NoFace for Film

I actually wrote a previous “Best Films of 2006″ right after Christmas. Since then I realized that I had to seriously re-evaluate my list.

Why is that? First of all, there were a couple of films that I should have included. Two were on DVD, and I didn’t realize that they came out in 2006. The other was a film that I only had the opportunity to watch recently. Second, while a few of the movies I had on my original list were fun movies to watch, I don’t consider them to be “The Best” and didn’t deserve to be on the list.

Now, mind you there are a couple of caveats. First of all, I can’t comment on all the releases since I didn’t see all of them. Second, my idea on what is “best” may not be someone else’s idea of “best”, so please keep that in mind when you read this

And now, in order of when I reviewed them…NoFace for Film’s Best Films of 2006.

(Feel free to click on the images to purchase the DVDs or soundtracks.)

	V for Vendetta Good God, this film was brilliant. Although a bit preachy at times, the tale of a masked vigilante railing against a fascist government through violent means was beautifully filmed, well-executed, and frankly, badass. Hugo Weaving was fantastic as the titular character, oozing with charm and grace, with just a hint of insanity. Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Evey had restored my faith in her acting abilities, leading me to conclude that her craptastic acting in all three Star Wars prequels can be blamed squarely on George Lucas’ sense of directing.
	Thank You for Smoking I have yet to write up the review for this, and it’s probably why it had originally escaped my radar. Thank You for Smoking is terrific. Its snarky, satiric humor is razor-sharp and not preachy, the directing is great, and the actors are hilarious. Aaron Eckhart is so witty and likeable as Nick Naylor, the chief spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies, that you often forget he’s supposed to be the “bad guy”. My favorite scenes are Nick’s meetings with his fellow Merchants of Death, lobbyists from the alcohol and firearms industries. It cracked me up when they would compare which of their products killed more people in a year.
	Clerks II I waited 12 years for this sequel to come out. I absolutely loved the first Clerks, and was pleased to see that director Kevin Smith had retained much of the magic from that student film of his. It was great to see Dante and Randall again, after all these years- a little older and fatter, but still the same two losers we’ve grown to love. Clerks II is just as funny, witty, and crude as the original Clerks- but just more streamlined, and a little more serious. I will never be the same again after seeing Jay’s “tuck-in” scene.
	Inside Man Again, I hadn’t the chance to review this, which is why it didn’t make the list the first time. I normally don’t like films that involve hostages because I feel uncomfortable watching them. Admittedly, I was reluctant to watch Inside Man. However, I then realized that nothing -and no one- is as it seems in this film. Inside Man is no ordinary bank robbery film, Denzel Washington is no ordinary detective, and Clive Owen is no ordinary bank robber. Did a robbery ever take place if nothing was stolen and there were no robbers to be found? Watch Inside Man and judge for yourself.
	Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby While I laughed my head off in Clerks II, I was in tears in Talladega Nights! I’m not a NASCAR fan at all, but I had a great time watching this movie about an egotistical, dull-witted top NASCAR driver who’s forced to eat humble pie for the first time in his life. Will Farrell was great, but he wouldn’t have done it without his stellar supporting cast, which includes John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, and especially Gary Cole. Shake and bake!
	The Departed Oh my word, this film was absolutely amazing. It was gritty, exciting, violent, and fantastic. The Departed had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, wringing my hands for Leonardo DiCaprio’s undercover cop in a den full of snakes that is the Irish Mafia. Martin Scorsese had better damn well finally get the Oscar he deserves for this, and so should DiCaprio for that matter. He played Billy Costigan with such raw emotion. You could see the despair in his eyes and feel sorry for him up until the very end. Like most Scorsese films, The Departed is hella long, but its story grips you so hard that you don’t notice the time.
	The Prestige, AKA Batman vs. Wolverine The tagline for The Prestige asks, “Are you watching closely?” You bet I was! The Prestige’s tragic tale of two competing magicians (Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) was simply -ahem- mesmerizing. But then again, I expect nothing less from the brilliant Christopher Nolan, who directed Batman Begins and Memento. Both Bale and Jackman shine in their roles; rooting for them one minute, angry at them the next. And while the female roles were rather weak, the male supporting cast was terrific, especially Michael Caine. Caine can do no wrong in movies.
	Casino Royale The James Bond franchise finally takes itself seriously in this latest film, after a long string of ridiculous prequels. Similar to Batman Begins, Casino Royale wisely goes back in time, back to the character’s roots. Here, Bond (Daniel Craig) is sloppy, rough, stubborn, and arrogant, often getting caught off guard. With Craig’s fine acting skills, the result is one of the most complex and human incarnations of James Bond ever. And while there aren’t any cool gadgets, at the same time it kept a few of the Bond film trademarks- namely, hot Bond girls and cool action sequences. Casino Royale gave the Bond franchise a well-deserved boost, back to being taken seriously. Now, let’s see if they can keep it up with the next film.
	Happy Feet A movie about a cute, dancing baby penguin. How can you go wrong with this? With a touching story about acceptance, an all-star voice cast (including about half of Australia’s finest Hollywood actors), catchy, upbeat music (Brittany Murphy’s version of “Somebody to Love” is to die for!), spectacular 3D animation, and a pro-environmental message, Happy Feet was a sure-fire pleaser near the end of the year for both children and adults. Then again, this movie’s excellence wasn’t surprising to me once I found out that it was directed by the same person (George Miller) who directed Babe.
	Children of Men Clive Owen was on a roll in 2006, starring in two films that made my Top Ten. However, while Inside Man was great, Children of Men was simply phenomenal. It’s such an unbelievable experience to sit through this film about the desolate near future, a future in which the human female population has been infertile for 20 years. In 2027, after a series of nuclear wars across the world, only Great Britain still stands. Transformed into a facist police state, the country cracks down heavily on illegal immigrants who come from war-torn countries. Unbeknowst to the government, one immigrant in particular is carrying what may be the key to mankind’s salvation from extinction, and it’s up to Theo (Owen) to help her.

Well, there’s my list. I’d like to know to what extent you all agree with me. What films do you consider as the best of this year, and why? If your list includes different films, I’d love to hear why you chose those movies.

Best Films of 2006, NoFace for Film, V for Vendetta, Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Thank You for Smoking, Inside Man, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Will Farrell, John C. Reilly, Gary Cole, Sascha Baron Cohen, Clerks II, Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby, The Departed, The Prestige, Casino Royale, Happy Feet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, James Bond, Daniel Craig, penguins, Children of Men, P.D. James, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore

Related Articles:

• Warner Home Video's Upcoming HD-DVD Releases
• Children of Men
• SAG Award Nominations Announced
• Happy Feet
• Casino Royale
• The Prestige
• The Departed
• Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
• Clerks II
• Garden State
• Closer
• Frank Miller’s Sin City
• The Machinist
• V for Vendetta