Today is Turkey Day in my home and native land. Here’s what I’m cinematically thankful for this year…

1. That Martin Scorsese has delivered his best film in what seems like eons. And this is coming from someone who thought “The Aviator” was one of the best films of 2004.

2. That Christopher Nolan and Alfonso Cuaron have company in the top echelon of young filmmakers in the person of Kevin Macdonald. Here’s hoping both Nolan and Cuaron keep up their great runs later this year.

3. That the great Meryl Streep, at 57, still finds herself in the top tier of actors getting great roles...and is still as fantastic as ever in them.

4. That the great Helen Mirren, at 60, just keeps getting better with age.

And most importantly…
5. That 2006 already seems better than 2005 and 2004 combined…with many more great films hopefully on the way.