Top 10 Movies of 2005
As 2005 comes to an end, I think about what a great year it was for me, probably one of the best of my life. It also turned out to be one of the worst years in recent history when it came to box office sales and no one could seem to pinpoint the reason why. Most people blamed it on a lack of good movies, no creativity in Hollywood if you will. This is where they were wrong. True, most theatres may not get a lot of the independent movies out there, but with a little effort and a website or two offering some opinions on what to see, there is plenty of good stuff out there to see. While people claim they could barely make a top 5, I too was thinking, "Man, I don't know if I can even do a top ten." That was, of course, until I went back and recalled all the movies I had seen this year. Then I couldn''t stop listing movies that could make the top 10. In the end, I had about 18 nominees that were eventually narrowed down to this top 10 list. It's always tough (that's why I'll put some non-top 10 movies that deserve recognition afterwards) but it had to be done. Anyway...to help usher in the New Year...Here is my top 10 movies of 2005:
#10 - Elizabethtown
Director: Cameron Crowe
I'll just be honest. If Cameron Crowe put out a movie every year, it would probably make my list. E-town saw a harsh reaction from critics and a dismal showing at the box office, but what people don't remember is that Almost Famous did about just the same in its box office run and now look how many people love it. The thing that I love about Crowe movies is that they are true. Its simple, but it is important. The dialogue and stories just feel real. They could happen to anyone and anytime, in any place. I'm not really a fan of Orlando Bloom and I thought he shined in this role. A beautyiful music selection(one of the best soundtracks of the year) tops off yet another great movie by Cameron Crowe. If you didn't like it, maybe give it a second chance, because its movies like these that have a lasting effect in the years to come.
#9 - Imaginary Heroes
Director: Dan Harris
Although this movie was first released in late December 2004, it was very limited and didn't even have a New York and L.A. release until 2005. Its weird, because this movie is almost like putting a straight to DVD release into the top 10, but let me tell you, it is worth the watch. This movie is performance driven with Sigourney Weaver giving one of her best performances in a long line of great roles. It also features one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood today. Jeff Daniels. He is amazing in this role and steals the show as only a supporting actor. This movie also showcases a young actor that I think will only get better with his years, Emile Hirsch. Rent this movie, its worth it.
#8 - Sin City
Directors: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Millar
Despite my distaste in the over use of cgi in Hollywood today, I think this movie used it well and pulled off something completely new and inventive. Robert Rodriguez is a movie making machine and if he churns out more movies like this, at least theatres will have something entertaining to watch. Clive Owen shells out yet another great performance in this action packed comic-adaptation.
#7 - Munich
Director: Steven Spielberg
So, I fit this one in at the last minute, rushing out to see it before the new year in hopes that it would make the list, and it certainly did. Spielberg is back at his best with this film, starring Eric Bana and Geoffrey Rush. The one thing I noticed about the film is that it is shot digitally(probably for the fact that Spielberg wanted it shot, edited, and released in about 4 months time), but it doesn't look like the change-over hindered Steven a bit. The use of camera is brilliant and most of the movie looks gorgeous. Solid performances from all the leads carry this movie throughout, but don't get me wrong, there's some great action and suspense in there as well.
#6 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Director: Mike Newell
First things first, let me say that I was never a Harry Potter fan. I never read the books, and I only saw the first film. I ended up watching all of them so that this one would make sense and they turned out to be decent movies. Then I saw Goblet. It made the other Potter films look like a joke. The movie takes ahold of you from the opening shot and keeps you there until the end of the film. Let's face it though, the strongest part of this movie (and all of the Potter's for that matter) is Emma Watson as Hermione. This young actress carries her co-stars throughout and even almost brought a tear to my eye after the ball, when she yells at Ron. If the movies continue to be as good as this one was, I will be there to see each and every one of them.
#5 - Cinderella Man
Director: Ron Howard
Ron Howard is a beast. Plain and simple. The man just makes amazing films. This one is no exception. Russel Crowe delivers a blovkbuster performance that was accented by the performance of his co-star Renee Zellweger (who I normally despise). The tale hits you right in the heart, so much so that even though you probably can figure out what is going to happen, you still hope endlessly for it throughout the entire film. Lastly, I'm sincerely hoping that this movie finally brings a statue home to Paul Giamatti, who shines as Crowe's trainer/manager. This movie just makes you feel good.
