Ray (2004)
Director: Taylor Hackford
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell, Harry J. Lennix, Bokeem Woodbine, Richard Schiff, Curtis Armstrong
IMDB: 7.9
Truly one of the best films of 2004, and it deserves every bit of recognition it gets, plus more. Jamie Foxx's performance as Ray Charles should be considered one of the classic acting performances of all time. I know it's easier to hide an actor behind sunglasses but you really lose all sense that it's Jamie Foxx on screen, it's just Ray. Ray will tug your emotions all over the place, from the painful loss of Ray's little brother, to his gradual childhood loss of his sight, to constant discrimination as an adult. But through it all he's still a womanizing heroin junkie. A perfect role model he's not, but a genius, yes. If you weren't a fan of Charles' music before, you'll be won over. Really, you've got to see this. I can't describe how well this film succeeds. I think Ray deserved Best Picture last year, If you agree, let me hear an AMEN!
The Sneaky Cheetah's Grade: A
Closer (2004)
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Natalie Portman, Clive Owen, Jude Law, Julia Roberts
IMDB: 7.4
I couldn't believe legendary director Mike Nichols did this film. He's like 73 years old. He directed the Graduate and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , both top 250 films. And his genius is all over this film. Closer is a brutally honest look at love, infidelity, and regret. No one is truly innocent here. And as the film progresses, your perceptions of the characters will shift. Who's the victim? Who's the cheating bastard? They all are! All 4 of the stars are wonderful, especially Clive Owen. Roberts performance is subdued and seems to be real acting for a change. It's also cool hearing Roberts using some truly explicit language! And the Natalie Portman's stripper scene is hot (see above)! I heard she actually did some nudity, but old man Nichols decided to cut it out. It's still the bomb! Anyway, this movie is great. It'll also make you wonder who you're really talking too when someone instant messages you!
The Sneaky Cheetah's Grade: A
12 Angry Men (1957)Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Henry Fonda, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, Jack Klugman, Martin Balsam, Jack Warden, John Fiedler, Lee J. Cobb, E.G. Marshall, Ed Binns, George Voskovec, Robert Webber
IMDB: 8.7 (#21 on Top 250 of All-Time)
A good classic. The entire film is set in a hot room with a table, 12 chairs and a broken fan. 12 jurors debate their verdict on a murder that we never see, only hear about through the juror's words. They start one vote short of a conviction, but Juror #8 (Fonda) isn't convinced. He proceeds to revisit every aspect of the case and win over other jurors, one by one. This is a great example of when less is more in filmmaking and storytelling, and you will never see films like this made again. To not show the murder in question? To not even reveal the juror's names? (They call each other Juror #2, or #8, etc.) It all rides on the performance of twelve great actors. As you can see by the IMDB ranking, it works, and is a fascinating, "don't want to stop watching" film. 12 Angry Men deserves it's Top 250 status.
The Sneaky Cheetah's Grade: A
Saw (2004)
Director: James Wan
Starring: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Ken Leung, Dina Meyer, Michael Emmerson, Monica Potter
IMDB: 7.5
This is some seriously twisted shit. That's about all I have to say about that. It's not really a horror film, just a creepy/gross psych/thriller. There's a "surprise twist" that I didn't see coming, but that's probably been spoiled for you by now. There are some plot-holes, but the overall experience of this film is successful, you will be creeped out and more then a little disturbed. Co-written by the director Wan and star Whannell. I see a future for these guys. Not as good as Seven, but still pretty decent filmmaking for apparently Zero budget.
The Sneaky Cheetah's Grade: B+
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