Cocaine Cowboys (2006) - While not having the sharpest production values, this documentary exploring the drug trade in Miami during the 80s is astounding in the depth of insight uncovered. The audacity of these real life drug barons and the social and economic impact on Florida are exposed through colourful interviews with the people involved recalling just how crazy things got. Recommended

The War Tapes (2006) - Documentary in which several soldiers of the New Hampshire Army National Guard were given digital video cameras to capture their first engagement in Iraq. It’s a raw and largely non-partisan look at the uncertaintly and intensity of contemporary life in a war zone. Recommended

Zwartboek (Black Book) (2006) - The most expensive Dutch movie to date. Paul Verhoeven takes a pretty good, though heavily fictionalised, story of the dutch resistence and goes too far in a commercial direction. The assumption is that people won’t watch a movie about the dutch resistence unless it has both sex and complex plot twists. There are no genuinely tense moments. Average

Red Road (2006) - Red Road was the first of three films prompted by Lars von Trier’s ‘Advance Party’ concept which consisted of Dogme like rules except each film must have the same lead characters and actors but in entirely different contexts. This episode is about a CCTV operator in Britain who spies a man from her past and as the story unfolds we discover his significance to her life. It’s a gritty and convining portrait of where society is. Recommended

World Trade Center (2006) - Oliver Stone intentions are certainly pure here - to portray unity and the human spirit via a simple linear plot about two Port Authority police officers become trapped in the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center. While based on true events, it is both over sentimental and over simplistic - but we have come to expect from Stone. Nicely made, but just not in the same league addressing the subject matter in the way United 93 succeeded. Average

This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) - A documentary attacking the validity of the American movie ratings board (MPAA). I learnt a lot and was left in no doubt the current system is a sham, but the director’s tone/intent came off more as a personal vendetta rather than a meaningful critique of the ratings system. Average

Eragon (2006) - Family fantasy flicks don’t get much more derivative and dull than this. It just seemed to go on forever with nothing remotely original to offer. To be vey clear here - I only watched this on a dare as it was deemed the film I would most strongly dislike. Well chosen. Avoid

Rescue Dawn (2006) - Epic disappointment from Werner Herzog considering how brilliant the documentary was he made about these events (Little Dieter Needs to Fly). There are some great performances (though Bale was not the highlight) but it just looks like Herzog made too many compromises and the screenplay is lacking in intensity. Go see the 1997 doco instead.  Average

Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One) (2006) - Here's the tagline: "8 years ago, Alex's wife was MURDERED. Today... She e-mailed him.". Now if this was made in America it would sound like the must-miss film of the year. Somehow, as a French crime thriller it becomes a sophisticated thinking piece - even when it becomes a little farfetched. Well worth a watch. Recommended

Occupation 101: Voice of the Silenced Majority (2006) - I have been increasingly interested in the history and politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the recent escalation of activity. However, if you are looking for and unbiased account of the history of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip then this is certainly not the place to start. This is a passive-aggressive hate piece targeting Israel and it's the kind of divisive propaganda that undermines the truth about both sides. Avoid

Flushed Away (2006) - It's tough to be critical of an animated tale simply because it fails to fully satisfy viewers of all ages - but that is the precedent we have come to expect. Ultimately, this is about rats getting flushed down a sewer and it needs more than singing slugs to be memorable. Average

Inland Empire (2006) - David Lynch once again employs his non-linear storytelling and narrative style to go even deeper than (the far superior) Mulholland Dr. There are a lot of intense Lynchian moments to enjoy but this one is strictly for the hard core fans. If you do manage to sit through the three hour runtime you will at least be rewarded with one of the more interesting credit sequences I've seen in a while. Average

Wordplay (2006) - I love it when a documentary unexpectedly captures a moment in history, rather than simply retelling it retrospectively (refer also: King of Kong). This is the story of the New York Times crossword subculture and the American crossword tournament - told with uncharacteristic suspense. Recommended

Southland Tales (2006) - I already don't particularly like the overlong, futuristic Sci-Fi genre - but if I didn't, this would be exhibit A. Richard Kelly gets points for experimentation - but this film should never have been released. Avoid

