Great progressive films of 2004

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Considering the films of 2004, I have to say that there more than the usual number of highly political pieces. Of course the first that comes to mind would be "The Passion". Arguably less historically accurate than the lambasted "Alexander", I consider this film to be even more politically motivated and intellectually dishonest than "Fahrenheit 9/11".



But the films I want to talk about in this thread are not so talked about.



First, my pick for best comedy of the year is definitely "Saved". This film was near perfect in every way. Hardly expected for a film with Macauley Culkin and Mandy Moore. This film was definitely not anti-Christian. It was very pro Liberal Christian, and the half-satirical (but all too-true) jokes were spot on. My favorite jokes from the film were where Macauley Culkin says, "She's planting a pipe bomb?", and when Mary is being taken into the ambulance and the three guys, when told only one person can go with her, say in quick succession: "I'm the father!"; "I'm the boyfriend!"; "I'm his boyfriend!" Great movie, and even managed to get a positive review from CSM. Roger Ebert said, "By the end of the movie, mainstream Christian values have not been overthrown, but demonstrated and embraced." I agree completely.



The second great progressive movie that was no where near as good, but which was also important, was "Latter Days". I don't see this to be an anti-Christian movie, either. Was it anti-Mormon? Sure. In many ways. But it had a very strong message that we all need to do something positive and supportive for others in our lives, or risk becoming "cotton candy".
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 35
    powerdocpowerdoc Posts: 8,123member
    The best progressive french movie of 2004 Is undoubtly "Les Choristes" : 8,5 millions of people in France watched it (nice if you consider that France is only 60 millions.



    This movie will be in competition for the Oscars. It's a lesson of humanity. It tell the story of a teacher in a school for difficults childs in the late 40. Like this, it sound boring, but the movie in fact is great.
  • Reply 2 of 35
    whisperwhisper Posts: 735member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by tonton

    Anyone else see "Saved"? What did you think?



    When I first heard about "Saved", I figured it would suck big green hairy donkey balls, like most other religiously themed movies (at least the ones I've seen). But now I'm hearing (from more than just you) that it was pretty good, so I've moved it from my "to be avoided at all costs" list to my "I should probably watch" list.
  • Reply 3 of 35
    shawnjshawnj Posts: 6,656member
    Never saw it. I remember that David Denby thought it was lacking...
  • Reply 4 of 35
    shawnjshawnj Posts: 6,656member
    Best progressive films?



    The Motorcycle Diaries

    Supersize Me

    The Corporation

    Control Room



    A few others but they elude me at the moment.
  • Reply 5 of 35
    scottscott Posts: 7,431member
    You guys realize that no one is fooled by this "progressive" rebranding?
  • Reply 6 of 35
    I'm fooled. I have no idea what you're all talking about.



    progressive = liberal-themed? non-blockbuster? non-Hollywood? good?
  • Reply 7 of 35
    shawnjshawnj Posts: 6,656member




  • Reply 8 of 35
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Scott

    You guys realize that no one is fooled by this "progressive" rebranding?



    Rebranding? Since 1924? Edit: make that 1912.
  • Reply 9 of 35
    outsideroutsider Posts: 6,008member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by tonton

    Anyone else see "Saved"? What did you think?



    I saw it and thought it was one of the best in 2004. I think it mirrors a lot of lives dealing with religious disillusionment and that's why it struck a cord with many people.
  • Reply 10 of 35
    I'm going to have to nominate "Busty Cops."



    It was the best soft-core porn I have ever seen, and that's an important distinction, because soft-core comes on for free at 11PM.
  • Reply 11 of 35
    scottscott Posts: 7,431member
    If that's what "progressive" is all about then I'm for it.
  • Reply 12 of 35
    shawnjshawnj Posts: 6,656member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Scott

    If that's what "progressive" is all about then I'm for it.



    Well-- how exactly are "liberal" and "conservative" more accurate labels?
  • Reply 13 of 35
    cmacma Posts: 25member
    Oh yeah..'progressive' as in:









    ¨Resident Evil Apocalypse
  • Reply 14 of 35
    placeboplacebo Posts: 5,767member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by tonton

    Anyone else see "Saved"? What did you think?



    It was a good laugh, and a bad movie.
  • Reply 15 of 35
    cosmonutcosmonut Posts: 4,872member
    Garden State. Two thumbs way up!
  • Reply 16 of 35
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    Saved was a fun flick, but in the end, I still felt like it was proselytizing Christian values instead of common morality. Jena Malone is hot.
  • Reply 17 of 35
    aquaticaquatic Posts: 5,602member
    Ah at first I thought this thread would be about non-fiction movies or movies that were actual poignant satire and commentary. Although I haven't seen saved and garden state and want to. For entertainment.



    OutFoxed was extremely good. I think that was my favorite political themed film from 2004. Farenheit 9/11 was good however.



    I am disappointed it wasn't enough to keep Bush from being re-elected. The GOP Media Machine is getting better as its wallet gets fatter and more and more companies and journalists bow to the almighty Dollar.
  • Reply 18 of 35
    groveratgroverat Posts: 10,872member
    Quote:

    Jena Malone is hot.



    As is Mandy Moore, so yeah the movie was a big success on that end.



    Like Mean Girls.



    I am a lecher.
  • Reply 19 of 35
    trumptmantrumptman Posts: 16,464member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Aquatic

    Ah at first I thought this thread would be about non-fiction movies or movies that were actual poignant satire and commentary. Although I haven't seen saved and garden state and want to. For entertainment.



    OutFoxed was extremely good. I think that was my favorite political themed film from 2004. Farenheit 9/11 was good however.



    I am disappointed it wasn't enough to keep Bush from being re-elected. The GOP Media Machine is getting better as its wallet gets fatter and more and more companies and journalists bow to the almighty Dollar.




    Maybe one of these days you can realize that crappy conspiracy theories, "gotcha" politics, and focusing on intent while having no ideals of your own won't win elections.



    But actually I'm sort of hoping for the "keep doing the same thing and hope for a different result" insanity that the left seems to love indulging in. I hope they continue it for quite a while.



    Nick
  • Reply 20 of 35
    groveratgroverat Posts: 10,872member
    If you guys want to discuss campaign weaknesses and strategies start a Political Outsider thread about it.
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