The top six of '06 and seven to look out for in '07

Top six of '06

Now that the year 2006 is over (and did it fly by or what?), SCO has decided to take a brief look back at some of the best films of the year. A few of these films are still out in theatres, having such great appeal that viewers like you kept going back to see them, but a few of them are already out on video, ready for you to snatch up at your local Blockbuster. So sit back, relax and read about what SCO picked as the top six movies of 2006.

"Children of Men"

Imagine that, 20 years from now, women would stop having children. That's the plot of Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men." The world is in chaos and something must be done in order to save the human race. When the protagonist finds a pregnant woman (certainly unheard of at that time), he makes it his duty to protect her and deliver her to the scientists who can hopefully save the world with her child's birth. "Children" is a completely new idea that was brilliantly made with a realistic and frightening tone.

"Borat!: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"

Since day one, "Borat" caused audiences to laugh hysterically and integrate the ridiculous phrases into daily life. "Borat" brought a cultural change to the country—or Blair at the very least. Instead of heading the words sweet and tight in the hallways everyday, Blazers would hear "Very niiice," and "High five!" Though "Borat" may not be a masterpiece that will go down in history for its ingenious, it's got to be said that the film was indeed very clever and hilarious.

"The Queen"

This film isn't really your typical high-schooler's Friday night film choice. But "The Queen" has awed audiences throughout the country. It's the story of Queen Elizabeth's reaction to Princess Diana's death in 1997. The film shows the Queen's struggle through a time of controversy and indecision as the press turned against the Queen for being so passive after the Princess's death.

"Little Miss Sunshine"

Most comedies don't come off as film masterpieces, but "Little Miss Sunshine" is one of the best comedies to come about in a long time. It is the story of a family's determination to get their daughter across the country in a VW bus in hopes of getting her in the finals of a beauty pageant. The family's quirks make the movie a highly enjoyable couple of hours.

"The Devil Wears Prada"

It's safe to say that this is really a girly movie but, hey, it's still really well done. "Prada" is the story of Andrea, who is new to New York City and hopes to make it big in the magazine industry. Unfortunately, her new boss is the devil herself, and Andy msut go through hell to make it through each day at the office. "Prada" is based on the equally remarkable book of the same title which, if you have yet to read, you should definitely pick up at the bookstore or local library.

"Stranger than Fiction"

Will Ferrell plays Harold Krick, an everyday, boring IRA auditor who one day starts to hear a voice in his head. The crazy part is that he's not going crazy; instead, it turns out that an author is writing a story about Krick. Not an autobiography or anything, but a fiction that she has no idea affects the real life of its real life main character. Everything that the author writes changes Krick's everyday life and creates and funny and engaging comedy.

Six not worth it in '06

Unfortunately, along with the dozens of great films that are released each year come the bad movies. SCO suggests you not waste your time at the movie store debating over the following bottom-of-the-barrel flicks of 2006:

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"

It's hard to live up to the masterpiece that is "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl," but the next installment didn't even make it part way. The continuing adventures of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann fell dead in this sequel.

"Bobby"

This movie was good—in the last ten minutes. "Bobby," which is a film that centers on a group of people's lives who were affected by the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, fell short of all the hype that deemed it an incredible masterpiece. The only part worth seeing is the intense and extremely well-done ending minutes, which sadly don't save the movie.

"Beerfest"

This movie didn't even look good in commercials, so the only way it could really disappoint would be if anyone seriously went in with high hopes—and who would? "Beerfest" is the lame story of two brothers who head on over to Oktoberfest in Germany. It may be funny to some people, but it's just stupid and pathetic to most.

"Snakes on a Plane"

"Snakes" is about an assassin who lets loose a bunch of poisonous snakes in order to kill his victim. Did anyone even pay attention to the title of this movie before seeing it? It's been rumored that Samuel L. Jackson only wanted a part in "Snakes" because he knew what a joke it would be, and hopefully that rumor is the truth. Otherwise Jackson's career may be going down the drain.

"Employee of the Month"

Dane Cook is hilarious, but it's not clear what he was thinking when he decided to do "Employee of the Month." The movie is about two employees of Super Club who vie for the coveted Employee of the Month award because a hot new worker transfers to the store, and she only dates E of the M winners (talk about high standards). Sure, this movie has some funny moments, but it's still pretty stupid and a waste of money.

"The Da Vinci Code"

For all the hype, most people expected a masterpiece that could somehow live up to the well-known book of the same name. It wouldn't be fair to call "Da Vinci" a horrible tragedy of a film, but it also doesn't give the book all the credit it deserves.

Seven to see in '07

And as every senior at Blair is willing to tell any lowerclassmen, it's now the year of 2007. That means that (along with the fact that the class of '07 is graduating in a few short months) a wide array of new and fantastic movies are coming to a theatre near you. Convenient for all moviegoers, SCO has compiled a list of seven movies that should be really good in 2007.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

Though the kids are getting a little old, the directors seem to be switching every minute and favorite characters sometimes turn out differently than viewers would have liked, it's safe to say that the newest installment of "Harry Potter" will be a box office smash with tons of students dressed up as wizards at midnight the night of its premiere in July.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End"

Though the last "Pirates" film disappointed, there's no where to go but up. Hopefully the last part of the trilogy will remind us all of how amazing and capturing the first film really was.

"The Bourne Ultimatum"

The last two "Bourne" movies were amazing works filled with violence, action and excitement. It's not yet known what exactly will happen to Jason Bourne in the third installment, but it's safe to say that as he discovers more mysteries about his past, tons more excitement will follow.

"Shrek the Third"

The first "Shrek," is a piece of animated genius, the second didn't disappoint and the third—well we're all going to be ready for it when it hits theatres this year. Unlike many animated movies that keep producing new films to chronicle the next chapters of the characters lives, the "Shrek" films keep entertaining and don't leave anyone unhappy.

"Spiderman 3"

2007 is seriously the year of third installments to great series. Peter Parker and Mary Jane are back again. This time, Spiderman must deal with all new villains and chaos in order to keep the world a safe place. Supposedly, "Spiderman 3" will be the last of this superhero's movies, but it's possible that a fourth will surprise us later on.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"

Who didn't grow up watching, playing with and wanting to be the Ninja Turtles? In this movie, the turtles are pulling out the stops. They're not just cartoons now—they're computer animated. The turtles are needed when New York City becomes a town of chaos, but somehow three fourths of this crime fighting team has lost themselves. Master Splinter and Leonardo must unite the group once again. The turtles are definitely "Raising Shell 2007."

"Pan's Labyrinth" (out now!)

In 1944, a young girl must move with her mother to Northern Spain. The repression is as bad as it could be, but the girl lives in a world of her own. She must come to terms with the real world and the world within her mind. This movie should be spectacular, a mix of fantasy and real-life seriousness. It's out now and already nominated for tons of awards, so catch it while you can.