Top 10 movies of 2006

Year of the Borat.

I had submitted this list to Relevant, because I write movie reviews for them. They decided to use their movie editor's list instead of mine. I notice he ripped off one of my lines. When I submitted my list, I wrote: "Here is my completely subjective list." He used the exact same line.

Well, here's my list. I welcome your thoughts on where you agree and disagree with me.

10. Tsotsi – This film won best foreign language Oscar in 2005, but was released in 2006 in North America. I’m guessing most readers have not seen it, as it only grossed 2.8 million at the box office. The story centers on a young thug in South Africa. He carjacks a rich white couple’s Mercedes. Later he discovers their infant child in the back. The child changes his life. This is a beautiful and brutal film.

9. An Inconvenient Truth – It’s amazing that this film succeeded in the way that it has. It is based on a lecture Al Gore has given hundreds of times around the world on the perils of global warming. Gore was an excellent communicator in bringing us the sober realities of our current environmental crisis. But, it’s the personal vignettes from Gore’s life make the film even more compelling.

8. The Queen – This is a multi-layered film at the hands of a masterful director, Stephen Frears. The story is about how the Royal Family reacted to the death of Diana. It’s a fascinating peak at a family that carries near mythic status in the United Kingdom. But, what really elevates this film is the outstanding performance by Helen Mirren. She is all but guaranteed an Oscar nomination (if not the statue itself).

7. Casino Royale – I have seen at least 10 Bond films and this is the best I have ever seen. Daniel Craig easily silences all critics of his being cast as Bond. Craig is the best actor to ever play Bond. (Although purists will always regard Sean Connery as the quintessential Bond.) This film succeeds in 2 ways. First we have a believable Bond who stumbles when he runs and does not rely on unbelievable gadgets to help him catch bad guys. Second, the female lead is not a prop for Bond. She is actually a full character with depth, who proves to be an equal to Bond.

6. Borat – Ok, I know I might take some hits for this one. But hear me out. Sacha Baron Cohen has revolutionized comedy through the guerilla tactics of his characters: Ali G., Borat and Bruno. In this film he takes it to a whole other level, as he seems to dupe countless well meaning Americans. By using this character, Cohen manages to reveal the underlying xenophobia of many of us. This film is laugh out loud funny, but be warned there is a very disturbing scene of male nudity that some may find way way over the line.

5. So Much So Fast – This is a documentary that I am sure flew under the radar of most readers. This is an inspiring story about a young man diagnosed with ALS. One of his brothers starts a research company that hunts for a cure to this debilitating disease. It is hard to watch the ill man’s body continue to stop working. I walked out of the theater so grateful for all the blessings in my life. You are guaranteed to be moved by this film.

4. Inside Man – I am a pretty big Spike Lee fan, but his recent films have been pretty bad. He needed a hit and he got it with the much-acclaimed Inside Man. This film turned out to Lee’s biggest box office hit. It was also a hit with many critics. Denzel Washington and Clive Owen are excellent in this tightly wound crime thriller that has an interesting back story.

3. United 93 – At the end of this film, I was almost weeping. A remarkable feat for a film in which I knew what the ending was. Director Paul Greengrass used unknowns for this film, including some of the very men and women that were working as air-traffic controllers on 9-11. Using hand-held cameras, Greengrass manages to make this one of the most realistic films I have ever seen. At times, I had to remind myself that this was in fact NOT a documentary, which shows the skill of Greengrass.

2. The Departed – I am a huge Scorsese fan and when I heard who was in the cast of this film, I knew it was a must see. The weekend it came out I was volunteering at the Vancouver Film Festival, picking up guests of the festival at the airport. Every single guest I picked up (all directors, actors and producers) said they planned on skipping part of the festival to see The Departed. Scorsese remakes a Hong Kong thriller called Infernal Affairs and sets it in Irish-Catholic Boston. This is a tight story that features incredible acting by Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin. DiCaprio proves that he may well be the best actor of his generation in this film. Warning – scenes of graphic violence.


1. Little Miss Sunshine – If this does not get a best picture nomination, then there is something wrong with the world. A well-written and well-acted film, which carries several strong lessons without ever getting preachy. A stellar cast with Steve Carrell taking a leap into a dramatic role, and succeeding admirably. You will leave the theater a little happier after watching this one.

2 others you should see: Brick and Catch a Fire.

It was a toss-up between #1 and #2 - it should really be a tie for first between those 2 films.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!