Popcultureboy's Top Ten Films of 2004 — Page 4

I agree, although SIDEWAYS and MARIA FULL OF GRACE come close for me. I had posted MY top films of the year weeks ago, but my opinion has changed now that I've seen things numerous times. So, if you don't mind, one more time for the hell of it.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Sideways
3. Million Dollar Baby
4. Maria Full of Grace
5. Closer
6. Finding Neverland
7. Kinsey
8. Garden State
9. Napoleon Dynamite
10. Farenheit 9/11

Honorable mentions: Hotel Rwanda, Before Sunset, Kill Bill v. 2, i robot, I Heart Huckabees, Mean Girls, and Team America: World Police.

Worst movies of the year: The Village, Elf, Cellular, Catwoman, Alexander, Paparazzi, Anchorman, The Manchurian Candidate.

Popculture and jrb: I wouldn't be so quick to call the frontrunners as Oscar Winners. Everyone also said that Imelda Staunton would win the Golden Globe and the Critics Choice Award, yet Swank and Benning were honored there. I wouldn't be surprised if the Academy went with Kate Winslet. She's the underdog, but the more I think about it, the more I can see her winning. I would vote for her, and so are my two friends that are actually IN the Academy.

As far as Best Picture goes, my favorite, ESOTSM probably won't be nominated. Although I enjoyed Finding Neverland more than any other film, SIDEWAYS and MDB are better films, and SIDEWAYS would get my vote.

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I'd vote for Kate Winslet as well. The Oscar prognosticators are neglecting her altogether based on the fact that she's won so few precursor awards, but they should never underestimate the "dueness" factor. This will be her fourth nomination. Moreover, she's been making the rounds with the press more than any of the other likely nominees.

EDIT: The fact that the "precursor awards" aren't given by her peers in the Academy also promotes argument that she could win.

Updated On: 1/19/05 at 01:55 AM

MadeOfGold, you are a sight for sore eyes.

Evelyn--I want Kate to win an Oscar, too. I adore her. She is truly one of the best actresses alive.

But, the Oscars have let MANY great actors suffer through multiple losses. Al Pacino, Paul Newman, and Glenn Close (who still hasn't won) come to mind.

Julianne Moore has watched 4 nominations bring no statue. And, sadly, Ms. Winslet is going to endure the same. The ONLY thing that can put her in the running at this point is a SAG win. And, people are way to hot for the other three right now.

Bening and Swank have GG wins and various critics group awards. The lady with the most critics group awards is Staunton. However, I think she may fall into the same place that Spacek did for In The Bedroom--loads of critic awards, no Oscar. If Staunton does not win the SAG, her winning an Oscar is greatly diminished. It will be a circa 99 race between Bening and Swank--with Swank most likely taking it.

All one can hope for is a huge upset. And those can happen. And, boy, aren't they fun?

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