So Laremy rattled off with his opinion here, so why wouldn’t I spout about what I have loved enjoyed so far this 2006?
I am going to rattle off several titles that disappointed me this year, ten films that make my current top ten (three of which I certainly doubt will be on my list come the end of the year) and finally a list of films I am most looking forward to as we come to the final four months of the year. Let’s begin…
Night Watch
This Russian thriller fizzled on impact, while the story is intriguing far too little happens in this first installment in the trilogy that I have now grown to expect a lot from the follow-up Day Watch or I won’t be at all interested in seeing the third in the franchise.
Lucky Number Slevin
Laremy’s rave review and a cool cast of characters really had me expecting this one to be good, and I will admit the first half of the film is fantastic. Unfortunately the final half of the film needlessly explains the first half. Boring is the best way to describe the final 45 minutes considering the intriguing first 45.
American Dreamz
Wowser, this one went all kinds of wrong didn’t it? Who forgot to bring the funny? This movie had so much potential. I mean, come on, we are making fun of the president and “American Idol,” what more do you need?
Superman Returns
Who knew a superhero movie could actually be this boring? Especially one that starts off with the Man of Steel in quite the heroic moment at the very git-go. Then it all falls down. Humpty Dumpty style. However, I almost didn’t include this as a disappointment, I didn’t expect enough from this movie for it to be disappointing.
X-Men: The Last Stand
One final superhero movie if I may, and I will say I didn’t think this was as much of a disappointment until I just screened the DVD. X3 certainly doesn’t have the staying power X2 had.
A Scanner Darkly
The trailer looked amazing, the movie was anything but. A Scanner Darkly puts you in the mind of a drug addict and guess what… that life is not too appealing. I think I’ll stay clean and sober.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
The highly comical trailers are what makes this probably the most disappointing movie of my year so far. Why show all the funny bits in 2:30 minute long trailers? That might not sound like a lot, but 95-percent of the punch lines are ruined thanks to marketing material that got asses in seats, but this ass wasn’t laughing.
10. World Trade Center
Simply put, great movie, A-range material, won’t watch it again.
9. Thank You for Smoking
This is the wittiest film of the year so far. I laughed my ass off in the theater and am curious to see if I will do the same once I screen the DVD I just got. My only concern is that this one is too witty for its own good and will lose the funny the second time around… We’ll see very soon.
8. The Proposition
Not many people saw this and I caught it on a screener, but it is a very good western and proves Guy Pearce needs more roles in Hollywood. Let’s think about it… Memento, The Count of Monte Cristo and a nice little role a while back in L.A. Confidential. This guy has the goods, let’s see more of him. Oh yeah, and Ray Winstone is good in this one too.
7. Running Scared
Might want to call this one the shocker of the year as Paul Walker works perfectly in this brutal and violent crime flick you have to see.
6. Inside Man
I was not a fan of this movie after seeing it in the theaters, but after seeing it again on DVD (three times) I can say I am a bonafide fan. While it is likely to drop to ninth or tenth position come year end it will remain a favorite of 2006.
5. The Descent
Best horror of the year and if Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning doesn’t satisfy I expect it to be the best of the year.
4. Mission: Impossible III
Shut up all you Tom Cruise haters and critics that jumped on the bandwagon! M:I III was a great movie and I loved every minute of it and will do the same on HD DVD come October. Oh yeah, and I am not a scientologist… not that there’s anything wrong with it.
3. The Devil Wears Prada
An easy film to watch over and over again. This flick is made for DVD and entertains to the fullest. Oh yeah, and Meryl Streep will be getting an Oscar nom… I think… Last I heard Fox is pushing for a lead actress nom, not wise… not wise.
2. Lady in the Water
Once again I must tell naysayers to shut up! Gain some imagination and you will love this movie as much as I did. I completely fall under the Lady‘s spell and will do so once this film hits home video.
1. V for Vendetta
Easily the best movie of the year so far and I don’t see much in the future to knock it off this top spot. Fantastic dialogue and a performance by Hugo Weaving that deserves an Oscar, an honorary one at least. Come on Academy let’s see this through!
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Hard Candy, Underworld: Evolution and The Break-Up
Still looking Forward to… (Click title more info!)
The Covenant: I don’t know why, maybe it is because it looks a lot like The Lost Boys.
Children of Men: The footage I saw at Comic Con sold me on this one. Oh, and Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and director Alfonso Cuarón also make it much easier to buy.
Little Children: Did you see this trailer yet? Why not? Clicky here and you will see why this one is on my list.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning: Hoping for one more good horror because it looks like The Grudge 2 is going to be a pooper.
The Departed: Hmmm, Scorsese, Nicholson, DiCaprio, Damon, Sheen, Farmiga, Wahlberg and Baldwin.
Breaking and Entering: Anthony Minghella has to have another good one under his belt.
The Prestige: Another film that sold me with the trailer.
Flags of Our Fathers: Clint Eastwood wants another Oscar and this one might be the one to give it to him.
Running with Scissors: Heard great things about the book and an intriguing story makes this one an interesting choice.
A Good Year: Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott team together for a trip to the vineyards of Italy. Can’t wait. Seriously.
Casino Royale: Hoping Bond can be re-energized. I don’t think it will happen, but my fingers are crossed.
Apocalypto: Mel Gibson hates some people. Unfortunately I am falling in the trap of wanting to see his next film nonetheless.
The Blood Diamond: DiCaprio, Connelly and Hounsou directed by Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai), another film that draws me in using some talented names.
Eragon: What is all the fuss about? I have to know.
The Pursuit of Happyness: This one is going to be heartbreaking, I just wish I knew why they spelled happiness with a Y?
Rocky Balboa: I just love Rocky, nothing more to it.
Curse of the Golden Flower: If it is as good as House of Flying Daggers I am sold. Zhang Yimou has a classic look and if you don’t believe me check out the trailer here.
There you have it, if you haven’t read Laremy’s list yet check it out here.
