TOP 10 FILMS OF 2004

ok, so neville is pressuring me to do this. i counted, and from what i can remember, i've only seen 18 2004 movies, which is actually surprising and impressive, for me. but even though that's a lot, it's not exactly very much to base a top ten list off of. and i'm probably forgetting a few, too. but here are my top ten, and i'm sorry, but they are in no particular order!!!!

passion of the christ - it's had its ups and downs and goods and bads and pros and cons, but in the end it was a powerful movie for me and i admire mel gibson and the guts he had to take on this project. i think it was a very personal thing for him and i like that. and it was beautifully done.

mean girls - i labeled this as the first popular movie i liked since finding nemo. and that's true. it was actually funny and enjoyable and intelligent all at the same time.

super size me - it was funny and it raised good questions. i thought it was fair. the only times it was propaganda, it was clear that he was doing it for the sake of funny propaganda. does that make sense? i dug it. a lot.

napoleon dynamite - what's not to like? besides the people that wont stop quoting it, of course.

garden state - the first time i watched i laughed a lot and thought it was an impressive film but it sparked no emotion from me. the second time i watched it i thought it was terribly cliche and forced and i hated it. the third time i watched it i liked it a lot again and decided the second time i watched it was poor watching conditions. so it's a good movie but nothing too moving for me, personally.

coffee and cigarettes - if these were in order, this would be top 5. maybe even top 3. i'm 99% sure that i dont like this simply because everyone else doesnt. i really genuinely enjoyed it. it was awkward and funny and sure the acting was bad but i still thought it was a gem and a half.

eternal sunshine - i just finished watching this, actually. it was pretty dang incredibly genius. yeah, very genius. very very genius. im still thinking about how genius it was.

finding neverland - beautiful. "i dont think little boys should be put to bed, because when they are, they wake up another day older." or something like that. imagination and story and beauty beauty beauty.

spanglish - i was partial to this one because it struck me personally. however, i dont think adam sandler is a believable middle-aged father. but yeah, its struck me personally and i liked it.

the life aquatic - even though this is the last movie it doesnt mean it was my #1 pick. i laughed a lot and thought it was another beautifully done anderson film. i thought the humor was more accessible. wilem defoe was hilarious. so was the three-legged dog. and the shoot-out scenes are some of the funniest scenes i've ever seen in film and i'm not exaggerating on that one. and the submarine scene is one of those beautiful emotional anderson scenes, like when ben stiller says "it's been a rough year, dad" in the royal tennenbaums (which gets me right "here" everytime).

i realize my reviews are lame here, so, sorry neville. but i hope this suffices for everyone.

if i watched saved again, that might make an appearance. i need to see motorcycle diaries and hotel rwanda. and lots of others. i didnt see the incredibles. im embarassed to admit it, but i liked the notebook a lot. dont tell anyone.

TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2004!!!!!

i didn't buy 10 albums in 2004. it was a slow year in music for me. and i have a feeling they will only get slower from here on out. there are only five albums worth mentioning:

sufjan stevens - seven swans
iron and wine - our endless numbered days
pedro the lion - achilles heel
brandtson - send us a signal
mewithoutyou - catch for us the foxes

albums not worth mentioning, for which i would like my money back: denison's river bends, further seems forever's hide nothing, among others.