Top 10 Films of 2006

From the top of my head, top 10 of 2006 (which i've already seen of course):


1. Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo Del Toro)
Ofelia was just 11 years old. She lived in a constant nightmare, trapped between the raging civil war, a sadistic step-father, and a possibility to lose her only sanctuary, her mother due to terminal pregnancy. In all that, she found Pan's Labyrinth that led her to the netherworld, a world of fantasy, fairies, faun, and a pale man. Sounds like a children's book story eh? Not. The film was rated R (restricted), i had told you about a sadistic step-father and i mean it, sadistic, with a clear display of surprisingly graphic violence. But for those of you who seek for an entertaining story with great story-telling from a wickedly genius storyteller, this one's for you. And i particularly love the ending. Further, since you won't be seeing it in a theater nearby, i suggest go get the DVD. I've seen the film both at the Jiffest and on DVD, and i savored the taste earnestly in both experiences.

2. The Departed (Martin Scorcese)
I was able to judge the film entirely independent from it's original (Infernal Affairs). Many guys i know, always seem to compare this flick with Infernal Affairs. Well, i say, i feel sorry for them. I love everything from this film, it's score, it's magnificent cast (Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, even Marky Mark!), it's execution, and so forth. However, i refused to juxtapose this film with Infernal Affairs. For it won't be fair, since i've been and always be Martin Scorcese's fan.

3. Babel (Alejandro Gonzales Innaritu)
Though the Japan story-arc out-weighed the other story-arcs, the film stands above most with its non-linear story, subtle message, and the sense of discovery at the end of the film.

4. The Queen (Stephen Frears)
I expected a yawn, and i ended up wanting more. As much as i love Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren would walk away with her Oscar.

5. Children of Men (Alfonso Cuaron)
Dystopian future always fascinated me. The year was 2027, and the current headline news was, "the death of the youngest person on Earth". He was 18 years old. If these words doesn't piqued your interest at all, don't bother to watch this film.

6. Little Miss Sunshine (Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris)
The best comedy of the year. Heck, the best comedy in YEARS.

7. Casino Royale (Martin Campbell)
There were several reasons of why i put Casino Royale on #7 of my list. One, it was simply the best Bond film, like, ever. Two, it gave me the sense of winning to those who had opposed Mr. Daniel Craig as the new James Bond. And three, well, duh, it's double-o-seven.

8. Miami Vice (Michael Mann)
Say what you will, i loved this film, and nothing you say would change my opinion.

9. Vovler (Pedro Almodovar)
A surprise hit at the Jiffest. I expected to see a lame drama about women, but it turns out to be one hell of a ride with dark humor, strong sense of love without over-exposing it, and (surprisingly) complex mystery that unraveled gradually as the movie unveiled. If you're a strong supporter of feminism, you should see this film. And Penelope Cruz has actually become a formidable opponent at the next Academy Awards.

10. Little Children (Todd Field)
A slow suburban drama which could easily be spanned into a full season (24-episodes) of Desperate Housewives would surely bore the impatient audiences. But, the slow paced didn't go to waste, since the escalating tension at the end of the film surely blows my mind. And that's because the slow paced drama were needed to develop each character (which played beautifully by their respective actors) into a full stature. And it worked. The only problem (at least for me) was, the narrator of the film insists that Kate Winslet was less attractive than Jennifer Connelly. Heh, surely, you expected ME to believe such nonsense?

The rest of the best: Inside Man, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, The Host, The Hills Have Eyes, The Devil Wears Prada, The Descent, The Prestige.

The list were made from the top of my head, with distinction of the #1 and #2 (Pan's Labyrinth and The Departed, respectively), the list were populated randomly. If you've seen a film that you seem worthy enough to replace any of my list, it's simply because: 1. I haven't seen the film, 2. I forgot about its existence, and 3 (and most likely). Your taste of choice didn't agreed with mine.

Upnext, my top 10 of great disappointment of 2006.

PS: This year - 2006 - was especially had seen many great performances from actress. Kate Winslet (Little Children), Helen Mirren (The Queen), Penelope Cruz (Volver), Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal, Babel), Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal, Casino Royale), Rinko Kikuchi (Babel), Merryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada) even - though i hate to admit - Lindsay Lohan (A Prairie Home Companion), and Beyonce Knowles (Dreamgirls).