Top Ten Films Of 2005!

Lets try to go back in time and remember what the films of 2005 were about. Think about what was going on in the world and how films were a reflection of it. First, George W. Bush had won re-election and the war in Iraq continued. Starting with 2004 films were becoming very political. We seemed to be headed back to the 1970s, when several anti-war films were being made. Look how that has changed already though. Any film dealing with Iraq in 2007 is headed for box-office disaster.

But with the war and President Bush's re-election the concept of war and the United States standing in the world started to take shape. One of the biggest themes to emerge in films, especially within my choices for the best film of the year was moral responsibilty. "Munich", "Match Point", "A History of Violence" and "Notre Musique" all questioned what motivates as us as people. Cinema in 2005 was a sharp rebuke of President Bush rightly or wrongly. Here are my choices for the best films of 2005!

1. MUNICH (U.S.; Dir. Steven Spielberg) - I'm usually not a Spielberg fan, I've never really enjoyed his childhood fantasy films, i.e. "Hook" and "E.T." but when Spielberg tackles more mature, adult issues as he did in "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan" I find myself more involved in his work. "Munich" may be his boldest film. Dealing with the 1972 Olympics and the death of 11 Israeli athletes at the hands of a Palestinian terror group the film argued violence will only lead to more violence and question what should the correct response be.

2. DOWNFALL (Germany; Dir. Oliver Hirschbiegel) - Based on a novel written by one of Hitler's secretaries, Traudle Junge, the film follows the last days of WW2 inside Hitler's bunker. Bruno Ganz plays Hitler as a human being, which caused some controversy, but it is one of the greatest performances you may see. It was certainly robbed of an Oscar nomination that year. A brutally violent and ultimately depressing film.

3. SARABAND (Sweden; Dir. Ingmar Bergman) - This sequel to the 1974 masterpiece, "Scenes From A Marriage" sadly proved to be master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's last film. The film follows Liv Ullmann and Erland Josephson still trying to cope with one another after all these years. A worthy end to a great director's career.

4. MATCH POINT (U.K./U.S.; Dir. Woody Allen) - Allen's first film set in London brought a renewel of interest into the great filmmaker's work. Sadly it has started in dwindle again. Similar in themes to "Crime and Punishment", "A Place in the Sun" and Allen's own "Crimes and Misdemeanors" the film asks, and comes to an interesting conclusion, concerning what is right and wrong and just in our society.

5. A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (U.S.; Dir. David Cronenberg) - Perhaps a bit more mainstream than some might like from Cronenberg, the film still retains his twisted and sordid view of society asking, what exactly makes people so violent and the continuing spiral of violence facing our society.

6. CRASH (U.S.; Dir. Paul Haggis) - The Oscar winner for best picture examined race in America and came to an unsettling conclusion; everyone has racist tendencies. The film boast an excellent cast including Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle and Sandra Bullock (perhaps giving her best performance) in this multi-connected Altmanesque drama.

7. HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (Japan; Dir. Hayao Miyazaki) - The greatest animated film I have ever see. Japanese animation master Miyazaki has no use for special effects and CGI. He still works with a pen and paper. Much more mature than what you find in most animation. I wouldn't be surprised if more adults enjoy his work than children.

8. 2046 (China/Hong Kong; Dir. Kar Wai Wong) - The sequel to Wong's masterpiece, "In the Mood for Love" follows Tony Leung again in the starring role looking for redemption in hopes of going back to rectify the past and his relationship with Maggie Cheung. Amazing visuals and Wong's eye for detail make this a pleasure to watch.

9. CINDERELLA MAN (U.S.; Dir. Ron Howard) - Usually emotional fluff from Howard ("Apollo 13",) but of the highest kind. Even the most cynical person will become involved in this tale of boxer James Braddock's life as a metaphor for the 30s depression. In this story of the underdog.

10. NOTRE MUSIQUE (France/Switzerland; Dir. Jean-Luc Godard) - One of Godard's great films. A perfect marriage of ideas and visuals, the film borrows from Dante's Inferno in this mature meditation of war.