chesterfilms Blog

Growing up this was one of my favorites. Now I that I am older, I am revisiting the films I loved as a child. This film starts off just as I remembered it. I am transported back to 1986, but then it happens. And it happens so quick and so horribly wrong. Maybe it's the production design, or the acting, or the story. It's probably all of that, but most of all It's probably the guys in monster suits holding dolls to represent humans. As I wave goodbye to 1986, I wish I had just left this one alone and kept my memories.

A noholdsbar documentary about Colombian drug trafficking in Miami during the 80's. Very frantic and compelling, this film keeps you on the edge of your seat. It contains unbelievable footage and amazing interviews with many of the people involved.

It's always difficult to pick a top 5 of anything, so here's my 8 favorite films of 2006.

Pan's Labyrinth: Promoted as a fairytale for adults, Pan's delivers just that. It's a film where you have to suspend disbelief and trust the director, but it is not hard to take that step. Incredibly hard to watch at times, but a powerful message that is not all heavy handed or forced.

The Departed: No it's not Scorsese's best film. Yes he should have gotten it for his other films. Everyone, please get over it. The Departed can stand on it's own. It's a fantastic crime film. Gritty and epic,The Departed It wasn't the best of the year, but the best never wins.

Marie Antoinette: Images that reminded me of Barry Lyndon.  More lavish and beautiful than you can imagine, and it's not just style over substance. Dunst gives her greatest performance. One thing is for sure, Sofia Coppola is becoming a very important director.

Children Of Men: 4 or 5 scenes that left me absolutely stunned. Killer soundtrack, and a wonderful visual homage to Pink Floyd. Technically one of the greatest accomplishments in Cinema History. Give this movie 10 years and people will call it a masterpiece.

Apocalypto: Yes Mel Gibson can be a jack-ass, but that should not reflect his directing. Great cinematography, and a very original story idea. Apocalypto is Unlike any other film I have ever seen.
 
Little Miss Sunshine: It's more than just the little film that could. It's a beautiful  story with pitch perfect characters and performances. Not a false note in the whole film.

The Proposition: Although this was made in 2005, it was released here in 2006, so it's going on the list. Set in the Australian Outback with Nick Cave's haunting score, The Proposition is a very gritty, very Peckinpah new western classic.

Volver: No one has directed women as well since George Cukor. Even though the film touches on very tough subjects, it holds on to it's playfulness without loosing it's power, and Penelope Cruz is the closest to Sophia Loren in her prime we may ever see.