Wild About Movies' Top 10 Lists

They called KONG a dissapointment? What the hell movie did they see?
And how many movies are there to compare with BEST MUSICAL MADE INTO A MOVIE and WORST MUSICAL MADE INTO A MOVIE? There were two of those this year WTF.

Updated On: 12/19/05 at 04:01 PM

King Kong was the best movie I saw this year and in no way, shape, or form, a disspointment. In fact, it was better than I thought it would be. I loved WAR OF THE WORLDS because I thought it was as good as the big-budget-popcorn-overly-hyped movies come. But King Kong was even better and not only was it great in the "blockbuster" category but it was a great movie all-around. I dont know if that makes much sense but...:)

Updated On: 12/19/05 at 04:10 PM

I enjoyed WAR OF THE WORLDS, but I didn't think it was a good movie.

I also disagree with their placement of KING KONG.

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Would anyone else consider The Constant Gardener a disappointment? I thought it was phenomenal, and much better than I expected.

I loved Gardener and Geisha, but GEISHA has stuck with me - it's beautiful.

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I completely agree.

No, it isn't as brilliant as, let's say, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN or KING KONG - and it might not be one of the top 5 of the year (meriting an Oscar best picture nod,) but it's SURELY up there.

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I love Brokeback Mountain just as much as I love Geisha. Two films trying to do almost completely different things. But as far as sweeping epics go, I think Geisha is more consistent than Kong. Kong's hammy first hour really had me scratching my head. I can understand the intent, but I don't think the execution was anywhere near perfect. (even the montage of 1930s New York seemed sloppily edited to me at times) Geisha picked a tone and stuck with it.

There's way too much testorone in the [probable] Best Picture lineup. Geisha should've been there for diversity at the very least but I think it will take a miracle at this point. The negative reviews have been devastating. I have to prep people to view it with an open mind now. Oh well, still MY favorite.

While KONG hasnt lived up to Box Office expectations YET, I think it will be a gigantic hit in the coming weeks. Reviews and Word of mouth are wildly strong.

The "consensus" on rottentomatoes (for those of you who are interested) for the movies that have the most potential to dominate on Oscar night:

KING KONG: "Peter Jackson’s dream project is as good as event movies get; King Kong is visually spectacular and emotionally resonant."

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN: "A beautifully epic Western, Brokeback Mountain's gay love story is embued with heartbreaking universality, helped by the moving performances of Ledger and Gyllenhaal."

WALK THE LINE: "Superior acting and authentic crooning capture the emotional subtleties of the legend of Johnny Cash and his inevitable downfall with a freshness that is a pleasure to watch."

CRASH: "A raw and unsettling morality piece on modern angst and urban disconnect, Crash examines the dangers of bigotry and xenophobia in the lives of interconnected Angelenos."

SYRIANA: "Ambitious, complicated, intellectual, and demanding of its audience, Syriana is both a gripping geopolitical thriller and wake-up call to the complacent."

PRIDE & PREJUDICE: "Sure, it's another adaptation of cinema's fave Jane Austen novel, but key performances and a modern filmmaking sensibility make this familiar period piece fresh and enjoyable."

CAPOTE: "Philip Seymour Hoffman's riveting central performance guides a well-constructed retelling of the most sensational and significant period in author Truman Capote's life."

WALLACE AND GROMIT, THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT: "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a subtly touching and wonderfully eccentric adventure featuring Wallace and Gromit."

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: "A History of Violence raises compelling and thoughtful questions about the nature of violence."

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK: "This is a passionate and concise civics lesson from the past, arriving with much political and cultural relevance to today."

THE CONSTANT GARDENER: "The Constant Gardener is a smart, gripping, and suspenseful thriller with rich performances from the leads."

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE: "The main characters are maturing, and the filmmakers are likewise improving on their craft; vibrant special effects and assured performances add up to what is the most complex yet of the Harry Potter films."



There is nothing up yet for MUNICH and MEMOIRS as they havent opened officially. According to RottenTomatoes, the best reviewed mainstream films of the year is WALLACE AND GROMIT (95% fresh).

Walk the Line was very good (it was better than Ray, imho), but there were much stronger movies. Phoenix and Witherspoon were excellent, though, and both will definitely be nominated.

Updated On: 12/19/05 at 06:20 PM

I love her singing. That was the "revelation." Acting-wise, she should've been nominated for Election and Freeway.

I really think (and hope) "Crash" will at least be nominated (in the "Sideways" small-but-interesting slot.) I don't get the late push for "Cinderella Man", though--it's trying so hard to be an Oscar movie, it never comes close. And though "I Walk the Line" will probably get acting nods, it didn't get the all-around plaudits or box office to get a Best Picture nod.

It's funny--almost every big, eagerly anticipated project crashed, while the smaller, scrappier movies ruled (i.e., "Good Night and Good Luck") Of those coming up, "Munich" has a chance, but the Academy's been through a little too much war-and-politics guilt with Steven Spielberg ("Schindler's List", "Saving Private Ryan"). "Brokeback Mountain" is almost the only project with interesting buzz, and if it by some miracle wins, there'll be a fresh batch of boring articles about out-of-touch Hollywood, and red and blue states, and heartland values, ugh, shoot me.

Does "The Producers" have a chance?

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I think the winners will be as follows:

BEST PICTURE: King Kong
BEST DIRECTOR: Peter Jackson, King Kong
BEST ACTOR: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
BEST ACTRESS: Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line
BEST SUPP. ACTRESS: (not sure here but maybe...) Thandi Newton, Crash
BEST SUPP. ACTOR: Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
BEST SCREENPLAY (Adapted): Brokeback Mountain
BEST SCREENPLAY (Original): Crash