this year (it is, after all, a movie that applies to the Christian subculture I find myself working in.) No, M.'s misstep was in how it was written, laid out, the order of events, the need to hide the twists. In fact this movie would have been better without them. Let us in on the secrets, even though the characters might not know. Beyond this though, Shammy pulled some of the best performances out of veterans (Jaquin Phoenix, William Hurt) and newcomers (Bryce Howard) alike and his visuals and pacing are once again unmatched by any director working today.
- 3. Spiderman 2 - Joining the likes of Toy Story 2 and The Empire Strikes back as sequels that surpass their originals. The first Spiderman was good, but this one was great. You can tell that Sam Raimi is really starting to feel comfortable in Spidey's director chair and everyone benefits. His sense of style, humor, and adventure made this one of the most fun films I've seen in a long time. And the theme of sacrifice even when no one understands resonates deeply in our current war torn culture. Possibly the best movie ever to sit at number 3 on my list for any given year, again solidifying this as one of the best movie years in history.
- 2. The Passion of the Christ - How do you judge this movie? Biblical accuracy? Technical achievement? Box office? Buzz generated? Souls saved? I don't know. All I know is this movie impacted me in a way I've never experienced before in a movie theater. I wept bitterly, I sat transfixed and disgusted at human nature, and I thanked God once again for the beating he took for me. The truth is, by all but 1 (maybe 2 depending which critic you ask) of the above criteria, Passion was a huge success. Mel Gibson's vision and direction were captured powerfully (the Oscar noms it received were well deserved.) and you can't help but walk away affected.
- 1. The Incredibles - I've cried at movies, many times. I've cried tears of sadness when a character dies. I've cried tears of joy when a couple is reunited. I've even cried tears of hope when a new day dawns. But Pixar's latest collection of 1 and 0s created a film that drained my ducts in a way no film has ever done before. I actually wept tears of adrenaline (the tears came in the single best movie scene of the year, when Dash, finally allowed to run at full speed, looks down for a startling "Peter leaves the boat" revelation). In fact, this movie about your typical family of superheroes accounts for the 3 best movie going experiences of my year. I recently even saw it in a rundown dollar theater with no surround speakers and a tiny faded screen, and it still blew me away. What Pixar has done, time and again, is to create genuine relatable characters, whether they be toys, bugs, monsters, fish or superheroes, by the middle of the film you are completely invested in their lives. Pixar's technical expertise continues to grow as well as every rendered frame is gallery worthy. Then there is the story. Director Brad Bird (who also directed the immensely under appreciated "Iron Giant") has crafted a movie that though on the surface is about saving the world, is much more about using the things we are good at to their fullest in a world changing way and not being squeezed to the mediocre middle. Put it together with phenomenal voice acting, witty writing, pinpoint pacing, and a great sense of humor and emotion and you get easily the best movie of the year (even if Oscar, the little golden grouch, doesn't agree).
My Favorite Films I saw for the first time in 2004, in reverse order.