Favorites of 2006

by John C.

When it comes to the movies of 2006, I feel it was an extremely versatile year, with big successes in numerous genres including comedy, horror, and drama. I feel really good about the state of the industry, especially going into next year, which already looks like it might be out of control. I present to you my list of the Top 20 films of 2006. Enjoy.

20. The Prestige

Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to last year’s Batman Begins. A solid cast with two particularly powerful performances from two of the finest actors out there today (Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman) solidified this as another great film by Mr. Nolan. The fact that the film looks beautiful certainly doesn’t take away from anything either.

19. A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

This is one of those films that I never would have seen if I had not been living in New York City. I first saw the trailer before some other indie film at the Angelika and I knew it was a movie that I needed to see. Robert Downey Jr. has really made an impression on me with his last couple of films. Simple in its nature, this film tells the true story of a boy growing up in Queens. Its brutal honesty makes this a powerful film.

18. The Bridge

The Bridge is a documentary about the Golden Gate Bridge and how it's a very popular site for people to commit suicide. I saw this film at the Tribeca Film Festival, but it almost didn’t happen. It was tough for me to decide whether the film was something I could, or even wanted to sit through. Trust me, the subject matter is very heavy, but it's extremely well made and there’s a good message in there as well. If you want to try something a little different, this is the right film.

17. The Last Kiss

Based on an Italian film of the same name, this Paul Haggis scribed tale of love and loss is brutally true to life. It certainly isn’t your normal romantic movie, being as it displays all that can go awry in a relationship. Another great soundtrack from Mr. Braff adds to the mix. I know this film isn’t Garden State, but in its own right it's a great film and an ambitious choice for a great young actor.

16. Lonely Hearts

Another film that I saw at theTribeca Film Festival. This was the big one. Having the fewest showings of any film playing at the festival, I almost didn’t get to see this one, as it sold out before I was able to buy tickets. Luckily, it was playing at a Regal in Battery Park, so I pulled some strings and I found myself watching one of the best films of the year. Lonely Hearts tells the story of the Lonely Hearts Killers (played by Salma Hayek and Jared Leto) who were notorious serial killers in the late 1940’s. Adding to an amazing cast, the two detectives who are after these killers are played by John Travolta and James Gandolfini. I love "The Sopranos", but when it's over I will be glad to see James Gandolfini return to the big screen. Wow, does that man have presence. This is another film carried by great performances. A true actors showcase.

15. The New World

Technically, this film came out in 2005 in limited release, but since I didn’t see it last year, it needs to go on this list. Terrence Malick knows how to direct a film. In fact, he may be unrivaled when it comes to a director being able to capture the beauty of any situation. His movies aren’t for those looking for non-stop action or fast narratives, but if you love filmmaking as an art form, Malick's films are required viewing. Simply beautiful.

14. Hard Candy

Here's another film that contains brilliant performances. The story in Hard Candy isn’t anything spectacular, but the acting is tremendous. Ellen Page shines as the teenage object of Patrick Wilson’s affection in this psychological thriller. It doesn’t hurt that it has one of the most difficult scenes to watch in recent movie history. This film is just plain creepy.

13. Superman Returns

Bryan Singer made the Superman movie that I wanted to watch. Stunning visual effects that justify the Man of Steel combined with a plot that actually goes somewhere and has relevant issues. What more do you need?

12. This Film Is Not Yet Rated

The best documentary that I saw this year. This Film Is Not Yet Rated boldly goes after the MPAA and their ratings system and holds no punches. I was shocked at the things filmmaker Kirby Dick accomplished with this film. An eye opening experience all around.

11. The Proposition

A couple of my friends had the chance to see this film at Sundance and they kept telling me that I needed to see it as soon as it got a release. I’m not really a big fan of westerns, but this film is just nail biting. The gritty reality portrayed in this Australian blood-fest keeps you on the edge of your seat and cringing at the same time. This film is a must for anyone who enjoys the genre.

