For me, 2006 was one of the more memorable years in film, and surely as far as entertainment is concerned, one of my favourites of the past decade. There was a lot to get excited about, and after painstakingly rummaging through my list of the year's best, without further ado, here are the 10 that left the best impression on me:
The Cream
10. Lucky Number Slevin
The moment I saw this film, I knew it would have a place in my year end Top 10. I remember thinking to myself immediately after seeing it, "what a unique way to tell a story!" This film is storytelling at it's finest, where you become one of the characters, and get to see everything unfold without a clue as to what lies beneath the surface until our protagonists want you to. Highly entertaining, and highly recommended.
09. Babel
In a story that unfolds as a cross between Crash and Syriana, Babel offers a look into the effects of global miscommunication through a series of interconnected events. What sets this story apart however, is it's superb ensemble that features a mixture of seasoned vets and underexposed talent. The performance of the film belongs to Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi as the deaf and mute daughter of a Japanese businessman. What Rinko accomplishes here without the use of words is incredible, and she gives one of the most beautiful performances of the year. Babel also features one of the year's most memorable scores, one that even further engraves this tragic story in your mind and leaves it there. A perfect ending to the Iñárritu trilogy. A must see.
08. The Prestige
It is almost impossible to mention The Prestige without mentioning the "other" magician movie The Illusionist. And while there are many who subscribe to the belief that the latter is the superior film, I am not one of them. In fact, I think it's laughable to compare the two, the former being the better and more engaging film on almost every level. This film is a wonder to watch, and the storyline is on all points enthralling. Led by a memorable performance by Christian Bale, and a superb script that was adapted and directed by Christopher Nolan, this movie keeps you guessing all the way through to it's stunning, fantastic conclusion. This is as good as it gets in fantasy drama.
07. Pan's Labyrinth
A victim of it's own hype, this movie failed to impress me when I saw it about a month ago. However, after the hype had died down a bit, and I've had time to reflect, I can truly say that this is one of the most memorable films of the year, and one of the few that is destined to be a classic in the future. This film features the best score of the year, the most amazing set design and cinematography, and two remarkable performances by Sergi López and young Ivana Baquero. My only problems lie in the script, and a somewhat overbearing, annoying performance by Maribel Verdú. However, this isn't near enough to dampen my enthusiasm about this beautifully haunting film. As far as foreign-language films are concerned, this one is the year's best.
06. The Queen
I saw this film before I saw many of the other buzzed films of the year, and my opinion of it hasn't changed much since then. I believe this film to be a near-flawless character study of one of the most well-known people in the world, amidst a most universal tragedy. Helen Mirren's performance is flawless, and it isn't long before you are no longer watching Mirren's portrayal, but the very essence of her character. The score is also excellent, and Michael Sheen manages to provide an equal force in his take on Tony Blair. The brilliant direction of this flawless script is proven if only for the fact that it made me care about someone I wouldn't have given a second thought, and left me genuinely touched.
05. Casino Royale
Best. Bond. Ever. And yes, I've seen 'em all. This movie is so addictively entertaining that I've dubbed it my most rewatchable film of the year. Daniel Craig and Eva Green provide a spark that is so chemically balanced that you end up caring for this "Bond girl" far more than you would any other. If you've ever had the desire to see a film that will stimulate your emotions, while not delving into the realm of sap and overbearance, see this one. And just when you think you've got it all figured out, there's at least one more surprise waiting around the corner. If this is the direction the Bond series is heading in, then I declare: Long Live Bond!
04. Happy Feet
Movie magic at it's absolute finest. The music alone makes this a worthy viewing, but the music combined with a wonderful story, excellent voicework and some of the most amazing animation I've ever seen, makes this easily one of the year's best offerings. The boogie wonderland scene is one of my favourite scenes of the year, one that contains so much magic, that my heart fills every time I watch it. Happy Feet is a joy to watch, and is sure to be a favourite of mine for a long, long time.
