Please note:  as this list is based on films I have watched during the year, some may be older than 2006. 

1.  Lady Vengeance 

Chan Wook Park’s startling Vengeance Trilogy comes to its conclusion in this highly    effective story of a woman imprisoned for 15 years for the kidnapping & murder of a young boy, only to be released and seek revenge against the man who was really responsible.  This powerfully acted, shocking and above all else, truly memorable film proves how amazing foreign cinema can be.

2.    Crash 

This highly acclaimed, Oscar winning film about several different people and the effects racism and sexism have on their lives during the course of one day is powerful, thought provoking and often highly emotional with some brilliant acting on show, especially from a return to form Matt Dillon & Thandie Newton.  The kind of film everyone should see at least once.

3.    Munich 

 Steven Spielberg once again delivers in a true story of undercover mercenaries and terrorism.  This real-world Mission Impossible will have you gripped for the duration, and a great collection of characters makes this thoroughly absorbing, even if it is quite disturbing too.

4.    Saw 3 

The grizzly but highly imaginative Saw franchise continues to amaze with this twist packed gore filled spectacle with some of the nastiest surprises ever in a horror movie.  First class stuff, and adds tons to the other two films in the process.  Own the trilogy!!

5.    Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang 

Lethal Weapon script writer Shane Black’s directing debut is a slick buddy thriller with a startlingly brilliant Robert Downey Jar and a perfectly cast Val Kilmer in a murder mystery plot with some of the sharpest dialogue I’ve ever heard.  It looks beautiful too.

6.    Casino Royale

Bond is back, and with Pierce Brosnan gone its over to the unlikely Daniel Craig to fill the boots in a long running franchise.  This time it’s leaner and meaner and more realistic, and it works a treat – and Daniel Craig is hard as nails, and very likeable as the world’s most famous spy.

7.    The Departed

 Film making legend Martin Scorsese returns to his routs in a violent gangster film about undercover cops.  Jack Nicholson steals the show but is admirably supported by Leonardo Dicaprio and Matt Damon.  May lack the epic quality of other Scorsese films but has it where it counts.

8.    Miami Vice 

Michael Mann brings the eighties TV hit bang up to date and shockingly avoids making it a lame Bad Boys rip off.  This is intelligent, gripping and above all else cool – even if many people approached this with the wrong expectations.  Colin Farrell & Jamie Fox deliver but don’t amaze though.

9.    King Kong 

Peter Jackson’s brave follow up to the ground-breaking Lord of the Rings trilogy is another much loved story from the past, given a magical quality by a director who nearly out shines Spielberg these days.  Quality casting (especially Naomi Watts) makes this a treat despite an over-long jungle segment.