Not such a hot year at the movies

For 2004, finding 10 praiseworthy films proves no simple task

By Dawn Taylor

The Portland Tribune, Dec 31, 2004, Updated Oct 30, 2009

This was, to put it as politely as possible, a pretty awful year for movies.

To put it another way: When you’ve seen well over 100 films during the year and have trouble coming up with 10 that qualify as “best,” you know that the field was littered with dreck.

There were a few bright spots amid the detritus, however. Here, in alphabetical order, are the 10 films this reviewer enjoyed the most in 2004:

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

Not just notable because Jim Carrey isn’t irritating Ñ a mesmerizing, deeply touching, hilarious and technically awe-inspiring meditation of the power of love by oddball screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (“Adaptation”).

“The Five Obstructions”

One director (Lars Von Trier) challenges another director (Jorgen Leth) to remake one of his films five different ways according to five different, punishing rules. The result is a fascinating examination of the men’s relationship and of the process of filmmaking itself.

“The Incredibles”

Part superhero origin epic, part James Bond adventure thriller and all giddy excitement. This is Pixar’s best film yet and arguably the best movie of the year Ñ tightly plotted, deftly acted and animated with jaw-dropping perfection.

“Kill Bill: Vol. 2”

Even better than the first half, a spectacular fanboy homage to Shaw Brothers chop-socky films, spaghetti Westerns and film noir thrillers. A delirious cartoon of a movie and one heck of a lot of fun.

“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”

Sad, funny and quirky, “Life Aquatic” occasionally threatens to capsize under the weight of its own self-conscious irony, but still offers intermittent brilliance. Bill Murray’s dry performance is one of his best, despite being repeatedly upstaged by a hilarious Willem Dafoe.

“Napoleon Dynamite”

A surprising, deadpan depiction of high school dorkiness, this is the rare teencentric comedy that doesn’t go for easy, crude or stupid laughs. A laugh-filled little film that loves its geeky heroes and delights with its weird charm.

“The Saddest Music in the World”

This high-concept, obsessively strange art film by director Guy Maddin was the year’s most challenging and absurd film. Starring ex-Kid in the Hall Mark McKinney as a fast-talking huckster and Isabella Rossellini as a legless beer baroness, it’s haunting, amusing, confusing and surreal Ñ Maddin’s films may not be to everyone’s taste, but they’re refreshingly unique.

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