Top Ten 2006

1. The Departed
No other movie offered more pure entertainment coupled with such a mastery of cinema.

2. Children of Men
Can there be a tie for number one? This movie offers far too many ideas to discuss here, with far too many great sequences.

3. INLAND EMPIRE
It seems like David Lynch's entire career was leading to this.

4. The Good Shepherd
This plays like a film from the 70's, I mean that as a compliment.

5. The Proposition
A western that is like no other western.

6. Casino Royale
I can't say it's the best Bond movie of all time but that's only because I've seen about three James Bond movies.

7. A Prairie Home Companion
The fact that the final Robert Altman movie deals with death and the end of an era feels right. The fact that it's a comedy feels even better.

8. Half Nelson
Even if the movie wasn't good it would be worth seeing for the Ryan Gosling performance.

9. Little Miss Sunshine
Not the funniest movie of the year but the best comedy that seems rooted in reality.

10. United 93
Is it too soon for this movie to be made? It's probably not soon enough. I'm not even sure what that means.

Runners Up: The Good German, Little Children, Volver, Catch a Fire, Flags of our Fathers, Marie Antoinette, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Movies missed by me or that haven't opened here yet: Old Joy, Letters From Iwo Jima, Blood Diamond, Apocalypto, Last King of Scotland, Pan's Labyrinth, Notes on a Scandal


Worst Five

1. Harsh Times
This title actually describes how it feels to sit through the movie.

2. Little Man
From the people that brought you White Chicks and Scary Movie.

3. You, Me & Dupree
A comedy that ruins the talents of Owen Wilson, Matt Dillon, Michael Douglas, and Seth Rogen. It also stars Kate Hudson.

4. For Your Consideration
This may not actually belong on this list as it did offer some laughs but at some point the entire thing becomes boring and tedious.

5. The Da Vinci Code
I don't want to ruin this movie for anyone but here it is: Tom Hanks finds a historical artifact and explains it. This is followed by a chase and at some point the word apple means something. Repeat over and over and over and over...


Best Last Shot: United 93

Best Music: The Good German

Best Cinematography: Children of Men

Best Quote: "I'm gonna go have a smoke right now. You want a smoke? You don't smoke, do you, right? What are you, one of those fitness freaks, huh? Go fuck yourself." Alec Baldwin, The Departed

Best movie officially released in 2005 but not shown here until March 2006: The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada

Best Documentary: Jesus Camp

Best Director Q & A: David Lynch after INLAND EMPIRE

Best movie released on DVD the same week it was released in theaters: Bubble

Best movie that was only good because Lucas Black: The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Best movie to see in 3D: Monster House