Does anyone really think the Academy knows what they’re doing? Because in my humble opinion, they almost never choose the real best picture of the year.Some notable examples of the Academy getting it completely wrong are How Green Was My Valley winning over Citizen Kane in 1941; Rocky beating out Network, Taxi Driver and All the President’s Men in 1976; Raging Bull losing to Ordinary People in 1980; Shakespeare In Love beating Saving Private Ryan in 1998; and a very bad movie about race called Crash winning over Munich and Brokeback Mountain.
Anyway, I’ve complied my list of the 5 best films on the year. And this year’s best picture winner The Departed is not on the list. Of course, there’s some crossover with the Academy’s list; but unlike the Academy, I don’t have a track record of screwing things, mainly because I don’t have a track record at all.
5) Little Miss Sunshine
Why it’s on the list: despite the generic Indie plot (let’s put five quirk people in a bus and make them go on a road trip! It’s so eccentric!), there wasn’t another movie this year as genuinely likable. Add in a perfect ensemble cast and a howler of an ending, and you’ve got a winner.
4) Borat
Why it’s on the list: I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much at the theater. Ever. And the wrestling scene was the most memorable & shocking things I’ve ever seen.
3) United 93
Why it’s on the list: No movie this year packed as much punch as United 93. Told in real time, the movie at first keeps you at the edge of your seat with it’s quickly paced telling of 9/11’s events, and then eventually it breaks your heart. Despite very good reviews, this movie was ignored by everyone, maybe because no wanted to see such a depressing movie.
2) Letters From Iwo Jima
Why it’s on the list: My feeling is of all the movies made this year, Letters From Iwo Jima is the one most likely to endure the test of time. Clint Eastwood’s great film is not only a visual tone poem, which drains almost all the color from the bloody battlefield, but a beautiful humanistic statement about what the “enemy” actually entails in war.
1) Children of Men
Why it’s on the list: The cinematography alone would make Children of Men a must see; it’s spectacular especially the climatic scene, which is shot in one amazing 20 minute long take. But Children of Men is also the the most relevant movie of the year, as well as the most entertaining. Throw in two great, under appreciated performances by Clive Owen and Michael Caine, and you’ve got greatness. Go see, discuss it and argue about it.
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February 27th, 2007 
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