Movies Seen This Year (2006)

Submitted by pastordice on Thu, 08/17/2006 - 08:28
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  1. (12/23/06 Theater) Pursuit of Happyness - [93]
  2. (12/18/06 Theater) The Nativity Story - [80]
  3. (12/15/06 Theater) Happy Feet - [82]
  4. (12/08/06 DVD) Wordplay - [84]
  5. (12/07/06 DVD) Clerks 2 - [66]
  6. (12/04/06 DVD) American Dreamz - [79]
  7. (12/04/06 DVD) Monster House - [92]
  8. (12/04/06 DVD) The Ant Bully - [76]
  9. (11/30/06 DVD) Over the Hedge - [81]
  10. (11/30/06 DVD) Nacho Libre - [80]
  11. (11/29/06 DVD) The Break-Up - [81]
  12. (11/28/06 DVD) The Groomsmen - [78]
  13. (11/28/06 DVD) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown - [75]
  14. (11/24/06 DVD) Click - [73]
  15. (11/22/06 DVD) A Prairie Home Companion - [77]
  16. (11/22/06 DVD) Thank You for Smoking - [84]
  17. (11/20/06 DVD) The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift - [67]
  18. (11/17/06 DVD) Lady Vengeance - [79]
  19. (11/16/06 DVD) RV - [71]
  20. (11/15/06 DVD) Lucky Number Slevin - [83]
  21. (11/15/06 DVD) Scary Movie 4 - [81]
  22. (11/14/06 DVD) Brick - [87]
  23. (11/14/06 DVD) Inside Man - [88]
  24. (11/13/06 DVD) Final Destination 3 - [78]
  25. (11/13/06 DVD) Lord of War - [80]
  26. (11/13/06 DVD) Love Actually - [72]
  27. (11/12/06 DVD) The Greatest Game Ever Played - [90]
  28. (11/11/06 DVD) End of the Spear - [88]
  29. (11/10/06 DVD) The Lake House - [77]
  30. (11/09/06 DVD) The Libertine - [70]
  31. (11/09/06 DVD) Akeelah and the Bee - [89]
  32. (11/08/06 DVD) The Longest Yard 2006 - [68]
  33. (11/07/06 DVD) Benchwarmers - [67]
  34. (11/06/06 DVD) Ultraviolet - [76]
  35. (11/05/06 DVD) Failure to Launch - [75]
  36. (11/04/06 DVD) Dark Water - [83]
  37. (11/04/06 DVD) Cinderella Man - [91]
  38. (11/04/06 DVD) Roll Bounce - [84]
  39. (11/03/06 DVD) The Constant Gardener - [70]
  40. (11/02/06 DVD) Dukes of Hazzard - [58]
  41. (11/02/06 Theater) The Prestige - [93]
  42. (11/01/06 DVD) Madea's Family Reunion - [42]
  43. (10/30/06 DVD) Syriana - [71]
  44. (10/29/06 DVD) The Pink Panther - [69]
  45. (10/27/06 DVD) Tristram Shandy - [84]
  46. (10/22/06 DVD) Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang - [80]
  47. (10/21/06 DVD) Underworld Evolution - [71]
  48. (10/21/06 DVD) Glory Road - [83]
  49. (10/20/06 DVD) Firewall - [79]
  50. (10/19/06 DVD) Date Movie - [77]
  51. (10/18/06 DVD) Red Eye - [82]
  52. (10/17/06 DVD) Raising Helen - [75]
  53. (10/16/06 DVD) Cheaper by the Dozen 2 - [73]
  54. (10/16/06 DVD) Monster - [68]
  55. (10/15/06 DVD) Taking Lives - [54]
  56. (10/14/06 DVD) Under the Tuscan Sun - [61]
  57. (10/14/06 DVD) Hotel Rwanda - [86]
  58. (10/07/06 DVD) House of Sand and Fog - [84]
  59. (10/06/06 DVD) The Stepford Wives - [71]
  60. (10/06/06 DVD) Unleashed - [80]
  61. (10/02/06 DVD) Crash - [86]
  62. (10/02/06 DVD) Old Boy - [78]
  63. (10/01/06 DVD) The Ring Two - [65]
  64. (09/28/06 DVD) Last Holiday - In the category of "rappers turned actors" there has only been one true success story, Will Smith. Until now. The royal Latifa dominates in an amazingly touching and sincere performance about the importance of "Carpe Diem". Great supporting performances all around, including LL Cool J who might just join the aforementioned "rta" club if he can keep up this kind of work. I really liked this one. [84]
  65. (09/28/06 DVD) Monster In Law - The only thing, I repeat, ONLY thing in this film that is worth watching is Wanda Sykes, who is engaging funny and steals every single scene she is in. Nothing else about this movie is even halfway good. Of special note is Michael Vartan who I loved in Alias, but it's becoming increasingly clear he was a lousy actor on a great show. Bummer. A muddled message on the boundaries of relationships cannot save what is a completely failed attempt at a romantic comedy. [62]
