Movie Minutiae - Johnny Betts' Best of 2006
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2006 was not rife with overwhelming examples of great cinema. Compared to 2005, it was a pretty big disappointment. In 2005, I
saw four movies that I gave a full five marks to (Cinderella Man,
The Chronicles of Narnia,
Batman Begins, and
Revenge of the Sith). 2006? Zero.
But that doesn't mean it was a year completely void of artistic merit. Keep in mind that some of the movies I've
included in the honorable mention list could be interchangeable with some in the Top 10 list. I'd have to watch each of these
again to determine which ones hold up the most effectively.
There are other films I haven't seen yet, such as Children of Men, that might make the list once I get around to
watching them. Therefore, I reserve the right to change this list in the future.
I have some choices on this list that some of you might not agree with. I definitely have some choices that the majority
of "mainstream" critics won't agree with. But that's how I like it. I'm big on story, dialogue, originality, and
creativity. But most importantly, I just want to be entertained. I don't care how gorgeous the cinematography is, if
it's presented in such a way that it bores me then I'm not heaping praise upon it!
What I've tried to do is look back on 2006 and pick the movies I felt entertained me the most, offered me something different
than the norm, and that I'd most enjoy watching again. The chronological order isn't an exact science because, as I alluded
to earlier, some of these might change positions depending on my mood.
Here's the list. Feel free to agree.
Click on the movie title for my review and laugh all over again.
10. TIE - Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
"Cars hit the starting line with a disadvantage. I didn't greet it with a warm
smile. I crossed my arms, furrowed my brow, and dared it to prove my preconceived notions wrong.
It proceeded to exceed my expectations."
There just weren't that many films released this year that were thoroughly entertaining that could also be recommended to the
entire family. Cars and Pirates are the two that most fit that bill. A
couple of Summer blockbusters designed simply to dazzle and entertain the entire family, and in that regard they certainly
succeeded.
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"Abandoning the temptation to deliver a consistently uproarious comedy romp, The
Break-Up deliberately balances itself with dramatic conflict, and gives us something a little different than what
Hollywood has forced us to become accustomed to."
I'm just as shocked as you are that this made my final list. And hey, if I made the list tomorrow then I might be in a different
mood and substitute it with something else. But what I really liked about this movie is that it made a conscious effort to
deliver a comedy about relationships in a realistic manner and refused to pander to conventionalism.
Plus, Vince Vaughn is the man! There weren't that many really good comedies in 2006, so this gets credit for rising above the
rest.
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"What Shyamalan has done is created his own fairy tale, complete with his own original mythology, original creatures, and
original characters, and I enjoyed every minute of it."
This is another film whose entry on my list might cause a little controversy. Good. So be it. Most critics hated the
film. Audience reactions were very mixed. But I have no shame in stating that I saw what Shyamalan was going for, and
I appreciated it.
Still one of 2006's most original movies, Lady in the Water
accomplished the tough task of being quirky and silly without ever feeling completely stupid.
I don't care what anybody else says, this is on my list to stay.
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7. Invincible
Look, I'm a sucker for inspirational sports stories, all right? I've been an athlete my whole life, I watch sports
frequently, and I just really appreciate a good movie based on a sports-related story, especially if it's based on
true events.
There were several solid entries in the genre this year - Glory Road,
Rocky Balboa, The
Gridiron Gang, We Are Marshall - but the one that
tugged on my ever-softening heart strings the most was Invincible.
I admit it - it made my eyes sweat a couple of times. And Mark Wahlberg is quickly becoming one of the more dependable
actors I can count on to deliver an entertaining time at the movies.
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"How do you take a story about a real-life man who slowly learns his life is some weird product of fiction and make it
work? How do you deliver a satisfying ending to such a perplexing structure? Well, I had the same questions. I didn't know if
it'd pull it off, but it does, and all I can say, without giving too much away, is the proof is in the viewing."
It's clever, original, funny, AND it delivers a satisfying ending. This is easily Will Ferrell's best performance, and it's
the creative type of film that I hope we see more of.
It may be a little too unconventional for some people, but anybody looking for something fresh and different shouldn't be
disappointed.
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"If you like your laughs to come at the expense of smart and clever writing then you obviously like Johnny Betts' work, but
there's also a better-than-average chance you'll enjoy Thank You for
Smoking."
