The critics are really churning them out this time of year. I must admit jealousy. While all of the big city writers make their rave lists at the end of December, I can only long for access to such supposedly great pictures. Generally half of these movies are still in LA/NY release. Unfortunately these do not expand until January or sometimes even February.

In the meantime, here is some more output from those crazy critics.
From Richard Roeper on Ebert and Roeper:

10. The 40-Year-Old Virgin

9. Walk the Line

8. A History of Violence

7. Brokeback Mountain

6. Capote

5. Nine Lives

4. Munich

3. Crash

2. The New World

1. Syriana

From Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly

10. Look at Me

9. 2046

8. Crash

7. Me and You and Everyone We Know

6. The World

5. Munich

4. King Kong

3. The Best of Youth

2. Brokeback Mountain

1. A History of Violence

Of course, no year is complete without a list of duds. Here is what EW’s Owen Gleiberman and Lisa Schwarzbaum hate the most about 2005:

Gleiberman

5. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

4. Syriana

3. Domino

2. The Libertine

1. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Schwarzbaum

5. The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl in 3D

4. Derailed

3. Stay

2. Elizabethtown

1. Chicken Little

Looking at the compiled lists of critics so far, it is probably not difficult to judge what will make the cut at the Academy Awards this year. Then again, you never do know with the Oscars. Maybe if Columbia Pictures flashes enough green, Rob Schneider will stand a chance for Best Actor.

On the Ebert and Roeper podcast, I couldn’t help but react to the duo proclaiming this as one of the best years for film in a while. In my personal opinion, Hollywood could use a little more edge, and this year hardly accomplishes that task.

As co-editor Ben mentioned, our personal Top Ten lists are put on hold. This is primarily because we are not yet prominent enough to attend Joe Hollywood special screenings. Hopefully we will have our picks ready to go in unison with the Oscar nomination announcements.

Once again, feedback is appreciated. What are your personal picks and pans of 2005?

So, it’s almost a brand new year and we’ve got a brand new blog. Not a bad deal, if you ask me, and we’re ready to get rolling. But before we jump ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look back at someof the best movies of 2005. Here, for your consideration, are a few top ten lists.
From Entertainment Weekly:

10. Tony Takitani

9. In Her Shoes

8. Hustle & Flow

7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

6. Junebug

5. Match Point

4. The Century of Self

3. Brokeback Mountain

2. King Kong

1. Munich

from Cinematical (in no particular order):

2046

The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Jarhead

Star Wars Episode III: Return of the Sith

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Sin City

Marie Antoinette

A Scanner Darkly

Match Point

Hustle & Flow

from The Village Voice:

10. Last Days

9. The Holy Girl

8. Cache (Hidden)

7. The Squid and the Whale

6. Tropical Malady

5. The World

4. Grizzly Man

3. Kings and Queen

2. 2046

1. A History of Violence

and from Roger Ebert:

10. Millions

9. Yes

8. King Kong

7. Nine Lives

6. Me and You and Every We Know

5. Brokeback Mountain

4. Junebug

3. Munich

2. Syriana

1. Crash

So, that looks like a pretty good mix. I guess what surprises me the most is how varied most lists are this year, not that it’s particularly uncommon for each critic to go out of his or her way to differentiate themselves from each other, but from my recollection it has seemed like a relatively weak year for great movies.

Also, I can’t let this one go. I’m a bit disappointed in cinematical this year. First, they cop-out and don’t order them, which is just lame. Secondly, Star Wars Episode III actually made the list?!?! Are they joking? Did they actually watch the movie?

Okay, before the fanboys gut me, I want to expound on why you won’t see our top ten list here in the CineFiles, at least not right away. Dodd, Supreme Allied Co-Editor, and I have decided to take a few weeks to allow everyone the chance to actually see all of the movies that will probably be considered for the Oscars before so wisely dictate what is and isn’t worth the time and money to see.

In the meantime, let us know your thoughts on the lists featured here and for more Top Ten lists, check out Fimoculous’ year-end round-up. Also, let us know what’s in your Top-Ten this year.