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Movie Favorites of 2005
01-10-2006
by Aaron Dicer
Movie Favorites of 2005
This is the third consecutive year I've put together a list of my favorite movies and it's something I enjoy more and more each time. Doesn't is seem, though, that there is something a bit arrogant about all these best of lists? Who am I to tell you what the "best" is? How can it even be determined? And what's the point of even trying to figure out which movie is better than which other movie? Without getting too philosophical on you, it's all about each of us defining and adjusting for ourselves what makes things "good" and what makes them "great", It's a valuable exercise because it works us toward understanding what it is about entertainment that each of us like. Oh, and it's also just fun to argue.
One thing before we get into it, my list is made up only of movies I have seen for the first time in 2005. Though this may seem obvious, it's worth mentioning because, well, I don't see that many. I see 1 or 2 a month in the theaters, and then spend the summer (when TV is on hiatus) binging on a Netflix smorgasbord of all the movies I missed the previous year. So you're just as likely to see a movie from 2004 that I missed in theaters and less likely to see a movie from this year that didn't demand the "theater experience" (no Munich, Hustle and Flow, or any of the other "film critic" movies I never get around to until the dvd hits). The long and short of it is that these are my favorite 10 movies (in order and with 3 honorable mentions) that I saw for the first time this past year.
Honorable Mention:
Hitch - As far as I'm concerned Will Smith has found his home. He was great in his 4th of July action heydey (ID4, MIB, Wild Wild West, ok skip that last one), but he is absolute genius in Romantic Comedy (having Kevin James to play off of certainly doesn't hurt.) The only thing that keeps this from ranking higher is that it plays love off as a crapshoot instead of a commitment, even if it does so with the right heart.
House of Flying Daggers - Every year it seems there is one martial arts movie that is so jaw droppingly beautiful that I can't help but put it on my list. Add to that a wonderful point about perserverance and self sacrifice, and it's worth reading subtitles for a couple of hours.
Sky Captain & The World of Tomorrow - Almost more of an experiment than a film, this movie was shot with live actors entirely in front of green screen. The result is a film where the shots are gorgeous enough to hang on your wall even if the acting is purposefully old school. Quirky, for sure, but a lot of fun none the less.
The Top Ten:
10. The Notebook - The best movie about love I watched this year with maybe the best visual example of love (excepting "The Passion") I've ever seen. Initially I thought this movie was falling into the trap of many modern "love stories" in emphasizing the emotion and passion over the commitment of true love. Yet, by the end of the movie it was clear this couple had both. It would be in my top five this year if not for the mixed sexual messages and the nod to reincarnation at the end.
9. Finding Neverland - One of two movies on this list starring Freddie Highmore and Johnny Depp (the other one is up at number 5). This is a film with wonderful performances and a great message about innocence and wonder. Depp is a true gift to film, and Highmore is the male Dakota Fanning, cute as a button, but the kid can flat out
act.
8. Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit - Did you know it's pronounced "Weer" not "Ware"? I didn't, but now I do. I also now know that Nick Parks deserves every Oscar he's ever won and will win in the future. The technical achievement of feature length, stop motion animation is amazing enough, but to create lovable, personable, and downright hilarious characters out of pictures of clay is enough to make you want to write love letters to the man. "Dear Nick, Don't ever stop making W&G movies. Faithfully yours, Dice"
7. Batman Begins - I've never liked Batman movies (and I even love Tim Burton, again see number 5) but this one got me. Christian Bale is the perfect Batman, and the realism with which this was handled, made it very moving. I'm giddy to see where this franchise goes next.
6. War of the Worlds - Spielberg always seems to know how to hold an audience, but anyone who saw this knows it was Dakota Fanning who led us through. We saw the invasion through her eyes, the wonder, the fear, and the need for family. Not only that, but for two days after, I saw attack ships behind every water tower. I loved this movie in spite of Cruise's and Tim Robbins' terrible acting, even more proving what a master Stevie truly is.
5. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory - I love the original, and wasn't sure what I would think of this one. The wierd thing is, it wasn't Burton or Depp, or even the once again wonderful Freddie Highmore that sold me on this. It was the Oompa Loompas, Their songs were quirky genius. That, and the squirrels... and the dancing grampa... and Christopher Lee... ok, so there was a lot to love.
4. Serenity - I hadn't even heard of "Firefly" (the tv show that preceded the movie) until Sci-Fi did a marathon earlier this year. I got hooked and overloaded on the amazing style, characters, and humor of the series, and became a full fledged "browncoat" in just one day, at which point I immediately began salivating over the film's upcoming release. "Serenity" did not dissapoint and I will follow Joss Whedon, Captain Mal and the crew on any journey they take from here on out.
3. Star Wars: Episode 3 - The movie I've been dreaming about since I was 10. How did Darth become Darth? It's also the first movie of the new trilogy to deliver the complete goods (though "Clones" was a lot of fun) Obi Wan and Anakin's Lava battle is worth the price of admission alone, and whatever you want to say about Lucas' money grubbing, he did create a universe in which I'm thoroughly invested. Can't wait to see what he does with the live action TV series, and I'm anxiously awaiting a new set of "Clone Wars". As for answering the question all SW fans must ask, I say 4-3-5-6-2-1 (that's best to worst, by the way)
2. King Kong - Peter Jackson proves himself as the ultimate fan director, His passion for Kong is evident in the respect he gives the material and the time he takes with it. I've heard many say that the movie is too long, but I've yet to hear a good example of something that could be cut out. The action and effects are by far the most astounding to ever hit the big screen, and as with Gollum, Andy Serkis and a bunch of ones and zeros have given us one of the most compelling characters in cinema history. Naomi Watts also deserves big-time kudos for such a beautiful performance with no actor or even physical presence to play off of. And who knew Jack Black could be so understated (ok, maybe mediumstated). This is popcorn cinema at it's best and I enjoyed all 190 minutes.
1. The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe - Combine the wonderous effects of Kong, the magic of Wonka, and the childhood dreams of Star Wars, and then add the truth of the self sacrifice of a Savior and you have this beautiful (and faithful) adaption of the CS Lewis classic. The film is full of wonderful acting and beautiful scenery, but I always thought the movie would live or die on the girl they found to play Lucy. Her name is Georgie Henley and she is astonishing in her innocence and wonder. Her initial scene with Tumnus is as heartfelt and touching as any Narnia fan could have dreamed, and the movie overall is the perfect companion to Lewis' written text. When all is said and done, it is likely that the Lion will overtake the Ape at the box office and though money doesn't mean everything, it does mean at least one important thing, Prince Caspian is on the way and Aslan is on the move.
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