Best - and worst - of 2005 movies

In looking over the list of films released in 2005, I realized that I have seen 32 of them. Not a huge number - but probably a lot more than most people see. But being in this city, I often don't see some of the award winners until months after their release. For example, I never had the chance to see Million Dollar Baby until after the Academy Awards in March 2005. And Brokeback Mountain has just opened here! Some of the critical favs (like Millions) I had to wait to see on DVD. So keep that in mind as I give my review of the 2005 movie season.

Best Performances
David Straithairn in Good Night and Good Luck
Steve Carrell in The 40-year Old Virgin
Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line
Naomi Watts in King Kong
Amy Adams in Junebug
Everyone in Million Dollar Baby
Jason Varitek in Fever Pitch (kidding!8-) )

Glad I saw on the big screen
King Kong
War of the worlds
Fantastic Four
Batman Begins
Chronicles of Narnia

Glad I saw it - but won't see again or buy the DVD
Million Dollar Baby
Upside of Anger
Millions

Good for a cathartic crying jag
The Family Stone
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Mindless fun
The Producers
Wedding Crashers
The 40-Year Old Virgin
Fever Pitch
Wallace & Gromit
Sahara
Bewitched
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Popcorn Movies
King Kong
Serenity
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire
Chronicles of Narnia

Thought Provoking
Good night and good luck
Aviator

Saw it - and have already forgotten it
Herbie: Fully Loaded
Bewitched
The Wedding Date
Must Love Dogs
Phantom of the Opera
Just Like Heaven
Rent

Unexpected Pleasures
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Serenity
Junebug

These critical favs of 2005 have still not played here:
Match Point
Transamerica
Capote
The Squid and the Whale
The Matador