Top 10 Movies of 2006

I have to say, 2006 was sort of a mushy year in movies. Sure, a lot of great stuff graced the silver screen, but there was nothing that blew my mind in the way, say, a Dogville or Gerry or Irreversible or even Moulin Rouge did. That said, there were some magical movie moments I'd never trade brought to me via the fine cinematic offerings listed here.

These aren't ordered by preference precisely, but I generally dig the top of the list more than the bottom.

Science of Sleep
Very romantic, very playful, very clever. As if Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was distilled into a concentrate of surreal sweetness.

La Moustache
A psychological thriller of sorts, all centered upon a man's upper lip. Lovingly crafted and beautifully acted.

House of Sand
Gorgeously shot, told and acted. Plodding at times, but poignant throughout.

Old Joy
Quiet is the new loud. The most delicately observed buddy movie ever.

Manderlay
I'm sorry, I'm a sucker for Lars' films. While this play-as-movie pales in comparison to its sister film Dogville, there are still soul-shaking truths within it.

Marie Antoinette
The opposite of soul-shaking, but Sofia does delight the eye with her irresistibly indulgent art direction and often delights the heart with her unmistakeable understanding of the female psyche. After all, every girl secretly wants to be a princess...tho' queen will do, too.

Three Times
I truly only adored the first of this film's three tales of love, but its watercolored, bittersweet stillness is worth a Top 10 mention. It's 30 minutes of pure romantic bliss.

Little Miss Sunshine
Some call it too commercial, but I call it a clever crowd-pleaser with an undercurrent of pathos that perfectly undercuts any predictability.

Thank You for Smoking
Smart-ass and smart. I suspected the gimmick would tire by the second reel, but the story steamed ahead with great energy and guts.

Inside Man
Sharp, snappy, satisfying. Spike Lee is back. (And Clive Owen is friggin' hot.)

Honorable mention:

An Inconvenient Truth
There wasn't a more important film released in 2006, especially seeing how we need the planet to be liveable if we're going to keep enjoying movies.