Mark's Top Eight films of 2006
The third year that hoopla.nu has been online was a strange year for me - with lots of distractions making film watching and reviewing less frequent than I would otherwise like. I missed a substantial number of what other critics have rated as their best films of the year, and thus this list I have compiled is a sample only of those films I've seen and reviewed. There were other great films released in Australia in 2006 I did see but did not review; films like The Departed, A History of Violence and The Queen were all excellent, but there are only so many film-reviewing hours in the week!
That said, I still managed to review almost 50 films in 2006, and that included some great films and some stinkers. This list is limited to eight as that is the number of films I saw and rated 4 or higher for the year. I look forward to discussing this list further on our forum or am happy to take any comments via the contact page.
Seen in the last days of the year, just when my hopes for a truly great film had almost been dashed, Babel was a wonderful surprise. Featuring an excellent cast (and probably the greatest performance Brad Pitt has given), incredible cinematography and brilliant direction, Babel is a film that may haunt your mind and mood for days after seeing it. Highly recommended.
Rating:  
Hoopla Factor:
Filmed with a visual style all its own, Children of Men is an incredibly powerful depiction of a dystopic near-future, that is firmly based in the current day. Brilliant action sequences, and excellent performances mark it as one of the must-see films of 2006.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Unlucky to be bumped to number three after being number one until November, Walk the Line sneaks into the 2006 list at all due mainly to the tardiness of Australian distributors. It earns its spot in any compilation list, however, for its brilliant leading turns by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, and a fantastic soundtrack.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Also an early leader, North Country is a surprising inclusion given its generally cool critical reception, but the latest film from Niki Caro also features several stunning lead performances, with Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand brilliant.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Another film to have been held over into 2006 in Australia after widespread acclaim when originally released in 2005 around the world, Brokeback Mountain deserves much of the praise heaped upon it. Winner of best direction Oscar for Ang Lee.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Not quite perfect, but excellent nonetheless, The Caterpillar Wish comes in as my favourite Australian film of 2006, ahead of several bigger names like Jindabyne and Kenny. The sleepy beachside town has never felt so creepy, and the Australian coastal landscape is shown off beautifully.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Despite mixed receptions, V for Vendetta is nothing if not provocative, and starring Hugo Weaving as the man behind the mask, it can lay claim to one of the best leading turns of the year. The second film featuring a dystopic near-future setting in my top eight, Vendetta favours the comic book visual style as opposed to Children of Men's gritty realism. Portman is also excellent.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Yimou Zhang returned to the more intimate, personal drama of previous films like The Road Home with his quietly dramatic Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles. Featuring less wuxia and more of his gentle direction, it also showcases the skills of Ken Takakura as the conflicted leading character.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Filling the spot I try to keep for Will Ferrell vehicles in my bottom five, Talladega Nights takes up where Anchorman left off. Overblown and frankly offensive, without ever hitting its targets in its attempt at satire, it can only be described as a very expensive waste of time.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Another film that can only be recommended for voyeuristic reasons, Beckinsale and Speedman look sexy, but there is nothing else to see here.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Exploitative and uninspiring, How Much Do You Love Me? can only be recommended to those keen to spend an hour or so in the company of Monica Bellucci's breasts.
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Sarah Jessica Parker's attempt to follow her harsh role in The Family Stone with this stinker was the wrong choice. And, what on earth was Zooey Deschanel thinking?
Rating:
Hoopla Factor:
Just embarrassing - for those who made it and those who watched it.
Rating: No Stars
Hoopla Factor: No Stars
Discuss your favourite - or most despised - films of 2006 on the hoopla.nu forum
Read Stuart's take on 2006 in his top ten films of 2006 list.
|
p
lä
f
k
r)
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
5. 
4. 
3. 
2. 
1. 
