By now, we've all seen innumerable best of columns. Everything from TV shows to music to theater and movies. Rather than add my own top ten lists, I want to take this opportunity to focus on the best moments from a year filled with movies. While I haven't seen all 311 features that qualify for most voting bodies, I have seen a whole lot more than the average moviegoer, and I really don't think Jessica Alba's performance in Into the Blue would have been singled out, even if I had seen the movie.

Best Movie
Okay, I said no best ofs, but, this year, I had a clear choice. Brokeback Mountain. Director Ang Lee (The Ice Storm, The Wedding Banquet) brings sensitivity to the gay love story involving two ranch hands that is missing from most hetero love stories. That is what is the most remarkable thing about this tragic tale, although the fact that the lovers were men certainly resonated with a specific part of the audience, me included. Heath Ledger's performance must be singled out, as the biggest surprise of the season. Who knew? Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, and Linda Cardellini (also a surprise, having been seen by most so far as Velma in the Scooby Doo movies) all deserve praise as well. A satisfyingly luxurious downer.

It's Watchable
There were so many mediocre, but watchable movies. I love these. They're perfect for watching at home with friends who talk, or while reading the Sunday paper. Just Friends, Must Love Dogs, etc. You know what I mean. Not very good, but not all that bad, either. Torture in the theaters, but, somehow, very pleasurable at home.

Gays are Back
The gays were all over the place this year, from our favorite gay cowboys to Phillip Seymour Hoffman's Capote and then there was The Producers. How? Why? What an error in judgment. If nothing else this movie proves it isn't so easy to make a movie, even from the most solid material. Sure, there were moments, but this lumbering beast was dead on arrival.

The Death of the Musical
Again? After the success of Chicago, it was all about the musical. But, then came last year's deadly Phantom of the Opera, and then this year's static version of The Producers. Somewhere in there was the screechy Rent, and, is this the end? Not if Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, and Eddie Murphy have anything to say about it. The long delayed version of Dreamgirls is due in theaters December 2006.

And what else will 2006 bring?
A whole lot of sequels. Mission Impossible III, X Men III, Spiderman III, and more. Plus, further down the timeline, look for the next Harry Potter, and the inevitable continuation of The Chronicles of Narnia. Oh well.