Welcome and Year Superlatives and Top Ten Films of 2006

Hello all, here lies my newest outlet for musings on film. I'll update this periodically with reviews, thoughts and lists all revolving around the ever popular topic of the movies. Feel free to comment but most importantly, enjoy!

Come the end of a year, there is often an outpouring of grief, from critics and audiences alike that the past year was another awful one for film. Critics hate the idiotic blockbusters, audiences hate the pretentious art films and there is rarely a common ground between the two groups. Now, for me, as someone who tends to agree with the critical community, albeit with my own complaints, it often bothers me when I hear so many everyday Americans trash the modern film scene when they make no discernable effort to see anything other than the new Tom Cruise (which they’ll hate because Cruise jumped on a couch in excitement, regardless of the film’s cinematic merits, such as Mission: Impossible 3, which until Casino Royale’s November release was the years best pure action flick), a few sophomoric comedies and not much else. Unlike the French, Italians or Japanese who all seem to understand cinema’s importance, American’s refuse to admit to film’s place in shaping the way they dress, talk and even, at times, think.

A good film, and trust me, 2006 had plenty of them, should require its audience to remove itself from its comfort zone. It should make them consider an idea or concept they wouldn’t have, it should make them encounter some sort of situation that they wouldn’t have. It is a safe, sanctioned form of voyeurism. It takes a film of intense emotional power to truly physically move someone. It can be a discussions of the Holocaust in Schindler’s List or The Pianist or it can be the physically demanding (and I sincerely mean that) power of Oldboy. Point is that these films are being made, year and year out. Sometimes, they just take some effort to find.

I guess my point of all this is that instead of spending the time complaining about how they don't make them like they used to, if people opened their eyes and honestly looked for and watched the films of today, they would realize that there is a great deal of wonderful work being done. Take, for example, a collection of filmmakers that created films this year, say, Paul Greengrass, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Alfonso Cuaron, Michel Gondry, Michael Mann, Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Sofia Coppola and Clint Eastwood. Between this group, which mind you is composed merely of filmmakers who released works this year, the following films have been created and released since the year 2000, a span of 6 years: Bloody Sunday, The Bourne Supremecy, United 93, Amorres Perros, 21 Grams, Babel, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Dave Chappelle's Block Party, The Science of Sleep, Ali, Collateral, Miami Vice, Bamboozled, 25th Hour, Inside Man, When the Levee's Broke: A Requiem in Four Parts, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, No Direction Home: Bob Dylan, The Departed, Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Prestige, Lost In Translation, Marie Antoinette, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima. This is a list filled with independent productions and big budget blockbusters. It has dramas and comedies and thillers. There are documentaries and narrative films. But most importantly, there are legitimate classics. Not every one is deserving of that term, but all at least deserve to be watched and discussed. They are worth so much. Before revealing my top ten, here are some superlatives from 2006

2006 Superlatives

Best Sequence: Children of Men 's thrilling escape from a refugee camp features a single take that clocks in literally around 5 minutes, with over half of it through a lens spattered with blood. It is virtuoso filmmaking and easily is the most complex shot of the year. As Clive Owen snakes through the streets erupting with warfare, the camera holds tightly to his back, causing feelings of genuine excitement and suspense. It is a wonderful sequence that reminds cinephiles why we go to the theatre in the first place.
Runners Up: Babel 's club sequence, The reunion of the Fugees in Dave Chappelle's Block Party, Jennifer Hudson's performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” in Dreamgirls.

Best Visual Effects: The Science of Sleep. Featuring amazing stop motion animation work, The Science of Sleep is a rare film nowadays that benefits from its effects, allowing them to enrich the storytelling rather than completely overwhelming them. Simplistic at times, utterly complex at others, the film is filled with whimsy and melancholy, feelings enriched by the lovely effects that Gondry employs.
Runners Up: Superman Returns, Cars, Children of Men.

Best Cinematography: Dion Beebe, Miami Vice. Vice's visuals are a groundbreaking use of technology, pushing HD video farther than any piece of cinema ever has. The depth of field, coloring and overall composition are breathtaking, illuminating the colorful surroundings of the film. Shot after shot push the limits of filmmaking as Beebe builds on his initial accomplishment in Mann's wonderful Collateral and establishes himself as a visionary of his field.
Runners Up: Emmanuel Lubezki, Children of Men, Lance Acord, Marie Antoinette, Vilmos Zsigmond, The Black Dahlia.

