Movies of 2004 Update

In case I forget, here's the updated list so far:

Best of 2004:
1. Eternal Sunshine
2. Dogville
3. Kill Bill: Volume 2
4. Spiderman 2
5. Harry Potter 3
6. Collateral
7. Fahrenheit 9/11
8. Shrek 2

A few notes:

Collateral is just wonderful. Michael Mann crafts such a moody and mourful piece, depicting the hypnotic nightmare that is LA. Yes, the plot line is predictable, and the last chase scene is way too long, but in certain parts, the movie drags. Yet the characters are all lovable, and Jamie Foxx especially turns in a surprisingly sympathetic performance. His first exchange with the girl in the cab is absolutely priceless; it's one that makes me drop my jaw and just marvel at the beauty of a perfectly-written, perfectly-performed and perfectly-directed scene.

Moved Kill Bill 2 above Spiderman 2 because KB2 stood up to a second viewing better. I think I'm going to be switching these two around all year long.

For some reason I forgot to put in Harry Potter before.

Movies I'm dying to watch:

Hero -- this should easily make top ten

Donnie Darko: Director's Cut -- if this is just exactly as good as the original, it will make number 2 on this list.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow -- this looks stunning, and I'm a sucker for Indiana Jones-like adventures. Early word of mouth is amazing.

The Incredibles -- PIXAR!!!!!!! Directed by Brad Bird, Pixar newbie but the director behind The Iron Giant, one of the best 2D animated films EVER! I cannot stress how excited I am.

Shark Tales -- Dreamworks' next entry to the animation market. It doesn't look as great in the trailers as, say, Finding Nemo (certainly the animation is not as beautiful), but Dreamworks usually pulls through. I'm a little skeptical, though...

By the way, I'm predicting a boring Oscar season this year.