This is the next in a series of 12 posts discussing the most memorable films of each year. Not the best or the highest grossing, but the ones that had all the factors that make us still remember them today. Today we focus on 2004.
10. Troy- It helps that Troy is played on many networks a few times a week, so most everyone has seen it. Not the greatest movie of the year, and not the most accurate interpretation of The Iliad, but a very cool film none the less. It helped Brad Pitt transform into an action star, and really put a lot of actors on the map. Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brendan Gleeson, Diane Kruger, Brian Cox, Rose Byrne, James Cosmo, Garrett Hedlund, and Sean Bean all co-starred with Pitt, and all have either become famous or reignited stale careers since Troy.
9. The Incredibles- The original super hero team. Pixar knocked another one out of the park, and The Incredibles holds up very well 8 years later. The voice work in particular is fantastic, and the tongue in cheek humor makes The Incredibles truly incredible.
8. National Treasure- Nicholas Cage has had an interesting career, and showing up in this film from Jerry Bruckheimer billed as a "family" film was a strange choice, however the box office result was incredible, and it is truly a great family film. Not many films can be watched and enjoyed by an 8 year old and equally as much by his or her parents.
7. Ray- Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles, and the performance is breathtaking. The film however is more than just the single performance, and is still memorable and heart breaking.
6. Million Dollar Baby- The Best Picture winner at the Oscars, and a truly amazing film. Clint Eastwood continued his directing and acting hot streak in this film about a female boxer played by Hilary Swank. Morgan Freeman gave an Oscar winning supporting performance as well. What makes MDB so memorable is the complete jaw dropping game changer that happens two-thirds of the way through, ensuring no one will ever forget the movie.
5. Crash- Another Best Picture winner (two films released in the same year can both win best picture at two different ceremonies depending if released in January or February thru December). The film started the trend of several narratives coming together and has a true all star cast. Race is the main subject and while the film was released in the summer, it maintained its momentum all the way until the next Oscar telecast.
4. Spiderman 2- Something about superhero sequels makes them better than the originals and the trilogy finishers. Think Dark Knight, Blade II, X2, and of course, Spiderman 2. Spiderman 2 was able to get past all the origin stuff as it was dealt with already, and it allowed director Sam Raimi to focus on new problems and solutions, along with a greatly acted villain with Alfred Molina playing Dr. Octopus.
3. The Notebook- How many sappy movies based of Nicholas Sparks novels have been released since The Notebook? At least 4 or 5, as well as hundreds of copy cats. However capturing what The Notebook captured would be truly difficult. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling were relative unknowns at the time, and delivered amazingly. Everyone cries at the end of The Notebook, and don't pretend like you didn't.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- Another film that has been copycatted hundreds of times but never replicated. The Jim Carrey/Kate Winslet love story is everything a typical love story is, and so much more. With great supporting performances by Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Kirsten Dunst, the film is truly eternal.
1. Passion of the Christ- Not trying to be controversial here, as I know many did not see the film as they are not religious or believe in a different religion, but what makes Passion so memorable is how polarizing it is. Mel Gibson is remembered mostly for now being kind of crazy, but in 2004 he self financed and made Passion, and the film took in an absolute boatload of money. The film was also controversial and heavily talked about. In addition, whether you view the film as fiction or fact, it is incredibly well done.
Honorable Mentions: Hotel Rwanda, Closer, Collateral, The Aviator, Sideways, Finding Neverland, Team America: World Police, Dodgeball, The Day After Tomorrow, Napoleon Dynamite, The Bourne Supremacy.
-Maximus
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