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Two Thousand and Five Failed to Overwhelm, Yet Here Are the Fifteen Finest FilmsJul 04 '08 (Updated Apr 12 '09) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Proof that Dark Hours, Broken Flowers, unpaid Rent and trying to Walk the Line in The Lost City drive us C.R.A.Z.Y., attempting to score Match Point like Maurice Richard. Fifteen Finest Films of 2005 Not an extraordinary year for movies in general, Canada comes as the year’s surprise with 3 top films; Ricardo Trogi's Horloge biologique (aka Dodging the Clock) and Deepa Mehta’s Water being close fourth & fifth strong canuck presence. A good year for compelling biographical pictures (see #12), we also see some of the best exploration of non-conventional sexual orientation and identity from Transamerica to Brokeback Mountain and here back home with C.R.A.Z.Y. Don't forget to get your pimp on with the African American Dream in the ghetto, Cinderella-esque Hustle & Flow. Must See Pictures 15. Les poupées russes (aka Russian Dolls) 14. The Lost City 13. Yek boos-e koochooloo (aka A Little Kiss) 12. Walk the Line // Cinderella Man // Maurice Richard // Good Night, and Good Luck // Lord of War * 11. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith *Tied (all memorable biopics, except Lord of War which is based on actual events, but makes a composite of five real life international arms dealers) Top 10 Movies of 2005 10. Rent Director: Stephen Chbosky Writer: Stephen Chbosky Based on the late Jonathan Larson’s Broadway Musical masterpiece, this film fits well with the year’s theme and deals with homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, drugs, relationships, art and bohemian lifestyle in a hard, yet enchanting way. Great music, lyrics and editing. Dark and not for everyone, it is funny with plenty of witticism and likewise endearing. Good signing and acting from a strong ensemble cast. This will have you signing and thinking for a while. 9. The Squid and the Whale Director: Noah Baumbach Writer: Noah Baumbach Baumbach’s screenplay is the reflection of modern high-paced, divorce-afflicted families where children have more and more power and parents feel not only powerless, but clueless. The screenplay benefits from Daniels, Linney and Paquin’s acting talent, as well as Baumbach’s sharp directing of a slice of his own childhood. 8. C.R.A.Z.Y Director: Jean-Marc Vallée Writers: Jean-Marc Vallée & François Boulay This French-Canadian film deals with homosexuality, but focuses on the father-son confrontation in a tense and believable family drama. Real, conflicted, inspired. A film with lasting power. 7. Chinjeolhan geumjassi (aka Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) Director: Chan-wook Park Writer: Chan-wook Park & Seo-Gyeong Jeong The last of Park’s vengeance trilogy, this movie is the most accomplished in terms of cinematography and leaves you with a bittersweet melancholy. That is actually what vengeance is... isn’t it? 6. Proof Director: John Madden Writers: David Auburn & Rebecca Miller A mathematical brain puzzle with a captivating narrative, Proof proves that a good story (David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize winning play) is always an important part of a good film. An intellectual exercise enveloped in an engrossing and emotionally-charged drama. If A equals good acting, E = good editing and C = good content, you do the math… 5. The Dark Hours Director: Paul Fox Writer: Wil Zmak Independent horror stunning success, this film will take you for a psychological roller-coaster in a secluded cottage. Funny, frightening and intelligent, it also boasts good acting and memorable film moments. 4. Broken Flowers Director: Jim Jarmusch Writer: Jim Jarmusch Quirky and irreverent, this off-beat comedy is well-written, directed with a asymmetry pace that works and held together by Murray’s strong performance. A search for an unhoped for and unwanted family in the midst of our personified individuality. Dripping with emotions, humour, humanity & originality. 3. Brokeback Mountain Director: Ang Lee Writers: Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana Based on Annie Proulx’s short story, this is a well-developed epic love affair. At once grandiose and down-to-earth in themes, cinematography and story, this much talked about movie deserves every acting, directing and screenplay nods. A modern forbidden love tale that effortlessly bridges distance and time to tell of a strong, often speechless, bond between two distincly different people. 2. Princesas Director: Fernando León de Aranoa Writer: Fernando León de Aranoa This Spanish movie lightly explores the world of flesh-for-cash in Spain. Candela Peña shines as the loveable prostitute protagonist with dreams of her own, an unsuspecting family, frugal yet loyal friends and potential love interests. Besides the music and the sharp storytelling, the beauty of the film is that it shows that we can still have a life, have hopes and have fun in any type of circumstances that life throws at us or that we choose. 1. Match Point Director: Woody Allen Writer: Woody Allen Meticulously woven plot and great acting allows Allen to bring a palpable drama to the screen. Love. Lies. Live & death. Departing from his trademark witty comedies where he often has a starring role, Allen stays behind the camera to deliver a well constructed and cathartic moral compass in a complex play of subtextual shadow and light. ================== Related Reviews ================== In this 2000 Series Fifteen Finest Films of 2000 Fifteen Finest Films of 2001 Fifteen Finest Films of 2002 Fifteen Finest Films of 2003 Fifteen Finest Films of 2004 Fifteen Finest Films of 2005 Fifteen Finest Films of 2006 Fifteen Finest Films of 2007 For the 1990s check out : Top Ten American Films of the 1990s Top Five Foreign Films of the 1990s Other related Reviews Top 15 Sex Scenes in Film (Part 1: 15-11) Top 15 Sex Scenes in Film (Part 2: 10-1)  |
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