03. The Fountain
Where do I start with this one? The mournful score ranks alongside Pan's Labyrinth as the best of the year, the amazing visuals are easily some of the most impressive visual effects and cinematography offered. The lead performance by Hugh Jackman impressed me more than any male lead has all year, and the story is so poignant that it literally lingered in my mind for weeks after seeing it. It's somewhat messy direction does not hinder the ability to enjoy, and the film's deeper, hidden meanings are there for the discovery by only the most shrewd and keen observers. There are many who write this off as "pretentious", as I almost did, but after some thought and conversation, it's beauty was revealed in utmost glory. This film punches you in the gut, and then picks you up softly to admire it's transcending beauty.
02. The Departed
One of only two films this year that I assigned a perfect 10. Everything about this film is perfect, complete with an ending so impeccable and fitting that with any other ending, the tightly constructed preceedings wouldn't have nearly had the overall effect that it does. Scorsese's incomparable direction is ideal for this Infernal Affairs remake, and the casting is also a work of perfection. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a performance so hard-edged and multi-layered, that only Jackman in The Fountain impressed me more all year. Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson provide equally incredible characters in this "good cop, bad cop" film. Additional fine work is provided by Mark Wahlberg, Vera Farmiga, Martin Sheen and Ray Winstone, all of whom are superb. The best ensemble of the year. This is easily Scorsese's most impressive work since Goodfellas, and deserves to stand alongside the legendary director's best work. Now what is this garbage about a sequel, hmm?
and...
01. United 93
I don't remember ever feeling a more gut-wrenching feeling after watching a movie. This is one of only a handful of movies to give me such an overwhelming punch in the gut, but what set this aside is that it brought me back to a day that I will never forget. I know some of the accounts in the film are fictionalized, but it is more than just based on a true story, it is an experience that puts you right in the middle of the fateful day we will remember forever. This film is so authentic in the way everything is portrayed, the obscurity of the actors, the actual in-flight demonstrations and air-traffic communication; I couldn't feel a hint of artifice in anything about this movie. A part of me feels that this is one of the best films I have ever witnessed, partly because of the connection to 9/11, but mostly because of the authenticity of it's execution. This film, with it's excellent pacing, steadily builds the tension from the beginning all the way through to the end, where it almost leaves you numb at it's conclusion. I haven't seen a better film all year.
The Leftovers
The Cream
10. Lucky Number Slevin
The moment I saw this film, I knew it would have a place in my year end Top 10. I remember thinking to myself immediately after seeing it, "what a unique way to tell a story!" This film is storytelling at it's finest, where you become one of the characters, and get to see everything unfold without a clue as to what lies beneath the surface until our protagonists want you to. Highly entertaining, and highly recommended.
09. Babel
In a story that unfolds as a cross between Crash and Syriana, Babel offers a look into the effects of global miscommunication through a series of interconnected events. What sets this story apart however, is it's superb ensemble that features a mixture of seasoned vets and underexposed talent. The performance of the film belongs to Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi as the deaf and mute daughter of a Japanese businessman. What Rinko accomplishes here without the use of words is incredible, and she gives one of the most beautiful performances of the year. Babel also features one of the year's most memorable scores, one that even further engraves this tragic story in your mind and leaves it there. A perfect ending to the Iñárritu trilogy. A must see.
08. The Prestige
It is almost impossible to mention The Prestige without mentioning the "other" magician movie The Illusionist. And while there are many who subscribe to the belief that the latter is the superior film, I am not one of them. In fact, I think it's laughable to compare the two, the former being the better and more engaging film on almost every level. This film is a wonder to watch, and the storyline is on all points enthralling. Led by a memorable performance by Christian Bale, and a superb script that was adapted and directed by Christopher Nolan, this movie keeps you guessing all the way through to it's stunning, fantastic conclusion. This is as good as it gets in fantasy drama.
07. Pan's Labyrinth
A victim of it's own hype, this movie failed to impress me when I saw it about a month ago. However, after the hype had died down a bit, and I've had time to reflect, I can truly say that this is one of the most memorable films of the year, and one of the few that is destined to be a classic in the future. This film features the best score of the year, the most amazing set design and cinematography, and two remarkable performances by Sergi López and young Ivana Baquero. My only problems lie in the script, and a somewhat overbearing, annoying performance by Maribel Verdú. However, this isn't near enough to dampen my enthusiasm about this beautifully haunting film. As far as foreign-language films are concerned, this one is the year's best.
