2005 DVD continued to experience explosive growth in 2005, but despite that fact a number of phenomenal films never got picked up for either theatrical or DVD distribution. It blows my mind that studios would plunk down 9 million dollars on crap like Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power and then pass over films that would cost them well under a million dollars to release and promote. What makes this situation even worse is the fact that many independent DVD companies have taken the ‘safe road’ with their releases, turning toward Asian films with proven theatrical records or classic programming with some sort of guaranteed consumer base. It’s an absolute shame that these films aren’t available on DVD, and if we have anything to do with it… they’ll find a home in 2006. Here is my list of the best films you’ve haven’t been able to see this year: The Puffy Chair – Here’s a film which debuted at Sundance, won the audience award at SXSW and then took am armful of prizes at many fests around the country. Then it gets nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. Yet there are still no takers. Why? Because the magic of The Puffy Chair is the fact that it’s so damn understated. The Duplass Brothers (Jay and Mark) along with Kathryn Aselton and Rhett Wilkins have made the penultimate film about the impact of ambivalence in relationships. Perhaps this isn’t a concept people over 35 get, and perhaps this is why studios are clueless about why this film is so amazing and even video production company. But I have to say that everyone I’ve shown this film to, and everyone I’ve spoken to who has seen it have been captivated by the immense honesty of the film. The Puffy Chair stands as a shining example of what you can do with an extremely low budget and a ton of talent and creativity. I Am A Sex Addict – Many try but few succeed to join the ranks of Woody Allen and Larry David when it comes to painfully real self-reflective comedy. I am now proposing that Caveh Zahedi be added to the illustrious list of those who have tried and succeeded. I Am A Sex addict isn’t just one of the best films not in theaters this year, it’s one of the best films of the year. The film has an amazing wit, flows extremely well and is so masterfully crafted it should be studied in film schools. I Am A Sex Addict mixes documentary, recreation, monologue and humor into a film that needs to be seen. So why aren’t studios rushing to release it? The main character has a prostitute fetish and there are several explicit scenes in the film. But nothing in this film is even remotely as explicit as Mysterious Skin which DID get picked up. Come on studios, take a chance and bring this one out. I’d give my eye teeth to be the studio who first truly discovers Caveh. This guy is going places! Four Eyed Monsters – The other week I read a blog entry from filmmakers Susan Buice and Arin Crumley that made my heart sink. They had to sublet their New York apartment and go back to living with their parents to try and deal with the mounting debt the incurred making this fantastic film. How can we live in a world where great film makers starve like this and studios make American Pie 4. Four Eyed Monsters is a film with a ton of heart, it follows the relationship of two people who meet online and decide not to speak to each other, only communicate via writing and art. The film is touching, insightful and extremely well done. It’s a film which gives voice to an entire generation of people who connect and communicate online. So much has been said about the huge market for Gen Y product. I don’t think I’ve seen a film more geared toward that crowd than this one, and honestly you don’t have to be in your 20′s or 30′s to fall in love with it. Kekexili: Mountain Patrol – Now this one’s a little bit of a cheat.