Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
Directed by: Kerry Conran
Written by: Kerry Conran
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Giovanni Ribisi, & Angelina Jolie

Summary:
In 1939, an intrepid reporter in New York City makes a connection between the story she's covering-- of famous scientists suddenly disappearing around the world, and a recent attack on the city by giant robots. Determined to find the solution to these happenings, she seeks the help of her ex-boyfriend, the captain of a mercenary legion of pilots. The two are investigating the case when the robots attack the city again, though in a stroke of luck, Sky Captain's right hand man is able to locate their source. They then set off on an adventure in search of the evil mastermind behind these schemes, who is bent on creating a utopia and destroying the current world.

My View:
I know what you're saying, "What the hell is this doing on your top 10 list!" I know most people wouldn't consider this top 10 material, but Sky Captain is responsible for the best damn time I've had at a movie theater in about 15 years. I felt like a kid again watching this incredibly fun, retro, adventure flick.

Sky Captain only met with moderate success, which I think is due to bad timing. The effects and film style is too far ahead of it's time to be properly appreciated, and the story may not be fast paced enough for today's audiences. I think that Sky Captain will find a cult following when it's released on video, where hopefully it's cool visual style and fun story will not go unappreciated.

House Of Flying Daggers (2004)
Directed by: Yimou Zhang
Written by: Feng Li & Bin Wang
Starring: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Ziyi Zhang, & Dandan Song

Summary:
During the reign of the Tang dynasty in China, a secret organization called "The House of the Flying Daggers" rises and opposes the government. A police officer called Leo sends officer Jin to investigate a young dancer named Mei, claiming that she has ties to the "Flying Daggers". Leo arrests Mei, only to have Jin breaking her free in a plot to gain her trust and lead the police to the new leader of the secret organization. But things are far more complicated than they seem...

My View:
House Of Flying Daggers is the most stunning and well made Chinese export in a while. There have been a few lately since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon grabbed so much success a few years ago. As far as I'm concerned this film blow away CTHD, from everything from story, visual style, and martial arts itself. The fight sequences are as graceful as they are deadly and give House Of Flying Daggers it's own unique style. What really helps the visuals is the brilliant cinematography which really makes it stand out apart from other films. The breath taking scenes showing lush forests, rolling grassy hillsides, and the final fight amongst snowy field are almost distracting to the eye they are so beautiful.

To concentrate purely on the martial arts would not do House Of Flying Daggers justice. It's much more emotionally involving than your typical martial arts picture. Zhang proves that she is as powerful an actress as she is a fighter. Her and Kaneshiro show us one of the best love stories on screen this year, and both deserve some more success on an international scale.

The Aviator (2004)
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: John Logan
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, & John C. Reilly

Summary:
Focusing on his early years (from the 1930 production of 'Hell's Angels' to the 1947 test flight of the Blue Spruce, when he was 42), this is the story of how young Howard Hughes transformed a small fortune into a massive one. The son of the Texan inventor of an amazing drill bit who died when he was 18, leaving him with 75% of the "Hughes Tool Co.", Howard Hughes (DiCaprio) quickly moved to Los Angeles to become a Hollywood film producer, where he helped launch the career of Jean Harlow and other starlets, and producing such classics as Hell's Angels, The Front Page, Flying Leathernecks, and Scarface (the 1932 original), eventually owning RKO Pictures.

My View:
DiCaprio and Scorsese have done it again. These two are quickly becoming the unstoppable hollywood duo, with 2002's Gangs Of New York and now The Aviator it seems every time the team up the result will do nothing short of impress. The Aviator only covers a small portion of Hughes' life but it succeeds in showing us the grand scale in which he lived his life. Hughes' at times crippling OCD never stopped him from achieving great things, which to me seemed to be the main message of the film.

DiCaprio is the true driving force of The Aviator. His portrayal of Howard Hughes is one of the best performances of the year, and should hopefully at least nab an oscar nom for best actor.

Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Written by: Stan Lee, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, & Michael Chabon
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, & Alfred Molina

Summary:
Two years have passed for Peter Parker, established in his role as college student...and as a crime fighter. He can't keep up at school, pay his rent or make amends with his estranged best friend Harry, whom of which wants Spider-Man dead. Mary Jane is more skeptic than ever of the man in her life. Peter's idol, a renowned scientist named Otto Octavius, resurfaces following a failed fusion experiment. Peter, at times noticing he's losing some of his powers, and is feeling the effects of the stress in his personal life, realizes he must decide between being who he once was or retaining his secret identity to stop "Doc Ock" and save New York City.

