As is the custom this time of year, critics, even fake ones like me, like to make top ten lists to show what they've liked and not liked. Amazingly, even with the job and the closing of Suprnova, I still managed to watch 62 movies in the year 2004, plus what will be a few more if I can get to watching Sideways, Closer, and other films. But for now, this is my top ten list of the 62 I have seen. Honestly, though, it's been a weak year for the movies, hasn't it?

1. The Incredibles - Another in a long line of great Pixar productions, this one hits the right notes in comedy, action, and drama while entertaining people of all ages.
2. Hero - American audiences had to wait 2 years to get their hands on this beautiful masterpiece from China.
3. Kill Bill: Volume 2 - The second and final installment was worth the wait, but with some good editing, the two could have been combined and would have been numero uno on this list.
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - The darkest of the 3 films in the Harry Potter series released so far is the best so far.
5. Collateral - A coolly shot Los Angeles frames a confident performance by Tom Cruise as a hitman.
6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - The idea itself is worthy of awards, but Carrey and Winslet in the main roles make it that much better.
7. The Bourne Supremacy - It's a rarity in today's films: intelligent storytelling to go along with thrills and action scenes.
8. Miracle - Kurt Russell's portrayal of the late Herb Brooks makes this film go.
9. The Manchurian Candidate - A carefully crafted film that stands on its own as a taut political thriller.
10. Spider-Man 2 - After the first one, I said the only problem was the weak villain. With a better villain this time comes a better movie.

Of the movies I have seen, here are the top 10 movies of the year according to a variety of critics at moviecitynews.com.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. The Aviator
3. The Incredibles
4. House of Flying Daggers
5. Fahrenheit 9/11
6. Kill Bill Volume 2
7. Collateral
8. Spider-Man 2
9. Hero
10. Team America: World Police

According to the same list, the top 5 movies I haven't seen:

1. Sideways
2. Million Dollar Baby
3. Before Sunset
4. Bad Education
5. Maria Full of Grace

Of course, when you mention the best, you have to mention the worst.

1. White Chicks - The Wayans Bros. were just ugly, like this film was.
2. Surviving Christmas - Ben Affleck orders around a family on Christmas. It just gets creepier as the film progresses.
3. Thunderbirds - I bet Ben Kingsley saw his career flashing before his eyes.
4. Resident Evil: Apocalypse - It's a zombie movie where zombies show up when you least expect them and then when you do expect them, they never show up.
5. Tremors 4: The Legend Begins - 3 sequels too many. Oh wait, this one's a prequel.
6. Walking Tall - OK! The Rock can beat people up. I GET IT!
7. King Arthur - Sorry, even Keira Knightley in a bikini through the movie can't save it.
8. Alfie - What's it all about? Really...I'm asking.
9. The Village - Gee, so much build up for nothing.
10. Alexander - If this is all you knew about Alexander, you have to wonder how he conquered most of the known world.