Portsmouth Herald - Hampton Union - Exeter News-Letter - Dover Community News - Rockingham News - York County Coast Star - The York Weekly
  Advertise - Contact Info - Email Headlines - Home Delivery Specials - Place a Classified Ad - Submit Announcements - Site Map

« Spider-Man 3 | Main | Hostel: Part II »

May 29, 2007
10 from '06

2006 was not a great year for films in general, and certainly not a good year for independent cinema. There wasn't a clear favorite for most of the major award ceremonies that have passed, and the box office was dominated by simple, obvious blockbusters, with nary a sleeper making any major coin. Two films about the attacks on 9/11 did open to solid reviews and substantial grosses that were more than their budgets- it seems that hollywood did understand if it was "too soon" for some viewers, but still gave those who didn't carry those sentiments something worthwile and honest just the same.

Will 2007 hold the same issues for filmgoers? We'll just have to wait and see.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
DRAWING RESTRAINT 9
THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE
A SCANNER DARKLY
THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON
TRISTRAM SHANDY : A COCK AND BULL STORY
V FOR VENDETTA
SNAKES ON A PLANE
LITTLE CHILDREN
ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL
DIXIE CHICKS - SHUT UP AND SING

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Funnier than you think- and smarter than it seems. It's a smack in the face to popular culture, but Director Weitz still wants to kiss the boo-boo and make things all better in the end. Not for everyone, but should be admired anyway for the crafty nature of events in their context. Hugh Grant's performance is witty and endearing, while the rest of the varied cast seems born to play their roles.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

GAH! Not exactly the most fun/cheery motion picture ever, but instead the kind that Dateline's To Catch a Predator wish it could be in the realm of true shock and awe. Both Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page command this film, as well as your attention, as the pair bring this sly tale of terror and trial alive.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Daniel Craig makes me forget that Die Another Day existed and looks extremely fresh, as well as sincere as the new Bond. Getting back to basics, Bond gets his groove on the saucy and smart dame Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), while he carefully plays his hand with M (Judi Dench, great as always), who is watching out for Bond on his risky missions. And to think... those bitchy internet haters didn't think it could be done... ha!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Well gee... isn't this relevant! Alfonso Cuaron, the coolest and most versatile director working in the biz today smacks your face and breaks your spirit as Clive Owen's Theo attempts to survive in a world without hope. But when a pregnant refugee falls in his lap, he decides to go ahead and save the world - one fetus at a time. Hats off to Owen and his driven cynic Theo, and Alfonso for allowing the audience to experience a film, so devoid of cliche and yet extremely accessible, even to the general public.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Jonestown is more than just a troubling subject - it's an event in history that left much unanswered for those related to the victims, as well as the survivors. This documentary is a riveting glimpse at the promise, confusion, and devastation that Jim Jones left in his passing- usually, a subject as such could be overdone with interviews that allow a connection and face to the events, but the real star of this picture is the footage of Jones himself. Jones' speeches and convictions are the stuff of nightmares.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
It's the most provocative and explicit romantic comedy/drama you'll ever see-
Director John Cameron Mitchell let's it all hang out for the audience to see, as his characters suffer from emotional and sexual dysfunction in the heart of a fragmented city- New York.
It's not for kids and it's definitely not for your mother- but it is for those who are willing to give any good story that is *gasp!* realistic a chance.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
I wasn't expecting to love Clerks 2, but I did. And while it's not exactly a true View Askew film, nor is it something that everyone will love, but it's a touching glimpse at growing up while still holding on to the same immature mindset, for the sake of being what you are.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Enough really can't be said about United 93 - it's not a documentary but it gives you that feeling-
it might be the best non-narrative feature in a long time... a film that doesn't care about pleasing everyone except those who lived the events and the loved ones who still miss them dearly.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Darren Aronofsky has finally released The Fountain, a film with a much troubled slate before it even faced a release date, but with a surprising and rather brilliant result. Hugh Jackman experiences three pieces in time all in the name of saving his girl Rachel Weisz, so that their love can flourish in that point of their lives. But only time and reality will get in their way, in a remarkable and visually arresting dramatic sci-fi-esque romance that's as original as films get.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

And it's all come down to this. The most intoxicating and vibrantly trashy movie I've ever seen. Tom Tykwer's Perfume is almost too much to handle at times, but it's just so unbelievable that it has to be seen. If Smell-o-vision should ever come back into the theaters, I've love to experience this masterpiece with such a format.

Posted by madamczyk at May 29, 2007 01:06 AM


Comments


Post a comment

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


Remember me?



Email this entry:

Email to:


Your email address:


Message (optional):


« Spider-Man 3 | Main | Hostel: Part II »


Seacoast Online and Blog the Coast are owned and operated by Seacoast Media Group.
Copyright © 2005 Seacoast Online. All rights reserved. Please read our
Copyright Notice and Terms of Use.
Seacoast Newspapers is a subsidiary of
Ottaway Newspapers, Inc., a Dow Jones Company.