It was a tough year to compile a list of the best movies — even tougher to pick the best geeky movies. Why? Because most of the movies of ’06 sucked. Didn’t you notice? These 10 genre movies, however, didn’t make us wretch — in fact, in most cases we actually enjoyed ourselves. Here are the best geek movies of 2006. Drum roll, please…

This would have been crowned the best magician movie if only The Prestige hadn’t come along (see #4). Even so, Edward Norton shines as the title character who proves he’d do anything to get the woman he loves.

Who knew that watching a magic-wielding, wart-ridden nanny torture seven bratty kids into behaving properly could be so endearing?

V was the coolest looking hero to grace the silver screen in ’06. But beyond the coolness factor, V for Vendetta is one of the smarter comic book adaptations to come along in a long time.

Cool animation, brilliant performances, and faithful to the original Philip K. Dick novel. Now we can forgive Keanu Reeves for The Lakehouse.

Director Bryan Singer brings over his X-Men magic and delivers a wonderous addition to the Superman franchise. Now we can finally put Superman IV behind us.

James Bond is back and he’s more badass than ever. Daniel Craig gives a riveting performance. Now let’s see some more.

Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale shine as rival magicians. This movie has twists and turns you definitely won’t see coming, but the magic of this film is what’s left to the imagination.

It’s got everything you want in a swashbuckling blockbuster: action, adventure, battles, treachery, intrigue, supernatural monsters “” and PIRATES! Oh yeah, and a little someone named Johnny Depp.

You can’t help but love the mutant X gang in action, even when they’re fighting each other. This third installment has some of the best display of mutant powers in the franchise, especially when Dark Phoenix rises.

Borat is hilarious, shocking, irreverent, and like nothing you’ve ever seen in a mainstream American movie. Others will try to make a funnier movie, but they don’t have much of a chance. Chenquieh, Sacha Baron Cohen!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Slither, Happy Feet, Nacho Libre, Monster House

BEST NON-GEEK MOVIE:
Little Miss Sunshine

J.K. Rowling announced on her official Web site today that the title of the final Harry Potter book will be HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS.

The author, who previously said that at least two characters will die in the seventh book of the popular children’s fantasy series, is still in the process of writing the book.

“I’m now writing scenes that have been planned, in some cases, for a dozen years or even more,” Rowling wrote in her online journal. “I don’t think anyone who has not been in a similar situation can possibly know how this feels: I am alternately elated and overwrought. I both want, and don’t want, to finish this book (don’t worry, I will.)”

Rowling also wrote that she previewed 20 minutes of the upcoming fifth movie HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, which opens in theaters July 13, 2007, and stated that it “looks fantastic.”

No publication date has been set at this time for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS.

It was a good year to be a geek TV viewer. Here is TV’s best of the best.

The arrival of Green Arrow breathes new life into this Superman series.

Cleverly mocking all the pop culture you hold dear.

Cool, funny, plenty of chicks. What more could you want?

Political humor was never this funny.

A serial killer who kills serial killers. Now that’s some serious s*@t right there. And some good TV, too.

Who doesn’t like the good doctor? Not any geek worth his salt.

Darth Chef. Enough said.

Dramatic television for geeks — and anything else with a pulse.

The king of suspense TV. Still!

The king of sci-fi TV. It’s the frakking truth!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Jericho, Assy McGee, Lucky Louie

• Patrick Stewart will voice the character of Max Winters in the upcoming animated film TMNT, a new TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES movie, which opens March 30, 2007. [Link]
• Master of horror Stephen King will be the guest of honor at the 2007 New York Comic Con. [Link]
• Joe Barbera, half of the Hanna-Barbera animation team that produced such beloved cartoon characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, and The Flintstones, died Monday. He was 95. [Link]
• Comic book writer Brian K. Vaughan (RUNAWAYS, EX MACHINA) been hired as an Executive Story Editor for the television show LOST. [Link]
• Doug Jones, who played the role but did not provide the voice of Abe Sapien in HELLBOY, said he voice will be used for the character in the sequel HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY. [Link]
• Cary Elwes (SAW) will star in PSYCH 9, a horror thriller about a haunted hospital. [Link]
• Director Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY) will produce MADMAN, a film based on Michael Allred‘s comic book. [Link]
• The first project from director Sam Raimi‘s new television production company, Ghost House, will be a mini-series adaptation of Dean Koontz‘s THE TAKING.
• A remake of the ’60s cult TV show THE PRISONER will hit AMC in 2008.

One of the best-looking real-time strategy games I’ve ever seen. The campaign offers a nice mix of mission types, and the focus on combat instead of resource management and base building keeps you in the thick of the action. A no-brainer for any RTS or WWII buff.

This is hands-down the weirdest rhythm game around, but it’s also one of the most compelling. Who knows what the hell is going on? It’s so awesomely fun, you simply won’t care.

You’ve probably never heard of it, but this online multiplayer game is a combination of Clue, Murder on the Orient Express, and Doom. With fantastic art direction and some of the most complex gameplay I’ve ever seen in an online game, The Ship is innovative, funny, and well worth a try.

More zombies than you can shake a boomstick at, and more ways to dismember them than you’ve ever imagined possible. My personal favorite is the lawnmower; but with so many zombicidal possibilities, there is something for everyone.

The friend who recommended this game to me said, “It’s the only game that comes to mind that even adequately — and it does more than just that — simulates melee combat in the first person. The staggering blows you receive, the big wind-ups with a fire axe or a head butt, all put you right there — 100% immersion, baby.” It’s also creepy as all hell. Be sure to empty your bladder before playing.

Another Tom Clancy series that was starting to show its age got a major next-gen tune-up this year. Everything from the realistic character animation to the incredibly detailed HUD make this one of the most immersive combat sims of recent years.

The R6 games were starting to get a bit stale for me, but Vegas blew the doors off this dusty old franchise, sometimes literally. The graphics are stunning, the new cover mechanic is arguably better implemented than in Gears of War, and on the Xbox 360 you can map your own face onto your character. Do you hear me, people? You can use your own damned face!

Half the fun is in comparing your strategies with your friends, because each mission can be completed in so many different ways. The missions themselves are cleverly written and often quite funny. As good as Splinter Cell: Double Agent is, Hitman wins for best stealth game of the year.

It’s amazing that what seems like just another Star Wars game could melt this cynical old gamer’s icy heart, but LSW2 did and I’m a better man for it.

As I wrote in my review, this game isn’t quite the Second Coming most reviewers make it out to be. It is, however, the best game of the year.

PSYCHONAUTS: This is one of the best games ever made. Even though it came out in 2005, I’m mentioning it because it was just made backward compatible for the Xbox 360. If you haven’t played it, do yourself a favor and go pick up a used copy. Trust me.

written by Slayve (who would like to thank his friends from WTF Clan, Mopap and Komar, for their help in compiling this list)