Curtis' Top 5 Movies of 2005

Curtis' Top 5 Movies of 2005

I probably saw 40 or 50 movies this year, but had a hard time coming up with a Top 10 that was truly worth mentioning, so I will stick with only 5.
Please add your own Top 5 or 10 Movie lists in the comments when you get a chance.

1. Crash
What if everyone said what they were thinking no matter how racist or bigoted it sounded? The result would be something like the dialogue and events in the movie, "Crash". The various subplots of different ethnic characters living in L.A. wrap up almost too neatly at the end, but the performances of the ensemble cast (Don Cheadle, Terrance Howard, William Fichtner, Ryan Phillipe, Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Thandie Newton) were terrific, and featured one of the most terrifying scenes in a movie that I have seen in a long time - I actually covered my eyes because I couldn't bare to watch, and THAT has not happened to me in a long time.

2. A History of Violence

This movie is so quiet that it kind of sneaks up on you, but once it gets going, it's riveting. How well do you really know your spouse, your best friend or even your parents. This movie makes you question what people are hiding about their pasts, and it also illustrates how hard it is to runaway from your past, no matter how hard you try. Viggo Mortenson is perfect as the small-town family man with a sinister past, and a cameo by William Hurt in the final 15 minutes of the movie was one of the most memorable performances of the year. This movie stuck with me long after I left the theater.

3. Good Night, and Good Luck

I must admit bias about this movie because of its focus on the media of yesterday and today. All of the battles that Edward R. Murrow was fighting to report the trush in the 50's and 60's seem even more impressive in light of today's kid-glove handling of our President and other officials by today's media. I also loved the black-and-white cinematography, the groovy jazz score and the way the director, George Clooney, used actual footage of Senator McCarthy instead of getting an actor to play him.

4. Mad, Hot Ballroom

A low-budget, high-concept documentary that follows schools of all different ethnicities and class levels across New York City as the students get ready to compete in ballroom dance competitions. Apparently, NYC schools now require Ballroom Dancing classes for all 6th graders as a way to get them to learn about teamwork, grace and respect for others. You find yourself rooting for the different teams as they make their way to the finals. The most amazing thing is hearing the thoughts of children about life, love and their pursuit of perfection on the dance floor. You rarely get to hear real children talk so much on news or any "reality" shows. This movie was a lot of fun.

5. Syriana
I really wanted to love this movie when I walked into the theater. It did not meet my lofty expectations, but I still felt it was the smartest, most meaningful movie I saw all year. Imagine the movie, "Traffic", set in the world of oil in the Middle East instead of the drug warin the U.S. This movie was written and directed by "Traffic" writer, Stephen Gaghan, and he did his research by travelling to all of the key places in the story with an ex-CIA operative who introduced him to everyone from Saudi sheiks to arms dealers to Islamic fundamentalists. The result is a mish-mash of ideas on the present and future of the Middle East, and it can be a little confusing, but it leaves you wanting to learn more about the region. Maybe if more Americans learn a little about these countries and cultures, we will think twice before invading them and starting wars with them. I can dream, can't I?