Ebert's Best Films of 2006

by Mr. Blunderson

Even though I don't always agree with him, and I certainly don't need his approval to love or hate any movie (I am my own man thank you), I've always enjoyed reading the reviews of Roger Ebert. Love him or hate him, he is a fantastic writer. If you don't believe that then you may need your head checked.

Roger is a little behind in his work due to health issues but has finally gotten around to posting his best movies of 2006:

1 - Pan's Labyrinth
2 - Bubble
3 - Children of Men
4 - The Departed
5 - The Lives of Others
6 - United 93
7 - Flags of our Fathers/Letters From Iwo Jima
8 - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
9 - Babel
10 - Man Push Cart.

You can read Ebert's comments on each film, as well as nods to other great films including his favorite documentaries of the year at his own site, right... here.

For my own thoughts on this list, simply read on.

As for the Top Three, I couldn't agree more although I have to admit I completely forgot about Bubble. I can't recall seeing a movie where the characters and their plight felt so genuine. The suffocation of the blue collar life reaches far beyond the screen so much that I could almost taste the agony of the characters existence. Another thing I can say about this film is that the DVD extras are very compelling as they illustrate the melding of fiction and reality in simple, but straight forward storytelling and character development.

I don't know what I could say to add to the commentary regarding Pan's Labyrinth other than saying that Guillermo del Toro knocked that one out of the freakin Park. I've heard rumblings of a third film relating to the Spanish Civil War being made in the near future... Hooray!

I have said even recently in conversation about movies that Children of Men was one of last year's most under appreciated movies. The care and effort put forward to make the film the way they did still boggles my mind.

I liked The Departed but I didn't love it. That might be related to the fact that the ending had been ruined for me so I feel I may have missed out on some of the fun. I did watch the Hong Kong movie that inspired it later that same week and gained some added appreciation for the adaptation. I do have to admit that I am a sucker for movies with Boston accents. When Gone Baby Gone comes out on DVD I rent that, The Departed and Good Will Hunting and watch them back to back to back.

The rest of the movies... I haven't seen. Shame on me? Perhaps.

I would like to see The Lives of Others. I keep meaning to. It's been a while since I've delved into German Cinema. It reminds me of the first time I saw Wings of Desire. Wow, maybe I'll rent both this weekend.

As for United 93 it's just too soon for me.

Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima... also too soon. (yes that was tasteless, but I am a movie jerk after all).

I really have no interest in seeing Perfume so unless someone makes me watch that movie at gun point I will never have an opinion on it.

I meant to see Babel, I really did. I can recommend Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's earlier film 21 Grams. Amazing the way that story unfolds. I know Babel is told in a similar fashion so maybe I should just get off my arse.

Man Push Cart sounds really good. I should probably see it so I can talk about it and sound intelligent at a fancy party... if I ever happen to go to one... I should probably read The Great Gatsby before that party too. Truth is I think I'll pass because the subject matter might send me back into a depressing oblivion. Besides, I wouldn't have fun at one of those parties anyway.

And now you know better than ever that I am a massive jackass.