Deliver Us From Evil (2006) - An Oscar nominated documentary that captures a truly extraordinary insight into notorious Catholic Church priest pedophile, Father Oliver O'Grady, and the emotional carnage he created. There is no sensationalism, just a chilling tone that serves as an indictment of the whole church hierarchy. Recommended

Outsourced (2006) - Light but sweet comedy about an American novelty products salesman who heads to India to train his replacement. It's a cute concept but crudely stereotypical and predictable. Average

Direktøren for det hele (The Boss of It All) (2006) - Lars von Trier takes on a rare comedy endeavour about an office manager who hires an actor to close the sale of the business. Comparisons with The Office are unavoidable, although the Danish tone is somewhat darker.  Average

Severance (2006) - A team building weekend turns into a Eastern European slasher fest. Not a genre I love, and a bit of a wildcard in my viewing queue, but this one was watchable.  Average

Venus (2006) - One of the more interesting British films I have seen lately. Peter O'Tool is great playing a veteran actor and his encounter with a teenage girl in a Pygmalion type story. Recommended

Lucky Number Slevin (2006) - This is a great little revenge flick with a big cast. But it's flawed, and a few of the cast bring baggage that ultimately drags down the overall effect. Still worth a look though. Recommended

Mon meilleur ami (My Best Friend) (2006) - The reassuring French formula for comic drama is once again on display with Daniel Auteuil as lead. This effort is light but plenty entertaining. Average

Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) - I like the concept - an afterlife for people who have committed suicide. It gets a little too absurdist by the end but I give it a recommendation for originality in the black comedy genre. Recommended

The Painted Veil (2006) - By all accounts this is the best of the three versions of this "unhappily every after" story that have been committed to film. This remake, with Norton and Watts as leading couple, may well be a flawed epic but still presents a stirring portrayal of redemption. Recommended

Jesus Camp (2006) - A jawdropping exposé on an evangelical summer camp for kids in Colorado. Knowing what we now know about Ted Haggard makes this all the more disturbing. So many great quotes: "At five I got saved because I just wanted more out of life." Recommended

The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006) - A look at the post-Beatles Lennon as he becomes a New York citizen and antiwar protester. Where this documentary fails is in the selective (read: positive bias) nature of the facts about his life that are revealed. The portrait of the man is less interesting that he backdrop of the vietnam war, but at least the music is first class. Average

Flags of Our Fathers (2006) - Without doubt, this film further establishes Clint Eastwood as a director of impeccable class. The scenes on the island are the best you will see in war cinema. But the biggest criticism of the film, that cannot be said about his superior 'Letters From Iwo Jima', is that it failed to deliver on the emotional impact. Recommended

Old Joy (2006) - I'll admit, it was long after the credits roll before I understood the significance of this minimalist story about two old friends who reunite for weekend camping. Recommended

A Good Year (2006) - With Ridley Scott directing and Russell Crowe in lead I already knew this would be a film I wouldn't enjoy. It's an above average formulaic romantic comedy - just not for me. Average

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) - I'm a Will Ferrell fan, but this (like the much worse Blades of Glory) is a weak satire that simply does not deliver on its potential. Average

Scenes of a Sexual Nature (2006) - UK film following couples walking around a park talking about relationships. I think this is a film for old people that need to feel they have sophisticated taste. Avoid

Smokin' Aces (2006) - Watchable, yes, but basically a forgettable action flick with stylized violence and a nice ensemble cast. Average

Hors de prix (Priceless) (2006) - Plenty of French, but not enough farce in this quirky romantic comedy. A good move for Audrey Tautou, who needed this to rebound from the appalling Da Vinci Code. Average

A Scanner Darkly (2006) - Richard Linklater doing Philip K Dick. It's not a genre I get excited about, but an interesting watch - I'm sure fans of both Linklater and Dick will love it. Average

The Illusionist (2006) - I had high hopes for this Edward Norton headed mystery thriller. Could have been something special were it not for a "twist" so absurdly obvious it makes the last two-thirds drag. Average

The Science of Sleep (2006) - I might have expected more from Michel Gondry after "Eternal Sunshine", but the lower budget here has led to a quirky film that is messy in places, but honest in its intent. Recommended

No. 2 (2006) - It's always a pleasant surprise to catch a film set in your home city that doesn't make you cringe. Toa Fraser's No. 2 is a great cultural vignette with some nice performances, but is unfortunately lacking a compelling storyline to take it to the next level. Average

