101. Pan and Co

Right, Pan's Labyrinth was definitely the best film of 2006. It's unfortunate that I only got to watch it this year. It's even more unfortunate that they're only releasing it over here in March, so it's a while more before we can get to watch it on the Big Screen. Just how good is it? Bloody good I tell ya, in fact, typing or gushing about it over here won't do it justice. But let's save that for a later post shall we?

Another good flick everyone should watch but probably won't is Stephen Frears' The Queen. Bloody brilliant one that. Helen Mirren was majestic in that one. Only a few actors have that presence and gravitas about them, and almost all of them are Brits. You can put her up there with the likes of Judi Dench and Ian McKellan.

Anything else worth watching? The oft-mentioned Babel is a strange beast indeed. On first viewing, it's a difficult watch, with scenes that go into very uncomfortable territory indeed. It's not a very watchable film, but it is powerful, and quite sinister in it's make. If you were to go into the cinema looking for hope, you shan't find it here. Things are utterly bleak here.

More great films coming to a cinema near you or ready for download over the net: Letters From Iwo Jima, The Last King of Scotland, Volver...

Ok, on the small screen, these are the top 5 best things out there at the moment, ranked in order:
1. Rome
2. Heroes
3. Friday Night Lights
4. Lost
5. Grey's Anatomy

I would've put House up there if only I watched more episodes. Noteworthy mentions include The Office, Entourage and Prison Break. PB has slipped a few notches in my book the more 24-like things get, meaning implausible scenarios, but too much time has been invested to bail now. Likewise for Lost, but it's still on the list cause everyone wants to know what the hell that four-toed foot statue thingy from last season is, and they bloody better have a good explanation for it. Entourage is still infinitely watchable but somehow lacks the omph of the 2nd season (which was by far the most brilliant piece of television I've seen).

On a side note, this dreaded month of February is upon. What does that mean to you and me? Shit flicks like Ghost Rider in the cinema, ladies and gents. Summer couldn't come any sooner.