Martin Scorcese’s returns to contemporary crime drama with this re-make of a Hong Kong gem from 2001. The result is a smooth and incredibly entertaining potboiler with acting that is – across the board - simply phenomenal.
The Prestige
Christopher Nolan gives us this Rubick’s Cube of a film about dueling Victorian magicians. In the hands of a less talented director, all the twists could have gotten tiresome, but Nolan makes it work. And the cast is top notch. I kept thinking about it for days.
United 93
Not soon enough for this brutal dissection of that tragic day. Director Paul Greengrass uses unknown actors and real participants to incredible affect. And like reality, the film swings from slow banality to unbearable suspense. The overall effect is one of the most viscerally exciting films ever made. The only ‘must-see’ film this year.
The Proposition
This Australian western is as brutal as it is tender. It’s also full of great performances. Danny “John’s son” Huston is particularly brilliant as a sadistic-yet-poetic brother of a man sent to murder him (played by the nearly as great Guy Pearce). Written and scored by the brilliant Nick Cave, this is a classic western by any standard.
The Matador
A small film. But a damn fine one with great lead performances and a premise that never becomes prey to it’s own predictability. One of the best “men’s films” you’ll see this year.
Match Point
Woody Allen’s best “drama” to date. This re-working of A Place In The Sun moves at a fast clip in the first act, slugs a bit in the second, but redeems itself in the third with discipline and unpredictability. Allen’s best film since the late ‘80s.
Borat
This movie was so funny, I’m still remembering new laughs a month later. I’m not sure what Sacha Cohen is trying to say here, but it’s pretty hilarious watching him say it.
Murderball
This doc is so dramatically potent it makes most narrative dramas seem like sitcoms. And believe me, considering the fact that Murderball is about quadriplegics, it’s not at all depressing, See it. Seriously.
Little Miss Sunshine
This year’s entry in the “wacky family” sub-genre of indie cinema will not be winning any originality awards. Still it’s a solidly written, wonderfully acted, funny and extremely entertaining picture that succeeds on every front it tackles.
Brick
For my money, probably the most original film noir since Bladerunner. This high school potboiler starring the amazing Joseph Gordon Levitt, rocks both visually and in terms of its unique and funny black-as-night script. Cult film alert.
Better Than You’d Think
Rocky Balboa
Yo, it’s not art, but who cares! Stallone basically re-makes the first Rocky film and it still works. A sentimental and affecting diversion with Sly (honestly!) doing Oscar caliber work: That’s a very special, quintessentially American character that he created, and when handled with heart – like this time – he’s hard not to love.
Yo, it’s not art, but who cares! Stallone basically re-makes the first Rocky film and it still works. A sentimental and affecting diversion with Sly (honestly!) doing Oscar caliber work: That’s a very special, quintessentially American character that he created, and when handled with heart – like this time – he’s hard not to love.
Hard Candy
Two person plays don’t usually translate well to film, but this thriller works quite well cinematically. Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page give great performances and director David Slade expertly manipulates audience identification and expectation. The film looks great too.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Another interesting modern noir. A bit too post-modern for my taste actually, but the performances at the center by Robert Downy and Val Kilmer are pure charm.
Lady Vengeance
Park Chan-wook’s final installment of the Vengeance trilogy got some horrible reviews and it certainly does meander, but it also has the best pay-off of the entire trilogy and if you stick with it, it’s visually beautiful, moving and emotionally rewarding.
Hostel
Hey, want to see a nasty little film about European sex trips and torture? This one is good.
Over The Hedge
My favorite cartoon this year. I see all these films with the kids and this is the only one I’d recommend to adults. It’s a pretty funny satire of our food culture and has the best voice cast ever. Seriously.
Domino
This material is so trashy, that Tony Scott’s trashy style fits it perfectly. It’s a perfect alchemy of trash. And Mickey Rourke is great.
Not As Good as Should Have Been
Two person plays don’t usually translate well to film, but this thriller works quite well cinematically. Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page give great performances and director David Slade expertly manipulates audience identification and expectation. The film looks great too.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Another interesting modern noir. A bit too post-modern for my taste actually, but the performances at the center by Robert Downy and Val Kilmer are pure charm.
Lady Vengeance
Park Chan-wook’s final installment of the Vengeance trilogy got some horrible reviews and it certainly does meander, but it also has the best pay-off of the entire trilogy and if you stick with it, it’s visually beautiful, moving and emotionally rewarding.
