Shaun of the Dead is off the list. I really don’t like horror movies, so I very much enjoyed the way this movie mixed in the comedy and I liked the realism of the characters as well. I wouldn’t have gotten any of the references to classic zombie movies without IMDb except for the joke about Ash, which pleased me immensely. 
The two movies I would recommend which have not yet been mentioned are the stunning Maria Full of Grace and the utterly perplexing (but in a good way) Primer.
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Well, technically it’s called I’m Not Scared in America (Io non ho paura in Italian), and it’s fantastic!
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I thought 2004 was pretty crappy for movies. Notwithstanding, I do manage to see about 40 movies (on avg) a year. Of the ones not already mentioned, I will second Finding Neverland as great, and I would like to throw Collateral in there as well.
I’m posting to this one more time because I saw Hotel Rwanda this evening, and was positively shattered by it. I’d have nominated it for Best Picture in a heartbeat; it deserves the other considerations it’s getting as well. The most significant movie I’ve seen in a while, too. Again I’m speaking as someone who didn’t care for Sideways, but I think it’s interesting that a movie that so clearly appeals to actors, critics and other showbiz people gets a Best Picture nod and this one gets overlooked. Actually, come to think of it, with the exception of Million Dollar Baby, all five Best Picture nominees had stories and characters related to show business.
Anyway, I also saw The Aviator, Merchant of Venice, and Million Dollar Baby. When they are run, I will see The Motorcycle Diaries, I Heart Huckabees, and Team America: World Police. I hope I still get to see The Woodsman, and I wish I could find Vera Drake someplace.
:smack: Thanks! No wonder I couldn’t find it. Why was I thinking Spanish? Probably because of Bad Education.
But, yeah, I’ve seen it tranlated as “I’m Not Scared”. Wonderful movie. I can’t believe it wasn’t nominated.
And speaking of nominated…I just saw Sideways and…I don’t get it. I mean, I thought it was good. Very good. But not that great. Certainly not as interesting as Eternal Sunshine which didn’t get nominated for best picture. Feh.
I think that in a way, Sideways is this year’s Lost In Translation. Some people just don’t get what all the fuss is. I enjoyed Sideways very much, loved the dialogue, but it was no epic, (nor was it, of course, meant to be).
I agree about Eternal Sunshine; its writing was truly innovative.
And yes, I’m Not Scared (not Afraid!;)) was both excellent and overlooked.
Looking forward to Bad Education.