Nixon - (Oliver Stone;1995;USA)
The life and downfall of President Richard Nixon.
Stone's best film mainly because it succeeds in depicting a generally disliked president as a generally good person who was deeply flawed and at times close-minded. Nixon appears to be a man rather then an evil caricature while not making him seem like a great person like a recent 9/11 docu-drama about the Bush administration. It doesn't hide the dirty side of politics while at the same time not being a politcally biased film. Stone's direction is great while not too intense like U-Turn. Hopkins' performance is very good, while at times comes close to being too much. The best however, is an unrecognizable Paul Sorvino as Henry Kissinger.

The Departed - (Martin Scorsese;2005;USA)
Two moles on opposite sides of the law are pitted against each other.
Scorsese's best film since Casino. The story, backed by great performances and directing manages to be very engaging and effective even on the second viewing. As always Scorsese provides great direction, cinematography, and music as well. "Shipping off the Boston" by Dropkicking Murphys, "Comfortably Numb" by Roger Waters and Van Morison, and of course "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones. It may also be Dicaprio's best performance. Jack Nicholson shines the most however with his great adlibbing and of course Ray Whinstone is wonderful. The second best of 2006.