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While you were finishing up the holiday shopping, critics were trotting out their annual best-of lists. Although not a banner year, 2006 did pretty well. It was the year a Broadway chestnut finally made it to the big screen and Martin Scorsese returned to what he does best: movies about wiseguys. As with last week’s 10 worst, some will be missing because I only review one movie a week. These picks are listed in descending order of greatness:
"Dreamgirls," starring Beyonc� Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx; directed by Bill Condon.
Winning six Tonys in 1982, "Dreamgirls" has finally made it to the big screen, and it was worth the wait. Everybody is wonderful in this flick, which was nominated for five Golden Globes, but the hype for Hudson is especially deserved — she owns this movie. (Not officially reviewed.)
"The Departed," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg; directed by Martin Scorsese.
Less than a quarter of Scorsese’s films have been about gangsters, but it’s what he does best. Could "The Departed," nominated for five Golden Globes, finally get Marty the Oscar? Don’t bet against it.
"Joyeux No�l," starring Gary Lewis and Diane Kruger; directed by Christian Carion.
Nominated for an Oscar in March in the Best Foreign Film category, "Joyeux No�l" is on the list because it wasn’t released in the U.S. until early this year. A truly terrific film, it has a great message but is never preachy. It’s available on DVD. Rent it now.
"Charlotte’s Web," starring Dakota Fanning and the voices of Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey and Robert Redford; directed by Gary Winick.
A children’s film in the best possible sense, "Charlotte’s Web" is innocent, funny and — above all — as relevant as the book was 54 years ago. The animals look like they really talk and Charlotte is lovely enough to attract the most virulent arachnophobe.
"On a Clear Day," starring Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn and Billy Boyd; directed by Gaby Dellal.
"On A Clear Day" is what is known as a perfect little movie. Mullan plays an unemployed Scotsman in a mid-life crisis. Blethyn is his loving wife with her own issues. Rent this one, too.
"Brick," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lukas Haas; directed by Rian Johnson.
A 2005 Sundance hit, "Brick" is noir for disengaged teens. Levitt (TV’s "3rd Rock from the Sun") gives a presence to be reckoned with. It also says a lot about the secret language of teenagers.
"Monster House," starring the voices of Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner and Steve Buscemi; directed by Gil Kenan.
If it hadn’t cost around $76 million to make, its $73 million domestic gross would be impressive. Still, this Golden Globe nominee is a marvelous example of computer animation with the help of motion capture technology.
"Nacho Libre," starring Jack Black and Ana de la Reguera; directed by Jared Hess.
Although some might chortle at this selection, I stand by it. It did well at the box office, but this isn’t about money. Black is wonderful, and the team behind "Napoleon Dynamite" continues to make weird the new black.
"Catch a Fire," starring Derek Luke, Tim Robbins and Bonnie Mbuli; directed by Phillip Noyce.
If ever a movie was undeserving of its bad box-office standing, it’s "Catch a Fire," a truly inspiring and very human film. Luke is so good it’s scary and Robbins isn’t bad, either. Available on DVD Jan. 30.
"The Lake House," starring Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves and Christopher Plummer; directed by Alejandro Agresti.
Critic Roger Ebert had to defend his three-and-a-half-star review of this film. Admittedly, it’s wildly implausible, but, say Roger and I, this is not a "Nova" episode, it’s a love story about two adults destined to meet. In that context, it works beautifully. Available on DVD.
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Movie schedules until Jan. 4 unless otherwise indicated. Call theaters for updates.
SOUTH PHILLY
United Artists Riverview Plaza
Columbus Blvd. and Reed St.
