2007 is now a memory, and 2008 looms before us with the promise of new starts, new opportunities…and new movies! And so, at the end of my first year of blogging, I thought it appropriate to take a fond look back at 2007 and post my first-ever 10 Best list for movies released this past year. And here they are, in order of release:
“The Lookout”- Not many people saw this one. Too bad. Joseph Gordon-Levitt had me hooked with “Brick” and is quickly becoming one of my favorite young actors, and Jeff Daniels continues to show why he’s a brilliant character actor. There’s not a single word or action wasted thanks to director Scott Frank, and an original concept and atmospheric locales make for a surprisingly emotional thriller. If you haven’t seen it, find it.
“Once”- Not a lot to say; pure, simple, emotional, and a perfect ending. Not to mention a helluva soundtrack.
“3:10 To Yuma”- The re-emergence of the once-dead western genre; beautifully paced, gorgeous to look at, with two great leads and yet another perfect ending.
“Across The Universe”- Director Julie Taymor uses the music of the Beatles to lead us through the turbulent 60’s, and introduces us to a group of friends who we follow as they meet, part, fight, dream, and love. The vocal arrangements are fresh, the concept is unique, and if you just sit back and let it take you, it’s one psychedelic ride.
“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”- If you’re able to appreciate the extremely slow pacing, this movie has a lot to offer; Brad Pitt, beautiful cinematography, brilliant sound design. Oh, and Casey Afleck’s not too bad either.
“No Country For Old Men”- The most thought-provoking movie I saw this year. And the creepiest villain since Norman Bates. The cast is first-rate and it appears that the Coen’s are back. And then there’s that ending…discuss amongst yourselves.
“Charlie Wilson’s War”- What I thought was going to be a sermon on the politics of the Cold War is instead turned into a funny, fast-paced commentary on the traditions of our “clandestine services.” Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman play off each other like Laurel and Hardy, Julia Roberts finally plays a character that is not Julia Roberts, and the screenplay by Aaron Sorkin is first-rate.
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”- It took Tim Burton to finally bring Sondheim to the mainstream, and a better match there’s never been. From the very first frames we’re drawn into a gothic London where a brilliant cast, inspired direction, and razor-sharp lyrics collide to give us what is surely cinema’s first, true Horror Musical (Andrew Lloyd Webber and Joel Schumacher, take note). Literally (pun intended) a cut above the rest.
“Atonement”- I went into this film expecting one of those handsome Merchant Ivory movies; gorgeous locations, beautiful people, the requisite British accents…and not much else. Before long, though, you’re caught up in a story that is as heartbreaking and emotionally charged as it is breathtaking in its beauty. It’s impossible not to be moved by James McAvoy’s performance; he has expression and charisma to spare, and here’s hoping he’ll be a major star before long.
“Juno”- Can’t find a single negative thing to say. Here’s an intelligent, beautifully written, hip, well-paced comedy with one of the best casts of any movie EVER, and it’s simply the best time to be had at the movies this year. Get ready to see a LOT of Ellen Page…she’s gonna be big.
So there you have it. There were so many to choose from this year that it was hard to narrow down the list. Do I include “Enchanted,” the Disney flick that manages to skewer its Fairy Tale Princess genre, even while creating a pretty wicked Fairy Tale Princess movie in the process? Or “Ratatouille” about the little rat that could? Or how about “Hairspray,” which gave us John Travolta in drag?
What about dramas like “Gone Baby Gone” that proved that Ben’s not dead after all, or the all too-real “Zodiac?” Or maybe “A Mighty Heart” with a surprisingly restrained performance by Angelina Jolie, “American Gangster” with Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington trading shots, Adam Sandler’s phenomenal performance in “Reign Over Me,” or Viggo Mortenson’s take on the Russian mob in “Eastern Promises”?
And what would the year have been without action/adventures like “The Bourne Ultimatum” and the fantasy/adventure of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix”?
Good movies all- and here’s hoping that 2008 has many more great ones in store for us.
