:: Oh, Look, A Tumbleweed ::

2006 Top Ten Films!!!! Woo!!!! :: Friday, January 26, 2007 ::

Admit it. You're excited.

This is final, since David Lynch generously released Inland Empire within a three hour drive of me.

1. Inland Empire: Ohmyfuckinggod. Like, so good. This is the film Lynch has been working towards his entire career, when he finally tosses any notion of narrative out of the window and assaults with you bizarre images, terrifying scenes, and general chaos. Someone said this was like Mulholland Dr. on crack, and considering I thought Mulholland Dr. was on crack, I was instantly sold. Well, let me just agree, this is most definitely Mulholland Dr. on crack: Just as bizarre and even makes even less sense, if that's even possible. Oh, and best credit sequence EVER.
2. Marie Antoinette: Duh? First off, it's the only 2006 release I saw more than once in the theatre. Second of all, Kirsten Dunst gives one hell of a performance. Third of all, it's simply amazing.
3. Children of Men: Deserves a spot on any top ten list purely for the cinematography. Those long takes are so complex that it's quite impressive once you realize that they haven't had a single cut
4. Shortbus: Yes, there's actual sex (And a lot of it, at that), but if you let that deter you from seeing the film, you're missing an incredibly powerful film. One of the few films I've seen that flawlessly slips from one genre to a completely different one. The extensive use of "Winter's Love" by Animal Collective definitely doesn't hurt, either.
5. An Inconvenient Truth: There is a genuine urgency in Gore's voice throughout the entire film that takes his message really resonate beyond simple PowerPoint slides
6. Little Children: Wonderful acting and a nice blend of comedy and drama
7. Notes on a Scandal: I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say the only word I can use to describe this film is "delicious". Judi Dench gives the best performance of the year, with Cate Blanchett giving the runner up performance, matching Dench scene for scene.
8. Half Nelson: I think part of the reason this film is so successful is because it understands that the strength of this movie comes from Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps, and Ryan Fleck never forgets this, letting these two anchor the film more than any other aspect. Truly fantastic performances, and an all Broken Social Scene soundtrack certainly doesn't hurt, either.
9. Little Miss Sunshine: It might not be the most technically accomplished film on the list, but it is entertaining. We're going by my criteria, so there we go. On a list of most technically accomplished films, LMS probably wouldn't make it.
10. Casino Royale: This is what James Bond should always be: Gritty, tough, and dangerous.

Honorable Mention: The Prestige

Best Inanimate Object of 2006: The VW Van, Little Miss Sunshine

Past Winners:

2005: The shirts in the closet, Brokeback Mountain
2004: The wine, Sideways
2003: Uma Thurman's Tracksuit, Kill Bill, Vol. 1
2002: Nicole Kidman's Nose, The Hours
2001: The ring, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
2000: Wilson, Castaway
1999: The plastic bag, American Beauty
1998: The tomato quill holder, Shakespeare in Love
1997: The Iceberg, Titanic
1996: The woodchipper, Fargo

:: Nick Friday, January 26, 2007 [+] ::