Well I know this movie was actually released prior to 2005, but my criteria is based on the watch date, not release date. I haven't even been to the movie theater this year on account of the price of movie tickets, the crowds, the people who can't keep their mouths shut during the movie, and the relatively low cost of either purchasing or renting the dvd to enjoy in one's own cozy home. So as of today, my hands-down pick for the best movie I've seen this year is Oldboy, made in Korea and the winner of the 2004 Cannes Grand Jury Prize. Now receiving an award from the Cannes festival does not guarantee greatness, as evidenced by their awarding the Golden Palm (top prize) that year to a work lower than the lowest garbage, but at least for the Grand Jury prize they were right on the money.
You may have already heard about the movie and you probably heard the word shocking in the description. Yes, it was shocking but if someone fixates on the scene in which Oh Dae-Su, the main character, devours a live octopus as the shocker of the movie, let me tell you, they didn't get it.
The basic premise of the movie has to do with Oh Dae-Su getting mysteriously abducted on his way home one night, and being imprisoned in a hotel room for 15 years with no clue as to who did this to him or why. He's got a tv, a bed, gets fed fried dumplings every day, and that's about it. Finally he gets out and embarks on his odyssey to find out the who and why behind his incarceration, and extract revenge upon the guilty party(s). You can read a more detailed description in Roger Ebert's review.
Enough said. Just be aware that this isn't a movie for children or the squeamish. I'd say use Kill Bill as your guide to whether or not you'd be interested in this movie. I loved them both.
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