  66. (09/24/06 DVD) Ong-Bak - Heard a lot of great things about this movie and the martial arts stuff in this is intense and amazing. But that's all it is, skip the plot and fast forward to the chase/fight scene's. [78]
  67. (09/24/06 DVD) Sahara - Another paint by numbers film that just hit the right notes for me. I know the performances aren't that great, and the plot is pretty flimsy and contrived. I even know that some of the action sequences are off the charts audacious, but it was fun, I think mostly thanks to Steve Zahn and Matthew McConaughey's chemistry and play. A fun one timer for a Friday night.[81]
  68. (09/23/06 DVD) Fever Pitch - I was more interested in the baseball in this film then the relationship. That's not a good sign. However, I must admit the message about sacrifice in love was pretty good. [72]
  69. (09/23/06 DVD) Oliver Twist - I really didn't think I would enjoy this. I knew nothing about the book other than that it was set in an orphanage. Imagine my surprise when, in the first few minutes of the film, Oliver is already out of the orphanage. This story is compelling and powerful and I can see why it is looked at as great literature. I imagine in the book you get even more attached to Twist and some of the things he goes through are absolutely devastating. A great film about good besting evil through integrity and humility. [86]
  70. (09/22/06 DVD) Mindhunters - Interesting twist film. I'm always drawn in by these, and how well the pieces fit together at the end. These pieces don't fit real well, and there is one big plothole. Plus, they seem to be more focused on gore than suspense and that's just not my cup of tea. Reminds me of the Final Destination movies in that way. Despite these things, the journey is kinda cool and I love the fact that it is profilers profiling themselves. Very cool touch.[77]
  71. (09/21/06 DVD) Kingdom of Heaven - Boring. And that's not something that a medeival war/action movie should be. This was hard to plod through. Don't bother[63]
  72. (09/19/06 DVD) The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl - A vocational risk of parenting is sitting through kids movies. It's painful when it's something like Doogal and beautiful when it's anything by Pixar. Somewhere in the middle is the Robert Rodriguez library of children's films. First the Spy Kids movies and now this one. This movie is about as childish as they come (certainly intentional) so expect lots of puns and bad acting. However at it's heart is an amazing message about the importance of not only dreaming but working in real life to make dreams come true. It's an especially powerful message when it's applied to marriage and the work it takes to make that happen. [79]
  73. (09/17/06 DVD) The Interpreter - An interesting plot with decent performances by both Kidman and Penn. I really liked the word picture of forgiveness and grace in the face of unspeakable attrocity. My only complaint is that the movie dragged quite a bit at times. [80]
  74. (09/17/06 DVD) House of D - I love David Duchovney. Too bad he was barely to be seen in this movie. I found the story disjointed and though I got the message about growing up and facing life, it seemed a bit preachy and contrived. [72]
  75. (09/16/06 DVD) Lords of Dogtown - Like Murderball this movie is interesting from a sheer character standpoint. The surfers that took skateboarding to a new level are in themselves a very compelling view. Yet, the movie itself is almost boring, choosing to focus a bit too much on the politics and less on the physical progress of the sport. [77]
  76. (09/09/06 DVD) Bewitched - See "Kicking and Screaming review" except add a decent performance by Nicole Kidman. [69]
  77. (09/09/06 DVD) The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants - I desperately didn't want to like this movie. How do I tell people I enjoyed a movie with the word "sisterhood" or "traveling pants" in the title and maintain my testosterone street cred? Well, not only did I like it, I loved it. I cried at least 3 times and was amazed at how powerfull the message of community was. The girls all have great performances and the plot is thourough and engaging. I really need to belch or hit something now. [90]
