The Best of 2005
Disclaimer: Only films seen in 2005 are included in this list - it is not representative of the films that were released in 2005. We often get films, especially arthouse films, released much later here than in the US. Films which were released more than a year back and now screened as retrospectives, etc. in festivals are also banned from the Top 10.
Top 10 for 2005 (in alphabetical order)
Batman Begins
This one's pure bias. I love Batman, and I loved Chris Nolan's treatment of the mythos. This is the very essence of what Batman is all about. Dark, disturbed, yet very very human. And cool as fuck.
While a tad manipulative and convenient, the structure's tighter than a muscle mary's shirt. The duality of human nature is convincingly explored by the top-notch ensemble cast, with special mention going to Matt Dillon.
A History of Violence
Viggo Mortensen is the heart and soul of this film, a fascinating study on the cause and effect of violence. It cleverly and disturbingly implicates the audience in the blood-letting, and the open ending is one of the best I've seen all year.
Gut-wrenching and deeply moving examination of the capacity of human beings for mindless brutality, with brave and unforgettable performances from Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo. People can be so fucked up.
Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood gets almost everything right in this slow-burning yet touching film, a sports movie unlike almost every other sports movie out there. The direction the story takes in the final act is like a kick to the groin - shocking and unbelievably painful - but in the best way possible.
Danny Boyle makes an uncharacteristically sweet film full of heart, yet never gives in to saccharine sentimentality. When he stages a moving moment, everything is well-deserved and it never feels falsely uplifting. A seemingly simple story with surprising complexity, it is beautiful executed, and probably one of the best Christmas movies made, bar none.
Mysterious Skin
A heartbreaking tale of abuse and trauma with a simply jaw-droppingly stunning and fearless performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (formerly the kid on Third Rock From the Sun). Stirs up a complex mix of emotions in the viewer, ranging from pity to disgust to shock.
My favorite Singapore film of last year, and definitely one of my top 5 local movies. Lim Kay Tong is almost unrecognizable in the lead role, simmering with pent-up anger and violence, and Sunny Pang is scarily hilarious as Angry Boy Lee. An excellent depiction of the voice of the common people and the ones who have left behind in our race towards whatever the fuck it is we're after.
Sideways
A hilarious but deeply personal and intimate exploration of human behavior and love, in the shape of a road trip movie. Paul Giamatti is excellent, as always, and through his journey of self-exploration, leads us to examine ourselves as well. And who can forget the scene where everyone falls in love with Virginia Madsen? The characters are fully-formed human beings, loveable in spite of all their flaws and imperfections. Just like you and me.
Revenge, while being a dish best served cold, may not always be sweet in Park Chan-Wook's latest offering. While not as big a mind-fuck as Oldboy, it still goes places few others dare explore, and its final act examination of vengeance by the common man still manages to shock and invite discussion. And all this while still being stylish and cool as hell - Lee Young-ae as Geum-ja (the titular Lady Vengeance) especially kicks ass.
Close, But No Cigar (or, the best of the rest)
36 Quai des Orfèvres - dark and disturbing police thriller
The 40 Year-Old Virgin - hilarious sex comedy with lots of heart
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - how Douglas Adams would've wanted it
La Mala Educación (Bad Education) - delicious melodrama
King Kong - stirring epic, a worthy remake with a touch of humanity
Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) - moving essay on euthanasia
Singapore GaGa - a bustling slice of Singaporean life and sound
Team America: World Police - offensive and loud, and so fucking funny
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride - quirky and gorgeous stop-motion animation
The Woodsman - the climax alone (no pun intended) is worth the price of admission
Best of Fest (movies from years ago)
An American Werewolf in London - funny, scary, and hugely entertaining
Forever Fever - lots of fun and disco, what's not to like? Also in my top 5 local films
My Life As a Dog - a beautiful and sad coming-of-age film
Persona - still has the most erotic scene I've ever seen on film
Repulsion - disturbing and sharp portrayal of one woman's descent into madness
Top 10 for 2005 (in alphabetical order)
Batman Begins
This one's pure bias. I love Batman, and I loved Chris Nolan's treatment of the mythos. This is the very essence of what Batman is all about. Dark, disturbed, yet very very human. And cool as fuck.
While a tad manipulative and convenient, the structure's tighter than a muscle mary's shirt. The duality of human nature is convincingly explored by the top-notch ensemble cast, with special mention going to Matt Dillon.
A History of Violence
Viggo Mortensen is the heart and soul of this film, a fascinating study on the cause and effect of violence. It cleverly and disturbingly implicates the audience in the blood-letting, and the open ending is one of the best I've seen all year.
