December 2006
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Best and Worst of 2006
Published 20th December 2006

Best Five:

Pans Labyrinth (15)
November 2006
Simply, the best movie of the year. Hands down. Stunningly realised, this Alice in Wonderland gone wrong transports you to Del Toro’s world where beasties rule in and out of the fantasy realm. The definition of auteur filmmaking, Pan’s is like nothing else released this year. A dark, adult fable it stimulates your mind as well as your eyes by dissecting the horrors of fascism, the perversion of innocence and the brutality of the world all under the guise of a fantasy film, whilst leaving the actual events open to your own interpretation. A masterpiece of moviemaking, Pan’s could only appeal to anyone that was once a child or has ever used their imagination and puts
Potter the pretender and Narnia the no-hoper to shame.
*****

Brick (15)
May 2006
This year’s Donnie Darko (but even better) Brick heralded the arrival of another immensely talented, and young, independent American filmmaker. Clever, intriguing and oh-so compelling, if you can get past the inventive (or is that invented?) slang then a real treat waits in store. Heel it at your peril.
*****

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (15)
November 2006
What new can be said about Borat? The funniest (and most offensive) movie of the year, for 80-ish minutes you won’t believe just how thick some of the general (American) public are. Baron Cohen is a genius and has got his just desserts – a number one box office hit and Golden Globe nomination to boot. “High-five!”
*****

The Last Kiss (15)
October 2006
A random choice, maybe, but The Last Kiss is a film that was thoroughly involving whilst watching and thought-provoking afterwards. Touching, funny and, most importantly, real it also stars one of my idols: Zach Braff. So, yes, I’m biased but I don’t care.
****

Casino Royale (12A)
November 2006
Bond, James Bond goes back to the beginning and emerges buffer and blonder than ever in the shape of the UK’s second best export Daniel Craig (the best being Clive Owen). The series staples are present and correct – theme, tux, car, girls, guns, gadgets – but the OTT-histrionics that plagued Brosnan’s reign are thankfully assassinated. James Bond the redux in one word: brilliant.
****

Honourable Mention:

Crank (18)
September 2006
THE b-movie/guilty pleasure of the year – not bad going considering the release of some little known film about snakes on planes.
****

Worst Five:

Something New (PG)
November 2006
Race relations rom-com. For morons.
*

American Dreamz (12A)
April 2006
A simple film for simple minds, this “satire” showcases the worst Hollywood has to offer.
*

Basic Instinct 2 (18)
March 2006
The most superfluous sequel ever to the most overrated (erotic) thriller ever.
*

Ultraviolet (15)
June 2006
So bad it makes Aeon Flux and Underworld: Evolution (both contenders for this list) look like masterpieces of female-centric action movie making.
*

Black Christmas (15)
December 2006
Derivative and dull (and released just in time to make this list) it’s time for horror remakes (The Fog/When a Stranger Calls) to die a grisly death.
*

Honourable mention:

All The King's Men (12A)
October 2006
Delayed for almost a year, it’s now clear to see why: bloated, full of itself and glory-seeking, with two of the worst performances of 2007 (yes, that’s you Mr. Penn and Mr. Law). Awful.
**

Disclaimer: (Un!?!)fortunately I missed The Covenant, Eragon and The Holiday so therefore they do not qualify for this list. Otherwise…