Comic book movies can take many forms, but 2005's hyper-stylized neo-noir "Sin City," directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller (with a cameo by Quentin Tarantino), is its own beast, using digital video to create a cinematic world that was less inspired by the graphic novels as much as it was an extension of them. 

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk film noir, style as substance and green screen, before deciding whether or not "Sin City" belongs in the top five of 2005.

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Director Christopher Nolan set out to make a new kind of comic book movie with "Batman Begins" -- the "adult" hero flick -- backed by an all-star cast of Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy and more.

But what exactly was it about his approach that made this particular version of the Dark Knight so compelling?

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk misdirection, mythology and symbols, dig into trivia, then decide whether this iteration of Bruce Wayne deserves a spot in the top 5 of 2005.

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After director Peter Jackson wrapped "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, winning a cool 11 Oscars (including Best Picture) for the final installment, he was essentially given a blank check. He cashed it in to make "King Kong," a $207 million passion project.

Did the investment pay dividends?

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk spectacle, special effects, where emotion fits in a blockbuster, Jack Black, Naomi Watts and so much more, before deciding whether or not this epic remake is a legit contender for the top five of 2005.

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The culture was not kind to George Lucas' Star Wars prequels when they released in theaters, nearly 20 years after the end of his iconic trilogy. But has time helped us to see these movies in a new light?

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk camp and search for the line dividing bad writing from bad performance. They talk expectation vs. reality, trivia and decide whether or not "Revenge of the Sith" belongs in the discussion of the best of 2005.

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Woody Allen's most exciting release in nearly a decade, "Match Point" marked a new phase in the writer/director's long career -- this one, for the first time ever, taking place outside of New York.

In this episode, Mike and Brian talk faith, comfort zones, Scarlett Johansson, trivia and, of course, fight about morality, before deciding whether or not this film belongs in the year's top five.

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Some of the best movies in any given year don't earn Oscar nods. Case in point: director David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence."

In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the movie's exploration of identity and corruption, and wrestle with what it might be saying about viewers' own appetite for bloodshed. They talk Viggo Mortensen's post-"The Lord of the Rings" performance, trivia and if the film belongs in the year's top five.

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"Ever since I was a child, folks have thought they had me pegged ... and they're always wrong," said Philip Seymour Hoffman, playing Truman Capote, in Bennett Miller's 2005 Best Picture nominee. So who is the real Truman Capote?

In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into the complexities of this character and explore Miller's approach to the biopic. They talk trivia, debate the Best Actor race and decide if CAPOTE deserves a spot in the year's top five.

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Director Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" made serious waves when it released in 2005, bringing on a glut of Oscar nominations (eight), headlines and satirical tributes. The cultural discussion surrounding the movie was loud, but what about the movie itself?

In this episode, Mike and Brian dig into its best moments, debate the Oscar race for Best Actor, talk trivia and decide whether the film, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, deserves a spot in the year's top five.

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A new movie year is upon us! We kiick off our series on the films of 2005 with George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck.," which takes a just-the-facts approach to Edward R. Murrow's attempt to take down Senator Joe McCarthy.

In this episode, Mike and Brian debate the validity of patriotism as a criterion for Oscar consideration, talk historical significance, biopics and, of course, decide whether this film deserves a spot in the year's top five.

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What was the best movie of 2004?

The Academy awarded that title to Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," but in this series finale episode, Mike and Brian shake things up. They recap the year that was, rank the Academy's picks for Best Picture, kick the ones that don't belong and discuss their personal top 5s. Plus, trivia, Golden Takes and more.

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