Best Screenplay: (TIE) The Departed and Brick. Two scripts that abound in cleverness and intelligence while working and innovating in genre typically resigned as second class. Both feature razor sharp dialogue with The Departed nailing the language and dialects of Boston and Brick revisiting the hard-boiled prose of Hammett and Chandler under the guise of a high school drama. Both feature thrilling results that are equally serious and wickedly funny.
Runners Up: Guillermo Arriaga, Babel, Todd Field and Tom Perrota, Little Children, Nick Cave, The Proposition.

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls. Truly unequaled in 2006 and even in recent musical memory, Hudson's performance is astounding. Displaying as much dramatic talent as musical, Hudson is a revelation, carrying the weight of the film more than any of the leads. Her performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” is incredible, providing a centerpiece for the film that few can equal. It is the most memorable performance in a musical since the Freed Unit dominanted MGM productions.
Runners Up: Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal, Riko Kikuchi, Babel, Abigal Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine.

Best Supporting Actor: Ben Affleck, Hollywoodland. Affleck's riveting performance as George Reeves is a reminder to all as to why he became a star. A deeply conflicting and complex character is wonderfully brought to life with each frame and the final shots of Reeves creating a tryout film for professional wrestling is nothing short of a series of shattering,depressing last views of a heartbroken, beaten down man who refused to fade away.
Runners Up: Brad Pitt, Babel, Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls, Jack Nicholson, The Departed

Best Actress: Kate Winslet, Little Children. The emotional core of a stellar film, Winslet continues to assert herself as one of the premier actresses of her generation. Her embodiment of her character is astounding, providing Todd Field's and Tom Perrota's script with great depth and feeling. Her perfomance is a complex combination of emotional and intellectual strength as well as the utter hopelessness of a disappointing marriage and social life. It is sympathetic and endearing and stands the pinnacle of her craft for the year.
Runners Up: Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal, Helen Mirren, The Queen, Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada

Best Actor: Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat. Cohen's performance as the titular character is nothing short of incredible, a comedic tour de force. His ability to fully inhabit his character was unmatched in not only 2006 but recent memory as well. He isn't merely playing a part, but fully living the life of Borat, the wayword Khazakhi reporter struggling to understand American customs. It provides a searing glimpse into the classism, racism and jingoistic feeling that permeates through America today while remaining wildly funny and heartfelt. Borat is an idiot, a racist and a fool but also one of the most lovable characters of the year, entirely due to Cohen's dedication to the part and his craft.
Runners Up: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed, Blood Diamond, Patrick Wilson, Little Children, Ken Wantanbe, Letters From Iwo Jima

Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron, Children of Men. Despite directing Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, nothing could prepare audiences for Cuaron groundbreaking Children of Men, which features the most complete vision of a dystopic future ever put on film. In fact, in terms of scope, only Ridley Scott's 1981 masterpiece, Blade Runner, comes close to Cuaron's achievement. The direction is masterful at building suspese in action sequences as well as simple portions of dialogue. When it needs to complex, Cuaron rises to the occasion. When it needs to be restrained, he wisely pulls back, allowing the narrative to speak for itself. Truly incredible.
Best Director: Michel Gondry, Dave Chappelle's Block Party, The Science of Sleep, Martin Scorsese, The Departed, Clint Eastwood, Flags of our Fathers, Letters From Iwo Jima

Best Studio: Universal Pictures. A great year full of adventurous films from one of the majors. While there were a fair share of bombs, Universal pushed the envelope with challenging, intelligent films that adults could enjoy. They included Inside Man, Children of Men, Idlewild, The Black Dahlia, Miami Vice, United 93 amongst others.
Runners Up: Paramount, Warner Bros.

Most Overrated Movie: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Without a doubt, my least favorite film of the year was an idiotic satire that never quite got off the ground. It features an incredible waste of talent as only Sacha Baron Cohen’s performance warrants any laughs. Will Ferrell misses the mark terribly and it features scene after scene of lame comedy. Absolute drivel.
Runners Up: Little Miss Sunshine, Thank You For Smoking, Blood Diamond

Most Underrated Movie: Miami Vice. A dark, brooding adventure into undercover, Michael Mann’s thriller was criminally underrated and overlooked by critics and audiences alike. It is a tremendous achievement that stands with the best of the master’s work.
Runners Up: The Descent, Brick, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party

Admittedly, there are a few movies that have resided on others ten best list that I have not yet seen. They are: L’Enfant, World Trade Center, Tristam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, Half-Nelson, Volver, Inland Empire and Army of Shadows. I regret not being able to see them but time can be restricting. I can assure you that I will continue to watch as many of the so-called great films of 2006 and will let you know of any that fell through the cracks. That being said, I'll move onto to my own top ten list of the year, contrived and tired as it may be.