The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006) - Ken Loach's Palme d'Or winner is a sympathetic look at Irish Republicans circa 1920 and a potent anti-war telling of a violent history. Recommended

Children of Men (2006) - A startling portrait of a world set a near future not that inconceivable from today. It's well established that I'm not a science fiction enthusiast, but despite this films many flaws, Alfonso Cuarón has created a very watchable film. Recommended

The History Boys (2006) - It's been a while since I've caught up with a great British film and this is a little gem with great character casting and an engaging and intelligent screenplay. Recommended

Idiocracy (2006) - A light comedy from Office Space director Mike Judge that was never going to be a masterpiece but manages to entertain thanks to its quirky future based concept. Average

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) - A real mixed bag of good/bad moments that never amounts to much. Loved the industry satire but the flimsy relationship stories were unbearable. Average

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) - I'm a big Clint Eastwood fan, and this is his most recent Oscar nominated directorial effort, and companion piece to Flags of our Fathers. A great contribution to the genre. Recommended

The Fountain (2006) - Darren Aronofsky finally delivers after a 6 year lag from the brilliant Requiem for a Dream. Critics were divided over his story spans over one thousand years, with three parallel stories. Beyond all the obscurity and pretentiousness is an important cinematic release. Recommended

Superman Returns (2006) - Bryan Singer strikes out in this fairly generic action flick. It's not a genre I particularly enjoy - perhaps just one for the fans. Average

The Prestige (2006) - Christopher Nolan's captivating tale of magic and rivalry starring the always good Christian Bale and the always "just ok" Hugh Jackman. By sleight of hand it has found itself in the IMDB top 100 - it's good, but not that good.  Recommended

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) - An exercise in taking two highly entertaining people, Jack Black and Kyle Gass, and churning out a barely watchable bore of a film.  Avoid

The Black Dahlia (2006) - A poorly cast, ill-cut, mess of a noir film. Avoid

Dreamgirls (2006) - I'm still no closer to understanding the American fascination with musicals. However, this one is beautifully made - with great songs and atmosphere but a little lack of soul in the story had me checking my watch all too often. Average

Clerks II (2006) - Kevin Smith has been living off the success of his first (pretty good) Clerks movie for far too long with only a string of average films that never reach his potential. But he has returned to some level of form with this remake. It's not outstanding but still a fun watch. Average

Borat (2006) - I could write all day about how deeply unfunny this film is. If it were an attack on Political Correctness, or a satire on the American life, I would have been laughing along. The idea is brilliant, but the execution just seems to highlight Sacha Baron Cohen's misanthropic and disrespectful outlook on humanity.  Average

Kenny (2006) - This Australian mockumentary about a portable toilet repairman is a surprisingly great (and uplifting) viewing despite a scattered narrative and editing sequence. Recommended

Hollywoodland (2006) - A good but not great look at the mystery surrounding the death of George Reeves, TV's Superman. Average

The Trials of Darryl Hunt (2006) - A documentary that follows a wrongly convicted man in a brutal rape/murder case where justice was overlooked by way of a wave of racism. Recommended

Art School Confidential (2006) - Terry Zwigoff's follow up to 'Bad Santa' is unfortunately not up to his 'Ghost World' game - I really wish it was because the material had all the potential. Still a great watch despite its flaws.  Average

The Good German (2006) - Soderbergh falls short in this attempt to pay tribute to the post war films of the 40's and 50's. Complete with vintage B-movie processing I can't help but feel it could have been so much more with a better composed ending and a cast rethink. Average

Shortbus (2006) - You could easily be mistaken for thinking this film about the graphic sex lives of half a dozen New Yorkers is just a gimmick. But beyond the deliberately over the top visual scenes is a dark comedy of great relevance.  Recommended

American Dreamz (2006) - Somehow I got it in my head that this might be a film worth watching. Fails to deliver the message it really wanted to - a situation exacerbated by a horribly miscast line up. Average

For Your Consideration (2006) - The usual cast are all back in this latest offering from Christopher Guest. Unfortunately it never matches the wit found in his earlier mockumentary films. Average

Black Snake Moan (2006) - I can imagine this is a film that would divide a lot of critics due to it's content and the way certain action are chosen to be portrayed. It's hard to know how much is intentional comedy and where things are meant to be taken seriously. Putting that aside, it was a fun life affirming trip. Recommended

