THUS FAR... Your Favorite Film(s) Released in 2006!

[superduperhero]

While there are still about two and a half months left in the year of 2006, here's a thread dedicated to the best cinema released this year that you experienced in theaters or caught later on glorious DVD!

I myself am not entirely certain what my favorite movie of the year is at this point... It's probably THE DEPARTED, but there are a few other films that I'm going to have to revisit soon to compare.

1. The Departed
Can't say enough good things about this film. It managed to be one of the most entertaining films I've seen in the last few years while at the same time never losing it's integrity. No small feat for a film these days. Top notch acting, directing, and everything else make this film (most likely) my favorite film of the year thus far...

2. United 93
I was beyond 'moved' by this film. The film was a raw and visceral take on one particular event on 9/11. I don't cry during movies, by the time the passengers put into effect their plan... I was bawling like a baby. Thank god my roommates weren't around that night. If it were up to me, Paul Greengrass would be allowed to make any and every movie he wants for the rest of his days.

3. Little Miss Sunshine
A jem of an independent film that surprised the sh!!t out of me when I saw it. An incredibly simple, yet illuminating and hysterical, script is just one highlight of this well acted and shot film. Abigail Breslin showed how superior she was to Dakota Fanning with this one role; Paul Dano showed that he's going to be one to watch in the upcoming years in any genre of film; Steve Carrell showed that he's not going to be Will Ferrell, he is a true actor of layers and complexities than is capable of many different characters; Greg Kinnear showed that with this and The Matador, he's hollywood's best kept secret; Alan Arkin just showed us how friggin' funny and amazing he still is; and finally Toni Collette is still determined to show the world how vast and unmatched her range as an actress is.

If you haven't seen Little Miss Sunshine, go find it and see it. It's independent filmmaking at it's most enjoyable and accesible.

4. V for Vendetta

I don't think I have to say too much about this film. It's great, it's affecting, and it's here to stay. Thank you, Watchowski Bros. (or is one of them a sister now? i dunno) for putting your man McTeigue on the film and cooking up a script that is powerful, intelligent, and fun.

5. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Not out yet, caught a preview screening last week. Funniest movie I've seen this year. It's hysterical. Sacha Baron Cohen is a brilliant comedian and is going to be going on to VERY BIG THINGS!!!

6. Monster House
I love The Goonies. I loved Monster House. It's a thrilling fun movie that's jam packed with 80's style humor that doesn't pander to the thought that the youth isn't sophisticated enough to enjoy some rather silly, but intelligent, jokes. It's a blast, an imperfect one, but a blast all the same.


I've still got a lot of films to catch up on and I'm seeing: The Fountain, Dead Man's Shoes, Thank You For Smoking, The Last King of Scotland, Infamous, and The Prestige very very soon...

So this list may change in a week or two.

What are your favorites of the year?

Pretty much the same except Borat so i will replace it with The Descent....

 

[JackBauer]

Pan's Labyrinth
The Fountain
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Art School Confidential
Superman Returns
Inside Man
Hollywoodland
Brick

the following were from last year, but were only released here in Brazil this year.

Match Point
Hard Candy
The Matador

damn... only now do I realise just how bad the year has been for mainstream Hollywood blockbusters.

 

[Threshold]

Hills Have Eyes

Typically I'm not one for slaughterhouse horror flicks. But, this one was good. Seemed like it went back to the old school. That's one of the things that I loved about, seemed like I was seeing a 70s horror film in theaters. I mean, come on- anybody else remember that rocking guitar theme for the heroe's return?

I'm right there with you on this one. While not 'best of the year' material, it made a fan outta me and I don't like horror flicks.

 

[Jasmine]

Fearless
The Illusionist
Superman Returns
POTC 2
Cars
Devil Wears Prada
V for Vendetta
Talledaga Knights

 

[thedeadite]

it was teh year 2006...i was in an actual movie theatre for the first time since revenge of the sith...there were snakes....there was a plane...and the snakes...were ON the plane...

 

[The Chairman]

The Departed is easily the best film to come out so far this year. It was a real treat to see a movie of this artistic magnitude hit theatres in the wake of incredible crapfests that have graced cinemas this year. Of course, considering the incomparable amount of talent both behind and in front of the camera, it shouldn't come as a shock. If this one doesn't take at least one big award (Scorsese better win this time), than the world lacks true justice.

And shame on the people mentioning the remake of The Omen. Here's to hoping that Gregory Peck (R.I.P.) haunts you in your sleep.

 

[blind_fury]

V for Vendetta

 

[JLBats]

The Departed is easily the best film to come out so far this year. It was a real treat to see a movie of this artistic magnitude hit theatres in the wake of incredible crapfests that have graced cinemas this year. Of course, considering the incomparable amount of talent both behind and in front of the camera, it shouldn't come as a shock. If this one doesn't take at least one big award (Scorsese better win this time), than the world lacks true justice.

And shame on the people mentioning the remake of The Omen. Here's to hoping that Gregory Peck (R.I.P.) haunts you in your sleep.

