The Next Best of 2005

Before I get to posting my top ten films of 2005, here's a look at ten good films that didn't quite make the cut:

Honorable Mentions of 2005

THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS was a nice surprise from 2005. It was refreshing to find a teen film that was charming, touching and real in its portrayal of teens and their troubles. Several talented young actresses bring conviction and passion to each of their characters, and the screenplay blends each of the sub-plots expertly.

The throwback Hollywood film, CINDERELLA MAN wasn’t a surprise, as the pedigree of Ron Howard, Russell Crowe, Renee Zelwegger and Paul Giamatti didn’t disappoint. Howard and his talented cast provide the necessary drive for this timeless tale of Depression-Era boxer Jim Braddock. The boxing scenes are superbly simplistic, revealing a brutal truth to the sport and the film’s era.

Bill Murray’s impressive streak of roles continued with the offbeat and quirky comedy-drama, BROKEN FLOWERS. As Don Johnston, Murray projects Don’s internal distress with a worn face, lackadaisical demeanor and deep, sorrowful glares. Director Jim Jarmusch delicately delivers a human drama about the heartache that follows the romance.

Two effective family dramas in 2005 were THE UPSIDE OF ANGER and WINTER SOLSTICE. THE UPSIDE OF ANGER, director Mike Binder crafted an emotionally enriching tale demonstrating the ill-effects when anger overtakes common sense, understanding and humility. Kevin Costner and Joe Allen are in rare form, and the performances by the four young actresses are understated, yet valuable. In WINTER SOLSTICE, the actors are appropriately low-key, and extremely successful in displaying the day-to-day struggles one tackles when attempting to overcome the loss of a loved one. The film is a patient and rewarding drama detailing the healing process.

IN HER SHOES and PROOF provided three of the best female performances last year. Despite their differences, Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz found common ground in Curtis Hanson’s heartwarming sibling rivalry IN HER SHOES, and in spite of their characters contemptible actions, the actresses reveal a great deal of humanity behind their bitter exterior. Gwyneth Paltrow proved to be the driving force behind PROOF. Paltrow’s Catherine is an extremely intelligent mathematician who can’t find the equation for love or happiness in director John Madden’s latest. Paltrow finds just the right balance between stress and sympathy, while Anthony Hopkins gives a moving performance as Catherine’s late father.

Indie films MILLIONS AND BROTHERS certainly deserve praise. Both deal with the painful loss of a loved one, one with whimsy and the other with turmoil. Director Danny Boyle put his vivid imagination to work in the uplifting and joyful MILLIONS. A young boy comes across a bag of loot, and decides to give rather than receive. The outcome is one of the year’s most rewarding. BROTHERS involves a love-triangle between brothers, as an Afghanistan war veteran is presumed dead, and his brother resumes his duties as husband and father. The dramatic results of the film are profound, and Ulrich Thomsen gives a riveting performance as war vet Michael.

The great ape, KING KONG rounds out my honorable mentions. For all its excesses, KING KONG delivered a special effects extravaganza, anchored by three magnetic performances from Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody and Jack Black. Director Peter Jackson’s love for the original is greatly known, and you can sense his passion in the making of this entertaining and engaging epic.