2006 brought us some great independent films as well as some big time Hollywood productions. The following list is in no particular order and is made to highlight some favorite 2006 movies that are worth checking out.
Volver directed by Pedro Amodovar and starring Penelope Cruz was certainly by anyones standards a terrific movie full of pathos and great acting throughout. It tells the story of a woman who kills her boyfriend to protect her teenaged daughter and then must hide the body while at the same time haunted by the ghost of her dead mother. Original and involving.
The Illusionist with Edward Norton starring as an ill-fated magician is one of the most intriguing of the crop of 2006 movies and just one of several about magicians. The story is great but it is the dark and scary mood that will hold your attention.
Babel by Alejandro Gonzales Irritu and starring Brad Pitt is really engaging and wildly original. Four separate stories blend seamlessly to show what happens during a massive communications breakdown. Tragic and unexpected are words to describe this one of the best 2006 movies.
Apocalypto directed by Mel Gibson was not only one of my favorite 2006 movies but also ranks as one of the best adventure films of all time. Starring a bunch of rookies and no-names, this movie shows a period of history that has long been overlooked and never truly depicted faithfully until now. Great flick, go get it!
The Descent is a about a group of female cave climbers that get lost deep underground and come upon another world inhabited by freaky albino mutants. Creepy and freaky scary. You will love this one.
Borat by Sacha Baron Cohen is quite possibly the most hilarious movie ever made and ranks easily as one of the best of 2006 movies. The title character is a journalist from eastern Europe who comes to the U.S. and sends up and offends just about every institution, race, creed and sex you can imagine.
Casino Royale with David Craig as Bond, James Bond, became an instant blockbuster and re-vitalized the aging franchise for a whole new generation of 007 buffs. This picture has tremendous stunts and a great plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. Eva Green is alluring and seductive as Bonds love interest. This is definitely one of the best ever of the James Bond films and stands right up there with the Sean Connery vehicles.
You can see from the short list here that 2006 gave us some much needed entertainment in the form of cool movies. See you at the snack bar!