CELLULOID COMMENTS

The Best New Films From the First Half of 2006

As of June 19th, I have seen 25 new releases in various theaters in 2006, down eight movies from the same time last year, but still probably about ten to 12 more new movies than the typical American has seen at this point. On the flip side there are some major releases I haven't made it to yet--THE DA VINCI CODE, CARS, PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION and NACHO LIBRE probably top that list. With the exception of NACHO LIBRE (I just can't work up any enthusiasm for that one), please know that I'm working on them.

So keeping all of that in mind, here's five films from the first half of the year that I believe are outstanding with five more that are above average and worth your time. With the outstanding films, I have included a brief comment about why I think the movie is so good, or so exceptional. I am aware that the best movies in 2006 are almost certainly all ahead of us:

1. An Inconvenient Truth (A) - Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Starring Al Gore. All politics aside, this is an absorbing, frightening and informative documentary about the truth (and some of the lies) in the debate over global warming. Dire as things are, the film does offer some hope at the end and the whole movie is helped greatly by presenting a personal portrait of lecturer Al Gore as more than just a crusader, but also a man with a sincere passion for the environment who nevertheless learns surprising things about himself and the planet the more he pushes the fight.
2. Akeelah & the Bee (A) - Written and directed by Doug Hutchinson. Stars KeKe Palmer, Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne. See previous blog (also dated today).
3. United 93 (A) - Written and directed by Paul Greengrass. Not surprising that people didn't flock to this one (which doesn't bode well for Oliver Stone's 9/11 opus, World Trade Center, coming in August), but it is sensitively handled, undeniably gripping and a powerful portrayal of what happened in the air and at air traffic control on the fateful day. (See previous blog for full review.)
4. Friends with Money (A-) - Written & directed by Nicole Holofcener. Stars Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener and Frances McDormand. Another minor masterpiece of "dramedic" observation from Holofcener who previously gave us the even better Lovely & Amazing (2001). In this one Aniston stars as the pot smoking, lower class maid with three rich gal pals. Class conflict--and sly Southern California satire--ensues.
5. Inside Man (A-) Written by Russel Gewirtz. Directed by Spike Lee. Stars Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Chiwetel Ojiofor and Christopher Plummer. Here's a shocker--a Spike Lee movie that actually underplays itself instead of going over the top. This modest heist thriller looks like a retread of Dog Day Afternoon, but reveals itself to be much more. Owen and Washington's performances--and a cool soundtrack--provide the meat of the movie. This is Lee's biggest box office hit ever.

Plus Five more worthwhile titles from earlier this year--V for Vendetta, X-Men III: The Final Stand, Dave Chappelle's Block Party, American Dreamz and The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.

I'll even give you five titles from the next couple of months that I'm really looking forward to--The Devil Wears Prada, Little Miss Sunshine, World Trade Center, My Super Ex-Girlfriend and, what could go down as the best and most profitable B-movie of all time, Snakes On A Plane. That's motherf***in' right!

See you at the movies...and Peace!