It Aint No Jive… The Top Ten Films Of 2005
Cool thing was that I got see great older movies like “Raging Bull” and “The Breakfast Club” among others. So out of the new movies that I did encounter, this is a top ten list of my favorite ones. Not the best, but the ones that struck me as pleasant personally.
DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A REVIEW OF ALL TEN MOVIES. IT IS JUST A LIST WITH COMMENTS ABOUT WHY I FOUND THE MOVIES A PARTICULAR DELIGHT. ALSO.. THIS A WARNING THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO STUMBLE INTO A BIT OF RAMBLING SO.. BE AWARE.
(If this was a Top 20 these would also have been included)
“20 – 11 The Runner Ups”
20. ” The Chronicles of Narnia” – Besides the fact that it was the loose inspiration for a great SNL script.. It also was a movie that greatly surprised me for having dept and morals. The C.G.I. was stunning, and the story was well crafted and even witty. Plus, for being a PG (not PG13) movie, it sure had its share of healthy horrific violence. For a kiddo movie that is.
19. “Syriana” – George “Loved by All” Clooney, was well deserving of his Oscar. Even more I loved Matt Damon’s seriously good performance in it. Plus, Oil is a crucial industry to talk about.
18. “A History of Violence” – First movie where I don’t hold a great feeling of disdain for Viggo Mortensen. It holds a full frontal from Maria Bello. Plus, William Hurt (last loved in “The Village”) was wickedly great. Its the best five minute performance I have ever encountered.
17. “Hustle and Flow” – I feel a bit googish, for saying it but I found the movie to be inspirational. With massive feeling about inadequacy about my personal lyric writing and music, I found this here pimps’ problem with his own talent to be striking to my heart. Plus, Terrence Howard did a Mack Daddy of a job in this MTV movie. His performance is what you really call award deserving.. because he literally carries the movie.
16. “Lord of War” – Jared Leto gave here the best performance I’ve seen from him. It was heartfelt and emotional. It is a gunrunning movie that if not for Nic. Cage, it might not have been as good. Me is Huge fan of Cage.
15. “Walk The Line” – I just loved the chemistry between Mr. Phoenix and Lady Reese. The whole relationship was believable to me, so it suckered me in to liking it more than a biographical film, but a film about trouble inside love.
14. “Jarhead” – A very underrated movie that held great performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, and most strikingly Peter Sarsgaard. Sam Mendes did a fine job at delivering the message of the “frustration” that can occur when you are not able to do, the job that you were trained to do.
13. “Munich” – Its not new to say that Steven Spielberg has done a fine directorial job. What should also not be new, is to say that Eric Bana has done a freakin’ fantastic job. For here Mr. Bana has done essentially that. Also you get to see.. future 007.. Mr cool, Daniel Craig.
12. “King Kong” – This is another masterpiece by Peter Jackson. An epic story told in a splendid adventure. sKuLL island was lovingly creepy. Also, that part where Mr. Kong rips the T-Rex dome.. that’s what you call priceless. Oh and when does Naomi Watts not look so damn purty?
11. “Good Night and Good Luck” – For its style and delivery. Delightful black and white movie about freedom of speech among other news related controversies (socialism). George Clooney did a glowing job as a director.
And Now…
For The Top Ten of 2005
#10. – “Revolver”
Directed by:
Guy Ritchie
Writing credits:
Luc Besson (adapted by)
Guy Ritchie (written by)
A big time gambler, Jake Green, is one who bases his skills predominantly on street smarts. He has risen from being a loser to one who always gambles and always wins. One night, he makes an enemy of a crime boss called Macha by beating him for all that he can scrape onto the table. Instead of being humble and taking his loot and run, he stick around a bit and insults the crime boss to no end.
Making an enemy of Dorothy Macha, by insult on top of winning from a man who is greatly feared.. After Jake and his brothers leave the game, Macha puts out the order that he be whacked or as some would say: taking his life away with bullets. Then mysteriously Jake ends up working for a pair of brothers, Avi and Zack, and also protected by this duo who are out to “get” Macha.
