Best Movies of 2004

A personal cross-language ranking of films first publicly released in 2004, comparing intimate romance, animation, genre invention, political observation and ambitious dramatic work. Festival premieres count, including Mysterious Skin before its later commercial date. Before Sunset rewards familiarity with Before Sunrise; Tropical Malady asks viewers to accept a major change in form. The Incredibles is an inviting start, while Mysterious Skin, The Holy Girl and Dead Man's Shoes involve especially difficult abuse or violence. The order judges the experience and craft of each complete film.