Let's face it, 2005 was not a spectacular year for movies. To be honest, it plain sucked. I at first debated even writing this article, as many of the movies I mention would not have come close to making any of the last few years' lists. But tradition triumphed, and here we are!

THE DOLPH LUNDGREN SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE FIELD OF CRAPULENCE AWARD.

Even the Dolph Lundgren recipient this year lacks any real luster (which I guess is sort of the point). Anyway, for those who don't know, the Dolph Lundgren Award for Special Achievement in the Field of Crapulance is an annual award that goes to a movie that is so bad it's good. Named for the star of the seminal Show Down in Little Tokyo, the Lundgren recipient embodies the low standards required to shine amongst shit, to fail so spectacularly it cannot be called anything but success. Unfortunately this years recipient fails to fail bad enough. Oh well, the award goes to

Kingdom of Heaven- Why? I dunno. I can barely even remember a lot of this movie, so that isn't good. A true Dolph Lundgren should not be easily forgotten. The only thing I can remember, (and the only thing that makes this movie remotely watchable,) is Orlando Blooms beard. This beard kicks ass, and is easily the best of 2005. Of course, pictures don't do it justice. To really appreciate Bloom's beard, one must see it in graceful, homoerotic motion.

BEN'S ELEVEN FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2005

11. Hostage - It's by no means Die Hard, but Hostage is still good. If you are ever looking for a low commitment, entertaining rental that won't make you think while you watch people get shot, Hostage is the movie for you. Sadly, I can say with confidence that any other year this movie would not make it within a stone's throw of my list.

10. Walk the Line - I like Jonny Cash's music, and before seeing this movie, knew next to nothing about him. It's a cute love story more than a cliff-notes rundown of his life, but I still found Walk the Line interesting. However, I cannot say that someone with no interest in Cash will feel the same way, and I cannot say it brings anything new to the table in the world of biopics.

9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Harry Potter makes my list in part to retroactively correct my omission of the much-better Prisoner of Azkaban, but also because it was a good movie. Goblet of Fire is also my favorite Harry Potter book, and I feel the movie did as good a job as it could considering its limitations. I eagerly await the inevitable spin-off Snape on a Plane, starring Alan Rickman and Bruce Willis. And that dirty vixen Hermione!

8. Munich - Spielberg's look at terrorism is both thought provoking and captivating, but not as memorable as his other works. Like everything he does, it's still worth checking out, and is artistically brilliant (all those mirror shots!). It isn't fair that I hold Spielberg to a higher standard than anyone else on the planet, but that's just the way it is. I guess what I'm trying to say is this: while Schindler's List might change your life, Munich might make you want to play Counter-Strike.

7. The 40 Year Old Virgin - The 40 Year Old Virgin is a good movie. Forget the foreboding title and misleading marketing campaign, this is not another primitive Dodgeball or Anchorman. The 40 Year Old Virgin respects its characters and has an actual story to tell in addition to being just plain funny. The overall result is a great comedy that does not make you feel like a moron for having seen it.

6. Batman Begins - Finally, Batman done right! (Some may argue that Tim Burton's first Batman was also good, but I counter saying that that film was more about Jack Nicholson's Joker than Batman.) I have highly recommended this movie since its release, and have been surprised by the number of people that are completely clueless regarding its place in Batman cinema history. Therefore, I will take this opportunity to clarify. Batman Begins has absolutely nothing to due with the previous four Batman movies. It is a restart, if you will, of the entire Batman franchise, so you have no excuse not to go see it.

5. Howl's Moving Castle - What the hell is Howl's Movin Castle?! Glad you asked. Howl's Moving Castle is an anime (japanimation) children's film by a really famous Japanese guy that makes other anime films. Despite being foreign, the film is remarkably accessible (all the voices have been redubbed by American actors) so long as you don't try to make sense of every little detail. This is after all a children's film. If you're looking to expand your horizons, letting Howl's Moving Castle dance around with your imagination is not a bad place to start.

4. Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith - Some people have probably forgotten this in all its post release anti-hype, but Episode III is actually a pretty awesome movie. While not quite on par with the original trilogy, it is leagues ahead of the other prequels, and has quite a few truly powerful moments. Of course, it's also very pretty to look at.

3. Sin City - Sin City is pure unadulterated violence, and let's face it, violence for violence's sake is fun to watch. Couple that with boobs, beautifully unique visuals, the coolest cast since True Romance, and some neat stories, and Viola! you have one of the best movies of the year!

2. King Kong - I don't understand the public's lukewarm reaction to King Kong. It just didn't seem like a big deal to anyone else. As a fan of the original, I can say that King Kong succeeds as both a remake and an original film. The truly incredible action sequences, both big (the T-Rex's and the vines) and small (BUGS!), raise the bar for all big budget action movies from now on. King Kong is a damn fun movie.

1. Serenity - Walking out of the theater after Serenity I felt how people must have felt in 1977 walking out of Star Wars. I was blown away. I had heard good things about the TV show Firefly, but knew nothing about it. What I found in Serenity was a thrilling, emotional, well executed, well acted, masterfully crafted piece of cinema. Films like Serenity are the whole reason I watch movies. There would not even be a list this year had this movie not come out. It's a crime that this movie did not do well financially, not because it probably means the death of the series, but because it is such a shame more people have not seen this masterpiece. I have not had a more positive movie experience since the first Lord of the Rings film came out, and coming from me, that is pretty high praise.