2006 TOP TEN MOVIES/ALBUMS (#4-2)

Continuing on my list of top tens, here numbers four through two...

#4

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan directed by Larry Charles

-What is there left to say about Borat that hasn't already been said. There is no excuse for not having seen this film. This film is funny, seriously funny. One of the funniest films of all-time is not only ridiculous and disgusting (which it is), it is also clever. Sacha Baron Cohen is a born satirist; using all his characters to make fun of all sorts of subjects. I am not about to go into a description of everything in Borat that is funny; this being that it would take too long and the experience of seeing the images is far more satisfying than reading about them. I urge anyone who has yet to see Borat to go out and find some way of seeing the film. I guarantee that, whoever understands the comedy behind Borat's mannerisms, will find the film to be fantastic. It is disappointing that Cohen didn't receive a Best Actor nomination because, although everyone knows that the Academy Awards would never give and Oscar to Cohen, he deserved it more than any other actor this year.

Beck The Information
-Beck, one of my favourite artists, has once again put out a great record. It is impossible to deny Beck's influence on music. He has had such a prolific career that he remains almost impossible to categorize; he changes with each album. This album wins the award for most extras to ever come with a regular album; it includes: a DVD with videos made for each and every song on the album (one includes Devendra Banhart) and stickers in order to decorate the blank cover. The album itself is fantastic; fusing together all the elements of Beck's career. This album has everything: electronic sounds, beautiful music and great lyricism. I look forward to seeing what Beck does next; in the meantime, I'll enjoy what is, in my opinion, one of Beck's greatest albums.

#3

Casino Royale directed by Martin Campbell

-This film is easily one of the best films in the James Bond series; a series in need a revitalization after its recent misses. This film gives the franchise what it needs: a great new Bond, a fantastic new Bond girl and all-out action like never before. Forget the old way of beating up villains, Craig's Bond chooses to use his hands as his weapons; opting for a rougher style of combat. Daniel Craig is so good that, had the Academy had any guts, he should have been nominated for Best Actor. Craig brings a new essence to the film; an essence that is reminiscent of the old Connery days. Craig goes down as one of the greatest Bonds ever to grace the screen. Along side Craig's Eva Green, an enormously talented French actress who is perhaps my favourite Bond girl of all time. Green brings depth to the character of Vesper; something unseen in the last few films (example: Halle Berry). I won't dodge the fact that Green is also very attractive, which she is, but it's her acting abilities that truly compliment the character. Danish born Mads Mikkelson plays a great villain Le Chiffre, a man who literally cries tears of blood. This film is fantastic; if you haven't seen it, go see it and if you have seen it, go see it again.

The Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

- Yes, the Arctic Monkeys do have a stupid name but that shouldn't discourage anyone; The Monkeys are great. Their debut disc is fantastic; it has been out for a year and I still find myself listening to it. It is the perfect music for hitting up a pub with your friends. It blends the garage-rock beats of band like the Libertines and mixes them with catchy lyrics. It seems as if every week I am changing my mind to which song I like the most; this week it seems to be "Mardy Bum," due to the fact that I keep listening to it over and over again. Although the Actric Monkeys may seem like just another band ripping off the success of bands like the Libertines, they are their own band. They may have influences that they proudly show, but they never attempt to mimic anything. The took the U.S. by storm earlier this year and still haven't loosened their grip. I wish a long and prosperous music career to these lads from Sheffield, a town I myself lived near during my time living in England.

#2

United 93 directed by Paul Greengrass

-No other film this year has had such a profound emotional effect. While in the theater, I noticed people who began to cry; I myself almost had a few tears fall. It is difficult to avoid being emotionally stirred by such a film. Many argued that it was too soon to make a film about this topic and that it is impossible to truly know what happened on board the airlines that were hijacked on that fateful day of September 11, 2001. This film easily could have become a sappy film filled with cliche American-pride, but it didn't; rather, it opted for a realistic approach to the topic. This film, standing as a true achievement in the careers of all the many people who dared involve themselves in the picture. The film may be fictitious, but it feels real. All the actors appear truly scared as the final, heart-wrenching scene occurs. There are reasons why we honour all of the men and women who died on that tragic day of events; it is for the same reason that this film was made.

Tom Waits Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards

-Tom Waits, a man who has had perhaps one the best and most important careers of all time, released a project that included over fifty songs on three discs. Orphans, referring to the songs that have hitherto had no true "home," goes down as one of Waits' finest albums. Waits is able to combine all of his influences into one supreme masterpiece. One must listen to the album to truly get a feel for Waits' rough vocals and kicking beats. The length of this album may frighten off some listeners, but those are the kind of listeners that do not appreciate a rare artist like Waits. I am not about to say that this album is for everybody because it isn't, but to the few who enjoy Waits' music will adore this album, complete with the almost real scent of alcohol combined with an ashtray full of smoked cigarettes. How do you know when you have truly made your presence on the music scene? When none other than Scarlett Johansson wants to make an album of covers devoted solely to you.

-Well, that was the numbers four to two. Who will be number one? You'll have to wait and see.

-Alex