Hostel
Hey, want to see a nasty little film about European sex trips and torture? This one is good.
Over The Hedge
My favorite cartoon this year. I see all these films with the kids and this is the only one I’d recommend to adults. It’s a pretty funny satire of our food culture and has the best voice cast ever. Seriously.
Domino
This material is so trashy, that Tony Scott’s trashy style fits it perfectly. It’s a perfect alchemy of trash. And Mickey Rourke is great.
Not As Good as Should Have Been
Miami Vice
Michael Mann’s movie version of his ‘80s TV show, tries so hard to make us forget the show ever existed, it purges itself of every ounce of soul, charm and style that was obviously the reason Miami Vice was popular in the first place. Dry as a bone and instantly forgettable. Though not aggressively bad, Miami Vice is engaging while you watch it, but leaves you with nothing to 'hold on' to.
Cars
OK, I’m officially jumping off the Pixar bandwagon. This NASCAR themed re-make of Doc Hollywood (what… did they not think we would notice?) is the animation studio’s weakest offering to date. Sure, it’s beautiful to look at, but the story and the characters are derivative and boring. Maybe it’s just easier to identify with animated animals or fairy-tale monsters, than with a talking car with giant eyes in the windshield. Not my cup.
Thank You For Smoking
This satire starts sharp and then turns into Jerry McGuire (no offense to JM, which I actually like a lot). Aaron Eckhart is good, but the film undermines itself with a childlike desire to seem “nice”. Maybe I was expecting too much, but I sure was disappointed.
Night Watch
This Russian vampire epic has some awesome and unique visuals, but it drags and meanders, even introducing parallel plot lines that make the whole thing impossible to comprehend or enjoy.
Good Night and Good Luck
What a self-important, instantly forgettable snoozefest! And Clooney seemed so loose and fun on his first film! See it for your insomnia.
Xmen III
You know, it’s not that bad. Really. The first two X-Men films are overrated. Honestly.
Superman Returns
Not a bad film, just a disappointing one. Bryan Singer left the above X-Men franchise to re-start Superman and has, in the end, done a fairly mediocre job of it. Some FX are great, but the film seems to have misplaced a bit of its giant budget on something other than what’s on the screen. And the script is a notch or two below pedestrian. Sad.
Casino Royale
I wasn’t going to mention this latest 007 vehicle on my list at all, but when it started popping up on some mainstream Best 10 Films of 2006 lists; I couldn’t remain silent. Perhaps the critics have gotten so used to horrible Bond films (like the last two Brosnan bombs), they’re ready to heap accolades on one that simply doesn’t suck. Look, Casino Royale starts well and has a good concept behind it. Hell, it even has moments of brilliance, but overall it’s uneven and slow, with one of the weakest third acts in the history of the franchise. Hands down, the most over-rated film of the year!
Crap
Michael Mann’s movie version of his ‘80s TV show, tries so hard to make us forget the show ever existed, it purges itself of every ounce of soul, charm and style that was obviously the reason Miami Vice was popular in the first place. Dry as a bone and instantly forgettable. Though not aggressively bad, Miami Vice is engaging while you watch it, but leaves you with nothing to 'hold on' to.
Cars
OK, I’m officially jumping off the Pixar bandwagon. This NASCAR themed re-make of Doc Hollywood (what… did they not think we would notice?) is the animation studio’s weakest offering to date. Sure, it’s beautiful to look at, but the story and the characters are derivative and boring. Maybe it’s just easier to identify with animated animals or fairy-tale monsters, than with a talking car with giant eyes in the windshield. Not my cup.
Thank You For Smoking
This satire starts sharp and then turns into Jerry McGuire (no offense to JM, which I actually like a lot). Aaron Eckhart is good, but the film undermines itself with a childlike desire to seem “nice”. Maybe I was expecting too much, but I sure was disappointed.
Night Watch
This Russian vampire epic has some awesome and unique visuals, but it drags and meanders, even introducing parallel plot lines that make the whole thing impossible to comprehend or enjoy.
Good Night and Good Luck
What a self-important, instantly forgettable snoozefest! And Clooney seemed so loose and fun on his first film! See it for your insomnia.
Xmen III
You know, it’s not that bad. Really. The first two X-Men films are overrated. Honestly.
