Cecil's Top Dozen Films of 2005

1. Munich
Truly the most kick-arse film of the year. Docu-drama-esque recount of the Israeli hostage situation at hte 1972 Summer Olympics. More than that however, it follows the nihilist nature of revenge and violence that is both consuming and immersive. Now just for the record, I'm no Zionist nor ultraconservative Iranian President, but I felt that Spielberg gave a fairly heavy deconstructed view of the efforts of both (i.e. Golda and the Palestinians). Through introspectively eloquent dialogue and startlingly appropriate imagery the true nature of vengeance is laid bare. The film-goers' traditional paradigm of terrorist and patriot are sequentially marred until they ultimately implode at the end of the film. Its nice to see Spielberg with some cajones.
2. Brokeback Mountain
3. Syriana
4. Junebug
5. Capote
6. Wedding Crashers
7. Crash
8. Mysterious Skin
9. Good Night, and Good Luck
10. Kung Fu Hustle
11. Broken Flowers
12. Angels in America*
*Although released years ago, I hadn't even heard of it when I viewed it. Thanks to Ribka and Amy I fortunately had the six hour experience. Loved it so much that I HAD to include it.



Favorite actor of 2005
Jeffrey Wright

Somehow this former stage actor has managed to play roles in a quarter of my favorite films this year. Incredibly genuine in each role its hard to imagine its the same guy. From a 1980s surly gay New York nurse (Angels in America), to a over-educated pinstripe modern day Uncle Tom (Syriana), to the Jamaican neighbor as effervescent as he is inquisitive (Broken Flowers). Wright is an amazing and incredibly underrated actor. Not only that, he was born in DC! He's also apparently played the role of Basquiat (per my earlier blogs) that I must check out as well. In any case, he's got more things in development than Apple, so we have a lot to look forward to I'm sure.