2005
Last year's top movie list included separate lists for my favorite films of the year and those that I thought were the best in terms of production. This year my tastes apparently coincide with craftsmanship because I only have one top 10 movies list. These films are both my favorites and those that I deem the best.
As usual, I've also included the top 10 performances, as well as the five worst films and performances. All lists are written in no certain order.
The Top 10 Films of 2005
King Kong: Peter Jackson's return was a brilliant cinematic experience that harkened back to Hollywood's glory days when quality movies could still be entertaining.
Match Point: Woody Allen's most "un-Woody" movie told a seductive story with a talented cast. The film's more dramatic elements, in contrast with the director's usually comedic style, highlighted his amusingly sardonic tendencies.
A History of Violence: The film was a complex, intense look at violence with an amazing performance from Viggo Mortensen.
Crash: Featuring an unlikely cast in brilliant performances (yes, even Sandra Bullock), this ensemble piece restored my faith in Hollywood's ability to capture the human spirit.
The Squid and the Whale: Simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious, this off-color indie about divorce had one of the best screenplays in American film.
Munich: This was easily one of Spielberg's best films ever. It's only complicated if you don't pay attention to its many brilliant details.
Cinderella Man: Ron Howard's underrated film is his finest work yet.
Good Night and Good Luck: George Clooney's second directorial effort shows great promise. Don't see if you can't stand sublime simplicity.
Sin City: Only Robert Rodriguez could so boldly and brilliantly bring Frank Miller's comic book masterpiece to life.
Junebug: I never thought that anything starring anyone from The O.C. would end up on this list, but the film was too brilliant to overlook for such a small grievance.
The Top 10 Performances of 2005
Gwyneth Paltrow, Proof: The only reason this mediocre movie worked was because Gwyneth gave her finest, most complex performance yet.
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica: This desperate housewife showed what amazing depth and range can be hidden by network TV (not that her work on ABC is shabby).
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line: Reese has gone from legally blonde to unfathomably brilliant. Watch her win the Oscar.
Scarlett Johansson, Match Point: I still can't believe someone so young can be so seductive, vulnerable and mature. Mmmm.
Gong Li, Memoirs of a Geisha: Never before have bitchy and backstabbing been so hot. Gong Li, I worship you.
Tilda Swinton, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: No one could have played this part more perfectly. It's a shame the witch won't be back for the sequel.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote: Simply stated, this is one of the most fantastic male performances ever captured on celluloid.
Viggo Mortensen, A History of Violence: Continuning to show that he's an actor of uncommon depth, Mortensen used his trademark brooding and pensiveness to great effect.
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain: I'll give the man credit. He can really act.
Eric Bana, Munich: Though he hasn't historically picked the best films, Bana is as reliable and engaging an actor as we've got.
The Five Worst Films of 2005
Elizabethtown: A mismatched soundtrack? Kirsten Dunst emoting? Orlando Bloom reciting dialogue while in a coma? Susan Sarandon tap-dancing at a funeral?? Looks like Cameron Crowe got lost in Bad Movie City while en route to Elizabethtown.
Aeon Flux: Not since Supergirl and Catwoman have hot chick movies been this bad.
Bewitched: I kept twitching my nose, too. But that's because this movie stunk like shit.
The Dukes of Hazzard: The most vile thing to happen on American soil since 9/11.
Casanova: This movie was far too pleased with itself to recognize that it was so horribly and undefinably awful.
The Five Worst Performances of 2005
Jennifer Aniston, Rumor Has It: No one wanted to enjoy this performance more than I did, trust me. But this was laaaazy, big screen Rachel Green. I blame Brad. Speaking of...
Brad Pitt, Mr. and Mrs. Smith: How this man calls himself an "actor" is beyond me. "Stand there. Look like you're too cool for everyone. Show no facial expression." Sounds like easy direction to me.
Jessica Simpson, The Dukes of Hazzard: It's almost too easy, but I'll take a stab. Any actress can meet with a trainer and get a great body for the part of Daisy. Only an actress as emotionally and mentally numb as Jessica Simpson can truly make the part this bad. I've smelled people's farts that were more enjoyable.
Ashton Kutcher, Guess Who, A Lot Like Love: When you're fired from the set of Elizabethtown, you know you can't act.
Susan Sarandon, Elizabethtown: I've felt less awkward watching my senile great-grandmother spread butter on her legs while singing "The Goodship Lollipop."
