Shortbus

Wow. What an interesting film this was. Very risky, very controversial, very sexy, very innovative. Shortbus distinguises between freedom of love and freedom of sex, in a very John Cameron Mitchell kind of way. Mitchell shows us that innovation must have his name engrained in the word. I was a bit perplexed by this film, but i felt that i should have been. Sarah is a "couples-counselor" who needs to find an orgasm. Jamie needs to be fucked by someone other than his lover. For these characters, like is not at all about sex, yet it is. It isnt exactly a top 10 film for me, but it was definately an eye-opening hour and a half. In a positive note, this film is not for everyone, and that's its greatest appeal.

I love films that take these risks. You decide what sex should be about.

Top Films of the Year

Top 2006 Films (No particular order)

Little Miss Sunshine
Pan's Labyrinth
Babel
United 93
The Prestige
Stranger Than Fiction
Blood Diamond
The Queen
Notes on a Scandal

Best Small Films

Quinceanera
The Last Kiss
12 and Holding
American Gun
Sorry, Haters
Half Nelson

Most Interesting, Innovative Films

The Science of Sleep
Shortbus

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

First of all, this film shows great casting. This is one of those small films that work extremely well. I hope more people get to see because its a real story, with real characters. The film is about a young man, living in tough Queens, who lives in a world that he doesnt want to be a part of. After many dangerous events, the man leaves for California and leaves his parents. The narrative moves around from that young boy to that boy grown up into a man coming back to his town, Queens. He fights and fights his enemies, but fights harder with his family and friends. Rosario Dawson is one of those great actresses that keeps doing good work. Chazz Palminteri is the same( a consistency great actor, who only does good roles). Diane Wiest is another great actress who is always good. Shia Leboeuf is one of the better young actors and is choosing very good roles. Channing Tatum and Melonie Diaz and Robert Downey Jr. complete a GREAT CAST!. The supporting cast is really impressive and writer/director Dito Montiel shows some really good work in giving them good stuff to work with. I really feel that this film should have gotten more talk and this cast deserves more attention. It is one of those stories that works well and the culture is shown without forcing anything. Very impressive!

Stranger Than Fiction

This film is a surprisingly oustanding work of narrative. The story is of a man, struggling as his life is completely narrated to him and his death is written to him. It is similar to The Truman show, as it deals with the voyeuristic side of reality. A great script can make any movie waychable and great acting and direction makes it better. Director Marc Forster proves, once again, that he is one of the marvels of contemporary filmwork. Stranger Than Fiction joins up with Monster's Ball and Finding Neverland as extremely good films. Will Ferrell dazzles in this difficult role, and he shows that he has improved as an actor. He is trying to use the Jim Carrey way of advancing as a complete actor, and choosing this script shows that. Maggie Gyllenhaal shows once again that she is one of the best actresses around. Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman complete a very good cast. I think this film was overlooked in the current awards season and more recognition should be made. It truly shows one of the many creative examples that contemporary film are giving us. Screenwriter Zach Helm has a bright future.