  78. (09/08/06 DVD) Murderball - A great subject marred by an incoherent docementary. The characters alone almost make it worth watching, but ultimately it fails to be compelling.[74]
  79. (09/04/06 DVD) Madagascar - A pleasant surprise, some really funny moments and a nice family night flick overall [81]
  80. (09/03/06 DVD) Kicking and Screaming - Raise your hand if you think Will Farrell is funny? Ok, now leave your hands up if you can name one movie where he has done it without a supporting cast of genius goofballs? That's what I thought. The truth is (and I don't think you want to hear this) that Will is not only a lousy actor, but actually not as funny as you might think. It's never more evident than when he is taken out of his element like in this movie (or the Producers). Don't look behind the curtain if you don't want to know, but this movie proves it. It says something that I laughed more at Mike Ditka in this movie than Mr. Farrell. [64]
  81. (09/03/06 DVD) The Skeleton Key - If Emily Rose is about the importance of believing in the spiritual, this movie is about the danger in doing so. Of course, this one is as far from a true story as you can get. I really enjoyed this movie, but I can't tell you why. Not that I don't know, just that I don't want to ruin it for you. Sufficed to say, the ending is brave and necessary to make the point this movie intended, and I dug it. [83]
  82. (09/02/06 DVD) The Exorcism of Emily Rose - I love this concept. It's like The Exorcism meets 12 Angry Men. Ok, not exactly. But still, this is much more a courtroom drama than a horror movie and I think that's why it succeeds. That and that it's based on a true story. This is a great movie flawed only by one poor performance. No not Laura Linney, who is actually decent as the defense attorney, but the guy who plays the prosecuting attorney is completely unbelievable as a genuine human being. Emily Rose needs you to know her story, rent this soon. [90]
  83. (09/01/06 DVD) Two for the Money - This one holds a bit of personal interest because the kid whose life it's based on is a local. I'm not sure how much of a role that played, but I did end up enjoying this movie. Especially the honesty in the portrayal of the destructive nature of gambling. Good flick. [82]
  84. (09/01/06 DVD) Stealth - About as mediocre as they come. Some decent action, but pretty mindless, and the acting is really bad. Not worth the time. [72]
  85. (08/27/06 DVD) Four Brothers - The perfect movie to watch after the Brothers Grimm, because here is a situation where they get the sibling dynamic right and you completely buy that these guys are brothers despite the fact that they look nothing alike. Because you buy into these relationships you immediately have more at stake in the story, which in truth is nothing more than a revenge tale. I couldn't take my eyes off of this one, it was energetic, and full of amazing performances. Typical caution for language and violence, and certainly the message about vigilante justice is distastful, but this is an unbelievably compelling movie[84]
  86. (08/27/06 DVD) The Brothers Grimm - I really like Terry Gilliam. He excells at the quirky fantasmic stuff, so you would think that he would be perfect for the Grimm tale. Well, not quite. Don't get me wrong I loved the visuals, and the plot wove several of these well known fairy tales together quite nicely. I think it was the lack of chemistry between the brothers. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger almost seem to strain to make us believe they are even friends, let alone brothers. So much of the movie relies on them, and I just don't buy it [69]