Last year's top movie list included separate lists for my favorite films of the year and those that I thought were the best in terms of production. This year my tastes apparently coincide with craftsmanship because I only have one top 10 movies list. These films are both my favorites and those that I deem the best.
As usual, I've also included the top 10 performances, as well as the five worst films and performances. All lists are written in no certain order.
The Top 10 Films of 2005
King Kong: Peter Jackson's return was a brilliant cinematic experience that harkened back to Hollywood's glory days when quality movies could still be entertaining.
Match Point: Woody Allen's most "un-Woody" movie told a seductive story with a talented cast. The film's more dramatic elements, in contrast with the director's usually comedic style, highlighted his amusingly sardonic tendencies.
A History of Violence: The film was a complex, intense look at violence with an amazing performance from Viggo Mortensen.
Crash: Featuring an unlikely cast in brilliant performances (yes, even Sandra Bullock), this ensemble piece restored my faith in Hollywood's ability to capture the human spirit.
The Squid and the Whale: Simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious, this off-color indie about divorce had one of the best screenplays in American film.
Munich: This was easily one of Spielberg's best films ever. It's only complicated if you don't pay attention to its many brilliant details.
Cinderella Man: Ron Howard's underrated film is his finest work yet.
Good Night and Good Luck: George Clooney's second directorial effort shows great promise. Don't see if you can't stand sublime simplicity.
Sin City: Only Robert Rodriguez could so boldly and brilliantly bring Frank Miller's comic book masterpiece to life.
Junebug: I never thought that anything starring anyone from The O.C. would end up on this list, but the film was too brilliant to overlook for such a small grievance.
The Top 10 Performances of 2005
Gwyneth Paltrow, Proof: The only reason this mediocre movie worked was because Gwyneth gave her finest, most complex performance yet.
Felicity Huffman, Transamerica: This desperate housewife showed what amazing depth and range can be hidden by network TV (not that her work on ABC is shabby).
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line: Reese has gone from legally blonde to unfathomably brilliant. Watch her win the Oscar.
Scarlett Johansson, Match Point: I still can't believe someone so young can be so seductive, vulnerable and mature. Mmmm.
Gong Li, Memoirs of a Geisha: Never before have bitchy and backstabbing been so hot. Gong Li, I worship you.
Tilda Swinton, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: No one could have played this part more perfectly. It's a shame the witch won't be back for the sequel.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote: Simply stated, this is one of the most fantastic male performances ever captured on celluloid.
Viggo Mortensen, A History of Violence: Continuning to show that he's an actor of uncommon depth, Mortensen used his trademark brooding and pensiveness to great effect.
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain: I'll give the man credit. He can really act.
Eric Bana, Munich: Though he hasn't historically picked the best films, Bana is as reliable and engaging an actor as we've got.
The Five Worst Films of 2005
Elizabethtown: A mismatched soundtrack? Kirsten Dunst emoting? Orlando Bloom reciting dialogue while in a coma? Susan Sarandon tap-dancing at a funeral?? Looks like Cameron Crowe got lost in Bad Movie City while en route to Elizabethtown.
Aeon Flux: Not since Supergirl and Catwoman have hot chick movies been this bad.
Bewitched: I kept twitching my nose, too. But that's because this movie stunk like shit.
The Dukes of Hazzard: The most vile thing to happen on American soil since 9/11.
Casanova: This movie was far too pleased with itself to recognize that it was so horribly and undefinably awful.
The Five Worst Performances of 2005
Jennifer Aniston, Rumor Has It: No one wanted to enjoy this performance more than I did, trust me. But this was laaaazy, big screen Rachel Green. I blame Brad. Speaking of...
Brad Pitt, Mr. and Mrs. Smith: How this man calls himself an "actor" is beyond me. "Stand there. Look like you're too cool for everyone. Show no facial expression." Sounds like easy direction to me.
Jessica Simpson, The Dukes of Hazzard: It's almost too easy, but I'll take a stab. Any actress can meet with a trainer and get a great body for the part of Daisy. Only an actress as emotionally and mentally numb as Jessica Simpson can truly make the part this bad. I've smelled people's farts that were more enjoyable.
Ashton Kutcher, Guess Who, A Lot Like Love: When you're fired from the set of Elizabethtown, you know you can't act.
Susan Sarandon, Elizabethtown: I've felt less awkward watching my senile great-grandmother spread butter on her legs while singing "The Goodship Lollipop."
