Movies from 2006

To say that "The Departed" is brilliant does not even come close to describing this amazing movie. Legendary director Martin Scorsese has crafted a truly gripping film; one that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very first scene and never lets up. Excellent performances from the entire cast, but it's Leonardo DiCaprio that really steals the show. In the past, he has been relegated to "pretty boy" status, but he proves here that he truly is an acting force to be reckoned wtih. Due to its content, this is a very difficult movie to watch at times, with its highly vulgar language and scenes of intense violence. However, the story and acting are both so powerful that you can't help but love this movie, despite its rough content. Highly recommended.

A rather disappointing outing for Edward Norton. This movie strives to be mysterious and thoughtful, yet ends up being confusing and boring. The ending, like all good mysteries, wraps up all loose ends and explains all that had happened earlier in the story. Yet even the explanation was boring and thoughtless, and simply put, too little too late. With such a talented cast, this movie should have been so much better.

Just like a great illusion, this movie doesn't want you to know what's really going on ... until the end that is. Christopher Nolan, director of the brilliant "Memento", paces this story very well and holds your interest, and your amazement, right through. Great acting and a well-written screenplay make for a very enjoyable movie.

Sylvester Stallone is back in the role that made him famous. This time around, Rocky, after the death of his wife Adrian, is going through a mid-life crisis and decides to enter the ring once again. After a computer-simulated fight determines that a young Rocky would defeat the current Heavyweight champion in a match, the stage is set and the two go head to head. In what could be a predictable and boring movie about a has-been boxing an up-and-comer (see Rocky V), Stallone brings a certain level of humility and tenderness to his role, not seen since the original, and makes this a very fitting end to a true legacy.