06. The Queen
I saw this film before I saw many of the other buzzed films of the year, and my opinion of it hasn't changed much since then. I believe this film to be a near-flawless character study of one of the most well-known people in the world, amidst a most universal tragedy. Helen Mirren's performance is flawless, and it isn't long before you are no longer watching Mirren's portrayal, but the very essence of her character. The score is also excellent, and Michael Sheen manages to provide an equal force in his take on Tony Blair. The brilliant direction of this flawless script is proven if only for the fact that it made me care about someone I wouldn't have given a second thought, and left me genuinely touched.
05. Casino Royale
Best. Bond. Ever. And yes, I've seen 'em all. This movie is so addictively entertaining that I've dubbed it my most rewatchable film of the year. Daniel Craig and Eva Green provide a spark that is so chemically balanced that you end up caring for this "Bond girl" far more than you would any other. If you've ever had the desire to see a film that will stimulate your emotions, while not delving into the realm of sap and overbearance, see this one. And just when you think you've got it all figured out, there's at least one more surprise waiting around the corner. If this is the direction the Bond series is heading in, then I declare: Long Live Bond!
04. Happy Feet
Movie magic at it's absolute finest. The music alone makes this a worthy viewing, but the music combined with a wonderful story, excellent voicework and some of the most amazing animation I've ever seen, makes this easily one of the year's best offerings. The boogie wonderland scene is one of my favourite scenes of the year, one that contains so much magic, that my heart fills every time I watch it. Happy Feet is a joy to watch, and is sure to be a favourite of mine for a long, long time.
03. The Fountain
Where do I start with this one? The mournful score ranks alongside Pan's Labyrinth as the best of the year, the amazing visuals are easily some of the most impressive visual effects and cinematography offered. The lead performance by Hugh Jackman impressed me more than any male lead has all year, and the story is so poignant that it literally lingered in my mind for weeks after seeing it. It's somewhat messy direction does not hinder the ability to enjoy, and the film's deeper, hidden meanings are there for the discovery by only the most shrewd and keen observers. There are many who write this off as "pretentious", as I almost did, but after some thought and conversation, it's beauty was revealed in utmost glory. This film punches you in the gut, and then picks you up softly to admire it's transcending beauty.
02. The Departed
One of only two films this year that I assigned a perfect 10. Everything about this film is perfect, complete with an ending so impeccable and fitting that with any other ending, the tightly constructed preceedings wouldn't have nearly had the overall effect that it does. Scorsese's incomparable direction is ideal for this Infernal Affairs remake, and the casting is also a work of perfection. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a performance so hard-edged and multi-layered, that only Jackman in The Fountain impressed me more all year. Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson provide equally incredible characters in this "good cop, bad cop" film. Additional fine work is provided by Mark Wahlberg, Vera Farmiga, Martin Sheen and Ray Winstone, all of whom are superb. The best ensemble of the year. This is easily Scorsese's most impressive work since Goodfellas, and deserves to stand alongside the legendary director's best work. Now what is this garbage about a sequel, hmm?
and...
01. United 93
I don't remember ever feeling a more gut-wrenching feeling after watching a movie. This is one of only a handful of movies to give me such an overwhelming punch in the gut, but what set this aside is that it brought me back to a day that I will never forget. I know some of the accounts in the film are fictionalized, but it is more than just based on a true story, it is an experience that puts you right in the middle of the fateful day we will remember forever. This film is so authentic in the way everything is portrayed, the obscurity of the actors, the actual in-flight demonstrations and air-traffic communication; I couldn't feel a hint of artifice in anything about this movie. A part of me feels that this is one of the best films I have ever witnessed, partly because of the connection to 9/11, but mostly because of the authenticity of it's execution. This film, with it's excellent pacing, steadily builds the tension from the beginning all the way through to the end, where it almost leaves you numb at it's conclusion. I haven't seen a better film all year.
The Leftovers
Apocalypto, Blood Diamond, Little Miss Sunshine and Monster House
The crop indeed, love the outpour of fascination for Aronofsky.
ReplyDeleteHey Kim! I didn't know you had a blog. I've linked you now. :)
ReplyDeleteNo Children of Men? That's original.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking the Eva love, and your list is great for the most part.