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THE BEST FILMS OF 2005: Larry’s Own Academy Awards

It is something of a tradition that I present my best films of the year in December.  I mentioned in my column last year that I believe motion pictures as a medium tell us more about the best and worst of a culture than anything else.  They are a reflection of contemporary society, especially in the United States. 

I had a bit of a problem with my Top Five Favorites Films for 2005 because there were not five outstanding films.  So, I decided to put them into categories and give my favorite film in each category:

Documentary – March of the Penguins – Debbie and I checked this out and I think I enjoyed watching this film more than any other all year.  This was a magnificently filmed documentary of a year in the life of emperor penguins in Antarctica.  I have read that a number of Christians are excited about this film because of the case it makes for Intelligent Design.  Before Winged Migration, I hated nature films, but now I have seen a second one that has been called “one of the most beautiful love stories on earth” and in my opinion, they are not far off. 

Action/Adventure – Batman Begins – This prequel to the Batman series was a huge surprise.  My son Aaron and I watched this together and afterwards talked for hours about the leadership implications.  Christian Bale played the young Bruce Wayne who after the death of his parents seeks to find the means to fight injustice in the world.  I enjoyed every minute of this film!

Drama – The Jacket – Olya and I ended up watching this psychological drama when we could not get in to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith.   A war veteran ends up in a psychiatric ward but in the process of his rather unusual therapy program, he is somehow able to go into the future.  I liked how this film dealt with the choices we make in life, and the consequences that result from those choices.  This was not an easy film to watch, but it was a great mental exercise.

Comedy – Mr. and Mrs. Smith – This is a crazy film, as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play John and Jane Smith, an ordinary suburban couple with an ordinary, lifeless suburban marriage. But each is hiding something the other would kill to know: Mr. and Mrs. Smith are actually highly paid, incredibly efficient assassins, and they work for competing organizations.  It actually has some valuable lessons about marriage – amidst the mayhem.  (But then, maybe that is what marriage is…) 

Children’s Film – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Though I was hooked on the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, this film is actually more accurate to Ronald Dahl’s classic children’s story.  Johnny Depp reminded me a bit too much of Michael Jackson, but nevertheless, I loved this film.  The songs of the Umppa Loompa’s alone are worth the price of admission!  

I have not seen Chronicles of Narnia or King Kong yet, and there are a number of other films in 2005 that I failed to get to, but these were the best of those that I managed to see. 

A final note for the year, our Christmas newsletter should be in your mailbox soon.  If you are not on our snail mail list, please let us know, or we could have an old address that needs updated.  Most of all we want to wish you all many blessings during this time of year that reminds of the miracle of the incarnation – Immanuel – God with us!