The following lists are based totally on my own opinion. Keep in mind that because of our locale I'm unable to include some of the films that may appear on other national critics' lists because they were not in wide release ("Million Dollar Baby" and "Hotel Rwanda" specifically).

And as for concerts, music is the universal language - some bands speak to me and others just don't. Feel free to e-mail me with any comments you might have at deb@wtov9.com

TOP FILMS OF 2004

1. The Aviator

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

3. Kill Bill Vol. 2

4. Finding Neverland

5. The Passion of the Christ

6. Sideways

7. Hero

8. Shrek 2

9. Ray

10. Polar Express

Honorable Mention: Collateral, Friday Night Lights, Spiderman 2, The Manchurian Candidate, Open Water, The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi, Riding Giants, Maria Full of Grace

BOTTOM FILMS OF 2004 : A waste of time and money...

1. Van Helsing

2. Alexander

3. Envy

4. I, Robot

5. Sky Captain & The World of Tomorrow

6. The Forgotten

7. Laws of Attraction

8. Ladder 49

9. The Village

10. Birth

Dishonorable Mentions go to Door In The Floor, We Don't Live Here Anymore, The Alamo, The Terminal

BEST CONCERTS OF 2004

1. Sting w/Annie Lennox

2. Earth, Wind & Fire w/Chicago

3. Josh Groban

4. B.E. Taylor Christmas Show 12/23/04 Wheeling, WV

5. Flood Aid 2004

6. Dave Matthews

7. Aerosmith w/Cheap Trick

8. Jessica Simpson (that's right - she was wonderful!)

9. Lynyrd Skynyrd & Rush(30th Anniversary Tours - tied)

10. Jamboree In the Hills

Concerts I couldn't include, because I was unable to attend, that I heard were incredible and would've placed on the top of my list: Prince, David Bowie, Simon and Garfunkel.

There were no "bad" concerts this year for my record. I also enjoyed Jimmy Buffett, Barenaked Ladies/Alanis Morrisette, Discomania and Styx!

So 2004 was a very entertaining year for this critic. Thanks for checking out what I have to say. It's been a pleasure.

D E B