#4 - Batman Begins
Director: Christopher Nolan
This was the Batman movie that I have been waiting for. What Tim Burton did with the first two was a true accomplishment, but finally someone has brought truth to the character of the Dark Knight. Maybe it is just because I love origin stories, but I really feel as tough this movie takes ahold of everyone's interests and keeps them on the edge of the seat the whole time. David Goyer brings the detective to life in a script that stays so true to the comics, while adding new tidbits along the way. This was just a great film for comic lovers and action lovers alike.
#3 - Walk The Line
Director: James Mangold
And the award for Best Actor goes to.......
Joaquin Phoenix for this amazing performance of the legendary Johnny Cash. From the intricate details of learning Cash's voice patterns, not only for one portion of his life, but the changes throughout, to the time it must have taken Phoenix to learn how to play guitar from scratch, his dedication to this role shows through and through. This really put Joaquin on a whole new level for me. Reese Witherspoon does a fantastic job as well. No one should go without seeing this movie.
#2 - King Kong
Director: Peter Jackson
Wow. This movie did not let me down. I mentioned it before, but I have a big problem accepting the fact that CGI has become a dominant force in the movie making industry. I gave endless amounts of scrutiny to Peter Jackson for going overboard on cgi for the LOTR movies. I think i made a mistake. As much as I would still be angry if actors began being replaced by cgi recreations of people, the kind of cgi that is in LOTR and King Kong is now something I am willing to accept and love. You know why? Because in a world where movies might become a dying art form, I will allow Peter Jackson to make any movie he wants if this is how he is going to do it. King Kong made me feel like a kid again. Maybe it was, in fact, Jackson's childhood love of Kong that made this movie so great, his refusal of anything that might be less than perfect, but to me it just seems that everyone involved had one goal with making this movie. They wanted to make a movie, that no matter how old or young you were, whether or not you liked action, comedy or drama, or simply whether or not you even like movies at all, it would be something you could enjoy. This movie is the reason people go to see movies. This movie is the reason I want to make movies. Peter Jackson, I'm sorry I ever doubted you.
#1 - Crash
Director: Paul Haggis
After having just said all of that about King Kong, you are probably asking, "How was that only #2?". Well, as good as Kong is, it lacks something that Paul Haggis has to offer with this directorial debut. Crash makes you think. While making you laugh, gasp, cry, and anything else, Crash makes you think. This is why I wish more theatres got independent films. So that the general public could experience movies like this. Movies that, no matter how unknown you are, the power of your script evokes a response from such big name players in Hollywood, that they ASK YOU to be in your movies. It has been a long time since a movie hit me so hard on an emotional level. At least twice in this film, I found that I didn't breathe for about 2 minutes because I was so engrossed in the scene. That takes great filmmaking to pull off. Its funny that something you didn't even see coming could land right in the #1 spot, but maybe it is better that way.
Happy New Year to all. See in 2006
#10 - Elizabethtown
Director: Cameron Crowe
I'll just be honest. If Cameron Crowe put out a movie every year, it would probably make my list. E-town saw a harsh reaction from critics and a dismal showing at the box office, but what people don't remember is that Almost Famous did about just the same in its box office run and now look how many people love it. The thing that I love about Crowe movies is that they are true. Its simple, but it is important. The dialogue and stories just feel real. They could happen to anyone and anytime, in any place. I'm not really a fan of Orlando Bloom and I thought he shined in this role. A beautyiful music selection(one of the best soundtracks of the year) tops off yet another great movie by Cameron Crowe. If you didn't like it, maybe give it a second chance, because its movies like these that have a lasting effect in the years to come.
#9 - Imaginary Heroes
Director: Dan Harris
Although this movie was first released in late December 2004, it was very limited and didn't even have a New York and L.A. release until 2005. Its weird, because this movie is almost like putting a straight to DVD release into the top 10, but let me tell you, it is worth the watch. This movie is performance driven with Sigourney Weaver giving one of her best performances in a long line of great roles. It also features one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood today. Jeff Daniels. He is amazing in this role and steals the show as only a supporting actor. This movie also showcases a young actor that I think will only get better with his years, Emile Hirsch. Rent this movie, its worth it.
#8 - Sin City
Directors: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Millar
Despite my distaste in the over use of cgi in Hollywood today, I think this movie used it well and pulled off something completely new and inventive. Robert Rodriguez is a movie making machine and if he churns out more movies like this, at least theatres will have something entertaining to watch. Clive Owen shells out yet another great performance in this action packed comic-adaptation.
