2006 was the year of the fluff for me. For some reason I was able to make it to theaters to see all the action/adventure popcorn movies I wanted with rare exception, but when it came to the deep rooted dramas that are topping everyone else’s list, I was nowhere to be found. That’s not uncommon for the smaller indy pictures that are only released on a few screens in the calendar year, but bigger pictures, like either of the 9/11 films that were released this year were around. I just wasn’t.
Maybe that in itself indicates what my Best of 2006 list is all about: these are the movies I was interested enough in to make the time to go see them in the theater. With all the demands of my time, I took a couple of hours to go see these films and I didn’t make the time for the others. True, I’m often surprised by movies I didn’t expect anything from, but this is my “Best of” list… so these are the movies I wanted to see.
Despite seeing over fifty movies this year, there are probably enough holes in my list that I can’t sincerely declare this a list of the best movies of 2006. These are the movies I liked best however. Take a look:
Directed By: John LasseterWritten By: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, Jorgen Klubien Starring: Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman, Larry the Cable Guy, Katherine Helmond, Cheech Marin, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Bob Castas, Ray Magliozzi, Tom Magliozzi
Cars may not be as deep as other critics top choices for 2006, but for me it’s the best film I saw in theaters for the year. Initially I was afraid the movie was going to make me a Pixar apologist. When everyone else was skeptical about the movie after the first trailers appeared I remained faithful – Pixar had not let me down yet and I wasn’t about to believe this would be the first. That blind devotion paid off as John Lasseter returned to the director’s chair with a tale that paid tribute to the olden days of travel and managed, yet again, to draw me into a story starring the most unlikely of characters: talking cars. With performers behind the vocal automobiles like Paul Newman, the characters of Cars quickly made me believe the cars could have a soul and express a wide range of emotions. Heck, even Owen Wilson is tolerable as the flashy Lightning McQueen, a race car who is unintentionally learns what matters most when he gets stuck in a backwoods little town. Cars makes seven out of seven for Pixar and I can’t wait for number eight.
Best Moment: As if the movie itself isn’t good enough, the movie acknowledges John Ratzenberger’s numerous Pixar contributions in a hilarious montage.
CB Quote: " There was a time before highways when the best way to see the world was simply to roll down your window and inhale the sweet mountain air. Cars presents a thoughtful, uniquely American story that asks you to stop and consider what we’ve lost since abandoning them. “[CB Review]
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Directed By: Gore Verbinski Written By: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Stellan Skarsgård, Jack Davenport, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Naomi Harris, Kevin McNally
If putting Cars as my number one movie didn’t turn away a good number of the movie snobs, putting this Pirates sequel in second place surely will. The return of Captain Jack Sparrow marked more of what made Pirates of the Caribbean such a raging success but some people just didn’t take to it. Every time I’ve mentioned how much I enjoyed Dead Man’s Chest somewhere, someone responds with a haughty, “You’re joking, right?” Well, I’m not joking. I had a blast with Dead Man’s Chest, a great second chapter and a fun return for more of the characters from Curse of the Black Pearl than I was expecting to see. Depp, Bloom, and Knightley are loads of fun, but just as good are the return of pirates Gibbs, Pintel, Ragetti, and Miss Swan’s former beau Norrington. While the film may lack the originality of the first film, it’s a great continuation and sets the stage perfectly for what promises to be a brilliant third act.
Best Moment: Captain Jack Sparrow faces off with the beastie.
CB Quote:”Davy Jones in particular is a masterfully realized featured creature. Half-squid, half man, he oozes and wheezes across the deck of his ship the Flying Dutchman with an air of inevitability.“[CB Review]
Directed By: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie FarisWritten By: Michael Arndt Starring: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin
Finally, one of those movies you might see on other people’s lists. I originally wanted to see Little Miss Sunshine because of the brilliance of Steve Carell. Little did I know about the wave of excellent performances the film would contain. Don’t get me wrong, Carell is brilliant in the film, but it’s a different kind of brilliance than his usual Brick Tamblin over the top schtick. Carell is subdued, sharing the screen with a strong ensemble cast that includes relative newcomers like Abigail Breslin and Paul Dano, and more experienced voices like Alan Arkin. Every character in the film is strong, from the drug addict/pervert grandpa (Arkin) to the silent son (Dano). Together they create the ultimate dysfunctional family, about to come apart at the seams. If you don’t get it from their performance, there’s a strong personification of the family’s weaknesses created by the Volkswagon bus the family drives across the country in. As they fall apart, so does it. Never has family feuding been so hilarious to watch.
Best Moment:Olive’s talent performance at the pageant.
