Top Ten or so Movies of 2006

This list is a bit delayed; we’ve been living in ‘07 for awhile now, but I’ve been busy.  Now, this list just covers the movies I saw, I make no claim that this list contains the end all end all of best movies of ‘06.  Please feel free to voice your approval, or more likely, your outrage.

12.  The Prestige.  Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale.  Batman Begins proved that that’s a tough combo to beat.  I love the twists and turns, and I deeply apologize to those for whom I ruined the movie by figuring it out too soon…but I read a review where they said that Nolan purposely made the “big twist” obvious, so as to disguise the real twists, so now I don’t feel so bad.  The whole Jackman-Bale feud mirroring Edison-Tesla was both nerdy and well done.

11.  Jackass 2.  Humor through simple stupidity.  If this movie doesn’t make you die laughing, there might be something wrong with you.  This movie also marks the first time Jackass has made me gag with their on-screen antics.  And that’s not easy to do.  Just like with you mom, but I still manage.

10.  Night Watch.  This movie is a bit sketchy to be on the list.  I’m fairly positive that this Russian epic was released stateside in 2006.  It’s an interesting story, and it’s one of the most cerebral “fantasy-action” movies.  Those Underworld movies could learn a few things.  What also makes this movie impressive is the way that the movie is subtitled.  First off, very few foreign movies should be watched with dubbing.  This movie “incorporates” the subtitles into the movie.  It’s hard to explain, but it’s brilliantly done, and it shows the extra effort made by the director to make sure English audiences don’t get taken out of the movie.

9.  Dave Chapelle’s Block Party.  I’m a fan of documentaries, and this is a good one.  You get Dave being himself, having fun on the streets, you meet some interesting people, and you get some great music.  Kanye, Ms. Badu, the awesomeness that is Dead Prez, and most importantly, you get the nigh-impossible reunion of the muthafuckin’ Fugees.  The Score is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard, for so many different reasons.  And yes this movie was really just a cock-tease for the idea of them getting together for new music, but man, seeing them together on stage.  That’s something else.

8.  Casino Royale.  Yes, it showcased free-running or Parkour like five years after it was invented.  Yes, it borrows quite a bit from the Bourne movies.  Yes, it has a blond Bond.  But, let’s be honest, this is best new Bond flick since Goldeneye and quite possibly one of the best Bond movies of all time. 

7.  Snakes on a Plane.  This movie ranks as high as it is for one simple reason; this is what a summer popcorn movie is supposed to be.  You don’t have to think, which is good, cuz big parts of it don’t make sense.  The whole first half hour really feels like the beginning to every 80’s cop-action movie.  It’s fucking beautiful.  Then you end up in a b-horror movie…a b-horror movie with Samuel “Fucking Deep Blue Sea” Jackson.  So many high-larious scenes, so many high-larious lines.  Just good, simple stuff.

6.  Idlewild.  If it weren’t for the other movies on this list, this would easily be on the top.  This is a good movie.  It’s takes a little time to get into it, but once you do, you buy it all, hook, line, and sinker.  This movie, much like Outkast’s music, mixed genres beautifully.  It basically plays like an old black and white musical drama mixed with hip-hop and humor.  It really is a good film.  And as you would expect, it has an awesome soundtrack.

5.  Blood Diamond.  Good movie, great, tragic, but hopeful story.  I really don’t know who I thought did better, DiCaprio or Hansou.  Great performances. It has one of the best lines I’ve heard in a while.  I’m paraphrasing, but one the small characters says, “My heart tells me that people are good, unfortunately my life has taught me differently.”  It’s bittersweet, but it’s definitely something I relate to.

4.  Brick.  This one’s a sleeper, and I completely owe Zach for turning me onto this movie.  This is a modern film noir set in a high-school.  The slang can sometimes make the story hard to follow, but the directing and the story are top-notch. 

3.  The Departed.  Great fucking movie.  Who needs Italian gangsters when you have corrupt Irish cops.  All star cast.  Great story, great twist, great suspense.  I’m disappointed that Alec Baldwin didn’t get more recognition for this movie, I swear he steals every scene he’s in.  Another movie with a great fucking soundtrack.  Roger Waters AND Dropkick Murphys, good stuff.

2.  Little Miss Sunshine.  Fantastic movie.  Tragic, dramatic, funny, realistic, and most important, it has so much heart.  I think a big part of the charm comes from the amazing cast doing such an amazing job with their roles. 

1.  Stranger Than Fiction.  It was a long, tough debate for the number one spot, but I ultimately put this movie on top.  Interesting story, great visuals, great characters, great ending.  Will Ferrell does a great job as does everyone else in the cast, including an amazingly charming and adorable performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal.  I’ve often commented on my general dislike of romantic movies, but this is a romantic drama.  When it’s done right, like in this film, just like in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, it’s really touching and powerful.  Good movie.