OSCAR SEASON - Honorable Mention Films

It's getting to be that time of the year, boys and girls. The 78th annual Academy Awards are coming up on March 5 and we'll see who the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences sees fit to bestow their weird little statues upon.

2005 was an excellent year for film, and many movies deserving of the attention that a nomination usually brings will have to do without. I was certainly surprised by a nomination or two, but I think that the sheer number of quality work may have spread out the votes, making it more likely for darkhorses to enter the race. (Read "darkhorses" as "Crash".)

As pumped as I am, I think it's time for my yearly picks for the best of 'ought five'. Needless to say, I have not seen every quality picture made this past year, so there will certainly be some omissions. I have yet to see Terrence Malick's The New World, and probably 15 other films that have made the major critic's year-end top ten lists. However, I am pretty confident in the quality of the films I do select. So even though I may not have all of the best films, I think I do have a collection of good selections. Oh, I occassionally make a bone-headed pick, but as surprising as it is, they've been rare over the years. No, there will be no Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo in this list.

First I'll start with my honorable mentions for 2005. These aren't in my top 10, but they might be close, or they might have done something deserving of attention.

Good Night and Good Luck - George Clooney's excellent statement film about standing up to the goverment when it's necessary. David Straithairn is top notch as Edward R. Murrow.

The 40 Year Old Virgin - An hilarious and sweet sex comedy that should make Steve Carrell a star.

Pride and Prejudice - A very good Jane Austin adaptation. Keira Knightley has joined the ranks of major actresses with this work I think

Capote - Incredible Phillip Seymour Hoffman portrayel of the affected and conflicted Truman Copote.

Wedding Crashers - I think this might be one of the funniest movies in recent memory. Maybe even more so than 40 Year Old Virgin.

The Merchant of Venice - Al Pacino gives one empassioned and powerful Shylock.

Sin City - Mysogonistic and childish, but also beautiful and immensely creative Robert Rodriguez adaptation of a violent comic book.

The Constant Gardener - A very good flick that will probably get lost in the shuffle of good film this year. Rachel Weisz is excellent as a rights crusader in Africa.

Broken Flowers - Jim Jarmusch very nearly goes mainstream.

North Country - Two great performances by Frances McDormand and Charlize Theron are marred by a cheesy courtroom ending. Still a powerful look at sexual harrassment.

King Kong - Moments were rather silly, but others were quite powerful.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - A sweet, magical and surprisingly powerful adventure story. An homage to imagination, or if it's your cup of tea, that Jesus guy.

The Aristocrats - Stand up comedians being as funny and gross as they can be.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Yet another enjoyable Potter tale.

Batman Begins - Christopher Nolan reinvents and reinvigorates the Batman franchise.