My "Movies of the Year"

Note: "Movies-of-the-Year" candidates are first-seen films by the blogger. All films viewed from start to finish in a theater, on DVD or video, and on television are eligible for consideration.

1. Elizabethtown

This is a film about the highest highs and the lowest lows of life. It is about love, fathers and sons, strange and estranged family, success, work, dreams, and fear. Elizabethtown features winning performances all around and realistic situations. The film opens with Orlando Bloom's character, Drew Baylor, reeling in the aftermath of his historic failure at a Nike-like shoe company. About to commit suicide after being fired by his boss (an amusing turn by Alec Baldwin), Drew is interrupted from his task by a call from his sister informing him of his father's surprise passing. Drew clothes himself in his family duty, and goes to the quirky little town of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, to retrieve his dad's body. Along the way he meets perky but insecure Claire Colburn, the two connect with each other, but they won't admit it to themselves or each other. The movie was somber, joyful, funny, light, rich, and satisfying from end to end. Even Susan Sarandon was appealing in Elizabethtown. Writer/Director Cameron Crowe deserves an award.

2. Million Dollar Baby

I saw this film just before it was awarded its four Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actress, and Supporting Actor. These awards were no accident--this is a triumph of storytelling, from all angles. I was terribly disappointed in the ending, but the choices of the characters were believable, if not acceptable. Clint Eastwood only improves with age, and Morgan Freeman was this film's glue. Hilary Swank, who played lead as Maggie Fitzgerald, absolutely inhabited her character and was easily the best actress I saw in 2005. Million Dollar Baby has a deep emotional core, with performances you can believe in, and characters you want to know.

3. The Island
Who would have thought that a Michael Bay movie would make anyone's top ten list? To my surprise, my hopes for a thrilling "popcorn" movie were more than satisified with this fast-paced and futuristic movie. The characters played by Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johanssen were certainly compelling, but even more so, was the intrigue of the story. The first half of the film is a mystery to unravel, while the second half is a thrilling chase. Movies that take place in the future have a compelling element to them--for about fifteen minutes. This is where most of these films unravel, once you've been amazed by the possibilities of the future-the clothes and the technologies-there usually isn't much story to support the structure of the film. The trick is to make the people as similar to the people of today as possible. Afterall, how much will humanity at its essence change just because we wear unitards and drive flying cars? The Island was a lot of fun, and I was on the edge of my seat just as Michael Bay intended.

4. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Smith is eye-candy everyone--not only are you looking at Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but you've got explosions, fisticuffs, schemes, tight spots, and satisfying repartee. The fun begins as we see how this married couple dupes the other into thinking they have a normal life when they really are spies working for competing agencies. Soon enough, both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are given a contract on the other's life and quickly switch allegiances from their matrimonial vows to their companies' mission. You can expect everything you see on screen to blow up, but that's fine because Mr. and Mrs. Smith never takes itself too seriously. This is a fun diversion, it is not art. Enjoy it--and enjoy the ubiquitous Vince Vaughn in yet another winning buddy role.

5. King Kong

The first thing you'll hear anyone say about King Kong--is that it's long. It is. And it's probably too long, and yet, I never wanted to take my eyes off that big ape. Andy Serkis, whose expressions were transferred to the ape just as they were to Gollum in The Lord of the Rings movies, has found an incredible niche role in bringing to life unreal creatures. What will he do for an encore? Don't take King Kong seriously though, it is well-acted, but deliberately campy. Naomi Watts however, plays it straight, and it is remarkable what she is able to do without dialgoue. She performs for the ape, and she grunts, grins, and worries for him. King Kong is very good, though not quite the epic for the ages that it has been advertised to be.

Rounding out the top ten...

6. The Phantom of the Opera - Beautiful, artistic, lush.

7. Ray - Revealing and well-acted.

8. The Aviator - Convincingly of the period, with a real-life character for the ages.
9. Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith - There's nothing like a good origin story.
10. The Village - Great mood and setting, even if the twist was too-easily solved.