BEST OF 2006
I’ve been postponing this for awhile… for some reason, I found the Best of 2006 list a little more difficult to assemble than usual. I’m certain about the first 7 I’m listing; the rest I keep switching, so I’ll tack on an additional list of must-sees/movies to look for in the following year.
Best of 2006, in no particular order (except for the first three):
#1 – THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP
I think most people have heard me go on and on about this… so, enough said.
#2 – CHILDREN OF MEN
This seems to be dividing people, and I have no idea why. Everyone should agree, it’s great enough to be the second best film of the year!
#3 – THE FOUNTAIN
One of the prettiest and most ambitious “pretentious art films” ever.
QUINCEANERA
This one slipped by me in the theaters, but I recently caught it on DVD and have been forcing my friends to watch it ever since then – so far, 100% of them love it. This is a perfect little film, and it deals with some heavy issues without being overbearing (Mexican/American culture clash, being gay in Latino cultures, gentrification, teen pregnancy, alternative family units, etc.) It’s rare to find an independent film with such honest performances from the lead actors, and the Echo Park, L.A. locale is beautifully used.
SON OF MAN
This movie is two things I usually skip: A musical, and a religious film. It wasn’t widely released in theaters, and it might not be, because it’s South African and has an all-black cast. It’s a modern retelling of the Jesus story, and it made me hopeful for humankind, however briefly. It seems pretty clear that if Jesus came to earth today (as he was in the Bible, basically a dirty hippie), the conservative right-wingers and politicians wouldn’t recognize him in spite of their professed faith – this movie expresses that idea, somehow without being preachy. And the music is phenomenal!
THE DEPARTED
Great job by Martin Scorsese – I wasn’t crazy about his last couple of films, even though I like the fact that he’s working with Leonardo DiCaprio – the dude is a solid actor. This remakes the Hong Kong original in a way that gives remakes a good name. And it’s a lot darker! I’m looking forward to seeing it again.
THE PRESTIGE
Another Hollywood film that I’m looking forward to rewatching. I can never tell if I place unfair importance upon movies that star certain people (Christian Bale, Gael Garcia) – but does it really matter?
BIG BANG LOVE, JUVENILE A
This movie made my brain explode – something I wasn’t really expecting at 10 a.m. in the morning. Since I saw this at Toronto, I’m not sure when or if it’ll be released here… but if you see it, I’m sure you’ll agree that you’ve never seen a movie like it before.
THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY
Am I being a jerk for picking movies that haven’t technically been released yet? Well, this came out in Europe ages ago, so I’m going with it. Check it out when it’s released here, whenever that may be.
INSIDE MAN/RESCUE DAWN
Should I put Inside Man on my list? I saw it so long ago, I’m not sure – but I’d love to see it again, and thought it was one of Spike Lee’s most successful recent movies. Rescue Dawn is being released soon, I think, and probably deserves a spot on this list. It’s a nailbiter, and Christian Bale is beyond perfect, as usual.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Here are some movies which I loved and want to rewatch soon, but decided not to put in the top ten for some reason or another:
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
ASK THE DUST
CASINO ROYALE
HARSH TIMES
SHORTBUS
MIAMI VICE
Here are some more movies which I loved, and which should be released in 2007… Keep your eyes open!
CANDY
DIGGERS
THE FALL
PARIS JE T’AIME
Hmmm… the golden boys of 2006 appear to be Christian Bale, Clive Owen, and Hugh Jackman.
Best of 2006, in no particular order (except for the first three):
#1 – THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP
I think most people have heard me go on and on about this… so, enough said.
#2 – CHILDREN OF MEN
This seems to be dividing people, and I have no idea why. Everyone should agree, it’s great enough to be the second best film of the year!
#3 – THE FOUNTAIN
One of the prettiest and most ambitious “pretentious art films” ever.
QUINCEANERA
This one slipped by me in the theaters, but I recently caught it on DVD and have been forcing my friends to watch it ever since then – so far, 100% of them love it. This is a perfect little film, and it deals with some heavy issues without being overbearing (Mexican/American culture clash, being gay in Latino cultures, gentrification, teen pregnancy, alternative family units, etc.) It’s rare to find an independent film with such honest performances from the lead actors, and the Echo Park, L.A. locale is beautifully used.
SON OF MAN
This movie is two things I usually skip: A musical, and a religious film. It wasn’t widely released in theaters, and it might not be, because it’s South African and has an all-black cast. It’s a modern retelling of the Jesus story, and it made me hopeful for humankind, however briefly. It seems pretty clear that if Jesus came to earth today (as he was in the Bible, basically a dirty hippie), the conservative right-wingers and politicians wouldn’t recognize him in spite of their professed faith – this movie expresses that idea, somehow without being preachy. And the music is phenomenal!
THE DEPARTED
Great job by Martin Scorsese – I wasn’t crazy about his last couple of films, even though I like the fact that he’s working with Leonardo DiCaprio – the dude is a solid actor. This remakes the Hong Kong original in a way that gives remakes a good name. And it’s a lot darker! I’m looking forward to seeing it again.
THE PRESTIGE
Another Hollywood film that I’m looking forward to rewatching. I can never tell if I place unfair importance upon movies that star certain people (Christian Bale, Gael Garcia) – but does it really matter?
BIG BANG LOVE, JUVENILE A
This movie made my brain explode – something I wasn’t really expecting at 10 a.m. in the morning. Since I saw this at Toronto, I’m not sure when or if it’ll be released here… but if you see it, I’m sure you’ll agree that you’ve never seen a movie like it before.
THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY
Am I being a jerk for picking movies that haven’t technically been released yet? Well, this came out in Europe ages ago, so I’m going with it. Check it out when it’s released here, whenever that may be.
INSIDE MAN/RESCUE DAWN
Should I put Inside Man on my list? I saw it so long ago, I’m not sure – but I’d love to see it again, and thought it was one of Spike Lee’s most successful recent movies. Rescue Dawn is being released soon, I think, and probably deserves a spot on this list. It’s a nailbiter, and Christian Bale is beyond perfect, as usual.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Here are some movies which I loved and want to rewatch soon, but decided not to put in the top ten for some reason or another:
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
ASK THE DUST
CASINO ROYALE
HARSH TIMES
SHORTBUS
MIAMI VICE
Here are some more movies which I loved, and which should be released in 2007… Keep your eyes open!
CANDY
DIGGERS
THE FALL
PARIS JE T’AIME
Hmmm… the golden boys of 2006 appear to be Christian Bale, Clive Owen, and Hugh Jackman.
posted by ginsoakedgirl at 2:07 PM
2 Comments:
Great list, Maya. Of course, I've only seen like three things on it considering my poor showing at the theaters last year.
good blog... nice movies... i recently saw La Ciencia del Sueno... i love charlotte Gainsbourg
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