Best Movie of '04

[to say we End]

everyone knew this thread was coming.



the notebook

[fluke182]

3 way tie - Garden State, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and I Heart Huckabee's. To be honest, this is how I think it breaks down, Garden State was the best right off the bat, it will always be good and will always be endearing to my heart, Eternal Sunshine however will be an overall better love story and film in the long run, and I think after 5 years my favorite will be I Heart Huckabees, because I will notice new things in it and discover new depth and I will ALWAYS love the dialogue. So right now, 3 way tie, 5 years - 1)Huckabees, 2)ESotSM and 3)Garden State. But who knows! I saw Garden State 4 times in 3 weeks and I didn't get remotely tired of it. It was a good year in movies though. Its quite rare when 3 movies are top 10 all time for me in one year.

[Skyline]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Mystic River

[puNk_tHeoRy]

as overrated and over-quoted as it is..i still think Napoleon Dynamite was the best movie in my mind..

and for those who get pissy about it.. pretend i didn't say that. Finding Neverland was a brilliant movie so that would be my second choice.

[GOAlliecat]

Garden State was the best although some of my friends didn't like it because it wasn't simple enough for them

[MrChainsaw389]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Mystic River
I believe mystic river came out last year, however it was indeed an amazing movie.

[Greg]

i need to go rent garden state and anchorman

[mat1419]

the passion and anchorman...a great double feature for new years day as well

[drudo182]

finding neverland and spider-man 2 and garden state.

-drew-

[Bishop]

Garden State, but that was the last movie that I've seen in a looooong time.

[em0_stars]

as overrated and over-quoted as it is..i still think Napoleon Dynamite was the best movie in my mind..

and for those who get pissy about it.. pretend i didn't say that. Finding Neverland was a brilliant movie so that would be my second choice.


I agree Napoleon Dynamite was my top choice.

Garden State was my second choice.

[punkpixie]

My favourite film I saw this year was Finding Neverland. I am yet to see Eternal Sunshine or Garden State but they are at the top of my list.

[itsallcalypso]

Kill Bill 2 and Shaun of the Dead

[Andy]

Too much crap was released this year...
Then again, I havn't seen Garden State, which looks great.
Im actually going with 'Phantom...' as my fave movie of the year, since it had both great music and goosebumb-moments.

[slickwataris]

I'm going to say the Incredibles. I keep on forgetting what else came out this year and the ones I do remember were crap except for Phantom of the Opera (which I just seen Sunday so I should remember that...).

[puNk_tHeoRy]

i still haven't seen garden state yet :( ...do i lose scene points for that? waaahh.

[MrChainsaw389]

i still haven't seen garden state yet :( ...do i lose scene points for that? waaahh.

Tons of them. Not even Chucks could save you from that one.

[fluke182]

Wow...I just saw the Aviator and it was amazing. I know none of my other choices will be nominated, so I hope Aviator takes the Best Picture trophy even though I highly doubt it will. It was fantastic.

[SuperWoman7700]

My favorite was probably Saved! i just watched it again two days ago. i also really like the Motorcycle Diaries (I think that was what its called)

[FallingOut]

Easy choice: Garden freaking State.

[monique]

i haven't seen garden state, though it seems like i should since everyone is raving about it...

1. shaun of the dead
2. napolean dynamite

[Throwback]

Shaun of the Dead was amazing.

I'm going to go with Eternal Sunshine, closely followed by Garden State. Garden State was awesome in every way, but ESOTSM was just made so brilliantly. In fact, here's my top five:

1. Eternal Sunshine
2. Garden State
3. Shaun of the Dead
4. I <3 Huckabees
5. Collateral

I'm am lyke so totally scene!

[apoemtothedead]

There's a 6-way tie...Garden State, Closer, Eternal Sunshine, I Heart Huckabees, Finding Neverland, and Miracle

[slickwataris]

I'm going to say the Incredibles. I keep on forgetting what else came out this year and the ones I do remember were crap except for Phantom of the Opera (which I just seen Sunday so I should remember that...).


I also enjoyed Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow as well as Harry Potter: the Prisoner of Azkaban. Thats it.

[puNk_tHeoRy]

Update: I FINALLY got Garden State and watched it... i really enjoyed it.
I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind not too long ago too..alright so here's my final list of top movies for this year:

1 - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2 - Finding Neverland
3 - Garden State
4 - Napoleon Dynamite
5 - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (that came out this year, right?... i love HP)


..ta-da... i want my scene points back.

[evolpics]

napoleon dynamite. for sure.
its so unbelivably stupidly funny.
Everyone knows they laughed at atleast one thing.

[MaybeOneDay]

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Eurotrip

[slickwataris]

5 - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (that came out this year, right?... i love HP.


