WOW!" Moments, 2005 edition (Spoilers!)

Chuck Mayer · 12-29-2005, 03:48 PM

"Alright sweethearts, you heard the man and you know the drill! Assholes and elbows! Hudson, come here...COME HERE

"

All-Time Edition started by Jordan.

2004 Edition started by me, but went haywire. Should have focused on 2004 movies.

I am sure we'll get it right this time

What defines the WOW! moment? Well, that's up to you. For me, it is spectacle with purpose, overwhelming emotional content, something that shifts your paradigm, or just something ridiculously cool. It's essentially the moments that stick with you long after you've seen the film.

So, onto 2005. No more than three per film, even Kong, which boasted more than that for me.

War of the Worlds - Spielberg keeps the film tight and focused, but the initial attack is pretty amazing.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith - More than one

I really felt Lucas regained his footing with this film as a straight up director. There were numerous skilled shots or sequences, some effects intense, and some carried just by the actors:
- Padme's Ruminations (thank the immortal John Williams for this), I consider this one of the top two or three scenes in all 6 films, one of the best sequences of the year
- Anakin alone on Mustafar with his single tear
- The ending sequence was another stupendous collection of moments...great bits strung together thematically and tying into Episode IV cleanly and emotionally

Batman Begins - I was shocked by how colossally great this film was. Direction, script, acting, cinematography.
- The death of the Waynes in Crime Alley
- Bruce's first night as Batman...felt like Alien, which is exactly right
- Batmobile chase (best use of subwoofers in a long time)

The Constant Gardener - quite a few scenes for the visuals, but specifically:
- the ending (when his brother-in-law is giving the eulogy)
- the reuniting of Justin and Tessa (even if only in his mind)
- at Tessa's funeral, when Kioko brings the card, walking miles and miles to be at her funeral...I lost it, one of the most powerful scenes of the year for me

Constantine - Odd inclusion, and solely for the Tilda Swinton scenes

Unleashed - When the flashback of his mother playing the piano near the end puts it all in perspective

KING KONG - A special case for me, as there were sequences that are already nestled warmly near the top of in my "greatest scenes ever" list, and more than one. And more than five. But three was my rule (for me, others can add tons):
- Kong/V-Rex fight immediately became the most exhilarating action sequence in years. As spectacle goes...flawless and over the top, but breathtaking.
- Kong's capture and Ann's reaction to the entire event
- Saying goodbye to Kong was absolutely devastating for me, incredibly shot, acted, and animated

If I was allowed to add more, and I'm not, I would have included the Skull Island sunset, and sunrise on the Empire State Building. But I'm not

Please share yours!

Cory S. · 12-29-2005, 04:53 PM

I missed the 2004 Edition when it hit, so I have to chime this time. This is a brilliant idea, Chuck.

WOW moments of 2005:

War of the Worlds
- The Ferry Boat Attack Sequence: Scared the hell out of me.
- The Mini-Van One-take scene: I'm still trying to figure out how much of it was in camera and how much was digital matte paintings. Anyone have a clue?

Munich
- The Hotel Bedroom Bombing Scene: Jolted me right out of my chair. Truly terrifying
- The Final Scene/Final Shot: No words.
- Telephone Conversation Scene: A heartbreaking scene that should land Eric Bana an Oscar nomination.

Lord of War
- The Opening Credits: Awesome sequence. Got me into the film right away.

Batman Begins
- The Tumbler Chase: The title speaks for itself. The best car chase I've ever seen, bar none.
- Backup: Batman signals his backup and they come in full force. We end the scene with Batman jumping down, cape extended, engulfed by the night creatures and moves on. Perfection.
- I'm Batman: In my opinion, 10 times better than Keaton's verison.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

-Priori Incantatem: Harry and Voldemort Duel. Emotional, filled with drama, and visually stunning. Great moment that sets the stage for the rest of the series.

Finally, Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith

-Padme's Ruminations: The most important, emotional, and poignant scene in the history of Star Wars. Period. End of the discussion. Pure, visual storytelling. And as Chuck stated above, thank God for the genius that is John Williams.

