With awards season upon us, I thought I should give you my top ten movies of the year. Just for statistical purposes, I went to the cinema 60 times and saw 42 different films. The complete list of what movies I saw is available if anyone’s interested. I’m only including films eligible for this years Oscars in my top 10 list, since some of the movies I saw in 2005 already got their awards, and some of the movies I’ve seen in 2006 are still eligible, so, that being said, here’s the list (it should be noted that I have yet to see Munich, and that I don’t go see slasher movies or sophomoric comedies).

First, the honorable mentions, films that were good but did not make my top 10 (in no particular order):
King Kong
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Brokeback Mountain
The Producers
Sin City
Kingdom of Heaven
Batman Begins
Memoirs of a Geisha

And now for the top 10:

10) The Constant Gardener
– Though most people never saw this film, they should have. A story about one man’s quest to find out why his wife was killed and to get justice, not vengeance. Ralph Fiennes is a truly special actor, and one of the best in the business. Rachel Weisz is captivating as well. A small piece with big messages and a well told story.

9) March of the Penguins
– Most people know I’m biased towards penguins, and now they can see why. There is nothing cuter than a baby penguin. In addition to the warm and fuzzy feeling of the penguins, this movie tells a story of struggles and hardships undergone just to have one chick. Deeply moving, funny, and totally cute.

8) Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit
– Funniest movie of the year by far, and it can even bring a tear to your eye (if you cry at the drop of a hat, like me). Great sight gags, witty dialogue, and a wonderful story, this had it all. Any worries about the transition from short to long films were put at ease. If this film doesn’t win the best animated picture Oscar, then something is very wrong.

7) Rent
– I had never seen the show, though I had an opportunity to that didn’t work out, and I was truly amazed. This film has many messages to send about gay rights, AIDS, art, love, music, film, dance, anarchy, and so many other potent topics. The music is phenomenal, basically a string of show-stoppers. It’s easy to see why the play was such a success. Most of the original cast of the show was used for the film, which was wonderfully directed by Chris Columbus (of Harry Potter fame). The best musical since Chicago and one that will set the standard for years to come.

6) War of the Worlds
– Spielberg is a genius. This tense thriller has aspects of Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Saving Private Ryan all in one. Despite Tom Cruise’s best attempts to draw attention to himself, he is still a great actor, and Dakota Fanning is amazing as well. The scariest movie I saw this year, and it will haunt you for a long time after. Some of the greatest effects as well. I will see every Spielberg movie until he stops making them.

The top 5:

5) Cinderella Man
– Boxing has always been inherently dramatic, at least on film. This is no exception. Russell Crowe dominates the film, and Renee Zellweger continues to show why she is so sought after. Paul Giamatti is excellent as well. True story movies either float or sink, there’s no in between. This year was a great one for truth in the theater, as 3 of my top 5 were based on true stories.

4) Walk the Line
– Joaquin Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon bring so much feeling to this film as Johnny and June, and not enough can be said about their performances. They did their own singing (something Jamie Foxx didn’t do) and sound remarkable. And the marriage proposal scene at the end is one of the best marriage proposals on film, ever. Truly a film not to be missed.

3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
– Should a Harry Potter movie actually be considered one of the best films of the year? Absolutely. Scary, emotional, gripping, exciting, sad, funny, romantic… this film was everything. A huge step up from the other 3 HP films, this one upped the ante for the next 3 to come. The PG-13 rating helped Mike Newell add some weight to the film that he couldn’t have under a PG rating. The 3 leads are spectacular, and they have truly defined their characters in ways Rowling probably could not have imagined.

2) Good Night and Good Luck
– Basically a snapshot of a moment in time, this tells the story of Edward R. Murrow’s historic “battle” with Senator Joseph McCarthy. George Clooney directed, co-starred and co-wrote this film, and his ability is surprising. A short, calm, simple movie about a big turning point for television and politics. Everyone should see this film (don’t be afraid of it being in black and white).

1) Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
– Just for the record, I saw this 9 times in the theater, and for good reason. I know people think I’m biased and silly for picking this my #1, but it deserves it. In addition to being the most powerful film and powerful story of the year, it was one of the most well put together productions I’ve ever seen. It was practically flawless. Much has been said about the acting, but I’ll say this, it works. You may find Anakin annoying, but the character is played exactly as it should be. Ian McDiarmid is outstanding as Emperor Palpatine, and Ewan McGregor is perfect as Obi-Wan. Spectacular fights, spellbinding effects (the opening shot, over a minute long, is almost a ballet between starfighters), believable acting, magnificent direction, heart-wrenching emotion, beautiful sets, costumes and music, and the greatest story all make this #1. The Star Wars saga is one of the greatest stories ever told throughout human history, and no story has ever been told in as grand a fashion as this. George Lucas is a storyteller, not a writer, not a director. He sees everything (as all storytellers do) and can communicate it to us easily, no matter how complex or confusing. The symbols, the archetypes, the motifs… it’s a masterpiece, and it will take its place as the link that forms this amazing story. It will live on forever.