Okay, I know this is late in coming. After all, we're two months into 2007. So, why am I waiting till now to post my picks for the best films of 2006? Quite simply, I am an average paying movie goer like all of you, and I can only review the movies that come to my area or near my area. I wanted to wait and hold off on this list until I saw some of the "Award Movies" that were stuck in limited release until just recently. Unfortunately, that plan of mine backfired, as some of them didn't even show up in my area. Regardless, I have seen most of the major releases of 2006, and I feel this is a complete enough list to warrant posting.

You may recall when I posted my "worst films" list back in December, I listed the top 5 films in descending order. For the best movies, I'm going to do something different, as I will not be numbering them. The reason is simple - I love movies the same way some people love their own family members. I find it unfair to rank them, as it would be like ranking your children. I only rank one movie as being the very best film of the year. Then, I list the great films of the year in no particular order. Finally, I list the "Honorable Mentions", the films that were not quite good enough to be great but still enjoyable. After I'm done with that, I will list some of my favorite performances of the year, once again in no particular order.

Enough of my rambling. Let's concentrate on what we're all here for - the movies.



THE BEST FILM OF 2006

UNITED 93 - When I saw this movie back in April, I thought to myself that it would be next to impossible for any movie to top it in my eyes. I was right. Writer-director Paul Greengrass did so much more than make a mere docu-drama about the events of the ill-fated flight on September 11th, 2001. He recreates history the way he thinks things happened, allowing us the audience to be "flies on the wall" witnessing the events of the tragedy. There are no heroes or villains, and there are no central characters that the screenplay focuses on more than others. This gives the film a hauntingly real tone, and makes us feel like we are actually there. This is hands down the most emotional experience I've had at the movies this year, and the fact that the film was ignored for Best Picture at the Oscars is almost a crime. If you haven't seen this movie, you owe it to yourself to.


THE GREAT FILMS OF 2006 (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING - One of my favorite comedies of the year was this wicked and satirical look at the tobacco industry, and at society in general. Aaron Eckhart gets his best role in years as Nick Naylor, a tobacco industry spin doctor who is trying to balance his job, being under fire from people who vilify him because of the company he represents, and trying to be a good role model for his young son. The movie works on many levels, because the screenplay by writer-director Jason Reitman (son of filmmaker Ivan Reitman of Ghostbusters fame) handles its topic in an even-handed tone, letting the satire and issues hit on all sides of the arguments it deals with. It's also tremendously funny and very sly with its pointed jabs not just at the tobacco industry, but its opposition, elected officials, and even Hollywood.

HARD CANDY - In my opinion, the most disturbing and terrifying dramatic thriller of 2006. The film deals with a 30-year-old photographer (Patrick Wilson) who meets with a 14-year-old girl (Ellen Page) in an on line chatroom. After talking on line for a while, they meet at a local diner, and then the man takes the girl back to his house for the afternoon. Where the story goes from there, I will not reveal, but let's just say it's more twisted and disturbing than anything you could find on Dateline's "To Catch a Predator" series. Essentially a two-person movie, the film keeps the tension and the drama at a constant pace thanks to the intense performances by Wilson and Page. This is an edge of your seat movie where you can't wait to see what's going to happen next. This movie received a very limited release in theaters (most likely due to its subject matter), but it's out now on DVD, and should not be missed.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE - Do I think the Oscar voters went a little crazy over this movie? Yes I do. But that does not hide the fact that this is a wonderful, heartfelt, and moving picture. This film takes a simple premise of a dysfunctional family driving cross country to a Junior Beauty Pageant, and turns it into a memorable dramatic-comedy filled with wonderful performances. Steve Carell, in particular, delivers his best performance so far as the suicidal Uncle in a portrayal that is subdued and touching. The film finds a good balance between the comedy and the drama so that the tone never seems unbalanced. Consistently funny and touching, this movie rightfully went on to become a word of mouth hit, and will most likely be a favorite of many for many years to come.

MONSTER HOUSE - Out of the many (and I do mean many) animated films that were released in 2006, Monster House stands out in my mind as the best of the bunch. This Steven Spielberg/Robert Zemeckis production is an imaginative story of three children doing battle with a house across the street that is apparently alive, and is devouring anyone who dares to set foot near it. The movie delivers plenty of laughs, but there is also a lot of excitement and even some genuine suspense to be had. This movie remembers that kids like to be scared and excited, and this movie balances the fun and the scares well enough that just about anyone can enjoy it. In a year full of derivative animated films and talking animals, this movie stood out as something truly different and wonderful.

STRANGER THAN FICTION - This was one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of the year. An original and completely entertaining comedy-drama about a common everyman (Will Ferrell) who discovers that he is nothing more than a character in a book being written by a reclusive author (Emma Thompson). When he discovers that she is planning to kill him at the end of her story, he must go on a desperate search to track her down and try to change her ending. The wonderful performances by Ferrell, Thompson, Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhaal help endear the characters to us. The screenplay is also tightly written, inventive, and grabs our attention early on and doesn't let go until the final scene. This is a wonderful movie that didn't get much of a chance at the box office, despite the big name stars, so I can only hope it finds an audience on DVD. I personally am looking forward to adding this film to my collection so I can watch it again.

THE QUEEN - Yes, Helen Mirren's performance as Queen Elizabeth is great. So is the movie itself. The movie portrays a chaotic week in the life of the British Royal Family as they try to sort out their feelings over the death of Princess Diana as her funeral draws closer, and the cries of the common people who want a public funeral for the "People's Princess". The movie not only serves as a time capsule that accurately portrays the feelings and emotions of the country and the world during the sudden passing of Diana 10 years ago, but also an intimate look inside the Family that surrounded her and knew her the best. It perfectly captures the chaos that was going on after her death, and Elizabeth's struggle to answer the demands of the public while at the same time maintaining the long-held traditions of the Royals. Not only is this a wonderful drama, but it is an intimate look at a closed off world that few get to ever see.

THE FOUNTAIN - Perhaps the most polarizing film of last year. The Fountain is not exactly an easy movie to follow. Despite it's large budget and big name star above the title, this is really an art house film disguised as mass market sci-fi entertainment. This complex film follows three separate storylines that all deal with man's long-held desire to cheat death or slow down the aging process. The storylines are connected by the film's two main stars, Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (who play leads in all three storylines), and also by the overall theme. They eventually connect on a much deeper level as well. This is a beautiful, almost poetic, film that is like a quiet meditation on some very tough themes. The movie may leave you perplexed at the end, but those who are willing to dig deep within the film will be rewarded with an unforgettable film experience. This movie's not for everyone, but it was for me.


THE DEPARTED - If this is finally Martin Scorsese's year to win an Oscar, at least he's going to win one for a great little film. I didn't think it was his best film in years as many proclaimed, but I still thought the movie stood out enough to earn a spot to be honored. The story about a cop going undercover to bust a crime organization is memorable for many reasons, including three very strong lead performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. The story takes a little while to get going, but once it does, it grabs you in a way that few crime dramas do. It's gripping, it's powerful, and it contains a wonderful mood-setting soundtrack that contains a collection of songs that help enhance each scene. Very little else needs to be said except that this film contains some of the best collection of performances in any movie this year.

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