If you forgot about my Best Movie Bracket, I’m looking at each year individually and picking the best movie. Each of those winners will face off against another years winner in a bracket style tournament. But before I get to the tournament, I have to complete the seeding. I try to look objectively at the films, which means I need to study them from a couple of different angles. For 2005, let’s see which films come out on top financially, critically, and popularity.
Financial (Box Office Mojo)
| 1 | Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith | Fox | $380,270,577 |
| 2 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | BV | $291,710,957 |
| 3 | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | WB | $290,013,036 |
| 4 | War of the Worlds | Par. | $234,280,354 |
| 5 | King Kong | Uni. | $218,080,025 |
| 6 | Wedding Crashers | NL | $209,255,921 |
| 7 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | WB | $206,459,076 |
| 8 | Batman Begins | WB | $205,343,774 |
| 9 | Madagascar | DW | $193,595,521 |
| 10 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Fox | $186,336,279 |
Critical (Oscar Nominations)
| Nominations | Film |
|---|---|
| Brokeback Mountain | |
| 6 | Crash (Best Picture) |
| Good Night, and Good Luck. | |
| Memoirs of a Geisha | |
| 5 | Capote |
| Munich | |
| Walk the Line | |
| 4 | King Kong |
| Pride & Prejudice | |
| The Constant Gardener |
Popularity (IMDb)
| Movie | Rating |
| 1. My Father and My Son (2005) | 8.7 |
| 2. Batman Begins (2005) | 8.3 |
| 3. V for Vendetta (2005) | 8.2 |
| 4. Sin City (2005) | 8 |
| 5. Serenity (2005) | 8 |
| 6. Walk the Line (2005) | 7.9 |
| 7. Pride & Prejudice (2005) | 7.8 |
| 8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) | 7.7 |
| 9. Brokeback Mountain (2005) | 7.7 |
| 10. Match Point (2005) | 7.7 |
Ultimately, however, this is my list and the final vote comes down to me. Here are my top 3 from 2005.
3. Walk the Line
I have a soft spot in my heart for Johnny Cash. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon did a fantastic job of becoming Johnny and June Carter Cash. The music is infectious and the man in black’s story is worth telling well. I almost put Crash in this 3rd spot, but I think it has had enough press with its unearned Best Picture win over…
2. Brokeback Mountain
Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger pour out a lot of emotion in this very moving drama from director Ang Lee. Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway put in remarkable supporting roles as the pained wives of the men who are inflamed for each other. I just watched this for the first time a few months ago and it took me a while to process.
1. V for Vendetta
I can’t say enough about this film. It is infinitely rewatchable and quotable. Natalie Portman is my favorite actress and she is stunning as she peeks behind the fascist curtain. Just a few weeks ago I celebrated the 5th of November as one should. I didn’t blow anything up, but I’ll put that on my calendar for next year. It is stylized and poetic. Despite it not topping the stats anywhere, it is my favorite of the year.