My blogging hibernation ends to tell you about Mr. Joe Angio's How To Eat Your Watermelon In White Company (And Enjoy It). It's showing on IFC in the US tonight at 9 EST and again at 5:30am, so tune in or tape/TIVO it. I was one of the many clueless masses who didn't know much about Melvin Van Peebles other than Sweetback and parenting of Mario. But this film shows what a unique, inspiring man he is. Even if you aren't a Van Peebles fan (yet), this film is so well crafted that you'll be drawn in regardless. Really, it's one of the best biopic docs I've seen in years. And Joe didn't even pay me to say that!

So while I'm posting, I hope to break the world's record for the latest-posted best films of 2006 list. Just what the world needs on Feb 15, 2007 I think:

Top Seven Films

The Queen
Not just about royalty and scandal, but about the kind of great inner turmoil that it's rare to see done well on the big-screen.

Old Joy
Perhaps even better because this quiet story of male friendship struck me as slight at first but about a year after my first viewing it looms as a masterpiece.

Red Road
The highlight of Cannes thanks to its stylish execution and great performances.

Tristram Shandy/A Cock And Bull Story
So smart and funny that I'm kind of cheating to put this on my 2006 list after I had it on my 2005 list for its UK release!

Brothers Of The Head
Why why why didn't people flock to this, if not for the soundtrack alone? I thought it was great fun. Hopefully will become a cult hit on DVD.

Casino Royale
Confession time, I've never seen an entire Bond film from start to finish, so this was my first. Daniel Craig kicks ass. Turns out that even if you are a great actor it only makes Bond better. That Chris Cornell song needs to go, though. Neal and Brenda Mitchell also gave it two big thumbs up, and we never agree on films!

Lake Of Fire
A three-hour documentary about the abortion debate in the US, which was so engrossing I wanted another few hours. No matter what your beliefs on the topic, this film will make you rethink your views. So powerful.

And Top Three Moments from other films that weren't quite top 10 material for me:
the NYC subway scene in Borat
the pageant sequence at the end of Little Miss Sunshine
the final goodbye in Candy

I just got back from Berlin, but in my capacity of industry reporter for a daily trade, there's not much time to see films. I did manage to see two: Lady Chatterley (much to admire although the 3-hour running time did make me think 'TV miniseries' a few times) and Irina Palm (I'm not a fan, I'd better leave it at that). The other highlight of Berlin was the band of Danish teenagers playing Robbie Williams and hair band medleys at the Trust Film party. I had been in a super cranky mood and they cheered me up immensely. I think the band's name is Tennis if you know your Danish pop groups.