Austinist's Top 14 Movies of 2005

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We spent an inordinate amount of time going to movies, shoveling buttered popcorn into our trawls, and drinking Mr. Pibb through red vines (Watch this SNL clip we just referenced if you want to laugh. Crazy funny.)

Well, just like with our illegitimate children, we refuse to name favorites, so with that in mind, Austinist presents to you our favorite 14 films of 2005 in no particular order.

*UPDATE: A late editorial note, at original post-time, we had not seen Munich, but we have since and do believe it to be one of the best movies of the year and maybe Spielberg's finest ever. Thanks for the comments.*

The Squid and The Whale
Jeff Daniels’ performance is flawless and beautiful in this fantastic tragicomedy about the difficulties divorce brings to families. (Austinist Review)

Grizzly Man
An overzealous, narcissistic nature-lover loses his mind and his life all thanks to some bears that look a lot cuter from a distance. Herzog’s objective treatment of this story is brilliant.

Syriana
It is hard to make a movie compelling when the protagonist of the film is the oil industry, but writer/director Stephen Gaghan does just that.

Capote
Truman Capote wrote one brilliant book and paid a very heavy price for his success and treatment of his subjects. Phillip Seymour Hoffman Is the best film actor of his generation.

Match Point
Woody Allen is back. Finally. Think “Interiors” not “Melinda Melinda.”

Hustle & Flow
Terrence Howard had the biggest breakout year in Hollywood. He is dead on in the role of the Pimp-with-a-dream. (Austinist Review)

Der Untergang (Downfall)
Bruno Ganz portrayal of Hitler in his final days of madness in a German bunker is absolutely breathtaking. This movie is greatness.

Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic
Yea, it was a lot cooler to crush on Sarah about 10 years ago, and sure we have seen much of this shtick from her before, but the girl is damn funny.

Good Night, and Good Luck
Great look at a very troubling time in American politics and media. It is the year of the Clooney. David Strathairn is fabulous. And we love Robert Downey Jr., obviously, but what the hell was that all about?

Caché (Hidden)
Juliette Binoche stars in this bizarre thriller with socio-political overtones that will have you puzzled and enraptured.

Brokeback Mountain
A beautifully-crafted film about the difficulties of love. Ledger turns in an outstanding performance.(Austinist Review)

Funny Ha Ha
A film that was overlooked by most this year, Andrew Bujalski’s film humorously and sweetly tells the story of those post-collegiate years we all know so well, full of ennui, beer and life to-do-lists. We completely heart Kate Dollenmayer. (Austinist Review)

Broken Flowers
Yes, we have seen Bill Murray play this character before, but it is a great ending to what critic David Edelstein has called Murray’s “loneliness trilogy.” (Austinist Review)

The 40 Year Old Virgin
A sex comedy with a heart and a conscience and a breakout performance by the wonderfully amusing Steve Carell. (Austinist Review)

Agree? Disagree? What did we leave out or what should we have left out?

Happy New Year.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By matthewodam in Arts & Entertainment on December 30, 2005 2:47 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

SN

Loved Grizzly Man, but thought Herzog was anything BUT objective. In fact, I thought he came close to destroying this movie. I mean - come on, first, he feels it necessary to launch into a monolouge about how wonderfully artistic some of the silent shots of the landscape are, thus destroying the silence he is describing. Then, he completely looses it and tells one person to DESTROY the only copy of the film of the subjects final moments so that no one will EVER see it, and in another important part, states that while his subject is talking, he doesn't agree with what being said, so he's going to TALK OVER his subjects monologue. How the hell can you call THAT objective? Am I crazy, or isn't it his job to present his subject, warts and all?

allen

stephen -- agreed.

Stephen

Good films, but I would have liked to see "Munich" on the list, which I consider the very best film of 2005 and quite likely Spielberg's best work, which is saying a lot.

Paige

Thanks for the one-line reviews. Very handy to have to settle arguments with the spouse when making big decisions at Blockbuster (our toddler sure has cramped our movie-going style).

Paige

Thanks for the one-line reviews. Very handy to have to settle arguments with the spouse when making big decisions at Blockbuster (our toddler sure has cramped our movie-going style).

Paige

Thanks for the one-line reviews. Very handy to have to settle arguments with the spouse when making big decisions at Blockbuster (our toddler sure has cramped our movie-going style).

odam

on the flight to chicago. you would have to if that kid ever stopped crying. no really, the answer is "secretssss..."

miggo, i agree to some degree ya see. i don't know. i did like her more about 10 years ago, but i still had quite a fewe out loud laughs even thugh so mmuch was predictable and some hackneyed. now zach galafanakis. that dude funny.

ami, "me, you, etc" is totall lance armstrong, read: overrated

alison

Odam, where did you see Cache? I'm jealous.

MIGGO

Am I the only one who finds Sarah Silverman's schtick to be not funny?

odam

murderball was great.

i totally spaced on Junebug, but probably would have/should have put that in the top14. i really enjoyed it. as for "me, you..," i thought it was pretentious and kind of boring, although i did like the young black kid and the female lead was somewhat interesting and endearing, but not really.

avan

that's a good list.

my personal faves this year were 'me and you and everyone we know,' 'thumbsucker,' and 'junebug.' i also loved 'brick' but it doesn't technically come out until next year.

elizabeth s.

Best (not already on the Austinist list)
<ul>

<li> Murderball

</li><li>Batman Begins

</li><li>Mad Hot Ballroom

</li><li>Favela Rising</li></ul>

Personal faves
<ul>

<li>In Her Shoes

</li><li>Me and You and Everyone We Know

</li><li>Crash</li></ul>