  87. (08/25/06 DVD) The Transporter 2 - Gotta give it points for it's sheer audacity. One of those movies where you can see the writers gleefully bouncing ideas off of each other on how they can top the last action sequence. Jason Stratham is perfect for the role, and they even manage to sneek in positive messages about loyalty, integrity, and fidelty. Nobody will mistake it for Citizen Kane, but it's definately a movie to check out with the guys.[80]
  88. (08/24/06 DVD) Must Love Dogs - A perfect example of how dangerous a movie can be. This is a smartly written and fun movie with some great performances. But what it says about love is awful, when will we get it through our heads that love is not some etherial feeling we seek, but a choice we make. Hated it for being so well made with such a hidden hideous message[74]
  89. (08/23/06 DVD) Bad News Bears (2005) - Not much to say here. It was worthless, horrible message, and not even well done. [52]
  90. (08/20/06 DVD) The Island - Some very thought provoking stuff, but then it would go all Michael Bay and really throw me off. I wish it would have been a more cohesive feel. It's like someone took "Gattaca" and tried to squish in "The Rock" Still, a very fun yet philosophical little gem. [86]
  91. (08/19/06 DVD) Broken Flowers - I don't get it. It seemed like it wanted to make a point on how the past and future matter with the present, but it got lost in a jumble of wierd coincedence and unsolved mystery. Plus content issues make it hard to recommend. Bill Murray is amazing though and I want to see him come back to some mainstream stuff soon. [68]
  92. (08/19/06 Theater) World Trade Center - Not quite as powerful as United 93, but still an amazing story. Nic Cage is surprisingly good, and some amazing messages about faith and perseverance. [90]
  93. (08/19/06 DVD) Junebug - Amy Adams is amazing in this. And there is a wonderful commentary on the importance of family. However, the other characters in this film feel forced and faked and it undermines an otherwise interesting film. [79]
  94. (08/16/06 DVD) The Gospel - Are you kidding me? A Christian themed movie that actually tells a compelling story that feels at least somewhat genuine? Not to mention some amazing music. Kirk Franklin has done a great job in bringing this movie to life and it's actually worth seeing. Still, the acting and direction are lacking. [84]
  95. (08/16/06 DVD) The Cave - I'm a sucker for these B movie type escape movies. I actually enjoyed this, and found the relationships compelling and the storyline unique and engaging. It's hard to give a movie like this too high a grade, because the substace is lacking but still.. [87]
  96. (08/08/06 DVD) Hustle & Flow - I can see why this was on so many Top 10 lists last year, it is a very well done and has some absolutely dynamic performances. Terrence Howard especially, deserves every accolade he got for his work here. My problem lies in the message (and to a lesser extent the content) that the Gangsta life, though difficult, is something to be respected and even honored. It's hard to get past the glorification of the "pimp" lifestyle. [81]
  97. (08/05/06 Theater) Lady In the Water - Loved it. Went in with very low expectations, but thought M. Knight once again told a poignant story in a fresh way. A clear message on finding purpose. [92]
  98. (08/04/06 Theater) Facing the Giants (Pre-Release) - You may remember this as the "Christian" movie that got a PG-13 for "Spiritual Content". As silly as that rating is, this movie deserves some sort of warning for just being really, really bad. No, not the message or content. Just the acting, direction, score, cinematography, writing, plot, and everything else. This movie was made by a church on a shoestring budget and it shows. Yet somehow through that there were some genuinely touching moments. Probably because I identify with the message so much. [71]
  99. (08/01/06 DVD) Flightplan - I loved this movie! It was a big surprise for me, but I found it genuinely engaging and suspensful. I don't know if it was the limited location (all on a plane) but it really felt like a Hitchcock movie to me. Done very well,and would highly recomend it. [88]