I love my political satire clever, wry, and a little dark, and Thank You for
Smoking delivers on all counts. It scoffs at the restrictions of political correctness and takes the time to poke fun
at all sides.
Aaron Eckhart is fantastic, and his performance here has greatly raised my excitement for The Dark Knight considering
he'll be playing Harvey "Two-Face" Dent.
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"The dialogue is smart and funny, the characters demonstrate believable chemistry, and the script is cleverly written."
Like I said earlier, I'm big on story and dialogue, and Inside Man is one
of 2006's best in regard to both. Fast-paced thrills and exciting action are fine, but sometimes I just want a
deliberately-paced film that isn't scared to focus on story and character development.
Lots of movies, particularly those of the "heist" variety, offer the promise of entertaining us with "the perfect crime." This
is one that actually delivers on the promise.
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"It's stylish, it's dark, it's atmospheric, and it's still sportin' that sweet hybrid 'tude."
Scoff at me all you want, and call this an indulgent choice if you must, but I dig this kind of movie when it's done really
well. I'm a fan of the original Underworld, and while this serves as a great companion piece, I think it raises the
stakes on almost every level.
It's my favorite action film of the year, but the fact that it delivered the action within the werewolf/vampire setting
makes it even more appealing. Kate Beckinsale has proven that a woman can both look great in leather and kick massive
amounts of rumpage with equal believability.
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"Scorsese blends a great ensemble cast with the right mix of humor, drama, and non-compromise to produce a gripping,
compelling feature that refuses to leave you indifferent.
"Love it or hate it, it will grab you, and it will force you to formulate an opinion. More than any other movie this year, this is
simply a film that you don't walk away from with a mere shrug of the shoulders or a rolling of the eyes."
There aren't too many movies that could shock me so many times within a 10-minute period AND force me to like Leonardo
DiCaprio in a role. Good job, The Departed.
This is not for the faint of heart, the easily offended, or those that demand fairy tale endings. It's dark, gritty,
and in-your-face. Proceed with caution.
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"Character confrontation handled delicately enough that the resolution is effective without ever feeling like a mere
gimmick? It's a refreshing rarity given the extreme lack of originality and craftsmanship in Hollywood today. Embrace it. Savor
it. We might not see its likes again for another few months."
I already knew I was going to love the combination of Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, and Christopher "The Most Talented
Filmmaker Working Today" Nolan, but what really impressed the most was the story-telling. It's a great story to tell,
but I love that the story itself was framed within the three-part structure of a magic trick.
Upon deep reflection, I determined that it was the most fun I had at the movies in all of 2006, it was the film I was able
to recommend to the widest variety of people, and it was the film that generated the most discussion amongst family and friends.
Add it all together and, for me, The Prestige stands a little above all
the rest.
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Honorable Mention
Casino Royale - "Daniel Craig has done something
that Pierce Brosnan never accomplished - he's made me look forward to the next installment in the series. I think we've found a
new, legitimate action hero. Thanks, Mr. Craig, you've shown me that Bond can rise above sexual escapades and cheesy one-liners.
Bravo!"
Had the third act not been dragged down with the unnecessarily long romance sub-plot, this would have easily made the Top 10.
Silent Hill - "The highest compliment I can pay to
the film is that it kept my eyes glued to the screen the entire time, not wanting to miss a single thing that might jump out of
the shadows. Much like Jessica Biel's tight jeans in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, that's just how attractive this film is to
look at."
Silent Hill definitely boasted one of the year's creepiest and most
effectively atmospheric settings. It just needed a little fine-tuning on the story and it would've been a stronger
contender.
Lucky Number Slevin - "As far as style goes we
need more movies like this that put forth a little extra effort to be cooler, more clever, and smarter than their peers."
Hollywoodland - "This is exactly the kind of murder
mystery that appeals to me - it's based on a true story, there's enough suspicion to make you doubt the 'actual findings,' and it
plays out dramatically enough to engage your attention from beginning to end."
Gridiron Gang - "Not every film has to be a deep,
insightful masterpiece of epic proportions with layers and layers of social commentary and 'vertiginous fluidity.' Some movies
are simply made to entertain. What's wrong with giving the audience something to cheer?"
The Illusionist
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