The Bestest 2006

Filmmage
Writing a list like this and producing it while still relevant becomes more and more difficult every year. Something like 75% of the films on this list are released either in the last quarter of the year or spend less than a few weeks on a small screen before the long haul until a DVD release. Sure strategically it makes sense to release them so that there is still a fresh Academy Awards buzz about them, but that means that there is a theatrical wasteland for much of the rest of the year. Nevertheless, there were some wonderful films this year the best of which should be included below.

1. Lady Vengeance/Oldboy/Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance – Dir. Chan-Wook Park

“Lady Vengeance” is the final installment of one of the finest, most tragically overlooked film trilogies of all time. As can be deduced by the titles, these films focus quite specifically on revenge. But unlike most films that attempt to analyze the morality of revenge, these films expose layer after layer of complicated but accessible plot to allow the viewer to better understand and empathize. With this year “Lady Vengeance,” director Park focuses on a beautiful woman, just released from a 13 year prison sentence for a crime she didn’t commit. Although unoriginal sounding, this film is drenched in beautiful colors which seem to mimic perfectly the pace and texture of a film which drives deep into the recesses of the human soul. Sure there is blood, and violence, but it never looked so good or seemed so thoughtful. (more…)