I really thought 2004 was an abysmal year for actresses, but compared to the scant amount of quality leading roles in 2005, 2004 was a stellar year for female thespians. In fact 2005 was so bad, it took me two days of pouring over my notes from screenings this year to come up with five actresses who stood out from the pack. It's not that the caliber of acting was bad; it's just the opportunity to shine in a featured role was simply not there.

1. Joan Allen - "The Upside of Anger"

Joan Allen turns in one of her finest performances as a single mom who has love/hate issues with her next door neighbor in "The Upside of Anger." The only reasonable excuse for Joan Allen not being included on every Best of 2005 list is that her movie came out so early in the year that her performance has simply been overlooked or forgotten. Allen reveals more about her character in the film with a mere glance or glare than a lot of actors are able to do using an entire film's-worth of dialogue.More »

2. Reese Witherspoon - "Walk the Line"

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of "Walk the Line." Joaquin Phoenix didn't do it for me; Johnny Cash's voice is too unique and having Phoenix sing his songs didn't work. I never forgot it was Phoenix playing Cash. The same can not be said of Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash. Witherspoon's sassy, intelligent portrayal of the Country legend was pitch-perfect. Witherspoon adroitly handled this difficult and demanding role and even showed she has a decent singing voice. Who knew?More »

3. Felicity Huffman - "Transamerica"

"Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman takes on what could possibly be the single most challenging role of 2005. As a transgender woman awaiting the final step in the process of becoming female, Huffman had to sell the voice, the physical appearance, and the emotional turmoil of a real person in that position - and she had to do it without making the whole production into a big, campy mess. Huffman pulled off the part so convincingly it's almost possible to forget she's a beautiful woman.More »

4. Naomi Watts - "King Kong"

Kong may be the star of the film but it's Naomi Watts who makes the big ape seem real in Peter Jackson's "King Kong." Watts dances, screams, falls in love, runs around like a madwoman, and enchants audiences as the beauty who steals Kong's heart-and she had to do most of her scenes with a co-star who wasn't really there. Give Watts the credit she deserves. As the star of a CGI-heavy fantasy film, Watts never forgot that above all else, she had to connect with the audience on an emotional level.More »

5. Cameron Diaz - "In Her Shoes"

This is probably the pick that'll generate the most "What are you thinking" email. Cameron Diaz is hardly ever taken seriously however not only was she terrific in "In Her Shoes," she also stood her own against a couple of the best actresses in the business - Shirley MacLaine and Toni Collette. As Collette's reformed party-girl sister, her performance is surprisingly deep and nuanced.More »