Ga-AW-d, why do you talk like that?

 

[The Chairman]

Ga-AW-d, why do you talk like that?

Because I can.

 

[JLBats]

Because I can.

Seriously, though, dude, it makes you come like a 7 year old trying to walk in mommy's high heels.

You sound like you're self consciously trying to sound like a film geek, not a person who just happens to love movies.

Someone comes up to me in real life and says "Blah blah is a landmark, a brilliant piece of cinema. Of course, this was to be expected, since blah blah is an amazing director with a master mind for subtlety and intense shades of nuance" I would punch him in the face.

Every one of your opinions sounds like it comes out of a textbook

Or, maybe it comes out of "Sounding Smart for Dummies" or "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pretension".

Sh-uh-YEESH, dude.

Just go with it. We get it. You know a lot. It's cool. I'm sure one day it'll like... come in handy

 

[The Chairman]

Seriously, though, dude, it makes you come like a 7 year old trying to walk in mommy's high heels.

You sound like you're self consciously trying to sound like a film geek, not a person who just happens to love movies.

Someone comes up to me in real life and says "Blah blah is a landmark, a brilliant piece of cinema. Of course, this was to be expected, since blah blah is an amazing director with a master mind for subtlety and intense shades of nuance" I would punch him in the face.

Every one of your opinions sounds like it comes out of a textbook

Or, maybe it comes out of "Sounding Smart for Dummies" or "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pretension".

Sh-uh-YEESH, dude.

Just go with it. We get it. You know a lot. It's cool. I'm sure one day it'll like... come in handy

I don't need you to evaluate me or the way I express my opinions on thing I'm passionate about. For you to actually take the time to write that is quite sad. I don't need you to change me.

 

[JLBats]

I don't need you to evaluate me or the way I express my opinions on thing I'm passionate about.

I know when I'm passionate about something, I'm dry, clinical and textbook about it. After all, incredible lack of excitement and some big words=I. Like. The. Right. Things.

For you to actually take the time to write that is quite sad.

Pfft.

I really don't care whether me expressing something is "sad". You come off as shallow and incredibly self conscious.

You're kind of like that kid in school who used to always get the knock offs of the latest fad. He'd go back to the store and come back all "Guys, are THESE the right ones?! Do I like the right things?! LOVE ME!!"

lol

Admittedly, it's not certain that you actually feel this way. But it IS certain that you come off that way. Very few people describe how much they like or dislike something in such a rote, by the numbers way. Even your love of Scarlett feels to me like it's somehow you acting the way you're "supposed" to act and liking the things you're "supposed" to like.

I've never seen someone feel so entirely bored and apathetic about the things he "likes".

I don't need you to change me.

I'm not trying to. Just a trend I've noticed.

 

[The Chairman]

I know when I'm passionate about something, I'm dry, clinical and textbook about it. After all, incredible lack of excitement and some big words=I. Like. The. Right. Things.



Pfft.

I really don't care whether me expressing something is "sad". You come off as shallow and incredibly self conscious.

You're kind of like that kid in school who used to always get the knock offs of the latest fad. He'd go back to the store and come back all "Guys, are THESE the right ones?! Do I like the right things?! LOVE ME!!"

lol

Admittedly, it's not certain that you actually feel this way. But it IS certain that you come off that way. Very few people describe how much they like or dislike something in such a rote, by the numbers way. Even your love of Scarlett feels to me like it's somehow you acting the way you're "supposed" to act and liking the things you're "supposed" to like.

I've never seen someone feel so entirely bored and apathetic about the things he "likes".



I'm not trying to. Just a trend I've noticed.

JLBats, I've always liked you, you really are one of my favorite people here, but when you lay this pyschological bull**** or whatever you want to call it on me, it's a bit annoying.

 

[JLBats]

JLBats, I've always liked you, you really are one of my favorite people here, but when you lay this pyschological bull**** or whatever you want to call it on me, it's a bit annoying.

Meh. Whatever. Maybe I'm wrong.

I don't think I am, but I suppose it's a possibility.

 

[Threshold]

Let's all chill out. Someone wants to needlessly use big words, let 'em. Doesn't hurt anyone.

 

[MulligaN Stew]

^Formidable diction cloaks the holes within an argument. :whistles:

My favorite films this year:

The Departed
Little Miss Sunshine
The Proposition
Fearless
Inside Man

 

[The Chairman]

Meh. Whatever. Maybe I'm wrong.

I don't think I am, but I suppose it's a possibility.

You are wrong. I'll have you know I've never been into anything the other kids in my social environment enjoy, so you're whole argument about me desparately trying to go along with the latest fad is null and void. I myself am pretty much the only kid in my school with full time internet access who doesn't have a Myspace account, despite constant peer pressure to get one.

And I do genuinely feel a level of affection for Scarlett Johansson. I'll admit, it coems across as forced sometimes, but I can assure that I'm not merely fawning over her just for attention.