“Numba Ten Because…”
The beauty of this movie, is the fine way in which violence and philosophy intertwines. While some might see it without points, it speaks of life in deeper ways than your usual kill-story, but it leaves you to decide on the answers. Judging by the philosophical aspects of it, I would have thought it was just going to be a “think flick”, but surprisingly the action was in par with the dialog. Jason Statham was krankin’ it good. Ray Liotta was a sweetly menacing baddie. Also, AndrÃ?© Benjamin (also known as AndrÃ?© 3000 from the rap group Outkast..) was not surprisingly, fantastic in his performance.
#9. – “The Matador”
Directed by:
Richard Shepard
Writing credits:
Richard Shepard (written by)
In a greet and meet made out sheer coincidence, a traveling salesman creates a profound relationship with a hitman that is down on the dumps or as they call it: Despondency. This new found friendship, ends up provoking each one, to act opposite of their usual self. In a comedy of serendipity, two men from opposite worlds, help each other out in ways that will change each one’s lives forever.
“Numba Nine Because..”
When it comes to the funny.. “The Matador” sure hits the correct spots. Greg Kinnear is funny, while Pierce Brosnan is hilarious. In fact, Brosnan is what makes this film vehicle run. His self-effacing character was a charming slime bag that just made you pity and admire all at the same time. The best thing about this movie is the way the ending is suspenseful and tense, while running right in line with the rest of the film. It really is no surprise that Brosnan was nominated for a Golden Globe, for he did create and deliver a splendid character.
#8. – “Sin City”
Sin City (2005)
Directed by
Frank Miller
Robert Rodriguez
Special Guest Director: Quentin Tarantino
Writing credits
Frank Miller (graphic novels)
“Sin City” is a collection of intertwining tales all based in the corrupted, criminally infested city that is Basin City. Greatly inspired by film-noir, the main story lines concern a brute called Marv (Mickey Rourke), who is stalking the murderer of a woman who was killed while asleep in bed with him; an ex-photographer called Dwight (Clive Owen) who accidentally kills a cop and has to create a cover up; and a retiring policeman called Hartigan (Bruce Willis) who is imprisoned for a false crime. All is based on three graphic novels written and illustrated by Frank Miller. “Sin City”, “The Big Fat Kill” and “That Yellow Bastard”
“Numba Eight Because…”
Right from the start the images grabbed a firm hold on my attention. The look was black and white, but never has very little color said so much. The graphics are not overdone or trying to win over my attention. Rather, the use of the computer-aided scenery, is setting a tone and through out the movie the tone was set by carefully maneuvered c.g.i. At times in movies, you find a use of a bag full of colors, they splash the colors around in hopes of putting you at awe. In this movie it is quite different. They actually use the lack of color to say something.
Never have you see the true beauty of red, till you see it in full splendor, brightly shining in the mist of black and gray. At the beginning we have the pleasure to see a woman who is all the color gray but her gown and lips are a luscious red. Silently provocative. Prodding our mind, to make it think and see in ways not experienced before.
We see entire scenes in unconventional ways. Keeping our attention right to the finale. Its amazing how the visuals in this movie capture the feeling and emotion, that Frank Miller in his graphic novels was striving to sink into his reader’s mind. Yes, indeed, this movie is filled with deep meaning but thankfully also with delicious Eye Candy.
#7. – “Match Point”
Directed by:
Woody Allen
Writing credits:
Woody Allen
Chris Wilton is a “No More” tennis pro. In the film, he is searching to find work as an tennis instructor. When one is found, he becomes chummy with one of his students called Tom Hewett, a wealthy pretty boy. The sister of ol’Tom is a beauty named Chloe. She falls in love with Chris but Chris has his eyes on Tom’s fiancÃ?©e Nola, who is the epitome of the words “sexually glorious”. Both Chris and Nola know it’s wrong to cross paths but life seems to see different things for them. Becoming involved in multiple relationships Chris tries to juggle two situations at one time and is pushed to finally commit to something.
