The Utah Statesman top 6 movies of 2006
“Cars,” “Superman Returns,” “World Trade Center” and “Pirates” made noble efforts, but you won’t see them on this list.
As we approach the end of another year, here’s a look back at the most memorable films.
If you haven’t seen these yet, consider yourself reminded.
6. “Nanny McPhee” January
Bright and magical, this one is decidedly mature for a children’s film. A widowed father (Colin Firth, “Bridget Jones’s Diary”) receives help from a mysterious nanny to instill discipline in his seven naughty children.
Due to the masterfully written screenplay and endearing performance from Emma Thompson (“Sense and Sensibility”), “Nanny McPhee” remains a delightful (and surprisingly insightful) film without being too sweet or simplified for kids.
5. “The Last Kiss” September
While Zach Braff’s (“Garden State”) first film featured an intimate, wandering look at the lives of quirky friends in their 20s, “The Last Kiss” features a funny, emotional look at the awkward lives of friends in their thirties.
Stuck between youth and adulthood, Braff and Jacinda Barrett (“Ladder 49”) give strong, relatable performances as they experience the forgiveness, sacrifice and heartbreak of growing up.
4. “Flags of Our Fathers” October
Clint Eastwood (“Million Dollar Baby”) directs another powerful film but with less specificity than his previous ones.
His latest is about the men who raised the American flag at Iwo Jima after the historic World War II battle, and how they were immortalized in the famous photograph.
The film provides an unforgiving, sensitive look at war and its relations to the concept of celebrity, reminding us that the term “hero” is merely a product of history.
Beautifully humble performances are given by Ryan Phillippe (“Crash”) and Adam Beach (“Smoke Signals”).
3. “Stranger Than Fiction” November
Perhaps the most creatively ambitious film of the year, Marc Forster (“Finding Neverland”) directs a superbly poignant and humorous film about a mundane man (Will Ferrell, “Talladega Nights”) who discovers a writer’s voice narrating his life as it happens.
Such a strange premise is surprisingly successful thanks to the relatable performances from Ferrell, Emma Thompson (“Nanny McPhee), Dustin Hoffman (“Meet the Fockers”) and Maggie Gyllenhaal (“World Trade Center”).
The film is touching while being imaginative at the same time.
2. “The Departed” October
With two men (Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Aviator” and Matt Damon, “Syriana”) working undercover on opposite sides of the law, “The Departed” is an exhausting, jolting crime drama full of murder and intrigue.
Punchy editing and a killer soundtrack help to enrich this film, making it a smart cliffhanger full of wicked surprises, a strong cast, and out-of-the-box storytelling.
This film is the most deserving of nominations when Oscar time arrives.
1. “Little Miss Sunshine” August
The title of this film is a beauty pageant, and our cast of characters is an eccentric family traveling across the U.S. to attend the pageant and help their daughter win the crown.
This trip proves to be the most whacked and hellish trip in history, which involves drug use, emotional breakdowns, dead bodies and pornography.
The dark and random humor is thick throughout, creating scenes of uproarious and subtle comedy. Even though you’ll be laughing a lot, you’ll be crying a lot, too. Featuring moments of harsh sentiment and exquisite performances from all actors, “Little Miss Sunshine” gives us a new view on family and family values, both joyous and dismal.
Casey T. Allen is The Utah Statesman movie critic
extraordinaire. Comments about this last year’s movies can be sent
to him at caseyal@cc.usu.edu.