Top 10 films of 2005

In some ways, 2005 looked a lot like 1977 at the movies.

George Lucas’ “Star Wars” franchise took the No. 1 spot at the box office. Woody Allen hit a career peak, marquees were promoting “Fun With Dick and Jane,” and a remake of “King Kong” was in wide release. Steven Spielberg imagined what extraterrestrials might be like — though the sweet aliens of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” have now turned into the sour monsters of “War of the Worlds.”

On the other hand, there were no gay cowboys, no penguins, no Harry Potter, no George Clooney, no Jane Austen remakes in 1977. For all its similarities to another era, 2005 was more diverse, more eclectic, more reflective of a post-9/11 world. “Syriana” and “Paradise Now” could not have existed even five years ago. Neither could “The Constant Gardener” or “Brothers.”

Box office bummer
At the box office, 2005 was almost universally regarded as a disappointment. The final “Star Wars” installment, “Revenge of the Sith,” may have grossed more than any other 2005 film, but it sold far fewer tickets than most previous installments in the series.

Box Office Mojo’s “adjusted for inflation” chart shows it trailing the original “Star Wars” (No. 2 on the all-time list), “The Empire Strikes Back” (No. 12), “Return of the Jedi” (No. 14) and “The Phantom Menace” (No. 19). Far behind at No. 55, “Revenge of the Sith” bested only “Attack of the Clones” (No. 81) in Lucas’ series.

The year’s other box-office champs, “War of the Worlds” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” look even less impressive in the long view. If you count ticket sales rather than inflated admission prices, they can’t compete with such 1950s hits as “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” “The Robe” and the 3-D version of “House of Wax.”

One estimate suggests that attendance hasn’t been this low since the mid-1980s. The reason could be DVD sales, which frequently top box-office income. If a would-be blockbuster like “The Island” flops in theaters, it can have a substantial second life just a few months later. It’s clear that many home-theater fans, who won’t put up with boorish audiences and ringing cellphones, prefer it that way.

This system also works well for foreign and independent films, which are reaching a much larger audience than before. Many are turning up on DVD, just in time for year-end awards and the Oscars.

The best of the best
Which brings us to the subject of 10-best lists. In alphabetical order, here are my picks for 2005:

Focus Features

“Brokeback Mountain” (directed by Ang Lee). Annie Proulx’s wrenching 1997 New Yorker story, about two men who carry on a secret affair over a couple of decades, could easily have been turned into a snicker-inviting blunder. Miraculously, the movie seems to have inspired everyone involved, and especially Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as the lovers who will not label what they feel.

“Brothers” (Susanne Bier). A devastating Danish film about a career soldier and family man who is shipped off to Afghanistan, where he is captured and forced into an impossible “Sophie’s Choice” situation with another prisoner. Connie Nielsen stands out as the wife who thinks he’s dead and is tempted to start a new life with his troubled brother.

Attila Dory / AP

“Capote” (Bennett Miller). Dominated by Philip Seymour Hoffman’s uncanny impersonation of Truman Capote, this is an accomplished film on every level. Dan Futterman’s script carefully sets up the series of relationships that made Capote’s unlikely authorship of “In Cold Blood” possible. Miller’s direction, especially his handling of a near-perfect supporting cast, makes them credible.

“The Constant Gardener” (Fernando Meirelles). The Brazilian Meirelles, who earned a surprise Oscar nomination a couple of years ago for directing “City of God,” makes the leap to mainstream movies with this confident, provocative adaptation of John le Carre’s best-seller about a politically motivated murder. Ralph Fiennes was born to play the title character, an ineffectual British diplomat with an activist wife (the surprisingly excellent Rachel Weisz).

Warner Independent Pictures

“Good Night, and Good Luck.” (George Clooney). Clooney made an impressive directing debut three years ago with “Confesssions of a Dangerous Mind,” but he’s gone on to another level with this instant classic about Edward R. Murrow’s mid-1950s television showdown with Sen. Joe McCarthy. David Strathairn and Frank Langella are the standouts in a splendid cast.

“A History of Violence” (David Cronenberg). The Canadian director demonstrates his mastery with this story of a seemingly normal family whose lives are turned around when the father reveals his true nature — by committing what appears to be a heroic act. The sense of dread is palpable, thanks in large part to Viggo Mortensen’s assured performance in the central role.

“King Kong” (Peter Jackson). New Zealand’s most famous director scores another fantasy home-run with this magnificent three-hour-plus remake of (and homage to) the 1933 classic about a giant ape, his captive girlfriend and their disastrous visit to the land of skyscrapers. Perhaps no other film this year has so enthusiastically suggested a passion for movies and an appreciation of their history.

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