There’s a moment near the beginning of Guillermo del Toro’s newest film when Ofelia’s face lights up with a look of wonder and terror all at the same time that tells you that Pan’s Labyrinth isn’t going to be a movie where you know quite what to expect. And for that, I am thankful, because this sense of bewilderment and amazement that permeates from the film makes it quite easily the best movie to be released in 2006.

The line to see the press screening of this film at TIFF was so long that members of the media were being turned away. The critical buzz that this movie — billed as a girl’s fantastical adventure through a land hidden inside a hedge maze — was garnering ensured that everyone walked in with high expectations, and luckily it didn’t disappoint. Pan’s Labyrinth is much more than just a film about Ofelia’s magical release; instead, it is a film that brings a sense of amazement to the horrors of the end of the War, without making light of the situation. Around Ofelia, freedom fighters are being caught and slaughtered by the Spanish regiment (led by Ofelia’s father) while everyday commoners are forced to live their lives as if nothing is happening.

The acting in Pan’s Labyrinth is superb, the writing is phenomenally simple, and the effects are mind-blowing in a very fantastical way. The highlight of the film is by far the haunting score that still resonates inside my head, coupled with images of hope and horror all juxtaposed in a well-composed yet intensely uncomplicated way. Do not miss this film.

As 2006 comes to a close, I have to admit that I have recently learned that life can not be effectively categorized into lists of bests and worsts. Instead, life in all its facets is made up of experiences that resonate within you but don’t necessarily rank among your bests or worsts.

In that spirit, I’ve decided to post here a list of not my favorite or best movies of the year, but moments in film that have been the most memorable for me. Yes, I picked nine. Ten’s an overrated number. I’ll try and keep this spoiler-free, but no promises, okay?

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party
Wyclef Jean sitting at a piano and singing “If I Were President” with students from CSU was the perfect addition to a film that was not only about the greatest party ever thrown, but also about the triumph of the human spirit.

Thank You For Smoking
Adam Brody was the perfect arse-kissing assistant to the big movie producer. His description of the fish in the pond was priceless: “Yep, kinda makes you wanna stop eating sushi, but I guess you kinda have to.”

Snakes on a Plane
I really don’t even have to tell you the one scene that stuck out during this movie, which in general was just a huge pile of awesomeness. Samuel L. Jackson will always be remembered as the man that was tired of those muthaf**kin’ snakes.

United 93
This movie was remarkably hard to watch, and I don’t think I could ever watch it again. Every single scene in the movie had a profound impact on me, but it all culminated with one moment in the film that came right at the end: the simple title card that said “Dedicated to the memory of all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.”

Prag
I know you probably haven’t seen this film, but it’s one of my favorites of the year. There’s a scene where Mads Mikkelsen and Stine Stengade get in a fight in the middle of a urban street that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of a man who has to let go of a woman he’s still in love with.

Babel
Everyone knows it: the scene where Rinko Kikuchi — playing the deaf and mute Chieko — enters the nightclub on ecstasy may be the most inspired piece of film-making in the past decade. Absolutely brilliant.

Little Miss Sunshine
Yes, that last dance scene was fantastic, but in all honesty, the most memorable scene in this movie is when Paul Dano finally breaks down and runs out of the car and breaks his vow of silence. Such raw emotion, and still so funny. Perfect.

The Last Kiss
Zach Braff lying on the porch in the rain may just be the ultimate demonstration of remorse and love and apology ever captured on film.

Casino Royale
The best quote in any movie all year…
Bond to Bartender: Vodka-martini.
Bartender to Bond: Shaken or stirred?
Bond to Bartender: Does it look like I give a damn?

Oh, and I just realized what day it is. Merry Christmas everyone!

I apologize for not posting more regularly, and I realize (as I check my referrer logs) that I seem to have lost a good chunk of my regular readers, but it has been a pretty hectic month. In the new year, I promise to increase my posting frequency, finish the final design for eloquation.com, and try and re-establish my once pretty decent readership.

For now, I’m taking Kottke’s cue (and David’s, Zach’s, Paul’s) and putting up my year in cities. Not much traveling done this year compared to last year, but still a pretty decent list.

As per the rules, this list only includes cities with one or more nights spent in each place. Those cities marked with an * were visited multiple times on non-consecutive days.

In Ontario:
Toronto *
Mississauga *
Ottawa
Kingston
Niagara Falls *
Windsor

In Canada:
Montreal, QC *
Vancouver, BC
Calgary, AB
Lethbridge, AB

In the USA:
San Francisco, CA
Buffalo, NY *
Elicottville, NY
Boston, MA

Around the World:
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
London, UK

So let’s see your list!

