2004's Best Five Films for Brighton Cinecity

2004
Oldboy

Incredibly good and moving. Wins a huge amount of points for original storyline, man is suddenly imprisoned for 15 years, subjected to mental and confined torture only to be suddenly released and instructed to find his captor within 5 days.

The story unfolds with a frantic disorientating direction and we as the audience can simply not predict what will happen. When all ends are finally tied up, the ending is ambiguous and reopens the floodgates of contemplation and fear. It is scary and horrific, moving and violent and fully perpetuated by fantastic performances.

Shaun of the Dead


Simply brilliant, it makes me laugh and cry and obsess. Such an original storyline despite paying full nerdy tribute to a genre that rarely gives comedy and is often bastardised by appalling additions to a fascinating genre.

The in-jokes are in abundance, the performances by Pegg and Frost are so naturalistic and British and although we, this side of the pond, consider this as one of our greatest exports, it is simply one of the greatest additions to cinema history.

Ray


A very moving and compelling film that, for me, remains the most true and well made biopic that's ever been made. It is very difficult to make a biopic that doesn't simply go through someone's life chronologically and could be found in the most mainstreams of autobiographies.

Ray transcends above this, bringing in the joyous music and feel of the times, coupled with just a scintillating performance by Jamie Foxx who I doubt will never be better. It doesn't pander to Charles' blindness or race but celebrates the man and his music. Just great cinema.

Million Dollar Baby


The beauty of Million Dollar Baby is that we already can predict the ending from the opening 20 minutes but we still cant wait to see the ending. On paper, the characters are very one dimensional. A grizzled sexist trainer, a poor enthusiastic female boxer and Morgan Freeman being himself. But the pace, the concentration on emotions and feeling rather than glory and muscle makes this an entirely accessible film

The gravitas comes in the final third where the film evolves from being a rags to riches tale to a humanistic, moving and fierce drama. Everyone is so likeable and Eastwood has never had better chemistry with anyone else in my book. Stunning drama and worthy of its plaudits.

Sideways




A bitter sweet comedy that confronts a deep down tragedy with hilarious humour that confuses the viewer. We shouldn't be laughing at someones breakdown and mental/social failures but we still do. Haden Church's Jack plays the selfish best friend who embodies some seriously irredeemable qualities yet still is endearing.

It is a testament to Alexander Payne that he can meander comedy and pathos so seamlessly and so relatable. Our opinions and views of the characters involved twist about throughout and we are never quite sure as to who to sympathise with. Also, lots of wine!