Yeah, it came out this year. I keep forgeting that as well because it didn't come out in November like the first two. It came out the beginning of June.

[art715]

1. Napoleon Dynamite
2. Eternal Sunshine
3. Anchorman
4. Dodgeball was funny but not as funny as all the hype, the lance armstrong scene was the best though
without a doubt my favs

[slickwataris]

Oh yeah, to anyone who liked I Heart Huckabees, read this:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle% 2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779923504&path=%21weekend&s=1045855936233

[SockMonkeyRiot]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I haven't seen Napoleon Dynamite, I Heart Huckabees, or Garden State

[fluke182]

Oh yeah, to anyone who liked I Heart Huckabees, read this:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle% 2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779923504&path=%21weekend&s=1045855936233
You wanted me to read that because you wanted me to see that he has a differing opinion? Just because his opinion is that, doesn't mean mine has to be. Just like just because I thought I would rather have someone shit in my mouth than EVER watch Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow again doesn't mean you have to not like it also.

However, while on the subject, if Sky Captain tried for any sort of story or ACTING ABILITY (I felt persecuted by Gwyneth's acting...my god), then it could have been as good as Huckabees. Huckabees was the most well acted, best written, deepest movie of the year. It will reward you with every viewing, I suggest rewatching it you do not like it.

[slickwataris]

You wanted me to read that because you wanted me to see that he has a differing opinion? Just because his opinion is that, doesn't mean mine has to be. Just like just because I thought I would rather have someone shit in my mouth than EVER watch Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow again doesn't mean you have to not like it also.

However, while on the subject, if Sky Captain tried for any sort of story or ACTING ABILITY (I felt persecuted by Gwyneth's acting...my god), then it could have been as good as Huckabees. Huckabees was the most well acted, best written, deepest movie of the year. It will reward you with every viewing, I suggest rewatching it you do not like it.


Dude, what are you talking about? I never even watched the movie and I wasn't even saying it was bad. I just found that and I thought I would share it. I wasn't even searching for it, it just happened to be on it. Geez.

[Throwback]

I hated Sky Captain. Ambition does NOT equal a good movie.

[fluke182]

Dude, what are you talking about? I never even watched the movie and I wasn't even saying it was bad. I just found that and I thought I would share it. I wasn't even searching for it, it just happened to be on it. Geez.
Sorry, didn't mean to be offensive. I just got a bit snappy. My bad cap.

[Thomas Sway]

Obviously not the BEST movie of 2004, but my favorite movie was probably Garden State.

[Lueda Alia]

Obviously not the BEST movie of 2004, but my favorite movie was probably Garden State.
definitely. god, I love that movie so much.


the notebook comes close though. but it's the 2nd best of '04.

[Louise Heng]

definitely. god, I love that movie so much.


the notebook comes close though. but it's the 2nd best of '04.
i remember reading the book form of the notebook and crying from about the second chapter on. it was SO SAD. I'm so mooshy.

garden state had to have one of the best soundtracks of the year. same with wicker park which, btw, was also a GREAT movie.

me + hp&poa movie = undying love.

[drudo182]

oh yeah, i forgot about The Notebook. That movie was great.

-drew-

[Greg]

Garden State Owns You!

[KerriMo10]

the notebook and napoleon dynamite are sweet movies

[factnotfiction]

garden state was amazing. definetly the best movie i saw in 2004. I agree with whoever said Mystic river. good movie but the book was so much better. yeah, you should have read the book first.

[Kif]

Shaun Of The Dead

2004 = Year of over-hyped crap from Hollywood
2005 = Year of Sin City :)

[Dan08]

1.incredibles...it was just so damn good
2.eternal sunshine
3.wicker park

[Louise Heng]

1.incredibles...it was just so damn good
2.eternal sunshine
3.wicker park
I loved Wicker Park. It made me so angry and emotional during the movie, and then the ending was one of the most perfect movie endings I've ever seen.

[Dan08]

I loved Wicker Park. It made me so angry and emotional during the movie, and then the ending was one of the most perfect movie endings I've ever seen.

i totally agree with you, i was pretty tense just wondering what would happen..heart was pounding so fast..and the soundtrack was perfect in the movie, every song fit the scenes
i loved the ending too..i could watch that over and over again and still feel the same emotions

[Louise Heng]

the soundtrack was more than perfect. it was like every song on it was written for the movie specifically.

i don't think i've ever gone from such intense rage/frustration to being so mooshy in such a short period of time.

[SingleDoubt]

not only the best movie of the year, but my favorite movie ever... garden state. im still wating for the dvd to arrive. i ordered it on the 3rd...

