I felt like I should compile a list of my favorites for 2006. So, if you missed them last year, now would be a good time to go ahead and rent or buy them on DVD because the following just should not be missed.

Top five for 2006 (In no particular order)

The Departed: Albeit bloody and violent, this was an awesome film with an all-star cast (Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen, and Mark Wahlberg) under the stellar direction of Martin Scorsese. The manifold plot was clever, however I didn't fancy the ending much. Anyhow, my conclusion is that the ending actually moves away from the stereotype of a black and white, good-triumphs-over-evil ending and focuses on the reality of the grey.

Acting-wise, DiCaprio, Nicholson, and Damon were brilliant! A remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, the film serves as a dark exposé of the Boston mob scene entwined with the personal conflicts of Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy Costigan and Matt Damon as Collin Sullivan revolving around the mob boss Frank Costello, terrifically portrayed by Jack Nicholson. Sets a whole new perspective on loyalties, good cop/bad cop stereotyping and the psychological interplay of relationships and trust. Note: idealists will not like the ending, which is slightly anti-climactic.

The Prestige: I positively loved The Prestige although I missed the first five minutes of it. The movie is slightly unrealistic if you really think about it, but the plot was very clever and if you are fantasy buff like I am you will find this "Friendship That Became a Rivalry... A Rivalry That Became a Battle" riveting and absolutely astonishing, to be honest. Putting aside the romantic comedy characteristics, it was slightly reminiscent of Kate and Leopold in terms of the sci-fi/fantasy elements.

I loved Kate and Leopold (I reserve the right to like the occasional chick flick). Dashing Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier abandons his gruff, rugged Wolverinesque mannerism in favor of the suave Leopoldish charisma. To be honest Christian Bale creeps me out in this movie, but that must mean that his performance as Alfred Borden was so good, it was unsettling. The combination of sci-fi with Victorian England wasn't entirely convincing but considering the awe that accompanied electricity at the time, the connections are believable. Watch it — love it — definitely in the top three of '06. The storyline is cleverly constructed and is guaranteed to surprise you.