At the Movies: 2005 Year in Review
"Love, is a burning thing. And it makes, a firery ring ."
-June Carter Cash

...and I'm back. As promised. My 2005 year in review continues with my second 10 most favorite films of the year. Counting down, here they are, the almost greatest films of 2005:

20. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

The 3rd film in the Star Wars saga is the closest George Lucas has come to brilliance, in a long time. While it certainly bears its moments of awkwardness (no one could turn such a brilliant cast so sour, one would think), the film is so beautifully shot and so epically overwhelming (in the best of ways), that it would take some serious effort not to completely enjoy this film. Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith, is a beautiful war/love opera, masterfully pictured by Lucas and David Tattersall and the entire effects team.

19. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The fourth Harry Potter film is by far the best of the lot. Its scope alone makes it the most fun, engaging, and intriguing story yet. The Potter world was executed much better the third time around by helmer, Alfonso Cuarón (Y Tu Mama Tambien), and then amped up another level by British director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) in The Goblet of Fire edition. The child actors are also coming into their own, more fully embodying their complex characters.

18. Cinderella Man

The acting in this film is first class. See it for Crowe, Giamatti, and Zellweger's performances alone. It does not hurt that it is grand and powerful storytelling by an American master: Ron Howard. Cinderella Man is richer and packs a bigger punch than Howard's A Beautiful Mind, which one the Best Picture Oscar four years ago.

17. Jarhead

This is Jake Gyllenhaal's best performance of 2005, but one he is getting no credit for. With everyone talking about Brokeback Mountain-as important and as good a film as it is-Jarhead has been completely lost under the radar. Sure, this is not your typical war film, nor even can it pose as an action/adventure film, as its main characters do next to nothing. That, however, is precicely what makes it so good and so important. Ultimately, Jarhead is a great character study as well as a blunt look into our recent past, giving us a glimpse into our similar situation overseas today.

16. Twist of Faith

2005 has been hailed by some, the year of the documentary. With the great commercial success of films like March of the Penguins and Mad, Hot Ballroom, and the widespread critical acclaim for Werner Herzog's pair of docs, Grizzly Man and The White Diamond, a quite character study, like Twist of Faith is easily lost in the shuffle. It is a moving, tragic, family drama, and it is all real. Nominated for last years Academy Award for best documentary and Sundance's Documentary Grand Jury Prize, Twist of Faith is definetely one of my favorite films of 2005.

15. In Her Shoes

Curtis Hanson is one of the best filmmakers working today. I was always skeptical of this film, before I saw it, but should not have been, knowing it was in his hands. Hanson connects moments in a film together better than anyone else, creating a seamless drama, always engaging, and completely enrapturing.

14. Mutual Appreciation

One of my most surprising film going experiences of '05 came at the Hawaii International Film Festival's screening of Andrew Bujalski's (Funny Ha Ha) second film: Mutual Appreciation. I was completely taken in by this film; every moment of it was entertaining and I hope that everyone gets a chance to see this enchanting, small, little film about a young musician and his friends.

13. Pride and Prejudice

First time director, Joe Wright, breaths life into Austen’s Pride & Prejudice like no other could have. Unlike many who have panned this adaptation, I have not seen the BBC mini-series version, which has been hailed with such high praises, thus I measure this film against nothing other than itself; and as I do, it resonates with me in only one way: as a striking, invigorating, heart-felt love story. Keira Knightley electrifies the screen and deserves all of the praise she has received, and then some. Donald Sutherland gives a pitch-perfect, quiet turn as Knightley's loving father. I will not say much for Matthew Macfayden's turn as Mr. Darcy, though it is tough to measure up to the dynamism Knightley brings to the screen, throughout this film.

12. Mysterious Skin

Mysterious Skin gripped me and moved me and disturbed me like no other film in 2005. The film had an acute sense of the harsh realities of the world and beautifully portrayed them through the damaged souls of two young boys, Neil (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Brian (Brady Corbet). Gordon-Levitt's perfomance is the stuff Oscars are made of, if only people (i.e. Academy members) saw films like this!

11. Millions

I had a smile on my face from the first moment Damian (Alex Etal) began speaking until the credits rolled at the end of the film (okay, and I shed a few tears as well, but that is besides the point). This is a film that is, at once, strangely unique and all too familiar. Alex Etal gives one of the most heart-felt performances of the year by anyone, let alone a 10-year-old. Danny Boyle has made genre film after genre film and Millions is no different; this one just happens to be in the family genre, and it is no less, and actually more, outstanding, than any of his previous work. Everyone should see this movie!


With those wonderful films behind me, it can only get better from here. Bellow is the link to the Top 10 Films of 2005.

Top 10 List

I'll be back tomorrow with my last minute predictions for the 2006 Academy Awards. I will also post a full list of the nominess immediately following their announcement Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Until then, happy predicting to all and to all,
Good night, and good luck...