Well, it’s that time of year again when people of all ages flock to the theatre hoping to catch the latest holiday blockbuster or Oscar frontrunner, while critics throughout the country begin compiling their list of the best films from the last twelve months. For me, 2006 was a vastly improved year at the movies and almost made me forget about all of those horrendously awful remakes that were so gracefully offered to us last year.
Whether it was Martin Scorsese’s riveting return to form in “The Departed" or Eli Roth’s blood-spattered trip through Europe in “Hostel," every film seemed to bring something new and exciting to the table. Even flops such as “Lady in the Water" and “The Hills Have Eyes" were still somewhat watchable despite not having any apparent cinematic value. Yes, it was an interesting year.
One that gave us Clint Eastwood’s magnificent WWII duo “Flags of Our Fathers"/"Letters From Iwo Jima" as well as the Wayans brothers’ dreadful comedy “Little Man." For every great film to be released this year, there were at least three or four bad ones to follow, but I guess that’s pretty much how every year is.
If you want to make the most out of your movie going experience, you may have to go out of your way to see films that you would normally pass right over, because they could leave you pleasantly surprised. After countless deliberations, I’ve managed to come up with a pretty solid list of what I believe to be the best films of 2006 as follows:
1. "The Departed" - Set on the cruel, gritty streets of South Boston, Martin Scorsese's star-studded crime drama completely blew audiences away with its polished direction and ferociously intense action sequences. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon deliver first-rate performances as two rats trying to find one another and Jack Nicholson celebrates being 70 with his aggressive portrayal of an aging mob boss. It's great to see Scorsese returning to form and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining film this Oscar season.
2. "United 93"/"Pan's Labyrinth" - Many people said it was too soon for a film of this nature, but I think the time couldn't have been more appropriate. Paul Greengrass created a hauntingly realistic account of the events surrounding 9/11 and should really be commended for taking on such a controversial project. I could see complaining if the film wasn't so well executed, but that's just not the case. For those who haven't seen it, I highly recommend checking it out and the final segment is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.
Guillermo del Toro's masterpiece never gets old and always keeps you utterly entranced by its stunning depiction of how a young girl copes with change during a time of complete chaos. The film pretty much speaks for itself.
3. "Borat" - If you haven't familiarized yourself with the comedic stylings of Sacha Baron Cohen, now would be the time to do so. His film has become the surprise hit of the year and could earn him an Oscar nomination come January. Fictional Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev embarks on an epic journey across the United States to get a real taste of American culture and produces some truly hilarious moments along the way. While it may offend some, those who enjoy Baron Cohen's fearless energy will be treated to one of the funniest films I've ever seen.
4. "Casino Royale" - Yes, this is a James Bond film and yes, it is that good. Martin Campbell's second journey into the world of James Bond completely redefined the struggling franchise and gave Daniel Craig the opportunity to bring the character back to life. Doing away with the gadgets proved to be a key element for success and Craig's rugged disregard for authority made every scene that much more believable.
5. "Blood Diamond"/"The Good Shepherd" - Leonardo DiCaprio's second appearance on this list shows just how great his year actually was. Here, he's sporting a passable Rhodesian accent and playing the role of a South African mercenary trying to get his hands on a rare diamond that has been buried in the African jungle. In the hands of director Edward Zwick, it becomes an action-packed exposè on the diamond industry while boasting superb supporting work from both Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou.
De Niro's first directorial feature since 1993's "A Bronx Tale" is a long, penetrating look into the shadowy past of the CIA that is often too explanatory for its own good. Damon gives the most understated performance of the year as Edward Wilson and should've entered into the Academy Award discussion long before anything was set in stone. My only beef with this flick is that the wonderful Angelina Jolie went sadly underused, but otherwise, it's something special.
6. "Half Nelson" - Ryan Gosling's startling portrayal of a drug addicted school teacher earned him plenty of rave reviews and helped this poignant picture go above and beyond the normal expectations of the genre. Each scene was full of heartfelt emotion and its themes about life are especially relevant in today's society.
7. "Thank You For Smoking" - This sharply funny satire on the cigarette industry allows Aaron Eckhart to shine as tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor and really establish himself as a lead actor. Jason Reitman's directorial debut is one that knows both its material and audience in brilliantly comphrensive detail.
8. "The Descent" - Neil Marshall's chillingly claustrophobic tale of six friends who get lost on a climbing expedition is terror at its finest.
9. "Hard Candy" - Here is where my infatuation with Ellen Page began. This Lions Gate shock fest opens ever so subtly until the moment where the tables are turned in a nightmarish direction and, believe me, you'll be squirming.
10. "Flags of Our Fathers" - Clint Eastwood's first of two WWII films told the reluctantly heroic story of three soldiers who returned home from Iwo Jima and became pawns in the US government's attempt to sell the war to the American public. Ryan Philippe, Adam Beach, and Jesse Bradford all make the most of their time on-screen and bring justice to their real-life counterparts.
Honorable Mention: "Apocalypto," "Notes on a Scandal," "Children of Men," "An Inconvenient Truth," "The Devil Wears Prada," and "The Last King of Scotland."
