2006 movie moments

As stated before, I won't give my best of 2006 until at least seeing Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth," but this is just a little different.

Here, instead, are 10 scenes that have lingered on my brain the longest. These aren't necessarily the best movies I've seen this year, but they at least had these moments that have managed to stick with me.

Dave Chappelle's Block Party
There's so much to choose from in this feast for the senses, which somehow didn't really catch fire at the box office. The triumphant return of the Fugees at the end was certainly a high point, but for me my favorite moment was a fairly quiet one when Dave's sitting on the drum kit and surveying the audience: After asking if there are any Mexicans in the audience, he breaks into his Mexican Lil Jon: "Que! Que!" A silly moment, for sure, but it was just so great to see him having fun again. If you haven't seen this magnificent Michel Gondry flick, do so right away.

Thank You for Smoking
"Borat" and even "Beerfest" may have been more laugh-out-loud funny than this one, but as smart political satire, it stands tall as the rare exception to a dying breed. My favorite scene would have to be in Rob Lowe's Hollywood office, when he's trying to explain to Aaron Eckhart's Nick Naylor how astronauts would be able to smoke in space. Priceless.

V for Vendetta
After seeing V for Vendetta, I'm now thoroughly convinced that Alan Moore will never be happy with a movie made from one of his graphic novels, because they won't get much better than this one. If you somehow haven't seen this, skip the next sentence. The ending sequence of "V," as our hero staggers into the subway station and is placed on the train full of explosives by Natalie Portman's Evey, is just a joy to watch.

Nacho Libre
I know a lot of people just hated this one, but I found it to be charming, albeit seriously silly. If you've seen this and can honestly say you didn't laugh out loud when Nacho fought those fur-covered midgets that looked something out of "The Wizard of Oz," I'm not sure I can believe you. I still have nightmares about those creepy little dudes.

Clerks II
Sure, this pales in comparison to Kevin Smith's original movie, but in long stretches its just extremely funny. The best for me came when Wanda Sykes and the comedian Earthquake are trying to order at Mooby's just as Randal is trying to explain why he thinks it's OK to use the word "porch monkey." It's wrong in almost every way, but I certainly laughed, and won't apologize for that.

Tristram Shandy
I'm not sure this qualifies as 2006, but I don't think it came out in the U.S. until January, so I'll claim it. Steve Coogan is a brilliant ball of blustery ego in this one, and there's funny bits throughout, but I have to admit that what I won't forget is Tristram's sudden and accidental circumcision at the age of 3. If you haven't seen it, think of the worst scenario, then be ready for more when you get around to it.

Volver
Pedro Almodovar's female flick is really slow in getting started, but it's among his best in the final third. By the time mother and daughter Carmen Maura and Penelope Cruz are revealing all their secrets to each other on that park bench, I was thoroughly hooked.

Wordplay
Though I only do a few crossword puzzles a week, I felt an instant connection with the geeks it so adoringly chronicles at the national crossword contest, or whatever it's called. My favorite by far was Ellen Ripstein, who as we first meet her defiantly describes how she dumped a boyfriend who challenged her crossword-puzzle addiction, and is later seen twirling her baton in Central Park. She's just adorable.

Babel
Up until now these haven't been in order, but count these last two as my two favorite movie moments of 2006. There are many searing scenes to choose from in Babel, but the Mexican wedding sequence was the best for me. It's the best party sequence I had seen since the street party in "City of God," and is just a nearly flawless mix of peril and joy.

Little Miss Sunshine
I'm fairly certain that anyone who bothers to read this will have seen "LMS" by now, but if not, stop now. The end of this movie is, I can definitely say, like nothing I had seen before. Up until they reach the pageant I was enjoying the flick enough, but it reaches a whole new level once you see those poor young ladies made up to look like whores, and once Abigail Breslin finally takes the stage, break out your hankies. It's pure schmaltz, but it works for me, and obviously for many other people too.

So, there you have it. I'm sure there are many I have overlooked (at least 10 more would have made the list from me if I had more time.) Please feel free to share any scenes you won't soon forget, and have a great holiday weekend.