Happy New Year, everyone out there in cyberspace!!!

2006 has been a rather eclectic year at the multiplex. There have been a lot of mediocre films this year and a lot of the highly anticipated films that really didn’t deliver. Well that is until a certain secret agent saw a new awakening. I am not talking about Ethan Hunt.

2006 also saw the full resurrection of the horror genre as the year was littered with blood curdling screams. We also saw the release of at least one “CGI-animated” film every month this year. Next year will probably be no different on both fronts.

Then there were the lost hidden gems that not even Capt. Jack Sparrow seemed to know about. So many of us missed the magic of “The Illusionist”, “Hollywoodland”, “Thank You for Smoking” and “Slither” even the brilliant “United 93” seemed overlooked.

Would-be summer blockbusters, “Superman Returns” and “Mission Impossible 3” both had less than spectacular box office returns. Personally both were probably the best of each series. Does Superman’s weak box office mean the end of the superhero genre? Doubtful especially if next year’s “Spider-Man 3” meets expectations.

It was the year to be a James Bond fan and “Casino Royale” delivered in spades. Some are regarding it as the best Bond film ever. In some ways I can’t agree more. It took the concept shook out the cobwebs, cast a controversial leading man and electrified the silver screen. Usually this time of year I am talking Oscars and what will win but this year I took a chance and decided to talk about the film I enjoyed the most this year.

That has just been that kind of year.

Looking forward to 2007, we see the return of so many familiar favorites including Jack Sparrow, Harry Potter, Spider-Man and Fantastic 4. We will also see a promising new franchise “The Golden Compass”.

I already know that 2007 will be a better year because there are four films in January alone I am really looking forward to see. That’s a record for me for a January.

Top 10

10. United 93
9. Hollywoodland
8. Stranger Than Fiction
7. Perfume: Story of a Murderer
6. Charlotte’s Web
5. The Departed
4. Last King of Scotland
3. Little Children
2. Blood Diamond
1. Casino Royale

Worst 10

10. Black Dahlia, The
9. Basic Instinct 2
8. Deck the Halls
7. Barnyard
6. You, Me & Dupree
5. Clerks 2
4. National Lampoon’s Pledge This
3. Keeping Up with the Steins
2. Bloodrayne
1. Abominable

The 6th Annual Soothsayer Awards

Best Action Film of the Year: "Casino Royale"

Best Horror/Sci-Fi of the Year: “Slither”

Best Animated Movie of the Year: “Over the Hedge”

Most Under-rated Film of the Year: “The Illusionist” or “Slither”

The Break-Out Actor of the Year: Daniel Craig in “Casino Royale”

The Worst Actor of the Year: Martin Short for “Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”

The Break-Out Actress of the Year: Kate Winslet in “Little Children”

The Worst Actress of the Year: Sharon Stone for “Basic Instinct 2”

'What Were You Thinking' Award: Tim Allen for “Zoom” & “Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause”

‘I Thought He Was Dead But He Came Back’ Award: Joe Pesci for “The Good Shepherd”

‘Big Ego, Small Brain’ Award: M. Night Shyamalan for “Lady in the Water”