Tops...

And some women's tops...



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In all seriousness though, the end of the year is upon us, and it always begs the question amongst us snobby types: What were the best full-length feature films of this, the year of our Lord, two-thousand and five? Which films sucked a nice juicy hard-boiled egg? Which films were simply so bad, one couldn't bear even the sight of the title on a marquee? All of these questions can and will be answered in a single list; a list that will defy an empire...Or something to that effect. So, here she is (for all great lists are female), the greatest list ever, for the year 2005...

1. Pride and Prejudice - Most artsy film I saw all year, and frankly the best one period. So chuck full of humor and romance, its hard to not to fall hard for this spectacular adaptation. Keira Knightly is a dream, and so is her hot sister, whose name escapes me. Beautifully shot from the closest close-ups to the farthest far-aways, this one ranks top of my Tops list simply because when movie-going is this ethereal, you can't ever forget it.

2. Good Night, and Good Luck - I recently saw this masterpiece, and I knew exactly where it deserved to go on my Tops list for 2005. This brilliantly conceived drama manages to not only engage the audience in a well-paced plot, but it also manages to bring about a great message about the media's responsibility to its country. George Clooney uses tact and class to present this film, using beautiful black and white cinematography, and never using a sappy score to manipulate feelings. The moods, the emotions and the film in general are so genuine, because Clooney saves all of his musical cues (all of which as sung and played by the same jazz singer and her band) till after many of the most intense scenes. Brilliant portrayl of Edward R. Murrow by David Strathairn, with great performances by all of the supporting players, including Mr. Clooney. The films handling of McCarthyism should make it required viewing in all US History classes. But, even if you've graduated from high school, see this for the clear message it presents on the media. Amazing, amazing film, and one that is truly worthy of the number 2 spot here on my Tops list.

3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl will forever be my favorite children's author, and for good reason. His stories fit me like a glove, with his sly humor and the somewhat pessimistic resolutions. I loved the glorious colorful Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and I probably always will, but Tim Burton's much more accurate and engaging take on Dahl's most vibrant world takes the cake as the best adaptation of his books yet. Johnny Depp is perfect (yes, I said it), and every single line that shoots from his perfectly freaky (and toothy) mouth, is absolute genius. Freddie Highmore is great as Charlie, but still, this is Wonka's film (despite the title). I had such a splendid time watching this, that I just couldn't help myself. Giddy is a good word to describe my feelings after having seen this film. Yes, I said giddy...

4. Batman Begins - Batman reimagined makes a great meal. I loved every bleeding minute of this masterpiece, and it currently resides in the great trifecta of comic book films (Spider-man 2 and X-men 2 being its contemporaries). Christian Bale? Awesome...Morgan Freeman? Awesome...Michael Caine? Old, and awesome...Katie Holmes? I've seen better...In any case, solid solid solid acting on (almost) all counts, and the film's director deserves mucho kudos for simply crafting such a great world; Gotham never looked so decrepid, and yet so inviting...I cannot wait to take a ride in this universe again, especially if more Oscar winners get involved, cause frankly, they make a better movie.

5. King Kong - Perfectly executed old-school like spectacle. Reminiscent of the great films of Cecil B. DeMille, Victor Fleming, and David Lean, King Kong manages to capture that same sort of adventure story that has seemed to have all but disappeared in today's modern 100 minute "epics". Big and bombastic like The Ten Commandements and Gone with the Wind, "Kong" makes no apologizes for its lengthy run-time or its use of cheesy 30s dialogue...Instead, it pushes you slowly yet surely into a beautiful and unconvential love story, surrounded by swift moving (and simply breathtaking) action pieces that move the story along. The biggest surprise about King Kong is that it doesn't quite feel as long as it should, considering its length. Titanic certainly felt longer than this, as does Lawrence of Arabia, so many props must go to Peter Jackson for crafting such a well-paced film. Kong is a modern classic, one that won't be appreciated by as many as loved Gone with the Wind or even Titanic, but I loved it, nonetheless, and that's all that really matters...

6. Serenity - Yes, I know. It's not on the top of my list. Big deal. I had such a hard time deciding what was number 1, I feel as though these top 5 films are of equal importance. "Serenity" is by far the best sci-fi film of this year, and probably ever since Aliens, Whedon's 'verse is packed with fun characters, and engaging set pieces, combined with the best ending I've seen in years. Joss Whedon proved to me that the best writing takes risks, and doing what he did to the person he did it to (you don't want to be spoiled on this one) was one of the biggest (and best) shockers of the year, and frankly, it made the movie into a modern sci-fi classic/masterpiece. All in all, just a fun fun ride combined with one heck of an ending.

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Another solid adaptation of the Harry Potter franchise, and certainly the best so far. Keep this up, and Potter will be one of the greatest film franchises in history. Mike Newell crafts a great British boarding school dramedy mixed with all the great magic and action we expect from Potter. The PG-13 rating certainly helped to finally create the right mood that Rowling has been placing in her books since Book 1, and that's to be commended. The kids are getting better and better as their respective characters, and they all shine in their own special ways (that Hermione is gonna be hawt...when she's 18)...All in all, I loved every single minute of it, and I couldn't care less that many tiny and boring moments were left out. The book was great, but it was way too long for a film, and I think it was handled perfectly.

8. Crash - This film is on my Tops list because of the sheer shock factor it creates. The film is extremely exaggerated, but it all serves a purpose. Emotions are always worn on the outside of the characters, and at first, its off-putting, because they come across as whiny and often overly-observant, but it helps to not nit-pick individual scenes, but to watch the entire film as a whole. Crash to me was like a Masters Thesis, put into film form. It explores hot-button issues, but can't really offer real answers to the questions we want answered. What is racisim, and how do we eliminate something that every single person on the planet is guilty of in some form or another? That's what the film asks of us. Every character has a prejudice, from the Whites to the Blacks to the Hispanics to the Persians...No one is safe, and no one group is glorified or demonized. Its a film that demands self-reflection, and its a film that will definitely spark a lively debate among friends.

9. War of the Worlds - The use of the word "war" in the title certainly isn't only a reference to H.G. Wells novel of the same name, but in fact a description of how you will feel while watching this movie. The first 30 minutes feels like you are in the middle of a suburban war film, chuck full of high body counts and shaky camera moves (but all done very PG-13 like, you know...). Steven Spielberg succeeded, despite a terribly weak and contrived ending, to cause every limb in my body to shake, and I was constanly on the edge of my seat. What's sad, however, are the blatant expositional scenes, and the terribly cliché character played by Tim Robbins, but they don't detract all too much from everything else that's going on.. and that basement cat-and-mouse scene is Spielberg at his crafty best. Best seen in theaters, this film is in my Tops simply because it really freaked me out.

10. New York Doll - I loved this film. Touching, tender, and riotously funny, it's probably one of my favorite documentaries of all time. The story is truly inspiring, and its subject is incredibly fascinating. What could have been another Behind the Music, turns into a great film about hope, faith, and forgiveness, as well as being a great history of one of the greatest punk bands of the 70s. I had little knowledge of the Dolls, or of Arthur "Killer" Kane before seeing this film, but that didn't change how I felt. Learning about this band that had it all, but gave it up due to ridiculous pursuits was extremely fascinating to watch, and to see what comes of their much hyped reunion in London is very very fun. I can't praise this film enough. Its really only on the bottom of this list because I'm just too lazy to move it up higher, but this film really touched me more than I expected it to. See it as soon as you can. It's worth it.

Honorable Mentions: Brokeback Mountain, Munich, Chronicles of Narnia, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Red Eye, Sin City, The Interpreter, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Star Wars: Episode III