Film

here we go…just in time before the final hours of ‘06 tick off, the top 10 list is complete (sort of - i still didn’t get to see pan’s labyrinth). anyways, just a note on selection, these picks don’t necessarily mean that i think these were the 10 most critically accomplished films of the year (i.e. the films that will/should be nominated for oscars), rather they represent the 10 films which i most enjoyed this past year.

let’s kick it.

10. The Fountain - darren aronofsky’s trippy, complex, science fiction love story of epic proportions. at times confusing, always visually breathtaking, this film was one were i left the theater feeling overwhelmed as if the film itself had permeated my consciousness. as opposed to wondering what it was about, all i could think of was how much it affected me.

9. Casino Royale - the latest bond flick was stripped of all the outrageous gimmicks that had held down and limited many of the recent 007 entries and what was left was the origins of the man whose last name is synonomous with action. daniel craig’s portrayal while perhaps not as iconic as connery’s will eventually be considered (in my opinion) the most complex and satisfying of anyone to ever utter the words, “bond, james bond.”

8. Letters From Iwo Jima - the second of two films by clint eastwood about the assault of the small island in the south pacific was another example of eastwood’s mastery of minimalist filmmaking. the story was moving, the stark, desaturated cinematography was beautiful and a perfect compliment to the subject matter. and in contrast to flags of our fathers, letters never strayed too far from the heart of the story with its structure and flashbacks and therefore was able to maintain a narrative flow much more engaging and satisfying then before.

7. Borat - easily the funniest film of the year, and perhaps in a while. sacha baron cohen’s portrayl is part sketch comedy, part improv, and part peformance art. by using his simple minded borat as a juxtaposition to those he interacts with, cohen turns a mirror on the society we live in to expose the comedy of outrageousness that exists among us throughout all slices of life.

6. Dreamgirls - a flashy, stylish, and mesmerizing musical that leaves you wanting to clap after perfomances as if you were seeing them live. the acting and singing are impressive and at times amazing, bill condon’s second venture into the film world of musicals (chicago) is far more successful in execution and enjoyable in all aspects then he he was previously able to accomplish, leaving dreamgirls as my favorite musical this side of moulin rouge.

5. The Descent - pure, unadulterated horror the classic way. with more attention paid to substance over style (not that it lacks in that department either), the descent is a film that leaves you on the edge of your seat and terrified and not just because of the monsters.

4. The Departed - classic scorsese. this top notch ensemble cast execute the remake of the hong kong action thriller “infernal affairs” impeccably. whether or not the film leads to scorsese receiving his first directing oscar is irrelevant, what it has proven is that he is still capable of making thrilling, violent, and complex films that leave you completely satisfied.

3. Little Children - full of oscar caliber performances, this adaptation of tom perrotta’s book of the same name (also the author of election) is an audacious, disturbing and darkly humorous take on difficult subject matter (including infedility and pedophilia). director todd field employs the use of a dry voice over that is one of the most effective uses of the technique (ironically enough, or perhaps not) this side of Election. with an end result being a film that is an unflinching and unscathing dissection of the darker sides that can be found in corners of the insulated worlds most people inhabit.

2. Brick - the most original vision of any film i saw this past year. rian johnson’s modern day noir set in and around the world of high school uses the conventions of classic noir but inserts them into a world that allows for his characters to exist in a setting that is not bound by the same constrictions often found in the genre. the story, the language, and the characters are at once familiar but also distinctly original. the result is refreshing, engaging, and intense.

1. United 93 - hands down the best film of the year. in my opinion if paul greengrass’s docudrama about the passengers aboard the september 11 flight that crashed in pennsylvania doesn’t get nominated and win best picture it will be a travesty. the film is gripping, brave, terrifying, and heart-wrenching all at once. though the outcome is set before we even begin to watch, we never for a moment stop hoping that perhaps the ending will not be what we already know to be true. the cinema verite style only adds to the tension and impact of this portrayal of the final hours of the lives of american citizens who upon the realization of their fates stood tall and made the ultimate sacrifice in answering the challenges that many people (not just americans) have faced throughout history in order to help ensure that a life of freedom for future generations is not only possible, but appreciated and embraced.

okay…happy new year to everyone reading…be safe and i wish you all a wonderful and healthy 2007. see you next year.