The more people I come across, the more it seems 2006 was an awful year for everyone. But, I saw more movies in 2006 than I’ve seen in a while, so this will be my first time creating a top ten. I’ve yet to see many others so, this is a list of movie I’ve seen. So, here is a list of our top ten movies of 2006:
10. The Host
I can not rave about this Korean science fiction film enough. It’s much more than a simple monster movie, it’s a movie about family, the government, and features some of the best direction I’ve seen in a while, not to mention excellent scenes of monster carnage. Within the first fifteen minutes of “Gwoemul,” director Joon-Ho manages to build up enough tension and characterization to charge at us head on with the central plot. Based on true events, one day an American scientist orders his assistant to empty the remaining jars of Chloroform into his sink. His assistant, in his own feeble way, attempts to protest, but he immediately gives in and dumps almost a hundred jars into the Han River. “Gwoemul” is not just a monster movie, it’s a movie about family, and it’s a movie about the lengths we’ll go to to save our loved ones.
9. The Last Kiss
I really had no expectations from the previews when it arrived in theaters. It seemed a lot like an unofficial sequel to “Garden State.” After I was done with it, I was blown away. If you think it’s a bright and romantic movie you can watch with a date, you’re mistaken. It’s a grim and depressing glimpse at the constant pitfalls and trappings of relationships, and features fantastic acting by the entire cast and while some liberties are taken from its source material, it’s still a bleak view of the pitfalls of relationships.
8. The Descent
I cheated with this, but it WAS released in the US in 2006, so I counted it. Sue me. If you haven’t heard about this film by now, you’re insane. I gather, for many, “The Descent” will draw comparisons to the forgettable flop “The Cave”. But if you liked “The Cave”–and I doubt many of you did–you’ll love this. For a gorier, more menacing alternative, “The Descent” is your choice.
Director Neil Marshall who also directed the exciting horror actioner “Dog Soldiers”, hits the mark yet again with this claustrophobic frightening monster flick from the UK. And Marshall takes the same formula from the former, and implants it here: Take opposite characters, some with sordid pasts, mix with tension, a horrifying monster, human paranoia, and you have a basic powder keg.
7. Sophie Scholl
This was nominated for Best Foreign Film and released in select theaters in 2006, and I suggest getting it if you can. Being a Holocaust buff, I simply enjoyed the true story of the final days of an anti-Nazi protestor. The German Sophie Scholl was caught handing out pamphlets against the Nazis, was interrogated for a week and avoided giving away her cohorts, and was executed with her brother and friend. Wonderful acting. One of the best holocaust films I’ve ever seen.
6. Sir! No Sir!
What do you do when the soldiers of your military decide to defy your orders and are willing to sacrifice their freedom and endure being called a commie to protest a war they don’t believe in? You make a hell of a documentary. That’s what “Sir! No Sir!” is. To some viewers, “Sir! No Sir!” will come off as a surefire liberal manifesto, but to those who really know what we’re talking about, “Sir! No Sir!” is a documentation of a group of soldiers who served their country, but then decided they just couldn’t do it anymore because it was unjust, so they stood up for their rights and decided they would fight no longer, and were crucified at the stake. Along with it came a domino effect of more and more protestors, gathering of activist organizations, and incidents that would further test their wills. But they stood up for their beliefs, and in that process, they became real heroes that chose not to kill.
5. Hard Candy
A pedophile gets his comeuppance. At the hands of a psychotic little genius who tortures him relentlessly. Slade’s film reverses the age old setting for a potential sex crime and asks us to choose sides. While you root for Hayley who isn’t the thin airhead she starts off as, the acts she commits are a bit on the cruel side, and you eventually feel guilty for cheering her on, while Jeff is an instant villain who you will definitely feel some sense of sadness for as the film progresses. Slade sees to that. Excellent performances, excellent direction, and a thought provoking plot make up a hell of a movie. One of the best of the year.
4. Pan’s Labyrinth
Thanks to good friend Ed Tellier, I was able to check this out, and man am I ever grateful. This is not just a fantasy movie, it’s a movie about family, about innocence, and about keeping your innocence in a world of violence. A young girl is told she’s the re-incarnated spirit of a princess, and to reclaim her throne, she has to finish three tasks. With amazing direction, and mind-blowing special effects, you’d be hard pressed to dislike it without a smack in the jaw from me.
3. Superman Returns
It’s Superman. It’s Superman. But beyond that, Singer’s visual adventure of the return of the man of steel is, to me, an under appreciated, and truly excellent superhero film, with some of the most fantastic action scenes, and I was near tears the whole time. “Superman Returns” is not a remake, but a film that takes place between films, and it works. Singer knows how to convey the same lore and wonder Superman has always had and he’s summed it up in one fantastic scene where Superman walks against a tide of bullets. It’s classic Superman, and Singer has it. “Superman Returns” is one of the best depictions to date.
2. Little Miss Sunshine
I didn’t expect much from this, but I loved it. Every single solitary minute of it. With an ensemble cast, “Little Miss Sunshine” is about a family of losers who decide to fight for their daughter to have a chance at being a winner and compete in a beauty contest. With excellent performances by Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, and Steve Carrell, just to name a few, I was bowled over.
1. Half Nelson
The worst revelation we can ever have growing up, is to discover our heroes are flawed, human, and doomed to their own downfalls, especially when we live a life void of direction, and role models. This is the best film of 2006. I simply loved it. And Ryan Gosling proves he can act with the best of them as a great teacher who also happens to be a hardcore drug addict who can barely keep up with feeding his cat, let alone properly connect with the family who grows more and more apart from him every year. Sounds like movie of the week material, but it’s not. Gosling’s portrayal of this teacher who is an inspiration for his students, but an absolute lowlife once class ends is striking and simply the best offering of the year.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Eight Below, The Queen, Feast, Akeelah and the Bee, Jesus Camp, When the Levees Broke, Monster House