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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 5:08 pm
by paperboy
The Aviator from this disappointing bunch.
I would've preferred a Bad Education, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Hotel Rwanda, The Incredibles, Vera Drake face-off.
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:25 pm
by Sabin
Recently rewatched The Aviator and it feels like compensatory auteurism. The film is riddled with directorial flourishes that reveal Scorsese as a man clearly having a ball, and much of The Aviator is a glorious time: the making of Hell’s Angels, his romancing of Katherine Hepburn (especially the overlapping dialogue dinner scenes), anything in the air, Hughes’ self-imposed quarantine, etc. What I find most interesting in the film is Scorsese & Leo’s dedication to the wordlessness of his obsessive-compulsive disorder, but truly Martin Scorsese has always been an outwardly compulsive artist and his dedication to transcending the limitations of Logan’s screenplay is a feat of glorious effort rather than glorious accomplishment. And all the same, Leonardo DiCaprio is not believable as Howard Hughes but his efforts are incredibly endearing.
Much of the ensemble is invisible and interchangeable. Cast Danny Huston in John C. Reilly’s role, Alec Baldwin’s in Willem DaFoe’s. Alan Alda is fantastic, and I must say that, although she’s clearly doing a impersonation, Cate Blanchett is a joy. I suppose it shouldn’t be strange that The Aviator received so many nominations and The Departed so few, but I have to wonder if indeed The Aviator would’ve won the Oscar were Million Dollar Baby not such an irresistible underdog and was released in the Spring of 2005 as initially planned.
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:44 pm
by Zahveed
The Aviator. I love it.
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:44 pm
by Okri
The Aviator, though even that wouldn't make my top ten of 2004. Great year, disappointing line-up.
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:59 pm
by The Original BJ
Sideways, an absolutely delightful comedy. (Though, not as delightful as Eternal Sunshine.)
But I had absolutely no problem with a win for the beautiful and powerful Million Dollar Baby.
The Aviator is visually impressive but rather hollow. Ray is an un-glorified TV-movie. And Finding Neverbland is a complete snooze. A shame voters picked such unimpressive biopics in the year of the truly great Kinsey.
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:02 am
by Akash
The Aviator and Million Dollar Baby were far superior to the other nominees (none of which I cared for) and the Academy made the right choice. At least the Academy wasn't as bad as 1999 when they had an embarrassment of riches to choose from, but managed to only nominate one great film (The Sixth Sense) and gave the award to a lousy one (American Beauty).
But 2004 was also a terrific year for movies and instead of the other three clunkers, I would have been happier -- as far as films that were "on the Oscar radar", and in some cases managed other nominations -- with Best Pictures nominations for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Before Sunset and either one of the following: Bad Education, Kill Bill 2, Vera Drake.
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:03 am
by Archie Leach
Sabin, I feel quite the same way - while I was a big supporter and lover of Million Dollar Baby at the time, I'm now more inclined towards Sideways.
Wish Ray and Finding Neverland weren't on this list though.
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 3:53 pm
by Sabin
A glorious year. Used to think 'Million Dollar Baby', but now I lean more to 'Sideways'.
1. 'Sideways'
2. 'Million Dollar Baby'
3. 'The Aviator'
4. 'Ray'
5. 'Finding Neverland'
Edited By Sabin on 1187072671
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:50 pm
by Franz Ferdinand
Sideways, although Million Dollar Baby was a strong choice. The Aviator was entertaining, but hardly Best Picture-worthy, and my ultimate non-nominee choice would have been Eternal Sunshine.
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:01 pm
by criddic3
One of only two best picture winners of the last ten years that I matched with Oscar on: Million Dollar Baby
I enjoyed all of the other nominees, although in the end I did not nominate Finding Neverland. I opted for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind instead.
Sideways also didn't make my best pic list, being replaced by The Passion of the Christ, which took best director.
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 11:54 am
by Reza
Sideways
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:21 am
by Jim20
The Aviator, followed very closely by Sideways
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 3:52 am
by rudam
aviator
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 3:40 am
by VanHelsing
The Aviator because it has both Kate & Cate.
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:40 pm
by Big Magilla
Million Dollar Baby, but I would have been jsut as happy by a win for Sideways.