Review: 2005 generates great documentary films

For the business side of the movie business, it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The movie moguls whine and moan about smaller grosses. It seems that they are merely making billions of dollars instead of billions and billions of dollars.

So why do they think it’s a good idea to rehash old films – as with Steven Spielberg’s god-awful remake of “War of the Worlds” – create hackneyed versions of old TV shows –“Bewitched” anyone? – and plop out drivel like “Mr. and Mrs. Smith?”

And what can be said about “The Dukes of Hazzard?”

Words have not been coined to describe how utterly worthless that film was.

Still, “the movie people,” complain that audiences aren’t going to the movies as much as they used to.

Some folks, in an attempt to rake a living together, HAVE to go to movies. I suspect a number of them want part of their lives back. “Memoirs of a Geisha” owes me two hours and 25 minutes.

Only because “Munich” was so brilliant is Steven Spielberg safe from being hunted down for the $7 and 236 minutes he stole from me for “War of the Worlds.” That’s actually twice the running time of the film, but it’s so awful it counts double.

And a note to Tom Cruise: Get over yourself.

“The Honeymooners?” I simply can’t go on …

The highest grossing films of the year came as no surprise. They were:

“Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” $380.3 million

“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” $252.6 million

“War of the Worlds” $234.3 million

“Wedding Crashers” $209.2 million

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” $206.5 million

“Batman Begins” $205.3 million

“Madagascar” $193.1 million

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” $186.3 million

“Hitch” $177.6 million

“The Longest Yard” $158.1 million

But 2005 had a number of pleasantries and a few surprises as well.

It was a good year for documentaries.

“March of the Penguins” not only is a great film, it did great box office. Werner Herzog’s “Grizzly Man” was as intense as any film in 2005. “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” explained how that company’s debacle came about.

Filmmaker James Cameron turned to the documentary genre as well with the spellbinding “Aliens of the Deep,” about the creatures living at the bottom of the sea. One of the most unlikely documentary subjects was quadriplegic rugby players in the film “Murderball.”

And there were many great nondocumentaries as well. In no particular order, my favorite films of the year included: “A History of Violence,” “The Constant Gardener,” “Bee Season,” “Batman Begins,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” the sadly under seen “Cinderella Man,” “Broken Flowers,” “Me and You and Everyone We Know,” “Munich,” “Crash,” “The Upside of Anger,” “Sin City” and “The Weatherman.”

Missing in action from local screens were a number of critically acclaimed movies. “Brokeback Mountain,” “Mysterious Skin,” Woody Allen’s “Match Point,” “Capote” and “Junebug” have yet to make it to Springfield. The good news is, as Oscar time approaches, many as yet unseen movies will start popping up around town.

Springfield is blessed with three completely outstanding theaters – two multiplexes and an independent art house.

The Campbell 16 Cine is still the big dog on the block. It’s a well-run theater, with a staff that understands the business of presenting movies. The Palace is the best bargain in town and also has top-notch management and staff. If you miss a film the first go ‘round, it’s always great to know it will most likely show up – for a lot lower ticket price – at The Palace.

I’ve left a third multiplex out of the mix here because, quite honestly, nearly every time I’ve been there, there’s been a problem. The film is out of frame or out of focus, no one is in the box office selling tickets (after a few minutes we simply went on in), and the auditoriums are a mess.

Meanwhile, Springfield has proven it will support an art house. Dan and Nicole Chilton, two avid movie buffs and genuinely nice, charming people, opened The Moxie in September.

Since then, they have played films – “Me and You and Everyone We Know,” “Saving Face,” “Grizzly Man,” “Murderball” and many others – that probably wouldn’t have shown here otherwise.

Going to The Moxie is always fun. Dan comes out before each show to talk to the crowd, and those of legal age who imbibe can get a beer or a glass of wine. Congratulations to Dan and Nicole.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.

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