Corrupt politicians, couch-jumping celebrities, CIA leak investigations, gay cowboys and the virtual destruction of the Gulf Coast made 2005 a very memorable year. It was a year where many things came to an end: George Lucas’ special effect-laden opus “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” put a cap on the franchise; Tom Cruise’s respectability and sanity dissipated in his attempt to promote “War of the Worlds”; and, after months of speculation, Nick and Jessica tragically separated. But the political scandals on Capitol Hill were much more shocking than anything in Us Weekly.

Turmoil in Washington fueled an intriguing year in Hollywood, and many boldly political films were released in 2005. Not since Watergate and Vietnam rocked the nation in the ’70s has Hollywood had the fuel for so many controversial films about hot-button issues. Mainstream celebrities (including George Clooney) had no problem putting their careers on the line to make overtly political dramas like “Syriana,” “Goodnight and Good Luck,” and “The Constant Gardner” — films that directly or indirectly took a stab at the Bush administration’s ties to big oil, big media and big pharmaceutical companies. In addition, historical dramas like “Jarhead” and “Munich” took a war-questioning perspective at a time when the United States has involvement in several Middle Eastern conflicts.

But it wasn’t just politics as usual in this year’s moviemaking. While the debate over gay marriage could be heard in the halls of Congress, movie stars took risks playing homosexual characters. Most notably, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger saddled up as two gay cowpokes in Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain.” But they were not alone. Cillian Murphey fluttered his baby-blue eyes as a cross-dressing cabaret singer in “Breakfast on Pluto.” In “Capote,” Philip Seymour Hoffman gave a chilling performance as the famed author, who was one of the first openly gay celebrities; and Felicity Huffman ditched the glam and camp of Wisteria Lane for her role as a transgender father in “Transamerica.”

However, Huffman was one of only a few women who made 2005 memorable. It was a year of many things, but it was definitely a year of men. Films like “Jarhead,” “A History of Violence” and “Wedding Crashers” teemed with testosterone — but they also happened to be some of the best movies of the year. Chick-flicks were virtual audience-repellent. “In Her Shoes” and “Must Love Dogs” did nothing to breathe new life into the genre. While female-directed movies like “North Country” and the sweetly charming “Me and You and Everyone We Know” garnered some critical acclaim, they failed to appeal to mass audiences.

Politics and masculinity may have been the order of the day at the local multiplex, but here are my top five personal favorites in 2005:

1 Munich

We don’t live in a black and white world, and that is never more apparent than in Steven Spielberg’s “Munich,” his best film since “Schindler’s List.” The movie chronicles a Mossad squad assigned to assassinate the terrorists that murdered 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics. In the beginning, the team tackled its mission with a lust for blood, but as the body count rises, the assignment haunts each member’s moral conscience. This plot-driven film is a transition for Spielberg. The legendary director captured the coolness of an espionage thriller set in the ’70s with a cast that is a who’s who of international talent, including Eric Bana as the moralist team leader and Daniel Craig as a trigger-happy South African agent. But the film also has a potent political message about the endless cycle of violence that plagues the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the current war on terror. Although the film may be too controversial to earn Oscar gold, the director should be commended for making such a bold statement.

2 A History of Violence

David Cronenberg’s psychological profile of a family man (Viggo Mortenson) with a past mysteriously connected to the mob was riddled with intrigue and suspense. The film had the allure of a good crime saga and Cronenberg’s twisted sense of storytelling. Plus, Mortenson’s disturbing and arousing portrayal of a loving husband and father with an innate ability to kill was one of the best performances of the year.

3 Jarhead

In an age where World War II stories are recycled and retold, director Sam Mendes gave us a contemporary look at war. The film adaptation of a Gulf War veteran’s memoir illustrated the pain and frustration that the soldiers went through, even though they saw little combat. Mendes also gave us a glimpse of how the effects of war torment soldiers throughout their life. The film was a tribute to the Marines who served in Desert Storm and those who are fighting in the current conflict. Jake Gyllenhaal also looked pretty good prancing around in nothing but a strategically placed Santa hat.

4 Capote

Stark visuals and bleak settings told a nuanced story of how Truman Capote wrote “In Cold Blood,” the nonfiction novel that chronicled a notorious murder case in Kansas. Part biopic and part character study, the film examined the touching and dysfunctional relationship between Capote and one of the murderers, Perry Smith, sympathetically portrayed by Clifton Collins Jr. This film’s rich storytelling, great performances and potent depictions of the real-life author and the violent criminals made “Capote” one of the best biopics in years.

5 Brokeback Mountain

In a year where controversial films are flooding the theaters, “Brokeback Mountain” is perhaps the most revolutionary. The story of two closeted cowboys who have a 20-year-long secret affair shattered all gay stereotypes. The boys of “Brokeback” do not spend the entire film lassoing each other in leather chaps or redecorating the ranch. In reality, there has been no other film that shows the struggles of homosexuality with such dignity and respect. It is a straightforward and heartbreaking story, but Ledger’s performance steals the show. His portrayal of a repressed man ashamed of his own sexuality is as subtle as it is moving.

It was a good year in film, although there was no great character-driven film like last year’s emotional power punch “Million Dollar Baby” or the refreshingly real “Sideways.” However, 2005 saw the revival of hilarious sex comedies like “Wedding Crashers” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” And Peter Jackson proved in “King Kong” that a three-hour-long film about a big ape can actually be entertaining. But, more importantly, it was a year when many relevant films were made, some that will have an impact on audiences for decades to come. And I hope the trend continues in 2006.