And yes, I'm a bit self-conscious. I've had an inferiority complex since I was young. I'd explain why, but I'd rather not discuss them here since they are personal. I'd be perfectly okay discussing them within the confines of a pm.

 

[BloodyWolverine]

Pirates Of The Caibbean: Dead mans Chest.

This movie was the great bloackbuster of the year as i was expecting. I don't think its as good as pirates 2 but its easily the best summer movie by far. I did expect more but i can live with the finished product and consider its a very good trilogy and will add this to my dvd list.

X-Men The Last Stand.

So many disliked this installment and everyone is entitled to there own opinions but i thaught it wasn't all that bad. It was a very entertaining action ride. Did not care for the deaths but by far the best cgi work of all 3 movies.

V For Vendetta.

Easily the best comic book movie of the year and what can you say about Weaving for his stage experiance was taylor made to play the almost phantom of the opera type of character.

The Inside Man.

This movie never seemed to take off but i kinda liked it. Its one of those complicated movies but loved the casting in it.

The Departed.

Most likely a major front runner for an oscar movie. This movie had a great cast and really good actors. Nice to see Jack back in a villain role. Not a big Dicario fan but he did ok.

Underworld Evolution.

Far from being a oscar movie contender but this was simply this years best pop corn flick. A wathcible action horror flick. Kate in her outfit does help but i just like the characters and Bill Nighya nd any form is good.

The Da Vinci Code.

One of those incidences were the book is better then the movie but i didn't see it as the years worst movie. I'll ahve to rent again on dvd but i just like Ron Howards apparent touch to any movie he does. You can watch and tell a Ron howard movie.

 

[Shuley]

In No Order...
1) The Departed...best film of the year so far!
2) Little Miss Sunshine...Why can't they make comedies like this more often?
3) V For Vendetta...I liked it more than I thought I was gonna.
4) Clerks 2...Wicked Funny and nice story as well.
5) HollywoodLand...very good film,one of the better films in the first half of the year to come out.

 

[Rac]

Hmm, let's see. In alphabetical order.

Grandma's Boy. Very funny.
Gweomul (The Host). This is just one of the best monster movies ever.
Lucky Number Slevin. This came from nowhere and was very good surprise.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. I dig it. Though I hated the cannibal island sequence.
A Scanner Darkly. This was freaking great! Love RDJr.
Superman Returns. Better than people say.
Underworld: Evolution. Like teh best.
Volver. Almodóvar knows what he's doing.

I love V for Vendetta too, but it was first screened at some festival in 2005 so practically it's not a 2006 movie...

I could add El Laberinto del Fauno to the list also, but it was bit of a disappointment.

 

[PowersOfMind]

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest- I loved this film. I saw it eight times when it was in theaters(or maybe it was more I really cant remember). December and the dvd cant come soon enough. Hands

2.Thank You for Smoking- If you havent seen it please...please do.

3.V for Vedetta- Hands down another of the best films I have seen in years

4.Inside Man
5.X3
6.The Decent
7.Match Point

And the list goes on and on.

 

[Threshold]

In No Order...
1) The Departed...best film of the year so far!
2) Little Miss Sunshine...Why can't they make comedies like this more often?
3) V For Vendetta...I liked it more than I thought I was gonna.
4) Clerks 2...Wicked Funny and nice story as well.
5) HollywoodLand...very good film,one of the better films in the first half of the year to come out.

Damn fine list, Hollywoodland wouldn't make it on mine, but Affleck's performance was one hell of a surprise.

 

[Cyrusbales]

Seriously, though, dude, it makes you come like a 7 year old trying to walk in mommy's high heels.

You sound like you're self consciously trying to sound like a film geek, not a person who just happens to love movies.

Someone comes up to me in real life and says "Blah blah is a landmark, a brilliant piece of cinema. Of course, this was to be expected, since blah blah is an amazing director with a master mind for subtlety and intense shades of nuance" I would punch him in the face.

Every one of your opinions sounds like it comes out of a textbook

Or, maybe it comes out of "Sounding Smart for Dummies" or "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pretension".

Sh-uh-YEESH, dude.

Just go with it. We get it. You know a lot. It's cool. I'm sure one day it'll like... come in handy

lol, yet again, I am amused by JLBats, thanks, good point also, maybe a little pretencious though, but what they hey...

 

[Matt]

Snakes on a Plane. The most fun I've had at a theater since 2003.

 

[Nivek]

The Departed- maybe it's because i'm Irish, but i really, really liked it, thought it was the best Mob film I've seen about irish gangs in a while, if ever.

V for Vendetta- Met my exspectaition, then surpassed them. Excellent performances and direction.

Crank- Caught it on a whim, and was probobly the most fun I've had watching a movie in the theatre in a while.

I've seen others films this year that are good, but as far as films i can see watching again and again, those are my top 3.

Favorable Mention: Superman Returns, Pirates 2, Inside Man, Clerks 2, and whatever else I enjoyed that I'm failing to mention. These are films to me that were a solid 8/10. Those 3 on top were above that. I know some wont rate that highly of Crank, but screw ya, it's my taste!