The past few days have been overloaded with the nominees/winners of the 2005 movie season. I’ll try to cover each award show in the coming days. Still to come: Academy Award Nominations (Jan 31); Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild Nominations (Jan. 5) ; Writers Guild of America and Producer Guild Nominations (Jan 4)
Here are the Top Ten Movies of 2005 according to NBR and AFI:
National Board of Review
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck
A History of Violence
Match Point
Memoirs of a Geisha
Munich
Walk the Line
American Film Institute:
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
The 40 Year-Old Virgin
Good Night, and Good Luck.
A History of Violence
King Kong
Munich
The Squid and the Whale
Syriana
A few winners I am surprised by.
Memoirs of a Geisha (only 29% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes) hasn’t struck me that it will be an amazing film. From the reviews I have read, they all seem to be in concensus that while Geisha is a decent movie it does not quite have that “wow” factor. But at the end of the day, I will still go see it but most likely not in the theaters.
Munich – The critics are LOVING Munich, even calling it the front runner in this year’s Oscar race. I haven’t seen it yet so I’m not really sure if the hype is good or just critics get happy and forgetting about the other top movies of 2005 (ie Brokeback Mountain) To read a not so glowing review of Munich, read this.
King Kong – I haven’t seen it yet so once again I’m not sure if the hype is all that factual.
Match Point – I’ve heard that it is the best Woody Allen movie in recent years. But that could mean anything if you consider how excellent Woody Allen pictures have been in these past few years.
When comparing the two lists, AFI has a greater range with a mix of under the radar movies, comedies, and big budget blockbusters. Six movies appear on both lists, which is an acceptable number if you ask me.
The NBR gets the “what are they thinking” prize because if you take a look at their overall awards, well frankly some don’t make sense (according to what I have read not what I have seen.) Certain actors/actresses performances that have been called the best of 2005, have been entirely ignored by the NBR. But then again the NBR is not a respected critics circle; generally the Academy ignores their picks because of the ridiculous factor involved.
@Cinefille 
I was really disappointed that Cinderella Man did not made anyone’s list. Do you think it was because it was an early 2005 release? I felt like the film was strong, the acting stronger and the story VERY worthy. What’s your take?
I saw Cinderella Man in the theaters and I LOVED it. A great and powerful film. (The girl who payed Russell Crowe’s daughter was precious.)
It is true that some movies released early in the year are ignored by the voters. Some people also believe that Russell Crowe’s behavior (the phone throwing debacle) may have caused some backlash from the voters. Which is just stupid. It’s the performance that matters not their personal life.
But Cinderella Man did receive Golden Globe nominations for Russell Crowe and Paul Giamatti. The Broadcast Film Association (BFCA) nominated Cinderella Man for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director. So it hasn’t been completely forgotten.
I think Paul Giamatti stands a good chance at winning the Best Supporting Actor oscar this year (Critics are still bitter after his Sideways snub)
I don’t know exactly why Cinderella Man didn’t make these top ten lists. In my opinion there are some movies that don’t belong on any list coughMemoirsofaGeishacough
And I haven’t seen every movie on these lists to give a fair opinion.
Still Cinderella Man should be considered in the Oscar voting, no matter what time of year it was released. Everythng about it was excellent, a viewing pleasure.
hi there! if u are really keen to watch ‘memoirs of a geisha’, i suggest u read the novel first. the book is fantastic and i am rather sceptical about any movie adapted from a novel. they usually kill the story and it’s various elements in th eprocess of movie making. eg-GONE WITH THE WIND.
I’ve actually read the book and I agree. It is fantastic. I’m more or less joking with my attacks against Memoirs of a Geisha. I’ll probably see it, just not in the theaters. I hope Rob Marshall and company doesn’t kill the story because that would be a waste of a good movie.