John Tucker Must Die (2006) - In my defense, I saw this on a bus in Peru and had no choice about it. Everything is obvious and nothing is funny - but it made the ride fun. Average

The Good Shepherd (2006) - The De Niro directed CIA story as viewed through one man's (Damon) life. An all star cast in a great historic thriller. Recommended

El Laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth) (2006) - Even though I don't like the fantasy genre (and found the lack of a protagonist an issue) this is a worthwhile watch for the attention to detail on the visual effects alone. Recommended

Sione's Wedding (2006) - It's not hard to suggest that this is the best comedy film ever made in New Zealand, because there hasn't been one that doesn't make you cringe in decades. But I really think Samoa deserves all the credit here - the humour, acting and music is all good fun (and the presence of four Miss Samoa's certainly helps). Recommended

School for Scoundrels (2006) - Very lightweight comedy starring Jon Heder and Billy Bob Thornton. It merely passes the time with jokes and situation comedy that fails to amuse. Avoid

Rocky Balboa (2006) - It was all far too contrived for my liking. No doubt Stallone was was sincere with his intent, but this is a movie that did not need to be made. Avoid

Night at the Museum (2006) - Fun and imaginative family adventure flick with Ben Stiller in lead. Multi-leveled comedy but aimed at the kids. Average

Music and Lyrics (2006) - Terrible, terrible, disposable romantic comedy. Avoid

Paris, je t'aime (2006) - A total of 18 short films from different leading directors about love in Paris. It's a difficult and disjointed watch and I lost interest in places. Alexander Payne’s segment blew the rest away. Average

The Queen (2006) - Excellent portrayal of the actions of the royal family around the time of Diana's death. Recommended

Blood Diamond (2006) - Hollywood does a nice job trivialising the conflict diamond trade in South Africa. Great actors in a juvenile storyline. Avoid

Babel (2006) - An exploration of cultural clashes and the disconnects between people. Not my favourite of Inarritu's works, but it is one of the strongest films of the year by far. Recommended

United 93 (2006) - A real time account of the events on United Flight 93, handled without overstatement or political and racial bias. Recommended

You, Me and Dupree (2006) - The Russo brothers were once tagged to have a big future in film, but this unfunny comedy is a sign of decline. Avoid

Marie Antoinette (2006) - A modern interpretation of the life of Marie Antoinette. I really wanted to like it, but the story, or lack of one, was just not portrayed in a compelling manner and there is nothing rewarding to be found when the final credits roll. Average

Apocalypto (2006) - Mel Gibson's latest big scale production is an entertaining and well directed adventure but see-saws between greatness and averageness. Still worth a look. Recommended

Casino Royale (2006) - Far and away the best Bond film in decades, and also the best action thriller in a while. A dark and visceral depiction. Recommended

Out of the Blue (2006) - A true account of the Aramoana Massacre by David Gray in 1990. While not bad for a NZ film, Out of the Blue is oddly lacking in emotional depth and impact, with an awkward script that doesn't deliver the punch you expect. Average

La Doublure (The Valet) (2006) - Francis Veber delivers another French farce that, while not near is best, is a fun watch that will leave you with a smile. Recommended

Jindabyne (2006) - With shades of Ray Lawrence's previous film, Lantana, and reminiscent of another Aussie great, Picnic at Hanging Rock, I had high hopes at the outset. But this story, set in the Australian town of Jindabyne, is a whole lot of ideas that never really come together in a meaningful way. Average

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) - Great little dysfunctional-family comedy which works well as a road movie and makes a good satire of contemporary America. Recommended

The Da Vinci Code (2006) - I'm out of words for how badly made this film was - shame on all those involved. Real talent was wasted on this juvenile and laughable story. Avoid

The Omen (2006) - I confess to never having seen the original. The remake was horribly cast and unintentionally funny in places. All the same it was a watchable popcorn flick. Average

Inside Man (2006) - An unlikely film from Spike Lee, but ends up being one of the better heist films in the genre, despite Denzel Washington's attempts to ruin it. Doesn't quite know how to end. Recommended

The Sentinel (2006) - Average by-the-numbers assassination thriller. Entertaining but nothing dazzling. Average