CB Quote:”Little Miss Sunshine is an uneven journey of highs and lows, but it never stops layering to that emotional crescendo when the Hoover family has its chance to really come together.“[CB Review]
4. This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Directed By: Kirby DickWritten By: Kirby Dick, Eddie Schmidt, Matt Patterson Starring: Kirby Dick, Becky Altringer, Kimberly Peirce, John Waters, Kevin Smith, Matt Stone, Wayne Kramer, Maria Bello, Darren Aronofsky, Michael Tucker
We all follow the suggested viewing guides of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). If a film is rated “R” we know kids can’t see it unaccompanied. But have you ever given consideration to how those ratings are determined or who applies them? That’s the focus of this documentary by Kirby Dick, one of the most compelling documentaries I’ve seen in years. Dick interviews other filmmakers about their trials and tribulations with the MPAA and points out inconsistencies with the board’s application of ratings. At the same time, the film attempts to unmask those who give a movie its rating – a mysterious group shrouded in secrecy “for their own protection.” Put it together and you’ve got an intriguing look into a severely flawed system. I’m sure this documentary has made Kirby quite unpopular with some powers that be in Hollywood. Hopefully that won’t keep the filmmaker from taking on other subjects with the same dedication and commitment to find the truth that he shows in This Film.
Best Moment:Kirby submits his documentary, which unmasks the identities of the MPAA, to the MPAA for a rating review.
CB Quote:”Without manipulating the facts, Kirby Dick shows what is wrong with the current system and pulls back the veil from some of the mysteries of the MPAA.“[CB Review]
5. A Scanner Darkly
Directed By: Richard LinklaterWritten By: Richard Linklater (screenplay), Philip K. Dick (novel)Starring: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder, Rory Cochrane
Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel barely made it onto my most anticipated movie list last year. While I was interested in the story, the idea of animating over a group of talented and established actors made me question just what was going on. As well it should have. The film uses the animation technique of rotoscoping to enhance the picture, adding a trippy atmosphere to a film about characters who at any point might be drugged up. Or are they? The film follows Dick’s typical theme of searching for identity and trying to determine what is real and what isn’t. It’s a shame the rotoscoping will probably remove the film from most people’s radars during this awards season because there certainly are several performances worthy of attention. Robert Downey Jr. and Rory Cochrane put their best foot forward creating characters that have been affected by the drugs they take – and not for the better. Definitely worth a look if you haven’t already caught this one.
Best Moment:Trying to determine how many gears an ill-acquired bicycle really has.
CB Quote:”A Scanner Darkly represents the perfect marriage of artistic medium and subject matter. As compelling as the narrative and performances are, I’m convinced that the film would have suffered in a conventional format.“[CB Review]
6. V for Vendetta
Directed By: James McTeigueWritten By: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski Starring: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry, John Hurt, Tim Pigott-Smith, Rupert Graves, Roger Allam, Ben Miles, Sinead Cusack, Natasha Wightman
It would be easy to overlook V for Vendetta, which was released far too early last year for most people’s memories – ironic considering the film’s message about remembering the difference between a patriot and a terrorist. These are probably the same people who credit the Wachowski brothers with the movie’s success, forgetting it was directed by James McTeigue instead. I had never read Alan Moore’s original comic book and the film absolutely blind-sided me with its powerful story. The picture proved how talented Hugo Weaving is as an actor (acting through a mask the entire film) and how badly misused Natalie Portman was by George Lucas. Here’s the science fiction story that she should be remembered for. The movie doubles as a bit of a cautionary tale in today’s politically charged atmosphere. Remember who put our officials in office. Remember who can remove them. Remember, remember, the fifth of November.
Best Moment:Any moment that featured Hugo Weaving as V.
CB Quote:” Hugo Weaving is simply incredible as V, acting underneath a stiff, somewhat silly mask that completely covers his face, his eyes, or anything else he might use to convey the slightest emotion. Yet somehow, V is the film’s most passionate, powerful character.“[CB Review]
7. The Lake House
Directed By: Alejandro AgrestiWritten By: David Auburn Starring: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Lynn Collins, Dylan Walsh, Shohreh Aghdashloo
I’ll admit, The Lake House doesn’t make much sense if you spend more than two seconds thinking about it once you’ve seen the whole thing. It’s a cute romantic story about two people separated by time. Accept that, however, and you’ve got a movie you really can enjoy. Sandra Bullock continues the trend of being at her best when she’s at her worst and plays her character with an underlying sadness that draws you in and makes you wonder what has jaded her so badly. On the other hand Keanu manages a decent performance sharing screen time with cinematic greats like Christopher Plummer. The cinematography is absolutely breathtaking at times as Agresti comes up with clever ways to allow a couple separated by several years to still share the screen and keep you interested in their story. While the movie may have its flaws, Alex and Kate have my vote for best romantic couple of the year.
