Best Movies of 2005

2046 (2005)
director: Wong Kar-wai
starring: Tony Leung, Ziyi Zhang, Li Gong, Faye Wong, Takuya Kimura

One of the best films I have ever seen. Easily one of my absolute favourites and one of the best films of the 21st Century. The thing is, when people ask me if I like this more than In the Mood for Love, I won't be able to answer. They are both totally different films (even thought this is the sequel to In the Mood for Love). They are both equally amazing, but in terms of favourite, 2046 is mine (with In the Mood for Love just a small margin behind it).

I can't get over the mixed reviews I have been reading for this film. It deals with the beauty of love like no other film I have seen (save In the Mood for Love) and incorporates science fiction elements into the plot that makes the story so much more brilliant and the characters so much more real. Science fiction elements make these characters seem real? Yes, I believe they do. The scenes on the train to the year 2046 are not only superbly shot and masterfully visualized, but a good deal of the development and existential occurrences in the characters happen on this train, in the future. I haven't seen a film or read a book that put science fiction elements to such good use since I read Slaughterhouse-Five; or, The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Wong Kar-wai has always been a favourite of mine ever since I saw In the Mood for Love four years ago. The plot of that film never interested me before I saw it, but that was around the time I began broadening my tastes and watching more foreign films. After I saw In the Mood, I was mesmerized and completely captured by the beauty of it. The story of Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-Zhen made me feel uncannily close to them and I knew at that moment I had to watch 2046. For some ridiculous reason, it took me almost four years to watch 2046, but those four years let me mature that much more and see many more films that would allow me to appreciate this film like I have. I have never felt as close as I have with characters in a film as I do with the ones in In the Mood for Love and 2046 (I have yet to see Days of Being Wild, unfortunately).

The visuals are what keep me mesmerized and the screenplay is what keeps me emotional, vice versa even. When I say emotional, I don't mean bawling my eyes out sad, I mean infatuated. I am literally infatuated with this work of art. This film is a collaborative effort, I do believe. Wong Kar-wai is the mastermind behind this trilogy, of course, but credit also goes out to the actors (Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Li Gong, Faye Wong, Ziyi Zhang), Christopher Doyle the cinematographer (along with Kwan Pun Leung and Lai Yiu Fai), William Chang the production designer/costume designer/film editor, Alfred Yau the art director and Shigeru Umebayashi the composer of the original score. Combining all these talents together has brought the world two epic films that have changed my outlook on cinema and art in general.

2046 is the epitome of film, in my opinion. It has everything I look for in a film and it has pleased me like only a few select others have. It really is a masterpiece and I cannot recommend this more. I hope you all see this and take something away from it, whether it be visually or emotionally (or hopefully both).

I just discovered this movie today. It was on sale at the local video store and I said to myself... "why don't you give the good old Canadian movies a chance? They're probably good." So I did and it turned out to be one of the best film experiences I have ever had. This movie is one of a kind.. a masterpiece! Nothing like I have ever seen before. Not many people have heard of this movie because it's Canadian, but it should be known worldwide. It's one of the best movies I have ever seen and I am proud that it is made by a fellow Canadian. Jean-Marc Vallée has definitely earned my respect. Making a movie like this is hard and he pulled it off. This movie took home thousands of awards here in Canada [10 Genie Awards and 12 Jutra Awards] which it rightfully deserved. I am still simply amazed at this movie's perfection. I will recommend this movie everywhere I go now and it is one of my new favourites. I love this movie. See it... see it again, and love it like it should be loved. It's amazing.

Definitely one of the best movies of 2005. Why this wasn't nominated for Best Picture is beyond me. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz are both amazing in their roles and Fernando Meirelles proved himself once again to me that he is one of the best directors of today. His previous film, "City of God" made me ecstatic knowing that a movie this powerful would ever make me so thankful for having eyes to view such a masterpiece. He is a cinematic genious. John Le Carre's novel must have been astounding for such a solid screenplay to come from it. The cinematography and original score are also fantastic. This movie is beautiful and should be taken more seriously by viewers. It has such low ratings for an average day masterpiece. Watch this. It's amazing.

One of the best movies of 2005. Very underrated and not known by most people. Should have won the Original Screenplay award at the Oscars, too. Noah Baumbach created an amazing film, here. Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney should also have been nominated for Oscars. This movie just blows me away... it's just amazing!

This is one of the best movies of 2005. I bet 8 out of every 10 people haven't even heard of this movie. Well, it's a true gem. It is unique and genuine. Amy Adams lights up this film with her presence and she deserved her Oscar nomination. This is a great movie and I recommend it to all.

Such an amazing and original film. Felicity Huffman is by far the Best Actress of 2005. This is underrated and is one of the best movies of 2005.

Incredibly funny. Possibly the best comedy I've seen in the past 5 years. Steve Carell is hysterical!

Terrific film with a powerful story. Oscar-worthy performances from both Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand. Richard Jenkins is awesome, too.

Although Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder pulled off an excellent original, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick just seem to make me like The Producers that much more. The comedy is perfect and the cast is (of course) absolutely phenomenal. Nathan Lane (who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance) was absolutely hilarious. Matthew Broderick was funny, too. Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Roger Bart were all good supporting performers, but the best role in the film goes to Gary Beach's character. The film's musical pieces were absolutely amazing and better than ever and the art direction was great, too. This stands up to the original version and any other version it can be compared to. This film was terrific and should be watched by any musical follower. Congratulations Mel Brooks on a very clever story!

Absolutely surprising. I thought to myself, Oh this is going to be one of those movies with a load of stars and will be just okay. I was wrong. This movie surprised me. It was touching and the performances were simply amazing. Diane Keaton was the best. She should have received an Oscar nomination for this. Sarah Jessica Parker and Rachel McAdams were good, also. This one is definitely one to watch. It may start slow, but in the middle it gets a lot better. It's a great movie. I highly recommend it.

The best one of the series so far. The kids are more mature which leaves room for the story to mature. Definitely gonna watch this again.

Better than Episode I and II but nowhere close to the older Star Wars movies. Still an awesome ride.

HILARIOUS. Johnny Depp is perfect in these quirky roles. His voice is on par with his character and he, in my opinion, does a better job than Gene Wilder did in the '71 original.

One of the best action movies of the year. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are a terrific match. The chemistry is amazing and the action scenes always get me excited. They should definitely make a sequel.