Gut-wrenching and deeply moving examination of the capacity of human beings for mindless brutality, with brave and unforgettable performances from Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo. People can be so fucked up.
Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood gets almost everything right in this slow-burning yet touching film, a sports movie unlike almost every other sports movie out there. The direction the story takes in the final act is like a kick to the groin - shocking and unbelievably painful - but in the best way possible.
Danny Boyle makes an uncharacteristically sweet film full of heart, yet never gives in to saccharine sentimentality. When he stages a moving moment, everything is well-deserved and it never feels falsely uplifting. A seemingly simple story with surprising complexity, it is beautiful executed, and probably one of the best Christmas movies made, bar none.
Mysterious Skin
A heartbreaking tale of abuse and trauma with a simply jaw-droppingly stunning and fearless performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (formerly the kid on Third Rock From the Sun). Stirs up a complex mix of emotions in the viewer, ranging from pity to disgust to shock.
My favorite Singapore film of last year, and definitely one of my top 5 local movies. Lim Kay Tong is almost unrecognizable in the lead role, simmering with pent-up anger and violence, and Sunny Pang is scarily hilarious as Angry Boy Lee. An excellent depiction of the voice of the common people and the ones who have left behind in our race towards whatever the fuck it is we're after.
SidewaysA hilarious but deeply personal and intimate exploration of human behavior and love, in the shape of a road trip movie. Paul Giamatti is excellent, as always, and through his journey of self-exploration, leads us to examine ourselves as well. And who can forget the scene where everyone falls in love with Virginia Madsen? The characters are fully-formed human beings, loveable in spite of all their flaws and imperfections. Just like you and me.
Revenge, while being a dish best served cold, may not always be sweet in Park Chan-Wook's latest offering. While not as big a mind-fuck as Oldboy, it still goes places few others dare explore, and its final act examination of vengeance by the common man still manages to shock and invite discussion. And all this while still being stylish and cool as hell - Lee Young-ae as Geum-ja (the titular Lady Vengeance) especially kicks ass.
Close, But No Cigar (or, the best of the rest)
36 Quai des Orfèvres - dark and disturbing police thriller
The 40 Year-Old Virgin - hilarious sex comedy with lots of heart
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - how Douglas Adams would've wanted it
La Mala Educación (Bad Education) - delicious melodrama
King Kong - stirring epic, a worthy remake with a touch of humanity
Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) - moving essay on euthanasia
Singapore GaGa - a bustling slice of Singaporean life and sound
Team America: World Police - offensive and loud, and so fucking funny
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride - quirky and gorgeous stop-motion animation
The Woodsman - the climax alone (no pun intended) is worth the price of admission
Best of Fest (movies from years ago)
An American Werewolf in London - funny, scary, and hugely entertaining
Forever Fever - lots of fun and disco, what's not to like? Also in my top 5 local films
My Life As a Dog - a beautiful and sad coming-of-age film
Persona - still has the most erotic scene I've ever seen on film
Repulsion - disturbing and sharp portrayal of one woman's descent into madness
posted by cinewhore @ 11:22 PM
5 mindfucks
5 Comments:
How about Closer?
I thought I might have left that out.
i agree with most of your choices.
am reading A History Of Violence now. regret not coming to Singapore to see it. now it'll be a long wait for the DVD.
I feel Closer is good but not great, and while I might get the DVD, I didn't have enough room to put it in the list. Plus, I really liked all the other movies more than I liked it.
I loved Closer but it probably don't belong there with the big boys as well (although natalie portman was hot hot hot). Do you happen to own Crash or Mysterious Skin? Anyway I stick to my disdain towards Perth. I'm not at that level to appreciate his movie. I loved Sideways and Hotel Rwanda. Can't exactly think of another film to upset those on the list but I tend to agree that Batman Begins is pure bias. Did you catch Merry Christmas? Opened in Dec so I thought that could be the one I'll take Perth out for. I enjoyed tear jerker Be With You too (jap film, not the Eric Khoo's one) but it's not prob not there with the big boys.
Visitor: The comic book of A History of Violence is rather different from the movie. Most of the 2nd volume is changed completely. But I think I like the changes better - they make it a deeper, more thoughtful film.
Dewei: Sorry, I don't own either of those on DVD... yet. And Merry Christmas & the Japanese Be With You I didn't see. And of course you can stick to your opinion on Perth. These are just my opinions, and everyone is free to form their own.
gimme some mindfuckery
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