Top movies of 2005
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It is time. I have watched around 90 major releases from this year. And I will say that there are quite a few major releases that I have not seen. There are even some art house movies that I have not seen that are winning awards. But, I figure that it being a month after the release of any new 2005 movies, it was time to put up my list of the best movies of 2005. Now, this is not saying that these are the best films, as much as my favorite films of the year. Like John on the Movie Blog reiterates constantly, movies are subjective. So one person can enjoy a movie thoroughly, while another can sit through the same movie and be angry because it was a waste of their time. So here is my list.
I had trouble pairing the list down this far, but I couldn’t leave off anything on this list. So here are my top 17 movies of 2005.
17. Mr. and Mrs. Smith – Don’t expect an oscar worthy performance, but this is exactly what a summer action movie should be. It is completely mind numbing, but fun and pretty. The chemistry between PItt and Jolie is perfect. The scenes in the doctor’s office are very real.
16. Shopgirl – Claire Danes, Steve Martin, and Jason Schwartzmann are amazing in this movie. It didn’t get into too many theaters, but it really should have. It was so well done and was very impressive. If you haven’t seen this, then youare missing out. It is a really solid story and I was very impressed with Steve Martin’s writing abilities in this movie.
15. Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith – I had to put this one on there. Because coming out of it, I was overwhelmed. But after thinking about it more, it dropped farther and farther on the list. It may have been beautiful and the end of a great story, but the writing and directing was so weak that it just couldn’t overcome some of the other films on this list.
14. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – What a fun movie this was. It was quite a bit darker than the original, but it was actually more true to the book. Johnny Depp, as always, embodied the character that he took on. It was a fun movie, and even though it is dark, it could still be enjoyed by kids without parents being worried about them.
13. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Other than on this site, you probably haven’t even heard of this movie. It stars Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. It is from the writer of Lethal Weapon and you can tell that it is from the same guy because it uses the buddy aspect of the story to lead you into liking these characters and how they interact with each other. The narratives are great and enjoyable. I wish it had been released in more theaters though.
12. King Kong – You knew this would have to be on the list. It is a fun movie, but it will be even better when you get it on DVD so you can take bathroom breaks. It is extremely long, but extremely solid. Peter Jackson just adds to his legacy with this film.
11. Serenity – I am a big fan of the original Joss Whedon TV series from Fox called Firefly, and this is a continuation of the story. They got all of the original actors to do this movie, and it was really great. I really don’t think that you have to have watched the show to get into this movie, but it definitely helps.
10. Wedding Crashers – I really went in not expecting too terribly much from this movie, but came out really enjoying it. If you haven’t seen it by now, then I don’t know what you are doing. It is an extremely funny, and sweet film. It would make for a good date movie, as well as a good buddy movie.
9. Sky High – I know it sounds stupid to think that a movie about a superhero high school could be good. But trust me, it is. I was looking forward to this movie for months before its release. It is really good and has a lot of heart. It is also nice to see Kurt Russell back in one of the campy roles he is known for.
8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Number 4 in the Harry Potter series. This one is the best one yet. The themes are getting more mature and so are the actors. None of them really stood out as anything special in the first few movies, but now they are learning how to really act and become the characters that they portray. I see long careers for Hermione and Harry.
7. Unleashed – This action/drama starring Bob Hoskins, Jet Li, and Morgan Freeman really takes you from hot to cold and back to hot again in a heartbeat. The movie is either a really strong martial arts action flick, or it is a great drama. But it takes you from one to the next in the blink of an eye.
6. The Family Stone – Normally ensemble casts don’t do much for me because it makes the film seem cluttered no matter the talent. But in this film the dialogue and interaction between the characters is very fluid and comfortable. It is a really good movie that I think will do extremely well on video.
5. Walk the Line – The story of Johnny Cash and June Carter are perfectly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. The movie is really amazing. It gives you a new respect for the man, as well as the music that made him famous.
4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – I was completely blown away by this movie. I mean, I got chills over and over in this film as it just brought me into this world that was exactly what I pictured in my head from the book. I can’t wait for the next one. Think Lord of the Rings for kids.
3. A History of Violence – Viggo Mortensen shows why he was able to carry Lord of the Rings. The writing is brilliant in this film. At first, the movie seems very stiff and predictable, but part of the way through the movie, and the more you think about it, the more it makes sense and you become amazed with the film.
2. Batman Begins – This is possibly the best comic book adaptation ever made. The X-Men movies are really good, but this one wasn’t just outlandish like the X-Men films. These are great movies with or without the comic book storylines. The writing is spot-on, and absolutely stellar.
1. 40 Year Old Virgin – I think it is clear why this movie is my favorite movie of the year. It is the one movie from this list that I quote on a regular basis. You actually come out of this movie hurting because you are laughing so hard. If you need a good ab workout, watch this movie. It is not only a great comedy, but has a strong cast, and strong writing.
So those are my favorite movies of the year. Here is my advice to you. Write down the list from 1 to 17 and start at one and work your way down as they come out on DVD. You won’t be disappointed in them.
Now, keep in mind that I have not seen some of the major releases, nor some of the art house movies that are getting rave reviews. I haven’t seen Brokeback Mountain, Hustle and Flow, North Country, or Constant Gardener. Could those have made it onto my list? Of course. But I just don’t have the desire to watch them and haven’t gotten the opportunity either. Hopefully this list will help you find something to watch as you go to the movies, or look for something at the video store. Did I leave off any movies that should have been on there?