My View:
Spider-Man 2 is one of the best comic book films made yet. Raimi's Spider-Man films so accurately depict the stories and characters from the comic book, that there's no way these films can't be successful. This sequel gets everything right and is such a great evolution for this story. I love seeing a Peter being torn between is two identities, and the responsibilities of each.

This movie proves without a doubt why Tobey Maguire was such a good choice to to play Spidey. Alfred Molina plays Doc Ock perfectly, and is one of the best comic book villains brought to life on the big screen. Raimi has the biggest film franchise going right now, and has anticipation for Spider-Man 3 at an all time high. Let's hope it's on this list in 2007.

Sideways (2004)
Directed by: Alexander Payne
Written by: Rex Pickett & Alexander Payne
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, & Sandra Oh

Summary:
Miles Raymond, a failed writer and divorcé who teaches junior high school english takes his best friend, former hot actor Jack on a weeklong drive up to California's wine country. There they explore the nature of their failures and question their relationships. Jack, about to get married, has an affair with a woman and wonders whether he should call off his wedding. Miles questions whether or not he made the right choice while trying to form a relationship with the woman's best friend, a fellow onephile who is a waitress at a restaurant that he frequents often when visiting that part of the country.

My View:
On my list last year, right in spot number 6 was American Splender, a film that gained a lot of recognition for Paul Giamatti. Giamatti steps it up a notch here and proves why he deserves to be a star. I almost wish Sideways came out before American Spender so he would have had a chance to win an award for that film.

Sideways is the perfect road film for the middle aged. It's a beautifully crafted, brightly written film that's lead by it's brilliant performances from some of the strangest casting choices of the year. Both Thomas Hayden Church and Virginia Madsen were plucked from obscurity to give us solid, real characters.

Alexander Payne has shown a deft hand in detailing the ugly, lurid nature of our everyday lives while finding beauty and solace in the weirdest places. Sideways is set to do well in this years awards season, and should even nab a few oscar nominations.

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Written by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, & Daryl Hannah

Summary:
There were five on her list. Now it's three. O-Ren Ishii and Vernita Green were the first to fall, now The Bride (Uma Thurman) is out to finish the job by killing Elle Driver, Budd, and last of all, Bill (David Carradine). If the final three aren't afraid now, they better start, because she's coming for them. However, something has thrown off her plans a bit. Her daughter (whom she was pregnant with as she was getting married) is still alive. What affect this will have on her quest for vengeance is unclear, but the question is, will The Bride have actually succeeded in completing her ultimate goal, to kill Bill?

My View:
The perfect follow up to the first film, KB2 has much more plot and character development than the first film. All the questions are answered and the revenge, we learn is bitter sweet. Thurman's performance gets way more emotional, look for her to get an Oscar nom this year and if she doesn't we should all protest. Her performance is never as powerful as the scene where she sees her daughter for the first time, and the brilliance in which that scene is written is why Tarantino deserves some Oscar respect as well.

Like most of Tarantino's films Kill Bill 1&2 will only multiply in popularity on home video. Hopefully the two will be reunited as one film soon in a special edition DVD box set.

Garden State (2004)
Directed by: Zach Braff
Written by: Zach Braff
Starring: Zach Braff, Peter Sarsgaard, Natalie Portman, & Ian Holm

Summary:
Andrew Largeman shuffled through life in a lithium-induced coma until his mother's death inspired a vacation from the pills to see what might happen. A moderately successful TV actor living in Los Angeles, "Large" hasn't been home to the Garden State in nine years. But even with 3,000 miles between them, he's been unable to escape his domineering father Gideon and the silencing effect he's had on his son from afar. Stunned to find himself in his hometown after such a long absence, Large finds old acquaintances around every corner living quite unique lives as gravediggers, fast food knights and the panderers of pyramid schemes. Meanwhile, at home, he does his best to avoid a long-simmering but inevitable confrontation with his father. By a twist of fate, Large meets Sam, a girl who is everything he isn't. A blast of color, hope and quirks, Sam becomes a sidekick who refuses to ride in his sidecar. Her warmth and fearlessness give Large the courage to open his heart to the joy and pain of the infinite abyss that is life.

My View:
Garden State wins hands down as best romantic comedy of the year. Although to label it purely a romantic comedy is a great injustice. I've been a fan of Scrubs for a while but never saw the potential in Braff as a dramatic actor, but here he pulls out the triple play for writing, directing, and starring in this excellent film. While Braff is the major power behind the success of Garden State, the true star on screen I found to be Natalie Portman. The character she creates is so adorable, I think I was in love with her by the end of the movie.

