by Brian Orndorf, senior reviewer
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The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
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Admittedly, "Life Aquatic" isn't nearly as cuddly as previous Wes Anderson films, but that doesn't hamper its perfection. Armed with more money and a desire to widen his scope, Anderson indulges every last Jacques Cousteau-style whim for his picture, having great fun with his feverishly original oceanic screenplay, and pulling out a terrific performance from Bill Murray. A lavish, dryly hilarious, and radiantly acted film all around, "Aquatic" is a thrilling experience from start to finish.
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Million Dollar Baby
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At 74 years of age, Clint Eastwood has made his best film. "Baby" is a modest boxing tale, but it packs an emotional punch that is both entirely unexpected and profoundly moving. Lead by exceptionally terrific performances from Eastwood, Hillary Swank, and Morgan Freeman, "Baby" is the one film on this list that is constructed in the most basic of ways, forgoing a complex design in favor of concrete storytelling, fully developed characters, and a theme of devotion that will KO even the hardest of hearts.
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Spider-Man 2
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It's been a good handful of years for comic book adaptations recently, but "Spider-Man 2" takes the cake, even rivaling Richard Donner's 1978 blockbuster "Superman" for all-time best comic book film. A high-flying, rip-roaring, heart-stopping adventure packed with marvelous performances, almost perfect special effects work, and the pure, geekified vision of director Sam Raimi, "Spider-Man 2" opens with a bang and doesn't let up for 2+ hours. It is a sublime moviegoing event, putting traditional "Oscar worthy" films to shame with its proficiency and commitment to quality.
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Kill Bill: Volume 2
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Quentin Tarantino's breathless, bloodied journey came to a delicious close this past year with the release of the second half of his masterwork. While it lacks the propulsion and hipster cool of 2003's "Volume 1," the second installment closes the brutal tale of The Bride (a watertight Uma Thurman) on an epic, slow-burn note, with Tarantino spoiling himself with countless tributes to his favorite genres. And there was no better moment of just deserts to be found this year than what happened to Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) in the film. Perfection.
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Birth
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A haunting, mournful romantic fantasy, "Birth" attracted attention for the one thing it wasn't: a hornet's nest of perversion. Deftly captured by filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, "Birth" is a slow cooked drama that holds the audience secure as the lead character (a flawless Nicole Kidman) is dragged quietly and respectfully through hell. "Birth" is a mesmerizing, intoxicating tale sold with Kubrickian authority and refreshing distance.
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Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
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I'm no fan of rampant artifice, but when used for purely creative purposes, as seen in "Sky Captain," the results can be magical. This visually complex, yet rollickingly straightforward adventure tale was a feast for the eyes, yet also managed to tap into that exhilarating Saturday morning serial vein not seen since "Raiders of the Lost Ark." "Sky Captain" took computer effects to another level, but it retained simplicity and fun in the process. Factor in well-cast stars such as Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Angelina Jolie, and the result is a marvelous retro diversion.
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Spartan
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For the moviegoing public, this was David Mamet's most forgettable film. To me, this was his best. I cannot stress enough how exciting the stripped down delivery found in the film was, or the way Mamet kept his script surprising even in the face of desperately cliched material. This is star Val Kilmer at his most authoritative and Mamet at his most controlled; a startling combination resulting in a frostily persuasive motion picture.
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Intermission
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This little-seen Irish import boasts an exciting ensemble cast (Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, Kelly Macdonald, and Colm Meaney) and a terrific mean streak. Rather threatening in tone, yet playful in delivery, "Intermission" is a captivating sit, leaping around detailing its wealth of characters, and delighting in their troubles. It's a funny and wicked little film, but also passionate about its characters, and unafraid to reach some dark material with them.
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Sideways
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With "Sideways," writer/director Alexander Payne has solidified his status as a great talent. Just a glance at this plot of two bumbling mid-life-crisis-suffering men taking a literal and emotional road trip into wine country is enough to send art-house shivers up your spine. But Payne deftly weaves a tapestry of acting, writing, and direction that turns this potentially repellent material into an absolute delight, brimming with rich, honest emotions and hearty laughs.
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Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
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Hands down, this is the best documentary of the year. A lengthy and explicit look into the crumbling mechanics of a legendary metal band, "Monster" amazes with its access to band meetings, therapy sessions, and violent temper tantrums. Being a fan of Metallica isn't necessary to enjoy this open wound of a film. However, for those (like me) who gave up on the band a decade ago, this is a powerful reminder to the talent and precision behind these eccentric music giants.
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Runners-Up
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- Donnie Darko: The Director Cut
- Starsky & Hutch
- Fahrenheit 9/11
- Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
- Jersey Girl
- Dig!
- The Twilight Samurai
- Shaun of the Dead
- Collateral
- Carandiru
- Maria Full of Grace
- Dogville
- Team America: World Police
- Miracle
- The Punisher
- Closer
- 13 Going On 30
More: Check out Brian's 10 Worst Films of 2004.
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