2005

Best Picture Nominees:

Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash *
Good Night, and Good Luck
Munich

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Brokeback Mountain- Probably one of the most unusual Best Picture nominees in a while, but not out of the mainstream, with actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Williams starring, and directed by Ang Lee.  It is sort of a gay love story. It was favored to win Best Picture and that was nearly assured when Ang Lee won Best Director.  As "outspoken" as the entertainment industry is, they could not bring themselves to make this the Best Picture.

Capote - A tour-de-force for Phillip Seymour Hoffman about Truman Capote during the time of his research for In Cold Blood.  Hoffman deservedly won Best Actor.

Crash - To me the title says it all, crash. It's about everything that leads up to a car crash, a huge ensemble cast and not very watchable, but maybe seemed the least objectionable to Academy voters.

Good Night, and Good Luck - The story of Edward R. Murrow and his battle with Eugene McCarthy.  This movie is in black-and-white and this was a George Clooney special pet project for which he received a directing nod.  It's a nice enjoyable little film.

Munich - A graphic depiction of the retaliation by Israel against those who slayed their athletes in the 1972 Olympics.  Basically, a special squad sought out and killed those responsible.  A dramatic story told by Steven Spielberg.  A good film, but mostly a "filler" that was destined to win no Oscars.

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My rankings of the Best Picture nominees:

1.  Brokeback Mountain
2.  Good Night, and Good Luck
3.  Munich
4.  Capote
5.  Crash