Top Ten Films Of The Year
In this top ten I will be including any film that I saw in the cinema from 1st January 2005. I know some may well have been released at the end of 2004, but this is my top ten, so nitpickers back off!
Honourable mentions - the films that narrowly missed out
Million Dollar Baby: A great film that made me cry my little eyeballs out! But I just can’t forgive Clint Eastwood for stealing Martin Scorsese’s Oscar!!
Ray: A good solid biopic, but the only thing I seem to remember is Jamie Foxx’s performance, so the film can’t have been too fantastic. I guess because I know so little about that sort of music it didn’t engage me as much as it should have done.
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit: Ok, ok don’t hurt me for not putting this in the top ten! I enjoyed it a lot; I just didn’t love it as much as I do the other Wallace and Gromit films. Maybe it’s my fault for growing up!!!
War of the Worlds: 100 minutes of thrilling, edge-of-your-seat action. Followed by the wankiest ending EVER! Thanks Mr Spielberg. Now everybody knows the movie rules state that, should you do something stupid (i.e. join a resistance movement against big aliens rather than help your family) then YOU DIE!!! Damn keeping Robbie alive!
Now for the real action……….
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Why it rocked: It just made me laugh and gave me an incredible craving for sweets! Debates rages about if it was as good as the original, but I thoroughly enjoyed this much darker helping from Tim Burton.
9. Serenity
Why it rocked: It captured the spirit of the early Star Wars films perfectly; a great slap in the face to a CGI infatuated Hollywood. Funny and sad with fantastic character development left me waiting for the next instalment. A fantastic debut from the TV god that is Joss Wheddon.
8. Team America: World Police
Why it rocked: It had me wetting myself, (not literally of course, but I think a little pee came out!!) laughing all the way through. An awesome satire on American foreign policy and Celebrity activism from the South Park boys. Plus it had a pretty great soundtrack too. After me: AMERICA!! FUCK YEAH!!!!
7. King Kong
Why it rocked: Because when it was good it was breathtaking; an example of true passionate film making.
6. Downfall (der Untergang)
Why it rocked: Just when you thought you had learnt everything there was to know about Hitler, this film goes right inside his bunker for his final days and shakes the foundation of your knowledge. Bruno Ganz gives a brilliant performance, bringing an uneasy element of humanity to the fuehrer.
5. Kung Fu Hustle
Why it rocked: It’s a blend of blockbuster action and childish humour, which shouldn’t work, but really really does! Had me in stitches throughout. A perfect example of foreign cinema outdoing its western counterparts in every way.
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Why it rocked: This film not only kept me enthralled for 2 and half hours, but it also totally changed my opinion on the Harry Potter books being made into films. This proves that in the right hands they can be made magical.
3. The Aviator
Why it rocked: It’s probably just my Scorsese bias coming out here, but this film was royally screwed over by the Academy! A brilliantly shot picture with amazing performances. (I no longer have to defend Leo’s acting because this film does it for him.) DAMN YOU FOR GIVING CLINT THE OSCAR OVER MARTY. DAMN YOU TO PUS SPEWING BLOOD GUTTED HELL!!!!!
2. Crash
Why it rocked: The first film I have seen in a while that was made for grown ups (despite the evil woman in Cineworld who had the nerve to answer her phone like a giddy 12 year old!). This had the balls to deal with the fact that we all have prejudices even if we don’t always let it show. A beautiful and thought provoking affair.
Drum roll please….
1. Sin City
Why it rocked: By far the most original and entertaining film of the year. I have quite simply never seen anything like this. Take a bow Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller for creating a believable world that doesn’t actually exist! A brilliant performance from Mickey Rourke as Marv, the coolest man in Sin City. I hope Santa brings me this on DVD!