Best Movies of 2005
Ah, the year 2005. It seems like only yesterday that Saddam Hussein went on trial and Pope John Paul II passed away. There were plenty of other significant events, of course, but we’re here to discuss and reminisce about the best movies of 2005.
Munich – Following the 1972 Olympic massacre of Israeli athletes, the government of Israel sends a team of assassins around the globe to retaliate. Eric Bana plays the leader of the team, and director Steven Spielberg focuses on the nature of revenge and the consequences for those who carry it out.
Howl’s Moving Castle – When a young girl is cursed by a witch, she must embark on a wondrous adventure to regain her beauty. Along the way, she’ll fall in love, help stop a war, and right a number of wrongs. Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this touching animated film from Japan is based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones. Perfect viewing for the entire family, which is something I can’t say about most of the films on my list.
A History of Violence – One of the more critically acclaimed of 2005 films, this David Cronenberg movie is based on the graphic novel by Vince Locke and John Wagner. Viggo Mortensen plays an anonymous Indiana resident who becomes famous after gunning down two criminals intent on robbing his diner and killing the patrons. Enter Ed Harris as a mobster from Philadelphia. He claims the humble restaurant owner is a fellow mobster who’s changed his name and gone underground. The truth of the matter eventually comes out, and you can expect a number of people to die along the way. Great stuff.
Sin City – Robert Rodriguez draws from the works of comic book legend Frank Miller to create this dingy world filled with corrupt cops, violent thugs, and sexy dames. An excellent cast featuring Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, and Rosario Dawson.
Brokeback Mountain – Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal star as two cowboys who develop a relationship while herding sheep. As the years pass, their love deepens, and director Ang Lee milks it for all it’s worth. Open-minded viewers will appreciate the fact that love knows no bounds, while everyone else is advised to stay away.
Kung Fu Hustle – Certainly deserving of a spot on any list of the best movies of 2005, Kung Fu Hustle is the brainchild of multi-talented Stephen Chow. Mixing kung fu with slapstick, romance, and drama, the film details the rise of lowly Sing (Chow) from a simple hoodlum into a true master of the martial arts. Filled with wacky characters and some of the best fight scenes in recent years.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin – Steve Carell stars as a middle-aged collector of toys and comic books who (surprise, surprise) has never gotten laid. Luckily, he’s got a bunch of co-workers who are more than happy to help, although their personal lives are often more pathetic. Co-starring Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, and Jane Lynch, the film co-written, co-produced, and directed by comedy whiz Judd Apatow. If you’re a fan of Steve Carell, be sure to catch him at his comedic best.
March of the Penguins – Morgan Freeman (and other) lend their voices to this French documentary about the yearly journey of penguins to their ancestral breeding grounds. It’s better than it sounds, and I submit its Oscar win for Best Documentary Feature as proof.
Me and You and Everyone We Know – Miranda July made a splash with her directorial debut featuring a number of average folks living in the suburbs. But as the plot unfolds, we learn these characters aren’t as normal as initially thought, and the viewer gets an almost voyeuristic thrill at watching their romances and dreams unfold. Showing her versatility, July also co-stars and wrote the screenplay.
Also recommended:
This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 3:59 pm and is filed under Good Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Greg
Interesting list. I have actually only seen The 40-Year-Old Virgin. I guess I have some watching to do.