2006: Film

2006 was a superb year in film that ranged from Alfonso Cuaron’s apocalyptic drama Children of Men to the comedic madness of Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. There may not have been any unforgettable roles like in the years preceding and proceeding it, but may have the highest quality of top films.

On the other hand, it produced some truly terrible material like the severely overrated Happy Feet, the mind numbing American Dreamz, the god awful The Wickerman, and Art School Confidential, which I might have to vote for worst film of the past 10 years.

Thankfully these 10 films, among others (United 93 and Blood Diamond just missed), made 2006 stand out.

• 10. Thank You For Smoking
• 09. Pan’s Labyrinth
• 08. Mission Impossible 3
• 07. Borat
• 06. Little Miss Sunshine
• 05. Casino Royale
• 04. V for Vendetta
• 03. Children of Men
• 02. The Prestige

The Departed

In October 2006 days before its release, few would have guessed The Departed would be crowned Best Picture. After seeing it, few could argue against it. In what I think is Scorsese’s best work since Taxi Driver (if not better), we are taken into the world of the Boston Mob and Police Department and as Jack Nicholson’s mob boss Frank Costello declares, “When you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?”

The entire film is riveting and has no problems as it diverges through drama, action, romance, and even comedy (hell any part with Mark Wahlberg should have you laughing pretty hard.) The entire cast is at the top of their games as Scorsese put together the finest ensemble of the year.

I don’t think I need to defend this pick very much as I can’t imagine anyone I know being in total disagreement with me. The Departed is the finest film of 2006.