Superman Returns
Not a bad film, just a disappointing one. Bryan Singer left the above X-Men franchise to re-start Superman and has, in the end, done a fairly mediocre job of it. Some FX are great, but the film seems to have misplaced a bit of its giant budget on something other than what’s on the screen. And the script is a notch or two below pedestrian. Sad.
Casino Royale
I wasn’t going to mention this latest 007 vehicle on my list at all, but when it started popping up on some mainstream Best 10 Films of 2006 lists; I couldn’t remain silent. Perhaps the critics have gotten so used to horrible Bond films (like the last two Brosnan bombs), they’re ready to heap accolades on one that simply doesn’t suck. Look, Casino Royale starts well and has a good concept behind it. Hell, it even has moments of brilliance, but overall it’s uneven and slow, with one of the weakest third acts in the history of the franchise. Hands down, the most over-rated film of the year!
Crap
V For Vendetta
Another nail in the coffin of the Wachawski Brothers’ once-promising career. This adaptation of Alan Moore’s fine graphic novel is so goofy in it’s forced parallels to current events, it seems like it was written by an idealistic, yet slightly retarded ten-year-old. Add to that un-inspired cinematography, derivative art direction, sleepy acting and a glacial pace… and you have one of the most laughable “event movies” of recent years. C For Crapatta is more like it!
Another nail in the coffin of the Wachawski Brothers’ once-promising career. This adaptation of Alan Moore’s fine graphic novel is so goofy in it’s forced parallels to current events, it seems like it was written by an idealistic, yet slightly retarded ten-year-old. Add to that un-inspired cinematography, derivative art direction, sleepy acting and a glacial pace… and you have one of the most laughable “event movies” of recent years. C For Crapatta is more like it!
Scoop
Woody Allen follows his best in years with a resounding return to crap comedies. This one, with him and Scarlett Johansen, and Hugh Jackman (this guy is like in ten films this year!), is among his worst ever. EVER.
Pirates of the Caribbean 2
What am I not getting here? I mean: I love freakin’ Pirate movies! Flynn, Lancaster, Power. Fun stuff! But this series is so lame to me… and boring too. It’s not even interesting to make fun of. And can everybody please chill out about Johnny Depp’s performance; it wasn’t that great to begin with and it’s even worse the second time around. Obviously, I’m totally out of step with the movie-going public on this one.
The Family Stone
This insufferable piece of family hokum should be burned. I don’t even know why I loathe this film as much as I do, but it honestly made me want to puke. I hate it! Despite of some very talented actors who all suck in this cinematic bowel movement.
Video Picks
Syriana
If topical films are your cup of tea, this Oscar contender from last year is well worth your time. Stephen Gaghan’s episodic and broad perusal of the Oil racket is fascinating and brilliantly acted all around. It’s not perfect, but it’s sharp and impossible to ignore.
The Passenger
This existential masterpiece by Michaelangelo Antonioni stars Jack Nicholson when he was just an actor; before he became JACK! And Jack talks about this and much more on the rare commentary track that is an essential part of this new DVD release
Woody Allen follows his best in years with a resounding return to crap comedies. This one, with him and Scarlett Johansen, and Hugh Jackman (this guy is like in ten films this year!), is among his worst ever. EVER.
Pirates of the Caribbean 2
What am I not getting here? I mean: I love freakin’ Pirate movies! Flynn, Lancaster, Power. Fun stuff! But this series is so lame to me… and boring too. It’s not even interesting to make fun of. And can everybody please chill out about Johnny Depp’s performance; it wasn’t that great to begin with and it’s even worse the second time around. Obviously, I’m totally out of step with the movie-going public on this one.
The Family Stone
This insufferable piece of family hokum should be burned. I don’t even know why I loathe this film as much as I do, but it honestly made me want to puke. I hate it! Despite of some very talented actors who all suck in this cinematic bowel movement.
Video Picks
Syriana
If topical films are your cup of tea, this Oscar contender from last year is well worth your time. Stephen Gaghan’s episodic and broad perusal of the Oil racket is fascinating and brilliantly acted all around. It’s not perfect, but it’s sharp and impossible to ignore.
The Passenger
This existential masterpiece by Michaelangelo Antonioni stars Jack Nicholson when he was just an actor; before he became JACK! And Jack talks about this and much more on the rare commentary track that is an essential part of this new DVD release
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