According to rediff.com

http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/21sld1.htm

Not a Bad list . Good to see Azhagiya Theeye and Kudakkul Mazhai, Good honest movies.

I will definitely take off

New (should be on the Worst film - there is nothing in it except Hype!). Instead of new, I would consider

My ratings would be

Virumandi
Autograph
Azhagiya Theeye
Kudaikul Mazai
Aayudha Ezhuthu
Chellame

Movies like

Shock
Ghilli
M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi
Vasool Raja MBBS
Perazhagan

should be given "Best remake films" since the original movies was in another language.

My favorite movies this year

# 1 Autograph - superb movie
# 2 M. Kumaran S/o Mahalaksmi - gr8 movie.
# 3 Manmadhan -
# 4 New - timepass comedy.
# 5 Chellame - ok timepass
# 6 gilly - timepass. Doesnt have the superb romance element like the original. Watch okkadu instead.

AE/Yuva - big yawn. Good acting and all, but whats the point of watching it?
Virumandi - so much violence. yuck.

I would say....

1) Autograph
2) Virumandi
3) Manmadhan
4) Aayudha Ezhuthu
5) Ghilli

Though I have not seen much else

I didn't see too many Tamil movies this year. Here is what I saw:

Autograph- Unexpected surprise of a movie. Only saw it once, so I don't know if it holds up for repeat viewing but I liked it a lot.

Virumaandi (was it released at the end of 2003)- Good, but nothing special. As usual, a Kamal-written film is overwritten, with the jail scenes.

Ghillli- Fun timepass movie, nothing more. Prakash Raj is funny as the villain. Not sure if it was intentional, but the way he says "I love you!" and "Hi, chellam!" makes me think it was.

Thendral- I think it was 2004. Good, but somewhat slow.

Ayitha Ezhuthu- Didn't see the point. Not a bad movie, but is a forgettable film from Mani Ratnam.