Sunday, February 4, 2007

2006 in Celluloid (and sometimes HD)

If you read the blog before this one, you know how I am about making lists, but I'm making this one for my own good...and the good of those out there who may have missed some gems from this past year. If you haven't seen them, check 'em out and let me know what you think.

Best Dose of Reality: United 93
I know that there are people who are not ready for this movie, and that's fine. When you are ready, you need to see it. There is a reason Paul Greengrass got an Oscar nod for this one. It feels more documentary than scripted. Every person--actor or not--revealed his or her feelings so starkly that I couldn't help but hope that, this time around, the ending would be different.

Best Action/Drama: The Departed
This is why people love Martin Scorsese. An all-star cast that laid it out there, a kickass soundtrack, an ultra-violent joy ride that made me cringe and laugh and cheer for the good guys. Great stuff.

Happiest Little Film: Little Miss Sunshine
I don't care how cliche it sounds, but I laughed, I cried, and as soon as it was over, I wanted to watch it again.

The Reason Indies Should Be Made: Half Nelson
Ryan Gosling. Remember that name because this guy is amazing. This film is small on budget but big on story. It's naked and raw and hard to swallow at times, but it's excellent. (*Catch Gosling in The Believer too.)

The Most Fun I've Had All Year: Casino Royale
Dare I say it? Daniel Craig might possibly be my new favorite Bond.

The Most Fun I've Had All Year (runner up): Thank You For Smoking
I love an equal opportunity comedy. It doesn't just poke fun at the right or the left. It pokes fun at EVERYONE.

The Most Visually Stunning: Pan's Labyrinth
Beautiful, violent, fantastical, and did I mention violent? The images are amazing in this movie, even when they make you cringe a little.

The Best Worst Movie: Lady in the Water
See my second blog.

The Most Deserved Oscar: The Last King of Scotland
Read my blog from last week.

Best Animation: Cars
Pixar can never go wrong. And even if they do...it's still better than most everything else.

The Christopher Guest Honorary Award: For Your Consideration
Not better than Best in Show, but better than A Mighty Wind. If it were up to me, Catherine O'Hara would have been nominated for an Oscar...or at least a Golden Globe.


And now for the rest (in alphabetical order):
Akeelah and the Bee
Apocalypto
Children of Men
Dreamgirls
Glory Road
The Illusionist
Inside Man
Monster House
Night at the Museum
Over the Hedge
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Queen
Stranger than Fiction

2 comments:

k8 said...

Half Nelson will be coming to me w/in the next few days! Can't WAIT!!!

But I need a little clarification: The most fun you had this year was NOT Thank You for Smoking?? Are you saying "fun = comedy"? or "fun = over all movie-watching experince, including but not limited to: comedy, audience and engaging nature of the movie?" :)

Love the Christopher Guest Honorary Award!!! Kudos, good friend!! I'll be getting that around the 20th!

Unknown said...

I mean all around fun time at the theatre. Casino Royale was action, action, funny moment, action, action, cringe, action, action, a little eye candy, and then some more action. I thoroughly had a good time seeing that one. Thank You for Smoking was good times too, but it just wasn't as versatile.