[SubdueSilence]

Best Movie.....Napoleon Dynamite...yea! :piss:

[Dan08]

the soundtrack was more than perfect. it was like every song on it was written for the movie specifically.

i don't think i've ever gone from such intense rage/frustration to being so mooshy in such a short period of time.

it's nice to feel that kind of range of emotions over a film...hopefully they make some more movies that bring out that kind of reaction

[unluckynumbers]

In no particular order:
Dodgeball, the Incredibles, Garden State (this movie was GREAT, it just made me SAD), Napoleon Dynamite

[mylkhead]

Here are mine:

1.) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2.) Before Sunset
3.) Garden State
4.) Napoleon Dynamite
5.) Fahrenheit 911 / Super Size Me / Touching the Void

Honorable Mention: Maria Full of Grace

note -- Have not yet seen I <3 Huckabees, but have been dying to see it. Or Sideways, but want to.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Before Sunset. If you liked Garden state, this is a film for your. It was really hard fitting those movies in a top five because they all trigger different emotions.

ETOTSM was incredible. I love Charlie Kauffman's stuff and wow were Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey awesome together. I literally was in love with this movie for quite some time after seing it. Still my best hopeful for Best Picture this year.

Before Sunset - gave me the same feelings as Garden State. I nearly cried a few times in this. But watch Before Sunrise first.

Garden State - I actually cried at the end. When the movie was over, I had this really incredible feeling. Like I was tearing up but laughing at the same time. Like it totally reminded me of the experiences I've had with my girlfriend. And it brought me back to the times where we cry and laugh together because we love eachother so much. I love movies that can make you believe something so much where it takes you there and you don't realize you are watching a movie. Natalie and Zack (zach?) were soooo good together.

Napoleon Dynamite. By far the funniest film I've ever seen. I've watched it I think like 6 times. And parts of it over and over again. I never get tired of it. But it's at #4 cause it didn't pull out the emotions the top three did.

Fahrenheit was great. I always love Moore's movies. This one was funny and it really conviced me on a lot of issues about Bush. I know there is a lot of controversy about this film, but I really like Moore's filmmaking style.

Super Size Me. As much as I love to go out to eat and drink pop/soda, I can't help but feel disgusted and entertained at the same time. Love this movie.

Touching the Void - another documentary, but this time about a two guys climbing a mountain and lose eachother in an avalanche. It's insane.

Maria Full of Grace. She's a great new actress. A very real and emotional film, and I seem to dig these spanish/mexican films.

And everyone keeps talking about I <3 Huckabees, but I've been dying to see it. Naomi Watts is such an incredible actor. But Im used to her in movies like Mulholland Drive and 21 grams. But I heard this is a crazy movie so I am game.

So many great films to see so little time :-).

[fluke182]

please go see sideways soon so i have someone to talk with about how good it is. everyone else go see it too!
I thought it was good but truly overrated. Its a very good movie that has grown overhyped for what it is. However, I love Paul Giamatti, the scene between him and Virginia Madsen when they talk about Pinot on the deck of her house is beautiful, and the golf scene is downright hilarious. Maybe I just need to see it again, but Alexander Payne movies have never really sat with me right anyways.

[make_this_hurt]

Here's my top 10:

1. Garden State
-- Is actually my favorite movie of all time now. Mindblowing. Really a beautiful movie about awakening to the best parts of the world. Loved the anti-drug message. I've seen in 4 times this week and it still makes me smile.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
-- Just a big wow for this movie. I love Charlie Kaufman. Adaptation is one of my favorite movies, but this one easily topped it. Amazing visual aspect.
3. I <3 Huckabees
-- Just a weird, funny movie. Great performances all around.
4. I, Robot
-- I really like this one. It was interesting and had some cool points about the rise of A.I., and Will Smith did a very good job (his best yet).
5. Wicker Park
-- Emotional and beautifully shot. Wonderful soundtrack as well.
6. Mystic River
-- Tim Robbins was amazing. Powerful, beautifully shot movie. Props to Clint Eastwood.
7. Man on Fire
-- Very underrated. Strong performance from Denzel Washington.
8. The Incredibles
-- Very, very enjoyable and funny. Best animated film in years.
9. Spanglish
-- Best dialog in a movie I've ever seen. So natural in its presentation. Adam Sandler's second best performance to date (right behind he amazing performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch Drunk Love).
10. Napoleon Dynamite
-- Hilarious and unique.

[Darren McLeod]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Didn't see Garden State yet... can't wait though.

[Lemieux66]

Garden State or the Life Aquatic, Bill Murray is a genius and the movie is perfectly over the top. As for Garden State, I'm a sucker for good stories like that.

[infamous_alias]

I seriously think Anchorman needs a little more love. It was hands down the best movie of 2004. I really liked Super Size me too (if that counts as a 2004 movie)...

[Chemical Love]

the unrated anchorman dvd is even funnier than the movie that was in theaters. i was laughing so hard at it.