Best Moment:Alex tells Kate about his mother’s funeral.
CB Quote:”In The Lake House, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are reunited for the first time since guiding bomb-laden buses to safety in Speed. Instead of fighting crime, they face the trickier battle of racing against time. Adding a whole new meaning to long distance relationships.“[CB Review]
8. Thank You For Smoking
Directed By: Jason ReitmanWritten By: Jason Reitman (screenplay), Christopher Buckley (novel) Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, David Koechner, Cameron Bright, Sam Elliott, William H. Macy, Katie Holmes
Aaron Eckhart delivers a powerful performance in another film from earlier in the year, playing one of the best spin-doctors to ever see the big screen. This is a character so compelling that, despite a lifetime of being smoke-free I found myself siding with him as a tobacco advocate. The film challenges its audience by placing its protagonist in such an opposite end of the spectrum. You may hate everything he stands for, but you still want to cheer him on, betraying your own personal beliefs. If that isn’t enough, you’ll find yourself laughing uncontrollably at the meeting of the MOD (masters of death) – a meeting of spokespersons for tobacco, liquor, and gun control – as they attempt to tally whose industry is responsible for more deaths. This is an incredibly clever movie that is very well assembled in just about every regard, with the small exception of miscasting Katie Holmes in a role that she just doesn’t fit. Even that isn’t enough to interrupt what is an excellent film.
Best Moment:Naylor wins over the audience that was about to crucify him for tobacco giving a young boy cancer.
CB Quote:”(Naylor) is always the man we love to hate, and Thank You For Smoking is likely to win over anyone with its crooked charms.“[CB Review]
Directed By: Kevin SmithWritten By: Kevin Smith Starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Schwalbach, Trevor Fehrman, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith
Life in our 30s was a popular theme this year as both Clerks II and The Last Kiss focused on that period for their movie’s story. The difference? Clerks II did it with Smith’s usual flair for dialogue, incredible selection of soundtrack, and took a few stabs at fandom along the way. Smith returns to his origins as he continues the story he started with his first film. Dante and Randal are in their 30s now, with Dante about to go off to bigger and better things. But Smith realizes something so few of us do anymore, that friendship is another kind of love – a love that can be just as strong as romantic love at times. Although that thought is quite deep, make no mistake – this is a Kevin Smith movie and it will (and does) get crude at times, but, as usual, the payoff is worth it. Over a decade ago critics lauded Smith for his innovative storytelling. Who cares if he hasn’t branched out as much as we might like directors to. What Smith does he does well, making Clerks II a mixture of the crude and heartfelt.
Best Moment:As with most Smith films, it’s all about the final act – but you have to get through the donkey show to get there.
CB Quote:”This movie isn’t about empowerment. It isn’t about ambition or drifting through life. It’s about friendship.“[CB Review]
Directed By: Rian JohnsonWritten By: Rian Johnson Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas, Nora Zehetner, Noah Segan, Noah Fleiss, Emilie de Ravin, Meagan Good
I’ll end my list with what will probably prove to be one of the more controversial picks on it. Brick had two audiences – those who liked it and those who didn’t. I haven’t found any kind of an in between. As for me, I liked it. I thought the idea of classic film noir banter and plot set in a high school was creative and the execution was fantastic. Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves himself to be the next great detective character if he wants to be – it’s just a matter of him finding the right kinds of roles, although personally I’d like to see Rian Johnson write another chapter for Gordon-Levitt’s Brendan Frye and continue his story. For now, I’m content to watch Brick and enjoy a cinematic tribute to a genre that doesn’t get enough attention anymore, and is rarely this well executed when it does.
Best Moment:Nora Zehetner on the piano, reciting her song, will forever be etched into my brain.
CB Quote:”Brick, winner of the Sundance prize for “Originality of Vision”, is incredibly cool in theory.“[CB Review]
Great Stuff that didn't make the cut:
Lucky Number Slevin, Akeelah and the Bee, Superman Returns, Over the Hedge, Dave Chappelle's Block Party, Mission: Impossible III, The Last Kiss,
Just in case you were wondering:
Doogal was the worst film of 2006. Wizards on springs and Kevin Smith vocalizing a flatulent moose? You’ve got to be kidding me. David Spade and Rob Schneider in Benchwarmers and the Duff girls in Material Girls were close seconds though.
For all of Cinema Blend's Best of 2006 coverage click here!
