Apostrophe S

Clive Owen dodges a bullet (a bomb, actually) early in “Children of Men.”

I know, it’s already a week into 2007. But I saw “Children of Men” today, and I thought to myself that it was one of the best movies I’d seen in the past year. (And I count “Children of Men” as a 2006 movie.) This led me to reflect on the movies released in 2006 that I’d seen. Well, I’ve assembled a list, in order of their release, with a short paragraph about how I felt about each one. I’ve also included links to any entries that I may have written regarding them as well.

“Thank You for Smoking”

This movie was highly entertaining. It was a moral tongue-in-cheek tale that didn’t try to preach or make you believe anything. The characters just presented absurdities that were all too close to reality. Plus it had an amazingly well-designed opening credits sequence. Three stars. (Out of four.) [entry]

“V for Vendetta”

I managed to read the Alan Moore trade paperback before I saw this movie. Despite Moore’s misgivings, I thought the thrust of the adaptation was faithful. I was even more impressed with Hugo Weaving’s ability to portray a character whose face is never seen. And anything with John Hurt’s wrinkled, angry visage filling a 40-foot screen can’t be all bad. Three stars. [entry]

“Lonesome Jim”

I swear I was anticipating this movie for about three years. Although I like Casey Affleck, and I was looking forward to seeing Steve Buscemi’s directorial talent, the real reason I wanted to see this movie is because it was based and shot in the county in Indiana which I grew up in. Three and a half stars. [entry]

“Inside Man”

I honestly can’t name one Spike Lee joint that would make any top lists of mine. This one was no exception. Good performances, good cinematography and good directing all added up to a rather mediocre movie. I can’t really explain why. That may also explain why it went unmentioned in my blog. A star and half.

“The Sentinel”

Another totally enjoyable but ultimately forgettable thriller that Michelle and I caught on a weekend matinée. It moved like an extended episode of “24,” and the presence of Kiefer Sutherland went a long way toward that illusion. Probably wouldn’t have been worth it at full price. Two stars.

“The Lost City”

Another quality flick. Andy Garcia created a moving and beautiful period piece about the revolution in Cuba through the eyes of a night club owner who could probably care less about revolution.

“The Proposition”

One of my favorite films of 2006, this Western was set in the Australian outback in what I guess was the late 19th Century. A gritty (in every sense of the word) tale about a ruthless gang member who agrees to betray his equally ruthless brother in exchange for the life of yet another, slightly less ruthless, brother. It’s nice to watch the unscrupulous man finally grow some scruples. Four stars. [entry]

“An Inconvenient Truth”

The best Powerpoint presentation I saw all year. No, seriously. (Stars are irrelevant.)

“X-Men: The Last Stand”

Honestly, this movie had way too many characters. No one character got to be on screen long enough to make an impact. Plus there were huge plot points that challenged my ability to suspend disbelief. In the end, though, this concluded (maybe) one of the best series of comic book adaptations yet. Two stars.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”

This both lived up to the hype and kind of disappointed me at the same time. It had everything I was expecting in a sequel to a movie based on a theme park ride. But not much more. The movie got a lot of crap for not just being two and a half hours of Johnny Depp acting like a gay pirate. But I actually liked the added intricacies of the plot. Overall, this movie kind of felt like Disney shaking its moneymaker. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it. Two and a half stars. [entry]

“Little Miss Sunshine”

Another top selection from the year. It might seem like your typical road trip movie, but this one has both intelligence and heart. That’s hard to come by these days.

“Miami Vice”

Michelle may tease me for liking it, but I enjoyed the grittiness of this adaptation of the ’80s TV show. I only wish they would have included some of the humor from the series.

“Hollywoodland”

When I thought “The Black Dahlia” looked like the best mystery available, Michelle suggested that we go see this one. I hadn’t really heard much about this film, but I’m glad we checked it out. A totally enjoyable mystery. And a performance by Ben Affleck that wasn’t annoying.

“The Departed”

This movie almost had to be good. Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio and scores of others. It did not disappoint. Another one in the top five for the year. Three and a half stars.

“The Prestige”

I’ll pretty much watch anything that Christopher Nolan directs. Then add Batman and Wolverine as dueling illusionists against a Charles Dickens-esque backdrop, and you can’t go wrong. Three stars. [entry]

“Borat”

Probably the funniest movie I saw this year. If you saw it, you probably liked it. If you haven’t yet seen it, then I won’t spoil anything for you. [entry]

“Casino Royale”

A fantastic way to “relaunch” the somewhat stale Bond series. And that’s coming from a huge Bond fan who’s seen each entry in the series at least three times. Daniel Craig basically got rid of everything that Bond stood for for the last 40 years, and only pulled back the elements that weren’t silly or stupid. Fleming’s gritty Bond was brought back. Thank goodness. Three stars. (I’m surprised I didn’t write about seeing this. I wrote a bunch about the buildup.)

“Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny”

“Taste my lightning, fuckers!”

Sorry, this may not make any lists for the year, but I laughed my ass off. Three stars.

“The Fountain”

I missed the first few minutes of this movie for some reason, but I’ll probably pick up the DVD once it’s released. Seriously, this movie dazzled and even moved me a little. The story was good, but it was the visuals that got me. Go Darren Aronofsky. Three and a half stars.

“The Good Shepherd”

Another quality Matt Damon performance. I enjoyed it, although toward the end I had more questions than answers. I won’t say the movie bored me, but it definitely lacks the impact of some of the other films I’ve seen this year. Three stars.

“Children of Men”

Again, I have been looking forward to this movie for quite some time. I was disappointed earlier this year when the release date was pushed back from late September to Christmas Day. And then I was disappointed again when I realized that the Christmas Day release was in “select cities,” which Bend is not. So finally the movie came here this weekend, and it did not disappoint. Easily the best movie I’ve seen released this year.

Basically, the year is 2027 and no new humans have been born for 18 years. In response, the world starts to come apart, and when Theo (Clive Owen) is asked to help a woman who is somehow pregnant, he steps up in the way only great men can, I suppose. Be sure not to miss this one. Four stars, and then some.