Little Miss Sunshine - Quirky road trip film has an amazing real-life impact, strong cast and surprising poignancy. The young Abigail Breslin becomes a star.
Rocky Balboa - Real life drama and Stallone’s persona come out a winner in this final installment, which redeems the series from the previous disappointment Rocky V.
United 93 - This gripping recount of the events surrounding the September 11th tragedies in 2001 amazes audiences in the hands of British director Paul Greengrass.
V For Vendetta - Natalie Portman’s great acting shines especially with a strong plot. Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith from the Matrix films) anchors the film as “V” in a role where he’s only recognized by his voice.
The Worst
Basic Instinct 2 - Sharon Stone worked hard for a big payday, but her vampy Catherine Tramell can’t save a pointless movie without a purpose.
Crossover - You know the plot is thin when the title focuses on one basketball move.
Date Movie - Another group of comedy clips and spoofs poorly pieced together with hairline yarn.
Doogal - Tinkering with this British animated canine adventure (originally titled The Magical Roundabout) made the film go from fair to worst.
Let’s Go to Prison - Weak premises, ugly stereotypes played for laughs… no need to say more.
Little Man - Another weak comedy concept movie from the Wayan brothers.
Material Girls - The Duff sisters can’t act or connect with audiences in this debacle.
Phat Girlz - Again weakly written female roles riddled with tiring stereotypes sift through a formulaic plot.
Snakes on a Plane - Samuel L. Jackson commands, curses and contests with slippery serpents in a campy thriller.
Zoom - Tim Allen, Courtney Cox-Arquette and Chevy Chase try to whip up some superhero magic but fail.
The following year-end gems opened in a few big cities before the end of the year to qualify for the Academy Awards. These quality releases go wider in the winter months, so look for them – Children of Men, Curse of the Golden Dragon, Letters From Iwo Jima, and Miss Potter.
Article comments
1 - Paul
As others have mentioned in other threads on best of 2006, where is Brick and Hard Candy?
Did you not think those two wonderful films were some of the best of 2006, especially in light of your selections Rocky Balboa and V for Vendetta?