10. United 93

Talk about a surreal experience. I saw this film with some friends on opening day in Times Square and I’ll admit, it was hard to get through. I still haven’t seen Bloody Sunday, so going into the film, I didn’t know much about Paul Greengrass other than the fact that he did a Bourne movie. He certainly impressed me with this effort. I was against Hollywood making 9/11 movies so soon, but I took it all back after I saw this film. United 93 is a celebration of courage, love, and what being a hero truly is. I strongly encourage you to see it if you haven’t.

9. V For Vendetta

Everything played out perfectly for me with this movie. I found out Natalie Portman was doing a film based on a graphic novel that was adapted by the writers of The Matrix and I was overjoyed. It didn’t disappoint. I loved this film and ending up seeing it three times in theatres. The action is great, along with the dialogue and timely subject matter. This is just a great movie.

8. Brick

This movie blew me away. First time writer/director Rian Johnson certainly doesn’t come off as an amateur in this ingenious take on film noir. The whole concept of having a very adult crime thriller take place in the setting of a high school is just great to me. Joseph Gordon-Levitt really impressed me as well with his performance. It's a breath of fresh air when someone tries something new in the world of movie making.

7. Babel

This could be the year of the Mexican directors. I unfortunately did not get to see Pan’s Labyrinth, but I did catch the two films made by Guillermo Del Toro’s two good friends, and they were both incredible. The first to make the list is Babel, which comes to us from the director of 21 Grams, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Babel is just great filmmaking. Brad Pitt shows his true talent and Cate Blanchett continues to move up my list of favorite actresses.

6. Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine is definitely one of the best comedies I've seen in a long time. While it remains dark in its humor, this tale of one little girl’s dream to win a beauty pageant warms your heart with each viewing. This movie probably had the best ensemble cast of the year, with stellar performances from Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carrel, Alan Arkin and a very impressive performance from the young Paul Dano. This was the big sleeper hit of the year.

5. The Departed

The Departed would have been higher on my list if it weren’t a remake. The film it's based on is a great Hong Kong thriller, and I guess having seen that already, some of the surprises in The Departed weren’t all that surprising. However, the direction was amazing and the performances were unrivaled this year. I have officially dubbed 2006 the “Year of Leo” because Leonardo DiCaprio's exceptional work in two separate films. The man's got tons of talent.

4. Clerks II

I can’t say much more than, “I love this movie”. I think this is Kevin Smith's best overall film. His other movies are all enjoyable and obviously I'm a big fan, but I feel like each of his previous films were lacking in some areas, while being quite strong in others. Clerks II is different. Everything clicks in this film. It's hilarious, yet so very heartfelt. Smith has a true talent for presenting an honest look at people in his own hilarious way, and he does it to perfection with this film.

3. Children of Men

I got a hold of an Oscar screener of this sci-fi thriller from Y Tu Mama Tambien director Alfonso Cuaron and it’s a good thing I did, because it immediately shot to the top of this list. The direction in this film is unbelievable. With all of the shots being handheld and containing some of the longest takes I have seen in quite some time, Children of Men immediately creates a feeling that no other film has. Cauron keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, littering this film with world issues and commentary. Clive Owen steals the show as always, with a great performance from Michael Caine to back him up. I loved everything about this film.

2. The Descent

I'm a huge horror fan and have always been a sucker for a good scare. The problem is that with crappy remakes and imported failures, the genre seems to be in decline (with a few exceptions). The Descent is one of the scariest movies I have seen in a long, long time. Not only that, but it's made to perfection. Director Neil Marshall creates the perfect pacing and setting to pull you into this story of a group of women who slowly descend into a world of terror and chaos. All of the elements of a good horror film are in place.

1. The Fountain

This film really deserves the top spot. The Fountain is a film that has been plagued with problems. It was delayed for what seemed like forever, at one point I thought it would never come out. Director Darren Aronofsky made The Fountain his only goal, not backing down until his story was realized. The man is a visionary. No film this year touched the beauty created on screen in The Fountain. The story is a simple tale of how far one man would go for the person he loves. 2006 was filled with movies made by people that I consider to be the future of filmmaking, and I'm glad a storyteller like Darren Aronofsky is leading the way.