As for my top ten best films of the year, there were many more to mention but didn't make the list. This is what this list is for, the GEMS of 2004. The films that were absolutely excellent but quite didn't make the cut for the best ten of the year.

First, let me reiterate my top ten of the year, keep in mind that the Aviator pushed the Terminal into #11 and Sideways to #4:

10. Collateral
09. Kill Bill: Volume 2
08. Closer
07. Garden State
06. House of Flying Daggers (Shi Mian Mai Fu)
05. The Incredibles
04. Sideways
03. The Aviator (read previous post for review)
02. Oldboy
01. Infernal Affairs

Now to the ones that didn't quite make the cut:

11. The Terminal
Read my notes on the top ten of the year for reasons why this film is one of the best of the year.

12. Spider-Man 2
Ultimately, the best superhero motion picture yet. Director Sam Raimi took what was wrong with the first film and fixed it to make one of the best films of the year. Blazing action sequences, strong performances, and amazing visual effects make its predecessor look like a piece of shit.

13. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
I feel sorry for those people who didn't like this movie due to its complex storyline. I found the film to be one of the most original of the year and one of the most daring. Michel Gondry shows us why he's one of the most talented directors in the world while Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet give winning performances. Jim Carrey deserves at least an Academy Award nomination for his work on this masterpiece.

14. Anchorman: The Legend of the Ron Burgundy
A lot of comedies made me laugh but not as hard as this one. Will Ferrell does make an idiot out of himself as newscaster Ron Burgundy but it's so goddamn hilarious. The film includes an insane amount of gut-busting cameos and a memorable performance from Steve Carrell as Brick the weatherman. "I'm in a glass case of emotion" indeed!

15. Three Extremes: Dumplings
One of the grossest films of the year and one of the most original as well. Great performances from the absolutely sexy Bai Ling, Miriam Yeung, and Tony Leung Ka-Fai, incredible cinematography, and a haunting soundtrack by Chan Kwong Wing make this one of the best horror films ever made.

16. The Calcium Kid
Orlando Bloom sure did suck in Troy but he is perfectly cast as milkman Jimmy Connolly in this great, small independent film. In the vein of the Spinal Tap mockumentary, the film focuses on the world of boxing while discovering that Jimmy is actually hard as steel! Bloom gives a hilarious, flawless performance as Jimmy Connolly while his promoter (Omad Djalili in a role with great zest and verve) Herbie Bush tries his best to make him a contender. Sadly, this film was overlooked in its native England and was never released in the U.S.

17. Shaun of the Dead
Another U.K. production with directing duties by Edgar Wright of Spaced fame. To be honest, the film is never scary but is it funny! Simon Pegg gives a hilarious performance as the low-brow electronics manager Shaun while Nick Frost gives a hilarious role of his own as the obnoxious but yet quite lovable Ed. Loved Bill Nighy's small role as Shaun's stepfather. Look for Chris Martin as a zombie in the end when Shaun and Liz get out of Winchester. He's next to the phone booth!

18. Infernal Affairs 2: The Legend
While quite not as original, or as daring, or as spectacular as the first, IA2 is still is one of the year's best films. Anthony Wong and Eric Tsang give mesmerizing performances as they reprise their roles as Inspector Wong and Sam Hong. But the true standout of the film is the patient performance of award-winning actor Francis Ng. Edison Chen and Shawn Yue are admirable as the young Ming and Yan. Contains an absolutely magnificent soundtrack scored by Chan Kwong Wing and is definitely the only thing better than its predeccesor.

19. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Another hilarious comedy with underrated actors John Cho and Kal Penn. From the director of "Dude, Where's My Car?" but shot with a sense of sensibility and admiration. Has a multitude amount of characters from the "EXTREME!" guys to the ugly but hilarious character aptly named Freakshow.

20. New Police Story
Jackie Chan's best film since Drunken Master 2 and hands down his most dramatic. Chan does go overboard with the schmaltz and dramatics but all his forgiven when the fight scenes begin. Young actor Daniel Wu gives an above average performance as the villain who detests cops while Andy On gives amazing acrobatic performances as the guy who fights Chan toe to toe.