2006
Casino Royale
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Paul Haggis
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Judi Dench
The film that brought Bond into the 21st century and for many has given us the finest Bond since Connery in the form of Daniel Craig. Like Batman Begins, this is a dark, character drive, origin story. It goes on too long but has a surprisingly engaging story given its apparent slightness and potential of alienation (The action is based around a poker game) The action scenes are fantastic and unlike Quantum of Solace are not shamelessly imitating the Bourne series. The Bond film that the fans were waiting for and which gave the series a whole new generation of followers.
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Paul Haggis
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Judi Dench
The film that brought Bond into the 21st century and for many has given us the finest Bond since Connery in the form of Daniel Craig. Like Batman Begins, this is a dark, character drive, origin story. It goes on too long but has a surprisingly engaging story given its apparent slightness and potential of alienation (The action is based around a poker game) The action scenes are fantastic and unlike Quantum of Solace are not shamelessly imitating the Bourne series. The Bond film that the fans were waiting for and which gave the series a whole new generation of followers.
Little Miss Sunshine
Writer: Michael Arndt
Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
An odd and charming portrait of a dysfunctional family, Little Miss Sunshine is satirical yet not overly cynical film which makes a family dancing to the song superfreak a triumphant moment.
Writer: Michael Arndt
Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
An odd and charming portrait of a dysfunctional family, Little Miss Sunshine is satirical yet not overly cynical film which makes a family dancing to the song superfreak a triumphant moment.
Mission Impossible III
Writer: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and J.J. Abrams
Director: J.J. Abrams
Like 2009's Star Trek (With which this film shares writers and directors) Mission Impossible III is an energetic, non-stop action thrill ride which manages to be satisfying with its characters, who are developed with, rather than in spite of the action, you would expect and demand from a Mission Impossible film. It is the best film in the series by a mile, with Phillip Seymour Hoffman making the most out of his slightly written villain. It manages to bring both a gritty realism (An incredibly intense opening) as well as fantastical escapism and a surprisingly gripping story, with twists akin to Abrams TV work on the likes of Lost and the Mission Impossible inspired, Alias. One of the most underrated action films of the decade.
Writer: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and J.J. Abrams
Director: J.J. Abrams
Like 2009's Star Trek (With which this film shares writers and directors) Mission Impossible III is an energetic, non-stop action thrill ride which manages to be satisfying with its characters, who are developed with, rather than in spite of the action, you would expect and demand from a Mission Impossible film. It is the best film in the series by a mile, with Phillip Seymour Hoffman making the most out of his slightly written villain. It manages to bring both a gritty realism (An incredibly intense opening) as well as fantastical escapism and a surprisingly gripping story, with twists akin to Abrams TV work on the likes of Lost and the Mission Impossible inspired, Alias. One of the most underrated action films of the decade.
Pan's Labyrinth
Writer and Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil and Sergi Lopez
Arguably the fantasy film of the decade, with its stunning design and direction, Pan's Labyrinth is a visual wonder of a film, which tells a tale that seems ripped from a children's bedtime book, with darkness and horror. A film that could go even higher in my estimation the more I watch it. The Pale Man, will never escape my memory.
Writer and Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil and Sergi Lopez
Arguably the fantasy film of the decade, with its stunning design and direction, Pan's Labyrinth is a visual wonder of a film, which tells a tale that seems ripped from a children's bedtime book, with darkness and horror. A film that could go even higher in my estimation the more I watch it. The Pale Man, will never escape my memory.
The Departed
Writer: William Monahan
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg
The film that finally got Martin Scorsese his much deserved Oscar. The Departed is that rare thing, a remake which may actually improve upon its original. Based upon the Asian Infernal Affairs (A great film in its own right which in certain areas bests this film) The Departed is a modern crime thriller, with age old themes and superb performances. A must watch for fans of the gangster/crime genre and given its director, cinema in general.
Writer: William Monahan
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg
The film that finally got Martin Scorsese his much deserved Oscar. The Departed is that rare thing, a remake which may actually improve upon its original. Based upon the Asian Infernal Affairs (A great film in its own right which in certain areas bests this film) The Departed is a modern crime thriller, with age old themes and superb performances. A must watch for fans of the gangster/crime genre and given its director, cinema in general.
The Prestige
Writers: Christopher and Jonathan Nolan
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Michael Caine and David Bowie
Another Christopher Nolan film, another masterpiece. The Prestige in the wake of the Batman films and Inception may be Nolan's most underrated film. With a killer twist, which rewards repeat viewings, The Prestige is (If you'd pardon the pun) magical. With master magician Christopher Nolan tricking the audience in a way that does not produce infuriation but instead, admiration.
Writers: Christopher and Jonathan Nolan
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Michael Caine and David Bowie
Another Christopher Nolan film, another masterpiece. The Prestige in the wake of the Batman films and Inception may be Nolan's most underrated film. With a killer twist, which rewards repeat viewings, The Prestige is (If you'd pardon the pun) magical. With master magician Christopher Nolan tricking the audience in a way that does not produce infuriation but instead, admiration.
This is England
Writer and Director: Shane Meadows
Starring: Thomas Turgoose and Stephen Graham
A moving drama about childhood, race and Britain in the 1980s. (Technically this film could be included in the 2007 section when it went on wide release but it premiered in 2006 and it's here now so I'm not moving it...)
Writer and Director: Shane Meadows
Starring: Thomas Turgoose and Stephen Graham
A moving drama about childhood, race and Britain in the 1980s. (Technically this film could be included in the 2007 section when it went on wide release but it premiered in 2006 and it's here now so I'm not moving it...)