“Numba Seven Because…”
This film here is finally to me a fine film from Woody Allen. I cant say that many of his previous movies were not fantastic, but what I also cant say, is that I loved any of them. This one however, changed my tune. “Match Point” was a thrilling ride, that held suspense, love triangle, seductive sexuality, and most importantly all coming from my favorite lady Scarlett Johansson. She was quite a delight, and played sexual.. like the sun plays hot. I mean personified. But that’s just the man in me talkin’….. No doubt this movie was filled with great performances exceptionally Jonathan Rhys Meyers. He drove the movie and we all just sat shot gun. And judging from the pieces that he spent with Scarlett.. That Rhys is a lucky guy….
#6. – “The Upside of Anger”
Directed by:
Mike Binder
Writing credits:
Mike Binder
Terry Wolfmeyer is a sharp-witted, heavy drinking suburban wife, who is left to raise her four “full of life” daughters, when her husband disappears from their life unexpectedly. Things become hectic when she tumbles in lust, for her neighbor Denny, who was once a great baseball player. Now he is a run down, sports show disk jockey. This leaves her daughters having to deal with her disdain for her husband and her new infatuation. Plus, now they must juggle mom’s relationship dilemmas, as well as their own.
“Numba Six Because…”
Joan Allen was freakin awesome in this film. I would have been pulling for her to win at the academy.. but to not even be nominated.. man, that surely burns my biscuits. To see her morph on the screen from happy to melancholy to complete belligerence.. that is a cinematic delight. Kevin Costner’s role in this story, really seals the “great movie” deal. He completes the pair, creating perfect chemistry with Allen.
It was pure and emotionally raw, the way they would interact and fight and look at each other with the passion that only drunk people have for each other. On top of these two fine performances, you have the perfect delivery by all the daughters (Erika Christensen, Keri Russell, and Alicia Witt) and the twister of an ending that makes the whole story heartfelt and emotional.
#5. – “Capote”
In 1959, a writer for The New Yorker named Truman Capote, finds a story about the senseless murder of a family of four in Holcomb, Kansas. Inspired by this account, Capote and travels to the town to collect research for an article. However, as Capote delves deeper into this story, he becomes obsessed and decides to expand the project into a non-fiction novel… that would come to be called “In Cold Blood”.
“Why Numba Five?”
The story of Capote is much more than the quick summary above. It is a detail account of the before and after of the creation of “In Cold Blood”. The greatness of the film is found in the gloriously gritty direction of the story and the fine tuning of all the intricate details found in the story. Yet even with all this the major reason why I loved it.. was because of Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is so fine tuned, that his portrayal of Capote is not mimicry or impersonation, but he wove his own clothing.. creating his own character out of who Capote was.
I’ve loved this guy since back when he hated Jim Morrison in “Almost Famous” and said “Thats, That!” to Adam Sandler in “Punch-Drunk Love”. It was just fantastic to actually get to see him shine as the lead rather than being part of the supporting cast. The bright star.. rather than a shooting comet.
#4. – “Crash”
Multiple tales intertwine during a couple of days in Los Angeles. Two days involving a multiple accounts of multi-racial characters, crossing each others paths.
“Why In the Door at Numba Four?”
Anytime I attempt to say anything about this film, I get discombobulated. The story is full of characters and they all have some sort of racial interaction with one that is not its own. The film does not straight out question rasism or answer any questions. Yet, the ride is just riveting. Just looking at it, as a story alone.. it is remarkable how the production of it was pieced together so neatly. And the emotion that it builds up inside you, like it or not, is quite an impression. It holds an All-Star cast and they all shine. You can take your pic from Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, Ryan Phillippe, Jennifer Esposito, and Terrence Howard to just name a few.
#3. – “The Weather Man”
Directed by:
Gore Verbinski
Writing credits:
Steve Conrad
Dave Spritz has a promising career as a weatherman in Chicago. He is loved or hated because of his job. Especially hated, when he incorrectly predicts the weather. People get angry to the point that they throw fast food, very fast at him. Sadly while his career is flowering, his personal life is crumbling. He can never impress his father, his children are not the brightest ones of the bunch, and his ex-spouse isn’t fond of him, to say the least. This film is Mr. Spritz, dealing with this basket of dilemmas.