  100. (07/28/06 DVD) Thumbsucker - An interesting movie about the things we go to for comfort. It was a bit on the strange side for me, but I think I got the point and it seems to be a valid one. Still, you know when Keanu Reeves has the most interesting performance, you are in for a fairly dull film. [76]
  101. (07/27/06 DVD) The Fog - Sad, Sad, Sad. I'm not sure if this movie was going for horror, suspense, action, humor, or what. But whatever the case it failed. Wish I had left this one off the queue. [58]
  102. (07/25/06 DVD) Just Like Heaven - I'm just about convinced that Reese Witherspoon can turn any mediocre movie into a gem. She manages to play comedy and drama both and is such a compelling personality. Add this flick to Sweet Home Alabama and Legally Blonde in the "Mediocre movies saved by Reese" list. Although Mark Ruffolo is good here as well. This one is a lot of fun and delivers a decent message about the importance of human relationships and loss, even if it does so in a confused spiritualistic sort of way. [86]
  103. (07/24/06 DVD) Doom - This is the danger of ranking every movie I watch. I have to admit A) that I watched this and B) that I actually kinda liked it. It's certainly violent as all get out but the plot is actually coherent and took turns I didn't see coming. I expected this movie to be a colossal F instead it's a passing C+. [79]
  104. (07/21/06 DVD) The Legend of Zorro - Blah. The first Zorro was a lot of fun, this one, not so much. [69]
  105. (07/21/06 DVD) Corpse Bride - Tim Burton + Johnny Depp + Danny Elfman + Stop Motion = Greatness. Loved it. [89]
  106. (07/15/06 Theater) Superman Returns - At some points during this film I was owned by it's beauty and grandeur, other points I was bored. I don't think I've put my finger on my exact feelings for this yet, but I know it's in the bottom half of the superhero movies I've seen. [86]
  107. (07/09/06 Theater) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Not nearly as good as the first (or as fun), and the movie felt about an hour longer than it needed to be. I liked parts, but overall was underwhelmed. [82]
  108. (07/07/06 DVD) Domino - Great performances, interesting plot, devastating message, and yet somehow it just didn't have the impact it should have. [77]
  109. (07/06/06 DVD) Rent - I really don't get why this musical has been successful. A couple of the songs were somewhat catchy, but for the most part the acting was awful, the content is dated and outlandish, and the message is by far the worst I've seen in a long time. Look, freedom includes responsibility and consequence, what these "bohemians" want is license not freedom and that is just messed up. [32]
  110. (07/05/06 DVD) North Country - A devestating look at the depravity of man, and in this case I mean the gender not "mankind". I think Charlize Theron is really good in this and the subject matter (though intense) is really important and dealt with honestly. The problem is the plot is a mess, and the courtroom finale laughable in it's rejection of reality. For the final scene alone I take off 10 points. [74]
  111. (07/04/06 DVD) Proof - A decently enjoyable mind mystery. Primarily recommendable for the amazing performance of Anthony Hopkins. A little boring at points but I never completely lost interest in where this would end up. [80]
  112. (07/03/06 DVD) Walk the Line - If Reese makes mediocre movies good, she makes good movies great. Don't get me wrong Joaquin Pheonix is stellar here as well, especially knowing he did his own singing and when it's Johny Cash stuff, that's incredible. I was also impressed with the film's emphasis on fidelity and integrity and it's honest portrayal of drug use. A very well done movie, only losing points for some of the supporting performers. [90]