(Also check out Tina’s list, Ari’s List.)

So here’s some bad news: I just received a huge shipment of the super-awesome MOO cards with all my current contact information on it, and now it looks as though my contact information is going to be changing. So I’m left with 200 really pretty MOO cards with obsolete information on the back.

As for why my contact information is changing, that’s actually the point of this post. See, I was recently offered a job in London, and I’ve decided to take it. Of course, this does mean that I’m going to be relocating across the Atlantic Ocean, but I’m pretty confident that this is the right decision for me at this time.

The new job is not only for a not-for-profit organization I trust and respect considerably, but also presents me the opportunity to pursue my skills in my ideal domain: writing and content creation for the web. Granted, the job I currently have in Toronto is quite good, but I feel as though will be much more productive in a content-related position at this time. I would like to thank my employer here in Toronto at this time for giving me the opportunity to get involved at the ground level of such an amazing venture and for fostering my learning and development. As sad as I am to be leaving such an excellent opportunity on such an exciting project, I’m pretty sure this is a good move for everyone involved.

Of course, relocating to London wasn’t the easiest choice to make: I have planted myself pretty firmly here in Toronto, and uprooting myself now would undo all the hard work I have put in to creating a presence for myself in the city. I will definitely miss the wonderful blogging community here in Toronto, in particular the amazing people at blogTO. Throughout my time here, the Toronto blogging world has given me an outlet for expression as well as countless opportunities, not to mention tons of free stuff. I will truly miss my involvement with the Ismaili community here in Toronto. Whether it be through religious education, the Ismaili Volunteer Corps, or through the various Ismaili Students Associations, the support of the local Ismaili community has been integral to my foundation in the city. I will surely miss my over-ten-year connection with Toronto Parks & Recreation, which has helped me develop necessary skills and foster long-lasting friendships. I could go on, but you all know how much this city — and especially the people in it — has meant to me, so there’s no point in looking back when there’s so much to look forward to.

I’m still here in Toronto for about six more weeks while I tie up my loose ends here and finish some necessary preparations for the move. If you’re in the city and have some time, I’d love to meet up before I go. Drop me an email. And if any of you have lived in London or are familiar with the city in any way, please contact me: I need some help figuring out where to rent a flat and other things like that.

Oh, and finally, if you have any use for a stack of MOO cards with outdated contact information on it, let me know. They make really great bookmarks.

Okay, apart from the fact that the New York Jets are doing better than anyone (other than me, of course) expected this season, there have been many highlights from the NFL season this year. And most of them are not actually game-related.

The first important thing that the NFL has done is introduce flexible scheduling. So instead of being stuck with a game that nobody wants to watch (anything involving the Raiders, Browns, Texans, Lions, Cardinals, and Buccaneers), we all get to enjoy a Sunday night game that has some significance in the grand scheme of things. Of course, nobody knew that McNabb would have been injured before the Colts decimated the Eagles, so we can forgive the NFL for making that mistake.

What’s more exciting is that ESPN has brought Tony Kornheiser on board for their Monday Night Football broadcast. For those of you that don’t know yet, Tony Kornheiser is the funniest man in America. There is no arguing with that claim: have you seen his penguin dance? I’ve always enjoyed watching Tony on Pardon the Interruption (some people say I look like Michael Wilbon, and heck, Tony Reali might be the best stat boy on the planet) so having him on Monday Night Football is just an added bonus.

On a related note, have you heard Stephen A. Smith’s rant last week about the Giants’ breakdown against the Titans? Doesn’t get much better than that. ESPN Podcenter has been getting better and better as the season goes on, so that’s definitely one of the other football-related highlights of the year.

The final major highlight of my football season has been realizing that I’m not the only person that is a huge fan of Ed Hochuli. I mean, I think I may be a bigger fan of Ed Hochuli than I am of most NFL players. That man is a monster. If you don’t believe me, the guys behind WWEHD have compiled a great list of little-known facts about Ed Hochuli. Here’s a sample:

• Ed Hochuli knows exactly how to dance about architecture.
• In 2012 Ed Hochuli will be carved into Mount Rushmore, just over to the left.
• Ed Hochuli completed the Tour De France in three days.
• In Greece, Ed Hochuli is a unit of measurement.
• Ed Hochuli has been to Mars. His assessment? No biggie.

There’s more goodness there, do check out the wonderful list. And then start cheering for Hochuli like all cool kinds do.

And of course, here’s my prediction: the Jets are going to the Super Bowl.