Best Of 2006

Another year has passed and we at Full Spectrum/Exposure Online Magazine have seen some interesting news events, movies both independent and from Hollywood, music both local and worldwide and even stuck our nose into the world of video games. We have also perused the airwaves of that old school invention called radio and with all this information gathering (and having great fun doing it) has brought the best to you through this end of the year article. So without further ado, here is what we thought of the year that was 2006.


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News

Newsmaker of the Year The Deaths of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan Thirty-four Canadian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan this past year bringing the total number of deaths to forty-two since we began placing troops in the region back in 2002. It was rare to find a week go by without the coverage of an attack, whether a suicide bomb, roadside explosion, or Taliban offensive, injuring or killing a Canadian soldier. With the death of Capt. Nichola Goddard on May 17th, we also have the distinction of adding a female to the ranks of KIAs for the first time in our history.

Movies

Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Superman Returns We see the Man of Steel grace the big screen for the first time in almost 20 years, just in time for a new generation to love him. In this version, Superman returns from a trip to his home planet and finds Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) engaged to be married with a five year old son. Superman's arch enemy Lex Luthor (played admirably by Kevin Spacey) is up to old tricks after being released from prison. Luthor reeks havoc on the world after creating an island out of crystals from the Fortress of Solitude. In the end, Superman (Brendan Routh) saves the planet and everything is right with the world.

Best Action/Adventure Tom yum goong Reduced in length and renamed The Protector for the North American market, Tom yum goong continues Tony Jaa's (main character) and Prachya Pinkaew's (director) dominance of the martial arts market for amazing choreography and stunts that don't use strings or computer trickery. Building on 2003's Ong-bak, Tom yum goong only has District 13 [Banlieue 13] as a rival for mind blowing stunt work.

Best Horror/Thriller The Descent What The Cave should've been but wasn't. This British film was released in 2005 in Europe but didn't reach the shores of North America until 2006. Neil Marshall directs a dark and claustrophobic tale about a group of women who come together yearly for an outdoor adventure. This year it is an underground cave they will explore. What they didn't prepare for are the creatures that inhabit the labyrinth. A film that uses suspense rather than just gore to scare the living daylights out of you, The Descent is one of the best films of the year.

Best Mystery Brick It was strange to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt as teen-angster Brendan when we were so used to viewing him as a kid from space on Third Rock From the Sun. But he does an admirable job in this film-noir dedication from writer/director Rian Johnson. Being Johnson's first major film, he hit a homerun taking a storyline straight out of the mysteries of the 40s with anti-heroes and criminal figures and placing it in a modern realm using colour film instead of B&W, teens instead of adults, and a high school instead of a seedy bar or other business.

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