December 31, 2005
Top Ten?
In recent years the top ten movies of the year lists have rarely included many of the films I thought were worth seeing, let alone being selected as some of the best. This year, the top ten movies of 2005 lists that I've read or seen on film-related television shows especially baffle me.
Most lists do not include the head-and-shoulders-above-all-others best documentary, March of the Penguins.
Most do not include Capote, with Phillip Seymour Hoffman's astounding performance in the title role, which should garner him the best actor Oscar.
Most do not include North Country, a gritty based-on-a-true-story film featuring Charlize Theron's Oscar-worthy turn.
Most do not include my choice for best picture of the year, Ron Howard's Cinderella Man.
All of the above are deserving of Oscars in their categories, but they probably won't win. Why? My take on it is that in the past 20 years or so, the Oscars (with some exceptions) have increasingly gone to the actors/directors/producers who are popular with the public and Hollywood's "A-listers" (a joke in itself) and/or a trendy-icon-of-the moment.
It's telling that some of the "best of" lists include movies that were better in the original version and need not have been remade, such as King Kong and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It shows that moviemakers' lack of creativty and imagination also extends to those who generate the lists.
Most lists do not include the head-and-shoulders-above-all-others best documentary, March of the Penguins.
Most do not include Capote, with Phillip Seymour Hoffman's astounding performance in the title role, which should garner him the best actor Oscar.
Most do not include North Country, a gritty based-on-a-true-story film featuring Charlize Theron's Oscar-worthy turn.
Most do not include my choice for best picture of the year, Ron Howard's Cinderella Man.
All of the above are deserving of Oscars in their categories, but they probably won't win. Why? My take on it is that in the past 20 years or so, the Oscars (with some exceptions) have increasingly gone to the actors/directors/producers who are popular with the public and Hollywood's "A-listers" (a joke in itself) and/or a trendy-icon-of-the moment.
It's telling that some of the "best of" lists include movies that were better in the original version and need not have been remade, such as King Kong and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It shows that moviemakers' lack of creativty and imagination also extends to those who generate the lists.
posted @ 7:12 PM