-Vader on Mustafar: Lucas's tone poem as he states on the commentary. This is the moment in the film that truly represents the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker. Again, visual storytelling at its best.

-Duel of the Fates/Battle of the Heroes: Anakin vs. Obi-Wan. Yoda vs. Sidious. The music of John Williams. The perfection of the editing. The visuals. The drama. The emotion. The action. 'Nuff said.

Kristian · 12-29-2005, 05:15 PM

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

To the great moments mentioned above, I'd like to add:

WAR! - My favorite opening sequence of all six films. The way the camera follows our two heroes as the war rages around them is just jaw-dropping.

Order 66 - This sequence has made me cry each time I've seen the film.

King Kong

Sunrise at the Empire State Building - When Ann says "Beautiful", she not only describes the sunrise, but the scene itself.

Serenity

Spoiler:

Steve Christou · 12-29-2005, 05:34 PM

WOW moments?

Jordan_E · 12-29-2005, 05:37 PM

War of the Worlds
The sight of the tripods all together after the ferry attack.

ROTS
The speed of the saber fights on Mustafar.

**HTF Ads**

Inspector Hammer! · 12-29-2005, 06:18 PM

For me...

War of the Worlds Visual effects have truly reached a point where, in the hands of a skilled filmmaker, can truly knocked your socks off! The emergence of the Tripods and their following attack is one of this years definite highlights.

Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith I was wowed by Anakin's hatred and the extent to which he used it, from the moment he was given the name by Sidious, Vader began to saturate his soul and that feeling was palpable.

Padme' confronts Anakin on Mustafar. "You were with HIM! You brought him here to kill me!" Love it!

Anakin's and Obi-Wan's duel. It was infused by so much raw emotion that it works on just about every level, both spectacular and sad as we watch the misguided Anakin try to destroy his friend and master and his ultimate failure.

Anakin's imolation. From his heart wrenching cries of agony and his line "I hate you!!!", this is one of my favorite scenes in any of the SW films.

Yoda *VS* Sidious in the senate chamber. I get off on that whole sequence, especially when Sidious is gleefully lobbing pods at Yoda like they were frisbees and Yoda swiftly jumping to avoid them.

And finally, Vader's augmentation. This was it, THE moment I had waited for for years, Anakin being locked inside his prison, his body deformed and twisted, his mind and soul fragmented. When that droid was lowering that familiar black steel faceplate into position, locks it down and we hear that first breath, I was almost beside myself with giddiness.

Land of the Dead The scene where the zombies were emerging from the river sent chills up my spine.

The Fog As in "WOW! Did that suck!"

Sin City The entire freakin' film was a WOW moment!

I'm finally seeing King Kong this weekend and I already know that it will make this list.

Batman Begins The best damn Batman movie ever! I wanted a Tumbler for Christmas, I didn't get one, though.

And lastly, not specifically the films themselves, but I have to mention Red Eye and Wedding Crashers, what wowed me about those films you ask? It was the gorgeous Rachel McAdams!

Larry Sutliff · 12-29-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Batman Begins - I was shocked by how colossally great this film was

I'll second that.

Others off the top of my head:

ROTS-Anakin force choking Padme, and then the first moment of the duel as Williams "Battle of the Heroes" theme kicks in

The revelation of Darth Sideous and the duel with Mace

Order 66

The death of Padme and the creation of Vader

The emotional final montage of images and sound

KING KONG-The first meeting with the natives
The T-Rex battle
The first shot of the planes arriving at the ESB
The look of 1933 New York, especially the recreation of the legendary Mayfair Theater(with the giant billboard for Fritz Lang's M)

Kristian · 12-29-2005, 07:04 PM

A few more...

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Foreign Visitors Arrive - The shot of the ship rising from the water was just too cool.

Batman Begins

"He left his calling card" - I don't think anyone at my midnight showing was expecting a Joker reference. Everyone went wild when Gordon gave the card to Batman, myself included.

King Kong (Yes, again.

)

T-Rex Fight - The whole sequence was amazing, but the big "Wow!" moment for me was when Kong chomped off the last dino's tongue and then broke its jaw. That was so unexpected and brutal. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was awesome!