  113. (06/30/06 DVD) The Ice Harvest - Not what I thought at all. Big mistake and waste of time, the only reason it even gets a D is because John Cusack is good in almost anything, even this convoluted, humanistic, ode to debauchary. [59]
  114. (06/29/06 DVD) Pride and Prejudice - Yeah, I know, Chick Flick. But it's a pretty compelling story no matter yout gender. A bit overdone at times, but that's inherent to the original storyline. Also, loved Donald Sutherlands performance as the father for some reason. [82]
  115. (06/28/06 DVD) Yours, Mine, and Ours - Not only is it a remake, but it isn't even original in it's own time. Cheaper by the Dozen did it much better all around. [75]
  116. (06/27/06 DVD) Jarhead - A strangly compelling look into modern warfare. I say strangly, because this film has a tone I haven't really seen in a war movie much (Three Kings is the only one that seems close). Good perfomances and some amazing insight offset the vulgarities of war to create a decent film. [85]
  117. (06/27/06 DVD) Howl's Moving Castle - Anime freaks me out. It's so surreal and metaphorical and style over substance sometimes I just say, "forget it". In this case though I really felt the style and substance both came through. It's still wierd, but at the end I actually felt like I got it, and some of the concepts are the most unique and intriging ideas I've seen on film this year. [87]
  118. 06/25/06 DVD Capote [88]
  119. 06/23/06 DVD Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story [91]
  120. 06/22/06 DVD Good Night, and Good Luck [89]
  121. 06/21/06 DVD The Squid and the Whale [79]
  122. 06/19/06 DVD Everything Is Illuminated [76]
  123. 06/17/06 DVD Get Rich or Die Tryin' [71]
  124. 06/15/06 DVD Memoirs of a Geisha [77]
  125. 06/15/06 DVD Brokeback Mountain [72]
  126. 06/14/06 DVD Match Point [93]
  127. 06/12/06 DVD The 40 Year-Old Virgin [70]
  128. 06/11/06 DVD Shopgirl [72]
  129. 06/09/06 DVD Wedding Crashers [75]
  130. 06/07/06 DVD Aeon Flux [80]
  131. 06/07/06 Theatre Cars [95]
  132. 06/06/06 DVD The New World [77]
  133. 06/05/06 DVD Nanny McPhee [88]
  134. 06/02/06 DVD Munich [83]
  135. 05/31/06 DVD The Producers [85]
  136. 05/30/06 Theater The Da Vinci Code [61]
  137. 05/29/06 DVD March of the Penguins [94]
  138. 05/28/06 DVD Rumor Has It [81]
  139. 05/26/06 Theater X-Men: The Last Stand [90]
  140. 05/24/06 DVD Valiant [82]
  141. 05/23/06 DVD Herbie: Fully Loaded [78]
  142. 05/22/06 Theater Poseidon [69]
  143. 05/21/06 DVD Doogal [55]
  144. 05/20/06 DVD The Ringer [52]
  145. 05/18/06 DVD Fun with Dick and Jane [84]
  146. 05/18/06 DVD A History of Violence [90]
  147. 05/16/06 DVD Zathura [89]
  148. 05/05/06 Theater Mission: Impossible III [88]
  149. 04/29/06 Theater United 93 [97]
  150. 03/19/06 DVD Chicken Little [86]
  151. 03/18/06 Theater V for Vendetta [87]
  152. 02/15/06 DVD Sky High [91]
  153. 01/20/06 Theater Hoodwinked [87]
  154. 01/14/06 TV Grizzly Man [84]
Author Comments: 

All of the movies I've seen this year with brief commentary for some.

RosieCotton09/02/2006

I really like your short commentaries. I especially appreciate that the message of a movie matters to you. I definitely will take points off my ratings if I think a movie sends the wrong message.

pastordice09/04/2006

Thanks Rosie!

I think it's kind of silly when critics say (about movies like Natural Born Killers lets say) "I hated what it said but what a great film, thumbs up." Why should we check our worldview at the door? Aren't we savvy enough to understand that a movie can be made well, and still have a message that disagrees with what we believe? Shouldn't that necessarily effect how we rate that movie? In the same regard, a movie can have an amazing, positive stance and be utter junk technically.

I'm not even saying you have to believe what I believe, but no matter what you believe it should affect how you see everything, including celluloid.

Glad to see you agree :)

RosieCotton09/04/2006

Amen. I Corinthians 13:6 "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. "