Top 10 movies of 2004, 10 years later

Get ready to feel old. Now that the year is 2014, this means that all the movies from the year 2004 are officially getting their 10th birthday.

With that in mind, this is a perfect moment to look back at what movies came out that year, and see what were the best of the bunch and what, more importantly, stood the test of time 10 years later.

Image courtesy of INFphoto.com

While opinions are likely to be different, these are at least 10 movies that are at least semi as good today as they were then. With that in mind, there are a couple movies that I still haven’t seen from that year that I know quite a few people like.

Those films include : Layer Cake, Downfall, Dawn of the Dead (2004),Bad Education, House of Flying Daggers, The Dreamers, Maria Full of Grace, Friday Night Lights, Miracle, The Sea Inside and Hero. Those are just a few, and I’m sure there are some that I am forgetting.

Additionally, here are some honorable mentions that just couldn’t quite make it to the list, from worst to best: Kinsey, Spider-Man 2, Million Dollar Baby, The Punisher, Napoleon Dynamite, The Woodsman, The Machinist, Shaun of the Dead, Kung Fu Hustle and Team America: World Police (a movie that just barely missed the list).

Now, without further ado, let’s look back on the best 2004 had to offer in film.

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10. Super Size Me
While this documentary from Morgan Spurlock doesn’t quite have the flair that it had when it busted through the scene ten years ago, this takedown of the big dogs at McDonald’s still remains one of the most engaging and entertaining films of the year, narrative film or not.

Through Spurlock’s dynamic on-screen personality, hilarious animation asides and an unexpected emotional connection throughout, Super Size Me still becomes one of the year’s best movies.

[ new page = Not bad at all ]

9. Baadasssss!

Mario Van Peebles’ loving tribute to his father’s debut film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song, Baadassss!, the movie at one point titled How to Get The Man's Foot Outta Your Ass, is not only the best biopic of the year, but one of the most passionate and loving biopics to be making in years.

All the while not forgetting to keep the plot moving, or get to sentimental, making more an emotional, but highly enjoyable journey through one of cinema’s most unexpected successes. Of all the films on this list, this is probably the least seen, and/or the least remembered. Which is a shame, because there is no reason for that to be so.

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8. Vera Drake
Commanded by an incredible performance, as always, by Imelda Staunton as the title character, Mike Leigh’s timely and potent drama features some of the year’s best performances, as well as some of the best writing and directing from Leigh himself.

While this movie may be a bit slow from the taste of some, this drama deserves to be recognized, for it still holds up through time. Leigh remains a masterful actor’s director, and it appears that with this year’s Mr. Turner, which just premiered to raves at the Cannes Film Festival, that he is not slowing down anytime soon.

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7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Undeniably one of cinema’s biggest cult-followings in 2004 came from this quirky little romantic dramedy, which featured stunning and dynamic visuals throughout, but never, ever left its brain at the door.

Actors Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet bring powerhouse performances to this little film, not only giving the lighter moments great chemistry but making the dramatic ones all the more bittersweet. Guided by Michel Gondry’s unusual eye, Charlie Kaufman’s thoughtful screenplay and a killer soundtrack, this is one of those romance movies that deserves to be re-watched over and over again.

[ new page = Before you forget ]

6. Before Sunset
Speaking of romance movies, Richard Linklater’s return to the characters he co-created back in Before Sunrise nine years prior remain just as delightful and fascinatingly thoughtful the second time around.

While some feel that this sequel is better than the first—something I still can’t quite get behind, but will admit that it’s close—this return to a new city but same characters continues to feature an incredible screenplay, wonderfully restrained direction and two more great performances from Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Proving, once again, last year that they still have the magic in them with the third film in the series, Before Midnight, this may just be one of those series that should keep coming back….unlike one sequel that hit theaters this weekend.

[ new page = No damage here ]

5. Collateral
Featuring one of Tom Cruise’s best performances and some of Michael Mann’s best direction, this grounded action-thriller is still as pulse-pounding and gripping today as it was when it hit theaters a decade ago.

Although actor Jamie Foxx took more praise with his turn as Ray Charles this year, as the straight man to Cruise, he still holds his own and proves to be an unusual, but level-headed, partner to Cruise’s antics. With some terrific action beats and a smart screenplay, this is an action thriller that is not quickly forgotten.

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4. Garden State
Making his feature directorial debut, actor Zach Braff proved himself a triple threat here, having starred, directed and penned the film, and proving that he was a promising up-and-coming filmmaker that, unfortunately, didn’t quite live up to the promise—having waited to make his sophomore effort behind the camera just this year with Wish I Was Here.

Nevertheless, featuring one of Natalie Portman’s best performances, a wonderful keen eye and cinematography, a rich color grade and an unusually mature screenplay from some immature characters, this indie darling is still as likable and charming today.

[ new page = Killer fun]

3. Kill Bill: Vol. II
Finishing the saga that he started the year prior, Quentin Tarantino’s second and final chapter in the Kill Bill series is actually even better than the first. While not as action heavy, the characters are more thoughtful, featuring some of Tarantino’s best dialogue and pulling in some great performances along the way.

Particularly from the late David Carradine, who’s Superman speech below deserving still remains one of Tarantino’s best scenes as a writer and director. By focusing even more on the characters and never forgetting its end goal, this follow-up and conclusion to the series is a fitting end to the filmmaker’s two-part series.

[ new page = The legend continues]

2. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Did it take home any awards this year? No. Is it technically or narratively a great film? Not really. But I would be hard pressed to find some movies that are more delightfully quotable and hilarious as Anchorman. While repeat viewings may spoil some of the movie’s best sequences, it also remains a film that does get better and better upon repeat viewings, with little asides caught and new jokes unburied.

While also featuring that I consider Steve Carrell’s best character to date, and some of the richest comedy set pieces in the past couple years, this comedy deserves to be as remembered as it is. While its sequel last year, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, wasn’t quite as good, it still provided that some milage could be brought from these characters.

Also, for your (re)viewing pleasures, here’s the epic anchorman fight:

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1. The Incredibles
Brad Bird’s hilarious, smart and thrilling reexamination on the superhero and comic book genres is not only my favorite movies of the year, but also one of my favorite movies of all time. There is literally nothing about this movie that I think I dislike. Everything works, and it is always a joy to watch.

While many people are quick to place Finding Nemo or Up as their favorite Pixar movies, I can’t think of any Pixar movie that I can continue to find as much joy rewatching on TV or otherwise than this film. It is always entertaining, no matter how many times it is watched, and, for that, it is the best, and still the best, movie of 2004.

There you have it. Want to know why movies like Sideways and Mean Girls didn’t make the cut? Comment below.

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