2006 had its fair share of good movies, it had more than its share of mediocre movies, and of course there were the movies you do not wish on your worst enemies, much less your own eyes. What you have just begun to read is part I in my recapping of the best, and worst, experiences I had at the theater in 2006.
This part contains my top ten movies of the year. The only films that are eligible are films that I saw on the big screen and had their official release during the 2006 calendar year. Sure, there are a few movies that I have missed, or have not yet seen, so this list is likely to change. For this reason I will post a revised list, if necessary, around Oscar time as more of those late December limited Oscar eligibility releases get rolled out to the rest of the country. The same thing goes for the lists that follow this — changes will be made and announced as needed.
As I went through the films I saw last year, I found one thing that I hope to change in 2007. There is a dearth of indie and foreign films. There are a few mixed in there, just not as many as I would have liked. Anyway, enough with the preamble, I am sure you all want to see what movies made my list. Read on.
1. Children of Men. The most recent film that I saw in 2006 is also the greatest. Watching this was a transcendent experience. Alfonso Cuaron has crafted a film of high technical achievement that brings religious and political concepts together in a drama that is gripping and involving on a visceral and emotional level. It is a science fiction film that is not confined by the genre, less occupied with explaining the situation than it is with letting the situation speak for itself and deliver characters that are mired within its confines. This is a powerful movie that delivers the goods and hits all the right notes; from the performances, to the cinematography, to the script, to the score, everything is just right.
2. The Departed. Martin Scorsese's latest masterpiece is a remake and an expansion of the Hong Kong film, Infernal Affairs. The original film is a thrilling game of cat and mouse, a game which Scorsese has taken, with screenwriter William Monahan, and upped the ante in its conversion to a tale of the mob in Boston, a film that is alternately hilarious and edge-of-your-seat thrilling. The ensemble cast carries the drama of the setup, with Jack Nicholson chewing scenery as the larger than life crime boss. This is another movie that delivers deadly serious entertainment in a fast paced and involving way. This could possibly lead to Scorsese's first Best Director Oscar.
Article comments
1 - Brandon Valentine
Great list!
Thanks for sharing.
2 - Chris Beaumont
Thanks, Brandon.
Keep an eye out for future parts, next will be the bottom ten, then on screen performances, behind the scene creative, then the more technical awards. I'm going all out!
3 - Ty
Finally! A top ten list that includes Brick. A top 10 list without it is a shame.
What did you think of HARD CANDY? You didn't think it warranted inclusion even as an honorable mention?
4 - Chris Beaumont
Hard Candy was a fantastic film, but this list is only for films I saw on the big screen. I saw Hard Candy on DVD. Unfortunately I did not keep close enough track of my 2006 released DVDs to give a list of those. Something I plan on correcting this year. I believe I reviewed the DVD on this site...
5 - Glen Boyd
At the risk of sounding like I'm repeating Ty above ---
Finally! A list that includes V For Vendetta.
This movie is a totally underated, very thought provoking political statement (which draws some non too subtle parallels to the Bush administration), clevely disguised as a popcorn thriller. It's visually stunning, translates surprisingly well to the small screen on the DVD, and as you said Weaving is awesome as "V".
Haven't seen Children Of Men yet, but it's next on my list. Other than that, your list would probably most closely match my own of all those I've seen here on BC.
Nicely done.
-Glen
6 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Chris,
I enjoyed the review, and since V for Vendetta is the only movie on this list I've seen, I agree with you and Glen that it deserves a place on any top ten.
I have it in DVD format and it is one nasty ride...
7 - Triniman
Haven't seen Brick or Babel but I intend to.
8 - Ty
"Hard Candy was a fantastic film, but this list is only for films I saw on the big screen. I saw Hard Candy on DVD."
Did Hard Candy play in your area? You always say many limited release movies don't come to your area.
Is it fair to exclude Hard Candy from your list just because you weren't able to see it in on the big screen because you live in an area where many indie flicks are not screened?