Garden State harnesses just the right amount of comedy and drama to conjure up a film experience that has been lost for a while. It's funny in all the right moments, with a very subtle humor that will get funnier with multiple viewings. Braff's own unique style of writing and directing is refreshing and his career will be an interesting one to follow.

The Incredibles (2004)
Directed by: Brad Bird
Written by: Brad Bird
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, & Jason Lee

Summary:
Mr. Incredible is a superhero; or he used to be, until a surge of lawsuits against superheroes submitted by the people they've saved forced the government to hide them in witness protection programs so they could lead normal, anonymous lives. Now known exclusively by his secret identity, Bob Parr, he lives with his wife Helen, formerly Elastigirl, and their three children Violet, Dash, and Jack Jack. He works as an insurance claims specialist, and he's fed up with his pushy boss and his immoral profession, but his wife's worked too hard to build a normal life for her family to abide his nostalia for heroism. When Mr. Incredible's offered the chance to play the role of hero again by a mysterious informant, he jumps at the opportunity, but when it turns out to be a trap set by an old nemesis he had a hand in corrupting, the whole family must reveal themselves to save Mr. Incredible and countless innocents.

My View:
The Incredibles is making everyone's top 10 list this year, and there are many good reasons for that. Not only is it the best Pixar film yet, it's because of it's mass appeal to both kids and adults. Yes, it's a fun animated film about super heroes and super villains, but it also delves into the family dynamic between these characters. These characters have super powers but they have all the same everyday problems that all of us face, and there powers only seem to be a disadvantage in real life.

The voice acting is the best it's ever been for an animated film. I enjoyed Holly Hunter's performance as the mother whose trying to hold her family together. This is really one of the best family films to come out all year, and even if you're older don't dismiss it merely as a children's film.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Written by: F.X. Toole & Paul Haggis
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, & Jay Baruchel

Summary:
In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, boxing trainer Frankie Dunn has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time--then Maggie Fitzgerald walks into his gym. In a life of constant struggle, Maggie's gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, she wants someone to believe in her. The last thing Frankie needs is that kind of responsibility-- let alone that kind of risk--but won over by Maggie's sheer determination, he begrudgingly agrees to take her on. In turns exasperating and inspiring each other, the two come to discover that they share a common spirit that transcends the pain and loss of their pasts, and they find in each other a sense of family they lost long ago. Yet, they both face a battle that will demand more heart and courage than any they've ever known.

My View:
Million Dollar Baby is a salute to the way films used to be made. Before CGI and Attention Deficit Disorder turned audiences zombies who flock to the theatre to see the next blockbuster sequel. Yes, I know that I'm one of those zombies too but I can also appreciate such a masterful film as Million Dollar Baby.

Some people consider a film like this pretentious as it's darkly lit, slow paced, and almost completely character driven. To me that's the beauty of a film like this. I was as engaged by this film, challenged by every line spoken, almost as if I had stepped into the ring myself. Eastwood gives one of the best performances of his career, as well as Freeman and Swank. Hilary Swank is on her way to a second Oscar and she might even upset Anette Benning like she did in 1999. This is one of the most emotional films of the year, and deserves every award it wins.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Directed by: Michel Gondry
Written by: Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, & Kirsten Dunst

Summary:
Joel (Jim Carrey) is stunned to discover that his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memories of their tumultuous relationship erased. Out of desperation, he contracts the inventor of the process, Dr. Howard Mierzwaik ('Tom Wilkinson'), to have Clementine removed from his own memory. But as Joel's memories progressively disappear, he begins to rediscover their earlier passion. From deep within the recesses of his brain, Joel attempts to escape the procedure. As Dr. Mierzwiak and his crew (Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo and 'Elijah Wood') chase him through the maze of his memories, it's clear that Joel just can't get her out of his head.

My View:
This film is nothing short of brilliant. This is the most original film I've seen in a few years. Kaufman needs to start classes to teach aspiring hollywood writers how to write a really creative original screenplay.

Eternal Sunshine offers up the question of would you erase something/someone hurtful in your past to relieve the heartache. We then follow the story through the mind of Carrey's character as he tries to hold on the the memory of his lost love.

I'm disappointed that this didn't get more attention at this years oscars, as it is the best Kaufman film to date. What's really surprising is it's lack of a nomination for best editing. The way this film jumps around from the real world and then into the brain of Carrey's character, and manage to make sense and wrap itself up with a fantastic ending.