Time now for my New Years Honours List. I should warn you that this is hardly going to be an accurate survey of films this year. During the first part of it I watched quite a lot of movies, then I slowed off, watching perhaps two a month, and finally I finished the year beginning this blog and almost quadrupling my movie viewing. I haven't of course watched every film, or every major film (Brokeback Mountain, or United 93, for examples), nor have I been in any way systematic in what I see. I think I have had, at least, a reasonable sampling. So, here goes...
In the realm of blockbusters we've had some disappointing sequels to franchises, as well as some surprising ones. Of the first kind we should list Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Superman Returns. All were not really very satisfactory. The latter was absolutely dreadful. However, Mission: Impossible III and Casino Royale were pretty enjoyable, the former especially so (a review of which to arrive tomorrow). The Departed too (although not technically a sequel) was very good, perhaps one of the best films of the year. I was a little bored by The Constant Gardener. The Da Vinci Code I thought was ok, not as bad as some people thought, but not great. As always with films that involve such 'quests': the answer is never as interesting as the searching for it.
Moving to more independent films, I thought Brick and The King were excellent (and for some reason I always think of them together). Stranger Than Fiction and of course Children of Men were exceptionally good. I wasn't so impressed with Pan's Labyrinth and Borat as some people were. The Prestige was interesting, but a little flat, Deja Vu not as bad as I thought it was going to be, Hollywoodland ultimately a bit hollow, and V for Vendetta better than most critics claimed it wasn't. Munich was very good, as was Good Night, and Good Luck.
The problem is I can't think of one really great film this year, one that will easily fit in the Halliwell's four star column. Children of Men was good, but it did have flaws (everything with Michael Caine?). Brick was excellently conceived and executed, but it does feel a little like a one time party trick. The Host was brilliant, and is The Squid and the Whale to be included this year or not? If so, it should definitely be in the top five. This was A Good Year, not a great one.
So, Happy New Year to all. Tune in later this week for my hopes and highlights for 2007.
