THE TOP TEN BEST MOVIES OF 2006
Clarkey's Picks
Still Need to See:
A Scanner Darkly
Babel
The Black Dahlia
Bon Cop, Bad Cop
Half Nelson
The Illusionist
Science of Sleep
Honourable Mentions:
Bobby
An Inconvenient Truth
Monster House
Rocky Balboa
Stranger Than Fiction
Thank You For Smoking
THE TOP TEN
#10 The Fountain
Hugh Jackman makes you forget that X-Men: The Last Stand was released with his performance in this brilliant movie by Darren Aronofsky.
#9 Brick
Joseph Gordon-Levitt normally does not wow anybody, but he does in this film as he was perfect as Brendan. However, the best part of this film is the style that it is shot in and the fascinating dialogue. Rian Johnson deserves almost all of the credit for this film’s success.
#8 Superman Returns
There are only two filmmakers who can properly make a superhero movie. One is Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) and the other is Bryan Singer, who left the X-Men franchise in the terrible hands of Brett Ratner in order to give the Superman franchise a new look. He casted a young, relatively unknown as Clark Kent/Superman in Brandon Routh, which worked wonders for the film. It also helped to add Kevin Spacey as the new Lex Luthor and the always lovely Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane.
#7 Clerks II
This is the funniest movie of the year. Kevin Smith takes us back to where he started his career, the Quickie Stop in New Jersey. Well, for the first scene of the film. It’s 10 years later and Dante and Randal are still clerks, but this time are working at the Mooby’s restaurant. It is just like the first one in its story, its characters’ actions and comedy, but it is a bit more mature than the original at some points.
#6 Little Miss Sunshine
This is a great offbeat family comedy with some of the kookiest characters to ensemble in one movie. The performances and the direction are the strengths of this film. Abigail Breslin was excellent as Olive, the little girl of the family, who has made it into the miss sunshine pageant. There’s one problem for her, she lives in Arizona. So her dysfunctional family takes a road trip to get her there. Steve Carell and Paul Dano were also outstanding; the latter plays a self-imposed mute. Toni Collette, Alan Arkin and Greg Kinnear were all solid in their respectively roles as well.
#5 The Good Shepherd
Robert DeNiro, please direct more movies. The Bronx Tale was a good flick, but the Good Shepherd is definitely your masterpiece. It is probably the best spy movie ever made because it actually feels like a spy movie. There are no explosion, few deaths and barely any action. There is no hollywoodization of the spy genre in this film and that’s what I like the most of this film. Not to mention the performances is this flick: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, John Turturro, William Hurt and Billy Crudup were all brilliant in the film. The lack of Joe Pesci in the film was my only disappointment.
#4 The Prestige
Christopher Nolan is one of the best directors working right now. Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, and now add the Prestige to that impressive list. It is filled with the same kind of magic, mystery and brilliant lead performances, especially by the underrated Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman is also solid. Michael Caine and Scralett Johansson are great in their supporting roles.
#3 The Departed
Martin Scorsese may finally win his Oscar, but I probably just jinxed the legend. His latest movie is one of his best in recent years. Forget Gangs of New York, and The Aviator. The Departed is his best work. His star filled epic was brilliant. Matt Damon was excellent, Leonardo DiCaprio was just as good as Damon. But it was Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin and Mark Wahlberg who stole the film for me, especially the dialogue between Baldwin and Wahlberg.
#2 Children of Men
There are so many positives in the film. Clive Owen was outstanding as he went from the man who doesn’t care to the heroic fighter, who won’t give up the first pregnant girl in 18 years. He well supported by Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Claire-Hope Ashitey. The action was phenomenal, along with the stylish camera movement of Alfonso Cuaron, the humor, the brilliant story and the creation of a hellish future Britain.
#1 V For Vendetta
I don’t know where to begin in praising this film. It was a cinematic experience that is unforgettable. The story is a stroke of genius, along with the superb direction by James McTeigue. Natalie Portman was her usual brilliance as Evey Hammond. However, it was Hugo Weaving, who was the highlight of this flick. He acted throughout the film with a mask on and will convince you that he is feeling every emotion that he goes through in the story. The action, the finale and the overall experience of this film is one of a kind and it is an obvious choice for the best film of the year.