TOP TEN

 

10.  "Casino Royale"

What it is:  The twenty-first installment of one of entertainment's most successful franchises: James Bond.  There's a new Bond (actor Daniel Craig, perhaps the best Bond yet) and a new seriousness that's in keeping with the post 9/11 world. 

Why it matters:  The producers reinvent and reinvigorate the Bond franchise and put it on course for another decade of top-notch action/adventure. 

 

9.  "World Trade Center"

What it is:  Director Oliver Stone's tribute to the heroic firemen and policemen who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11.  Despite his reputation as a polemicist, Stone is even-handed in telling the story of two cops who survive the collapse of the World Trade Center and are ultimately, and miraculously, pulled from the rubble. 

Why it matters:  We can't be reminded too often of the events of 9/11—another day in our history when "uncommon valor was a common virtue."

 

8.  "Flags of Our Fathers"

What it is: Clint Eastwood's dramatic re-telling of the story of the men who raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima in World War II. 

Why it matters:  Despite Eastwood's decision to focus on the negative—the Treasury Department's shameless exploitation of the iconic flag-raising photo and the surviving flag-raisers—there is enough of the battle to remind us of the sacrifices of an earlier generation of heroes.  In his after-action report on the battle, Admiral Chester Nimitz wrote that on Iwo Jima "uncommon valor was a common virtue."

 

7. "The Departed"

What it is:  Director Martin Scorcese's violent and tense crime drama of two young men risking life and limb while living double lives: one, a cop who's infiltrated the local mob; the other, a mob informer embedded in the police department. 

Why it matters:  The gratuitous violence aside, it features an intriguing story, a director at the top of his game and a trifecta of outstanding performances (Jack Nicholson as a crime boss and Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio as the conflicted moles).

 

6.  "Hollywoodland"

What it is:  A searing examination of the pitfalls of celebrity examines the career of actor George Reeves, the first Superman. 

Why it matters:  A literate script and several fine performances—especially the much-maligned Ben Affleck as Reeves and Diane Lane as his mistress and mentor.

 

5.  "The Queen"

What it is:  An inside look at the week following Princess Diana's death and the behind-the-scenes drama over the official response that pits newly-appointed Prime Minister Tony Blair against Queen Elizabeth II.

Why it matters:  A literate script—that grapples with the timely issue of the modern cult of personality and the timeless issue of the concept of duty—meets several fine performances—none more so than Helen Mirren's spot-on turn as Elizabeth II. 

 

4.  "Dreamgirls"

What it is:  A fictionalized account of the rise of the iconic girl-group The Supremes and Detroit's Motown Records. 

Why it matters:  With irresistible, show-stopping music and several fine performances (Eddie Murphy, Beyonce Knowles, and an Oscar-worthy turn by newcomer Jennifer Hudson), this is a worthy entrant in a long-dormant movie genre.

 

3. "Prairie Home Companion"

What it is:  Director Robert Altman joins forces with Garrison Keillor for this tribute to Keillor's iconic "Prairie Home Companion" radio show.  The movie follows the cast and crew of the radio program as they prepare for and broadcast the program's final episode. 

Why it matters:  With Altman's death on November 21, 2006, this becomes the final movie in a long and illustrious career.  And, it is signature Altman with its stellar ensemble cast, episodic pacing, and gentle cynicism.  A truly unique American talent, Altman will be missed by fans of intelligent cinema.

 

2.  "Little Miss Sunshine" 

What it is: A surprise hit, this charming road movie follows the misadventures of a dysfunctional family on its way to a Little Miss beauty contest in California.  Along with the laughs, the film explores the very serious issue of how such contests exploit children.  

Why it matters: When most of what masquerades as satire these days is mean-spirited and polemical, it's nice to find an intelligent and gently-subversive alternative. 

 

1.  "United 93"

What it is:  Hands down our choice as Best Picture of 2006, it dramatically recreates the events of September 11, 2001.  United Flight 93 was one of the four planes hijacked by Islamic murderers that day and the only one that didn't reach its target.  Instead, the passengers revolted against their captors, stormed the cockpit, and brought the plane down in a Pennsylvania field. 

Why it matters:  Five years on, "United 93" is an eloquent tribute to the heroes of Flight 93 and a powerful reminder of the evil we face.

 

CONTENDERS: HONORABLE MENTION

 

"Marie Antoinette"

What it is:  Director Sophia Coppola's revisionist take on the most famous victim of France's revolutionary guillotine.  Who remembers Louis Roman Numerals?  Robespierre?   But, even the coach who teaches history can quote Marie on dessert.

Why it matters:  Not only does it look and sound great, but it also offers a unique perspective on one of history's most reviled figures.  

 

"The Black Dahlia"

What it is: Film noir on the notorious 1940's L.A. murder and dismemberment of wannabe actress Elizabeth Short. 

Why it matters:  The movie looks unflinchingly at the dark underbelly of southern California's dream factory.  Features solid performances from Josh Hartnett, Hilary Swank, and Mia Kirshner as the vulnerable and tragic Ms. Short.  

 

"Thank You for Smoking"

What it is:  Director Ivan Reitman's debut feature about a lobbyist for the tobacco industry and his battles with sanctimonious and hypocritical foes. 

Why it matters: A satire of political correctness, universal spin, and ubiquitous victimization and the accompanying hypocrisy is always welcome. 

 

"Flyboys"

What it is: "Flyboys" is a fictional account of the American pilots who volunteered to fight for France during the early years of World War I before the U.S. became involved. 

Why it matters:  This won't appear on most other "Best of" lists, but "Flyboys" is included for its seat-of-the-pants recreation of World War I-era aerial combat and for introducing the delectable French actress Jennifer Decker to American audiences. 

 

"Superman Returns"

What it is:  Director Bryan Singer's revival of the Superman franchise.  Brandon Roush plays the caped crusader with boyish charm, but the revelation is a thoroughly-modern Lois Lane (a succulent Kate Bosworth) who's an unwed mother, has a live-in boyfriend, and sneaks out for an occasional nicotine fix. 

Why it matters:  Like James Bond, Superman was an iconic franchise that was running on fumes.  Singer's high-octane production not only puts it back on track but also lays the foundation for future episodes by introducing Superman's son.  

 

PRETENDERS

 

As our regular readers know, we refuse to follow the critical crowd.  We like movies that tell a story coherently and entertainingly.  We don't like hypocrisy, pretentiousness, intellectual dishonestly, or arrogance.  That's why you won't find many of the movies being celebrated by critics and the Hollywood elite on our list.  "Babel," for example, led all 2006 films with seven Golden Globe nominations but we found it disjointed and pretentious.  Other notable pretenders include "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "The Good German," "Bobby," "All the King's Men," and "The Good Shepard,"

 

BETWEEN THE CRACKS

 

Out here in our little corner of Hog Heaven, our movie fare is controlled by a single distributor: National Amusements which operates two Showcase Cinemas in town.  This monopoly leads inevitably to high prices and limited selection.  There are many movies—"The Last King of Scotland," "Don't Come Knocking," "Days of Glory," "Neil Young: Heart of Gold" to name a few—that might have made our list IF they had played here.  Others, like Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima," a companion piece to "Flags of Our Fathers," premiered in New York and L.A. late in the year but have not opened in flyover country.

 

Special Editor's Pick for 2006 - "The War Tapes."  A production company gives three members of the New Hampshire National Guard video cameras during their tour in Iraq.  The result is compelling and an honest look at what happens when normal folks go to war.