9 - Ty
"There is a dearth of indie and foreign films. There are a few mixed in there, just not as many as I would have liked. "
Since your list is only of movies you saw in theaters and you always say movies like this don't come out in your area, this is on you. If you can't see one of these in the theater, fine.
but when you see them on DVD, and you think they are great, you need to include them in your top ten lists.
Taking them out because you don't happen to live in NYC/SF/LA is not fair to those films.
10 - Chris Beaumont
"Did Hard Candy play in your area? You always say many limited release movies don't come to your area."
No it didn't. There is only one indie theater in my area, and they don't get everything.
"Is it fair to exclude Hard Candy from your list just because you weren't able to see it in on the big screen because you live in an area where many indie flicks are not screened?"
For me, yes. One of my self imposed, arbitrary if you will, rules is when I do my lists, only include films I saw on the big screen. This is a recapping my experiences at the theater and I can only go by what I get to see. Besides, I do think I get to see a pretty good sample.
"but when you see them on DVD, and you think they are great, you need to include them in your top ten lists."
No, I don't. It is my list and I have my self imposed rules for it. Besides, I am not sure Hard Candy would have made the list.
"Taking them out because you don't happen to live in NYC/SF/LA is not fair to those films."
What isn't fair to those films is the fact they don't get to play to as wide an audience in the theaters as they likely deserve.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I try the best I can to do what I can. I have to have some aort of line somewhere.
11 - Ty
"What isn't fair to those films is the fact they don't get to play to as wide an audience in the theaters as they likely deserve."
I completely agree 100%, but if Hard Candy was released in 2006, you saw it 2006, and you think it was one of the best films of 2006, you should include it in your list.
Just my opinion. You can disagree, but I'll make it a point to point out everytime you put out such a list that the list only includes movies you see in the theater and many great films, by your own standards, don't play near you. I think you should say that too, but if you don't, I am glad to help.
12 - Ty
Actually I just noticed you did say that, but I still hold my opinion that your list is inherently flawed since you admit yourself that many great films don't come to a theater near you.
13 - Ty
"There is a dearth of indie and foreign films. There are a few mixed in there, just not as many as I would have liked."
If you didn't limit your list to films you saw in theaters (considering you don't get much near you), where wouldn't be a shortage of indie/foreign films.
14 - Ty
"I am not sure Hard Candy would have made the list."
Probably would have made honorable mention based on your current honorable mention titles, at the very least.
15 - Ty
Maybe you should do a Top ten movies (+ honorable mentions) for 2006, irrespective of whether you saw in the theater, just as long as it was released in the US in 2006.
I for one, would be curious to see what gets bumped up, down, on and off the list (incl honorable mentions).
Somehow I think Hard Candy would at the very least make honorable mention over a flawed film like Superman Returns (Again, at the very least).
16 - Ty
""I am not sure Hard Candy would have made the list.""
You sure about that. Here you are OWN words about the film:
"This was deliciously malicious, masterfully twisted, and attention consumingly evil. I enjoyed every colorful frame. From the wonderful performances, to the visual dynamics, to the actual believeability of the situation all combine for one of those gems that you find youself thinking about from time to time. This is definitely an experience worthy of having, er viewing."
It certainly would have made your list if you weren't going to be so stubborn to only include movies you saw in the theaters when you readily admit much doesn't come near you.
17 - Chris Beaumont
"I still hold my opinion that your list is inherently flawed since you admit yourself that many great films don't come to a theater near you."
This is true of EVERY list anyone has ever made. It is impossible for anyone to see every film, hear every CD, watch every show, play every game, fill in the blank. We have to work off of what our criteria is. This list is compiled from every film that I have seen theatrically that was released in a particular year. This list was culled from the 143 2006 released films that I saw theatrically.
Like I have said, I am going to attempt to keep better track of my DVD viewing this year so as to compile a top DVD list for 2007.
Something else to consider is that this list isn't to necessarily or definitively list the best films released during the year. It is a listing of my favorite experienced films that I saw theatrically. Every list is nothing more than an opinion.