(1) Little Children is Todd Field’s suburban masterpiece and is the best film of the year. Literary, entertaining and wildly intelligent, the film shines with tremendous performances from Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly and Jackie Earle Haley (Alarmingly as a pedophile. Do not be scared off by this. I defy you to watch this film and not be amazed at how effectively it makes you see and feel the world through the eyes of a character who is a convicted sex offender). Darkly hilarious, this film will (rightfully) be compared to American Beauty but don’t let that fool you into thinking it is merely a copycat of that previous Best Picture Winner. This is a tremendously moving film in its own right, probing further than its predecessor and leaving a stronger taste in the viewer’s mouth.

(2)Dave Chappelle's Block Party is a joyous document of Chappelle, who should be treasured as one of America's finest comedians, throwing a party for everyone. The result is an inventive concert film that mixes in musical performances from some of hip hop's finest acts with Chappelle's biting satire as well as an honest look as both middle America and the inner city. Michel Gondry's assured and invisible direction guide the film and make it clear the Chappelle is its star and main focus. Sublimely entertaining.

(3)Children of Men is Alfonso Cuaron’s imaginative and uncompromising vision of a futuristic dystopia in which women are infertile. Astoundingly complete in its views of a society gone awry, the film is a visual masterpiece with numerous virtuoso moments of filmmaking. The scenes of warfare are amazingly realistic and the film has intelligence to spare. A must see.

(4) Letters From Iwo Jima is another stunner from Clint Eastwood, a devastatingly brave and honest examination of war and the enemy. A true anti-war classic that when combined with its counterpart Flags of our Fathers compose the most complete examination of a single battle in narrative film history. The two films are incredibly subversive, deconstructing ideas of heroism and while Letters stands better on its own, hence its inclusion here, together the two are a truly imposing accomplishment from what the AFI recently called a “national treasure”. I couldn’t agree more.

(5) The Departed is Martin Scorsese's latest masterpiece, an involving crime epic with dynamite performances and a razor sharp screenplay that zigs and zags, ultimately ending up at a satisfying and shocking conclusion. DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson and Wahlberg all contribute fantastic performance in this darkly funny examination of undercover police work.

(6) Miami Vice is the year's most underrated film and another unseen gem from Michael Mann, the best director working in Hollywood today. Bracingly violent at times, undeniably gritty and absolutely beautifully shot, this is the best looking film of 2006. Not for those who are expecting a 2 hour episode of the 80's television show, Mann's film is a methodical stunner that blazes the trail for every digital film from here on out.

(7) Pan’s Labyrinth is a masterful adult fairy tale that is steeped in ancient mythology yet feels oddly modern. Featuring impeccable performances throughout, a wonderful visual scheme and originality to spare, Guillermo Del Toro’s film is a mesmerizing fable grounded strongly in reality. This is not a film for children and it is all the better for it. It is unflinching in its views of violence and suffering yet ultimately is a life affirming exploration of a child’s imagination.

(8) United 93 is a triumphant story of human courage in the face of unspeakable danger, wisely directed by Paul Greengrass. The film is tasteful, completely un-sensationalistic and utterly engaging with convincing performances by its largely unknown cast and an ending that packs an emotional punch unrivaled in 2006. While it scared off some audiences who felt it was too soon, it deserves to be seen for its care in which it tells its story.

(9) The Science of Sleep is Gondry's true follow up to 2004's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a sure fire contender for top 10 films of 2000's, and is as equally inventive and moving as its predecessor. Gael Garcia Bernal proves to be one of the most likeable international stars, Charlotte Gainsbourg shines and Gondry's inspired visuals are special effects masterpieces with no CGI in sight. The bittersweet tone of the film suits its star and director perfectly and assures its place in Gondry's greatest hits.

(10) Brick is the debut of the year with its deft blend of high school teen drama and hard boiled film noir. Rian Johnson is a filmmaker to watch and Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves there is live past the Third Rock from the Sun. Johnson's script borrows from the best of Chandler and Hammett with its sharp wit and quick machine gun dialogue that wonderfully replicates late 40's noir.

Runners Up (Alphabetical):

Babel
Casino Royale
The Descent
Flags of our Fathers
Hollywoodland
A Prarie Home Companion
The Prestige
The Proposition
V For Vendetta
When The Levee’s Broke: A Requiem in Four Parts

Enjoy 2007!