“This Be Numba Three”
Family lessons told in a Rated R way. Plus, so damn funny too. This film takes the many ways that life can be utterly despondent, and displays how you cant always deal with them in a Rated G way. How life is like this:
Dave Spritz: We both just think it’s better for the kids.
Robert Spritz: David, sacrifice is… to get anything of value, you have to sacrifice.
Dave Spritz: I know that dad, but I think that if we continue down this road, it’s gonna be too detrimental for the kids. It’s just too hard.
Robert Spritz: Do you know that the harder thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing? Nothing that has meaning is easy. “Easy” doesn’t enter into grown-up life.
I just love the way this movie says: Life is hard.. yah.. so.. Deal with it! Plus, it does it, while giving you a galore of chuckles.
#2. “In Good Company”
Directed by:
Paul Weitz
Writing credits:
Paul Weitz
What kinda sucks about talking about this movie.. is the fact that Im cheatin’. This movie came out at the end of 2004 and I did not watch it till it came out on DVD in the year 2005.
Yet, Im trifling here because its such a splendid movie. Funny as well as dramatic. Scarlett Johansson, Topher Grace, and Dennis Quaid gave outstanding performances.
I find it funny to think that at the beginning of the project Ashton Kutcher was penciled in for the role, because I think that alone would have disrupted the whole project and dragged it down to the bad movie abyss. Not that I dislike Ashton, (Which was outstanding in “The Butterfly Effect”) I just believe he would have been all wrong for this particular part.
#1 – “Batman Begins”
Directed by:
Christopher Nolan
Writing credits:
Bob Kane (characters)
David S. Goyer (story)
When Bruce Wayne was a mere child he stood witness to the horrific event of his parent being taken by the gun of a stranger. A deep mental scar that makes him become utterly obsessed with revenge and avenging his parents. But the opportunity is uncontrollably taken away from him. Fleeing to the East, where he stumbles into a ninja leader, he then seeks his council. Bruce then after extensive training returns to a demoralizing Gotham City, which is being controlled by organized crime. During all this Bruce is slowly finding a new identity.
The revelation of a cave under his home, along with an armored suit, leads him to lay a foundation to a new identity. This new identity would strike fear in the heart of wrong doers. Batman then sets out to take down the various schemes in motion by individuals such as mafia Don Falcone, the crazy doctor Jonathan “The Scarecrow” Crane, and a mysterious third party.
(Why my fav. of 2005?)
“Excellent Film”
There are many reasons to call “Batman Begins” an excellent film. First, the story is well crafted and is complete in every way. As an origin tale, it takes you into the different stages that led to Bruce Wayne becoming Batman. This tale pulls at your emotional strings and makes you actually feel something for him. Seeing him for once not as this invincible icon and more like a fragile human being, that is on the rise. It became a very enjoyable experience.
Also, the villains in the movie are perfectly crafted. We did not get an over indulge of the bad guy. For example with The Scarecrow, his brevity in the film was just what the doctor ordered. We got just enough, to were it was that good. Just enough, to leave a strong impression. Other villains in the film are also used wisely and to the proper flow of the film.
Best of all, this film leaves us wanting more. Moments after you finish watching it. You yearn for more. You begin speculating about what is to come next. It is really that good of a movie. We can only hope that if a sequel is made, that we should be fortunate if it is as good as this one was. This film was as complete as you could hope for.
“The Batman”
If you have watched any of Christian Bale’s previous films, then already know how good an actor he is. For those who don’t, all they have to do is watch him in this film and they will have enough to know it. The great thing about him in this film, is the fact that he brings actual emotion to the character. Unlike the actors that portrayed Batman in the past. They always seemed to me, very one dimensional. The great thing about Bale is the authenticity that he creates. In this movie you can see Batman as angry, sad, vulnerable, mean, scary, and for once.. See him smile and joke a bit. Christian Bale put on the suit and did not play Batman, he became Batman.
These B My Fav. Films Of 2005.
ZeN
