The Top 10 of 2006

Top 10 lists at the end of the year are as inevitable as a New Year's Day hangover. Here at FilmGuru.Net, we're always happy to keep traditions going. While most critics will pander to the "Oscar worthy" movies that are destined for glory, I prefer to remain true to the box office blockbusters that bring me joy every year. As they say, "You gotta dance with the one who brung ya." Now, not all of these are blockbusters. In fact, there are a couple that most people hated or were so obscure that most people never saw them in the theater. Nevertheless, when I looked at the list of movies I had seen this year, these were the ones that had the highest marks and made me happiest. They might not be classics, but most (if not all) will end up in my DVD collection.

In the past few years, I have also taken time to mention some Honorable Mention winners. So, before we get to the big list, here are some very good films that almost made the cut:

• An American Haunting: Good ghost stories are rare in cinema these days. Most horror films manifest monsters and maniacs rather than the subtle situations a story about spirits suggests. While An American Haunting is anything but subtle at times, it is not the horrific experiences that resonate with the audience. Rather, it is the quiet moments of a 19th century family trying to cope with the supernatural that make the most impact.
• Casino Royale: For years, moviegoers have been subjected to prequels, films made to show what happened before the last movie. From science fiction to crime drama, it appears that filmmakers love to delve into what made the hero (or villain) who he is. For the 21st film in the James Bond franchise, the studio took a calculated risk and returned to the roots of everyone's favorite superspy. Not only does Casino Royale tell the story of Bond's first mission as 007, it also introduces a new -- and highly controversial -- actor as the new lead.

FilmGuru's Top 10

	10. Cars The beauty of an animated film is in seeing a world that cannot be portrayed any other way. Whether that world is one filled with seven dwarfs, fairy godmothers, or toys come to life, there is a line where a story can be better served by animation. While computers have made more special effects possible in live action movies, they have also raised the bar on animated movies for the past decade. In Cars, the folks at Pixar have given us not only animated vehicles, but a world filled with automotive soul. Read the full review of Cars.
	9. The Prestige A magician never reveals his tricks -- or so it is said. Thus, it stands to reason that the rivalry between magicians would be highly competitive, at the very least. In The Prestige, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale play men whose friendship is torn apart, turning them into rival performers. Set in late 1800s London, the story weaves illusion, misdirection and human drama together in the cutthroat world of magic. Read the full review of The Prestige.
	8. Slither The line between comedy and horror is a fine one, but it's difficult to find a horror film that makes people laugh while simultaneously keeping them in suspense. It's probably an exaggeration to say that Slither is one of the best films of the year. It does have one thing going for it, however. It's the best at what it tries to be. Read the full review of Slither.
	7. V for Vendetta If you're looking for a fast, pulse-pounding action movie like The Matrix, the new Wachowski Brothers film may leave you cold. If, however, you like a little cerebral exercise, combining philosophy and politics, V for Vendetta may be to your liking. This film of revolution and revenge in a fascist state does little to disguise its politics, but the story may give audiences something to think about. Read the full review of V for Vendetta.
	6. Lady in the Water Let's get this straight: M. Night Shyamalan does not make horror movies. I am so tired of hearing people say that they don't like his movies because they aren't scary. There are occasional frightening moments in his films, but the overall purpose of his films is not to scare audiences. With Lady in the Water, he creates a quiet bedtime story. Fans of Shyamalan's previous work will appreciate this amazing film filled with wonder and imagination. Read the full review of Lady in the Water.
	5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest While expectations on Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl were low (many assumed it was a Disney film aimed at toddlers), the buzz on its sequel could not have been higher. Filled with action, comedy, and more than a few surprises, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest exceeded expectations and box office records. Read the full review of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
	4. Night Watch It is rare when a foreign film gets buzz among the geek community. When the film Nochnoi Dozor premiered in Russia two years ago, it became a blockbuster. Word of this film spread through various Internet sites devoted to the fantasy/horror genres, but it wasn't until preview trailers started popping up that people became rabid about seeing it. (I was one of the infected.) The release of Night Watch in America (courtesy of Fox Searchlight) is one of the most anticipated events in geekdom to come from outside Hollywood. Read the full review of Night Watch.
	3. Stranger than Fiction It is rare to see a character in a book, play, or movie recognize that they are not real. It's often played for a laugh, when the character looks at the camera and talks directly to the audience. Bob Hope used to do it in his road pictures with Bing Crosby. In a classic Warner Bros. cartoon, Daffy Duck argued with the artist drawing him. In literary terms, this is called metafiction: when an author writes about writing or the devices of fiction. The line between fiction and reality is erased in the new film, Stranger than Fiction, when a dull IRS agent discovers that his life is being narrated as if he were a character in a novel. Read the full review of Stranger than Fiction.
	2. Charlotte's Web I remember going to the drive-in movies as a kid and seeing Charlotte's Web, the animated song-fest that came to theaters in 1973. I remember liking Templeton the rat, voiced by Paul Lynde. I also remember my sister cried inconsolably at the end of the film. I never understood why. It was just a cartoon. This week, I had the opportunity to see the live-action version of Charlotte's Web. For the record, if you don't cry at this movie you have a heart of stone. Read the full review of Charlotte's Web.
	1. Superman Returns Superman last appeared on the big screen nearly twenty years ago. In the meantime, his legend has been kept alive in comic books and on television. A part of me worried the story would never be revived for a movie. I feared the darker heroes had become too fashionable and that Superman's return would be met with cynicism and skepticism. In Superman Returns, director Bryan Singer gives us a hero that is faithful to the icon of the past. This is the Superman I grew up believing in: filled with power, humility, mercy and compassion. This is the Superman I have waited to see. Read the full review of Superman Returns.