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Tolerable in 2006: Movies
January 2007
Let’s face it: 2006 pretty much blew for movies. Thus I cannot in good conscience make a top ten best-of, because there are only a handful of movies I thought were really good. Maybe it'll be different when I get around to seeing some of the movies that I missed but am now dying to see [Infamous] or that are currently out, but just haven’t gotten around to yet. In retrospect, though, what Hollywood and the Indies gave us this year is a lot of good reasons to stay home and watch things on video.
Speaking of that, don’t forget to check out The Best Movies I Watched on Video during 2006.
ACTUALLY BRILLIANT
Volver
A last-second entry to this list, I was kind of avoiding this one because I was so over Almodovar's last few movies [all good, yeah, but a bit tedious], but my friend wanted to see it… and I ended up loving it, first frame to last. A beautiful and beautifully-constructed story about mothers and daughters and forgiveness and family ties, this movie layers several similar stories on top of each other and lets them all resonate in a very literary way. And then you have the beautiful Penelope Cruz, who has never looked more gorgeous. It may be that you have to have the right recent Almodovar movie hit you in the right mood at the right time, but this one hit it for me and was definitely one of my favorites of the year.
The Black Dahlia
Maybe it’s just my love of De Palma and excitement at having a major De Palma movie come out, but this movie was electrifying in every respect [I AM aware that I am in the minority opinion on this…]. Yes, it’s very complicated and no, you won’t understand it by the time the credits run, but that’s De Palma for you: he doesn’t care if things make perfect sense, and he doesn’t mind forcing you to think. The film can seem really boring if you give up and stop paying attention, but between the fascinating storyline and character intersections [some of which are only comprehensible after the film is over], the spectacular direction and stunning De Palma setpieces, the amazing photography and the good performances [guess what, folks? Crazy people act crazy], those who are willing to pay attention and think about the film are richly rewarded.
QUITE GOOD
Thank You for Smoking
We don’t give enough thanks for straightforward films that just WORK; are put together well, capably written, nicely acted, and competently directed. This satire of the tobacco industry is all that, and what’s more, it’s very, very funny. It’s got laughs, it’s got depth, it’ll keep you amused for 90 minutes and releases you back into the world in a good mood. And I’m all for that.
The Queen
Another of those well-acted, well-written [blah, blah, blah] things that just does the job—although in this case the job struck me as rather small. Mirren does in every respect earn the Oscar she is sure to get for her phenomenal performance [and if she doesn’t, something is tragically flawed], and the writing and direction are very intelligent and smooth. But why does it seem so small?
13 [Tzameti]
A nasty, gritty little thriller—and here “little” works in its favor, making the tightness of its story one of its primary strengths—this movie considers the plight of a Georgian immigrant in France who decides to take the place of a dead man at an appointment which is supposed to result in a great deal of money. He is in for QUITE a nasty surprise, and you’re in for a great deal of excruciating suspense.
Somersault
This little drama goes by without much incident or climax, but accumulates emotion along the way, and leaves a long-lasting and potent aftertaste. A portrait of a young girl who figures that she must be bad because she did something bad, runs away and persues the life she imagines bad girls are fated to have. The ending is very, very small and doesn’t pack much of an emotional whallop—until you think about what it all really means.
PRETTY GOOD
The Descent
Six women go a-spelunking in an unexplored cave, and find tension, terror, and tightness as they realize that they have no idea how to get out. THEN the cannibalistic bat-like humanoids show up. A great, tight horror film on its own, this movie had the crazy notion to include some interesting character dynamics to the mix, which gives you something to keep your interest between monster attacks.
The Prestige
Flashier and a lot more interesting than The Illusionist [and with a twist you can’t see from 50,000 miles], this movie starts fascinating and only grows more interesting. Quite well-written—there are clues about what’s really going on laid in from the first moments—interestingly directed and very energetic, this may have been one of the most fascinating and fun movies of the year. What’s more, you can think about it and pick it apart for hours afterward and it all holds together.
Snakes on a Plane
Thinking this was going to be just a huge joke that wouldn’t stand on its own as a movie without a huge audience present, I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that it’s a very funny action / horror / comedy that is enjoyable in its own right. The filmmakers know exactly how ridiculous the whole thing is and just give you exactly what you want to see with a great sense of humor and action.
BETTER THAN EXPECTED
Slither
V for Vendetta
Casino Royale
Monster House
Final Destination 3
That Man: Peter Berlin
PFFHHHHHT
Superman Returns
A Scanner Darkly
The Illusionist
The Wicker Man
Flyboys
The Fountain
Dreamgirls
The Departed
EXECRABLE
BloodRayne
Basic Instinct 2
Poseidon
X-Men 3
The Omen
Ultraviolet
Pulse [Remake]
The Return
Black Christmas
MOVIES I DESPISE [THAT I DIDN’T SEE]
[I can be more objective that way]
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World
The Shaggy Dog
The Da Vinci Code
Over The Hedge
Lady in the Water
Barnyard
World Trade Center
Open Season
Santa Clause 3
A Good Year
The Pursuit of Happyness
Home of the Brave
2006 MOVIES I WANT TO SEE, BUT HAVEN’T YET
Lucky Number Slevin
Celestine Prophecy [and not because it’s supposed to be good]
Little Miss Sunshine
Miami Vice
Last King of Scotland
Little Children
Infamous
Let’s Go to Prison
Perfume
Children of Men
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