#7 - Munich
Director: Steven Spielberg
So, I fit this one in at the last minute, rushing out to see it before the new year in hopes that it would make the list, and it certainly did. Spielberg is back at his best with this film, starring Eric Bana and Geoffrey Rush. The one thing I noticed about the film is that it is shot digitally(probably for the fact that Spielberg wanted it shot, edited, and released in about 4 months time), but it doesn't look like the change-over hindered Steven a bit. The use of camera is brilliant and most of the movie looks gorgeous. Solid performances from all the leads carry this movie throughout, but don't get me wrong, there's some great action and suspense in there as well.
#6 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Director: Mike Newell
First things first, let me say that I was never a Harry Potter fan. I never read the books, and I only saw the first film. I ended up watching all of them so that this one would make sense and they turned out to be decent movies. Then I saw Goblet. It made the other Potter films look like a joke. The movie takes ahold of you from the opening shot and keeps you there until the end of the film. Let's face it though, the strongest part of this movie (and all of the Potter's for that matter) is Emma Watson as Hermione. This young actress carries her co-stars throughout and even almost brought a tear to my eye after the ball, when she yells at Ron. If the movies continue to be as good as this one was, I will be there to see each and every one of them.
#5 - Cinderella Man
Director: Ron Howard
Ron Howard is a beast. Plain and simple. The man just makes amazing films. This one is no exception. Russel Crowe delivers a blovkbuster performance that was accented by the performance of his co-star Renee Zellweger (who I normally despise). The tale hits you right in the heart, so much so that even though you probably can figure out what is going to happen, you still hope endlessly for it throughout the entire film. Lastly, I'm sincerely hoping that this movie finally brings a statue home to Paul Giamatti, who shines as Crowe's trainer/manager. This movie just makes you feel good.
#4 - Batman Begins
Director: Christopher Nolan
This was the Batman movie that I have been waiting for. What Tim Burton did with the first two was a true accomplishment, but finally someone has brought truth to the character of the Dark Knight. Maybe it is just because I love origin stories, but I really feel as tough this movie takes ahold of everyone's interests and keeps them on the edge of the seat the whole time. David Goyer brings the detective to life in a script that stays so true to the comics, while adding new tidbits along the way. This was just a great film for comic lovers and action lovers alike.
#3 - Walk The Line
Director: James Mangold
And the award for Best Actor goes to.......
Joaquin Phoenix for this amazing performance of the legendary Johnny Cash. From the intricate details of learning Cash's voice patterns, not only for one portion of his life, but the changes throughout, to the time it must have taken Phoenix to learn how to play guitar from scratch, his dedication to this role shows through and through. This really put Joaquin on a whole new level for me. Reese Witherspoon does a fantastic job as well. No one should go without seeing this movie.
#2 - King Kong
Director: Peter Jackson
Wow. This movie did not let me down. I mentioned it before, but I have a big problem accepting the fact that CGI has become a dominant force in the movie making industry. I gave endless amounts of scrutiny to Peter Jackson for going overboard on cgi for the LOTR movies. I think i made a mistake. As much as I would still be angry if actors began being replaced by cgi recreations of people, the kind of cgi that is in LOTR and King Kong is now something I am willing to accept and love. You know why? Because in a world where movies might become a dying art form, I will allow Peter Jackson to make any movie he wants if this is how he is going to do it. King Kong made me feel like a kid again. Maybe it was, in fact, Jackson's childhood love of Kong that made this movie so great, his refusal of anything that might be less than perfect, but to me it just seems that everyone involved had one goal with making this movie. They wanted to make a movie, that no matter how old or young you were, whether or not you liked action, comedy or drama, or simply whether or not you even like movies at all, it would be something you could enjoy. This movie is the reason people go to see movies. This movie is the reason I want to make movies. Peter Jackson, I'm sorry I ever doubted you.
#1 - Crash
Director: Paul Haggis
After having just said all of that about King Kong, you are probably asking, "How was that only #2?". Well, as good as Kong is, it lacks something that Paul Haggis has to offer with this directorial debut. Crash makes you think. While making you laugh, gasp, cry, and anything else, Crash makes you think. This is why I wish more theatres got independent films. So that the general public could experience movies like this. Movies that, no matter how unknown you are, the power of your script evokes a response from such big name players in Hollywood, that they ASK YOU to be in your movies. It has been a long time since a movie hit me so hard on an emotional level. At least twice in this film, I found that I didn't breathe for about 2 minutes because I was so engrossed in the scene. That takes great filmmaking to pull off. Its funny that something you didn't even see coming could land right in the #1 spot, but maybe it is better that way.
Happy New Year to all. See in 2006
posted by Jp at 12:14 PM
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