Best-of-the-aughts: discussing 2006 and 2005

After using last week’s post as a tribute to the wonderful year that was 2007, I will be doubling up on my subjects this week. I will be paying homage to the years of 2006 and 2005 for this installment in the best-of-the-aughts series.

2006

1. Borat
Sacha Baron Cohen swung for the fences with this witty send-up of American culture.

2. Casino Royale
The opening chase scene is one of the best action sequences of all time.

3. Children of Men
Alfonso Cuaron’s eerily realistic post-apocalyptic film was arguably the best science fiction film of the decade.

4. The Departed
Martin Scorsese. That cast. The music. The opening. The ending. This movie is awesome.

5. Inside Man
Spike Lee has been on a creative drought as of lately, but this heist film was filled with thrills.

6. Letters From Iwo Jima
Clint Eastwood made one good film after another during the decade, and this one belongs right up there with the rest.

7. Little Miss Sunshine
How can you not love this adorable movie?

8. Pan’s Labyrinth
This fantastical journey of a film is visually and emotionally striking.

9. The Prestige
Are you watching closely?

10. Talladega Nights
Ricky Bobby is America.

2005

1. Batman Begins
Our first taste of how a superhero movie could feel like it actually took place in the real world.

2. Brick
If you ever get the chance to see this under-appreciated throw back to classic film noirs, do it.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt proved he was a star in the making.

3. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Don’t let the title fool you; this is actually a sweet (and hilarious) take on adulthood.

4. A History of Violence
There are quite a few surprises in this tale of violence and owning up to your past.

5. Kingdom of Heaven
Ridley Scott’s Crusades-set epic needs to be seen in its true version, the director’s cut.
6. King Kong
The umpteenth take on the story of King Kong was the best of the bunch.

7.  Munich
The definition of tense. You will be clenching your fists in anticipation from beginning to end.

8. Sin City
Basically a comic book put to screen, this film is an exhilarating crime thriller.

9. Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith
I know there were tons of problems with the prequel trilogy, but Episode III ranks with the first two installments. Hearing Obi-Wan yell out to a mutilated Anakin, “You were the chosen one,” sends chills down my spine.

10. War of the Worlds
A Spielberg double-take after the inclusion of Munich. One of the few remakes that worked.

Although I believe 2006 was a superior year, both of these years provided for some great movie-watching experiences. With proven veterans (Spielberg, Eastwood) and up-and-comers (Rian Johnson, Judd Apatow) both making their presence felt. If you felt I left anything out or included anything undeserving, let me know in the comments section.