215-755-2219
Black Christmas (R) Thu.-Thu.: 12:15, 2:45, 5:15, 7:50, 10:20
Dreamgirls (PG-13) Thu.: 12:05, 1:10, 3:15, 4:15, 6:50, 7:40, 9:50, 10:45 Fri.-Thu.: 11:05 a.m., 12:05, 1:10, 2:10, 3:15, 4:15, 6:30, 7, 7:40, 9:30, 10, 10:45
The Good Shepherd (R) Thu.-Thu.: 1, 4:45, 8:30
Night at the Museum (PG) Thu.-Thu.: 11 a.m., 12, 1:40, 2:40, 4:20, 5:20, 7, 8, 9:40, 10:40
We Are Marshall (PG) Thu.-Thu.: 11:30 a.m., 2:15, 5, 7:45, 10:35
Rocky Balboa (PG) Thu.-Thu.: 11:10 a.m., 12:10, 1:45, 2:50, 4:30, 5:35, 7:15, 8:15, 9:45, 10:50
Charlotte’s Web (G) Thu.: 11:40 a.m., 12:30, 2, 3, 4:35, 5:30, 6:55, 7:55, 9:30 Fri.-Thu.: 11:40 a.m., 2, 4:35, 6:55, 9:20
Eragon (PG) Thu.: 11:20 a.m., 1:50, 4:40, 7:20, 10, 10:30 Fri.-Thu.: 11:20 a.m., 1:50, 4:40, 7:20, 9:50
The Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13) Thu.: 12:40, 2:20, 3:30, 4:10, 5:10, 6:45, 8:05 9:35, 10:10, 10:50 Fri.-Thu.: 11:35 a.m., 12:40, 2:20, 3:30, 5:10, 6:45, 8:05, 9:35, 10:50
Blood Diamond (R) Thu.-Thu.: 7:10, 10:15
The Holiday (PG-13) Thu.: 3:50, 10:25 Fri.: 12:45
The Nativity Story (PG) Thu.: 11:50 a.m. Fri.-Thu.: 1:30, 4:10
Casino Royale (PG-13) Thu.: 12:50, 7:05 Fri.-Thu.: 7:05, 10:10
Happy Feet (PG) Thu.-Thu.: 11:15 a.m., 1:55, 4:25
CENTER CITY
Ritz at the Bourse
400 Ranstead St.
215-925-7900
The Painted Veil (PG-13) Fri.-Thu.: 1:20, 4:10, 7:10, 9:55
Curse of the Golden Flower (R) Thu.-Tue.: 12:40, 1:40, 3:15, 4:15, 5:50, 6:50, 8:25, 9:25 Wed.-Thu.: 12:40, 1:40, 3:15, 4:15, 5:50, 8:25, 9:25
The Departed (R) Thu.-Thu.: 12:15, 3:25, 6:35, 9:50
History Boys (R) Thu.-Thu.: 1:30, 4:20, 7, 9:40
The Last King of Scotland (R) Thu.: 1:20, 4:10, 7:10, 9:45 (Ends 12-28)
Ritz 5
214 Walnut St.
215-925-79
Volver (R) Thu.-Mon.: 12:30, 1:30, 3:10, 4:10, 6:10, 7:10, 8:55, 9:55 Tue.-Thu.: 12:30, 1:30, 3:10, 4:10, 6:10, 8:55, 10
Sweetland (PG) Thu.-Thu.: 12, 2:30, 5:05, 7:35, 10:05
Apocalypto (R) Thu.-Thu.: 1, 4, 7, 10
Babel (R) Thu.-Thu.: 12:50, 3:50, 6:50, 9:50
Ritz East
Second Street between Chestnut and Walnu
215-925-7900
The Good German (R) Thu.-Thu.: 12:15, 2:45, 5:15, 7:45, 10:15
The Queen (PG-13) Thu.-Tue.: 12:05, 2:25, 4:40, 7, 9:30 Wed.-Thu.: 12:05, 2:25, 4:40, 10
Roxy Theater
2023 Sansom St.
215-923-6699
Blood Diamond (R) Thu.-Sat., Mon.-Thu.: 1:15, 4:10, 7:15, 9:55 Sun.: 1:15, 4:10, 7:15
Rocky Balboa (PG) Thu.-Sat., Mon.-Thu.: 12:45, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 Sun.: 12:45, 3, 5:15, 7:30