Here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year.
“The Lookout”- Not many people saw this one. Too bad. Joseph Gordon-Levitt had me hooked with “Brick” and is quickly becoming one of my favorite young actors, and Jeff Daniels continues to show why he’s a brilliant character actor. There’s not a single word or action wasted thanks to director Scott Frank, and an original concept and atmospheric locales make for a surprisingly emotional thriller. If you haven’t seen it, find it.
“Once”- Not a lot to say; pure, simple, emotional, and a perfect ending. Not to mention a helluva soundtrack.
“3:10 To Yuma”- The re-emergence of the once-dead western genre; beautifully paced, gorgeous to look at, with two great leads and yet another perfect ending.
“Across The Universe”- Director Julie Taymor uses the music of the Beatles to lead us through the turbulent 60’s, and introduces us to a group of friends who we follow as they meet, part, fight, dream, and love. The vocal arrangements are fresh, the concept is unique, and if you just sit back and let it take you, it’s one psychedelic ride.
“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”- If you’re able to appreciate the extremely slow pacing, this movie has a lot to offer; Brad Pitt, beautiful cinematography, brilliant sound design. Oh, and Casey Afleck’s not too bad either.
“No Country For Old Men”- The most thought-provoking movie I saw this year. And the creepiest villain since Norman Bates. The cast is first-rate and it appears that the Coen’s are back. And then there’s that ending…discuss amongst yourselves.
“Charlie Wilson’s War”- What I thought was going to be a sermon on the politics of the Cold War is instead turned into a funny, fast-paced commentary on the traditions of our “clandestine services.” Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman play off each other like Laurel and Hardy, Julia Roberts finally plays a character that is not Julia Roberts, and the screenplay by Aaron Sorkin is first-rate.
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”- It took Tim Burton to finally bring Sondheim to the mainstream, and a better match there’s never been. From the very first frames we’re drawn into a gothic London where a brilliant cast, inspired direction, and razor-sharp lyrics collide to give us what is surely cinema’s first, true Horror Musical (Andrew Lloyd Webber and Joel Schumacher, take note). Literally (pun intended) a cut above the rest.
“Atonement”- I went into this film expecting one of those handsome Merchant Ivory movies; gorgeous locations, beautiful people, the requisite British accents…and not much else. Before long, though, you’re caught up in a story that is as heartbreaking and emotionally charged as it is breathtaking in its beauty. It’s impossible not to be moved by James McAvoy’s performance; he has expression and charisma to spare, and here’s hoping he’ll be a major star before long.
“Juno”- Can’t find a single negative thing to say. Here’s an intelligent, beautifully written, hip, well-paced comedy with one of the best casts of any movie EVER, and it’s simply the best time to be had at the movies this year. Get ready to see a LOT of Ellen Page…she’s gonna be big.
So there you have it. There were so many to choose from this year that it was hard to narrow down the list. Do I include “Enchanted,” the Disney flick that manages to skewer its Fairy Tale Princess genre, even while creating a pretty wicked Fairy Tale Princess movie in the process? Or “Ratatouille” about the little rat that could? Or how about “Hairspray,” which gave us John Travolta in drag?
What about dramas like “Gone Baby Gone” that proved that Ben’s not dead after all, or the all too-real “Zodiac?” Or maybe “A Mighty Heart” with a surprisingly restrained performance by Angelina Jolie, “American Gangster” with Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington trading shots, Adam Sandler’s phenomenal performance in “Reign Over Me,” or Viggo Mortenson’s take on the Russian mob in “Eastern Promises”?
And what would the year have been without action/adventures like “The Bourne Ultimatum” and the fantasy/adventure of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix”?
Good movies all- and here’s hoping that 2008 has many more great ones in store for us.
Here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year.
1 comment:
If any thought had been put into your top 10 list, it would look like this:
1. Transformers
2. Transformers
3. Transformers
4. Transformers
5. Jane Austin Book Club
6. Transformers
7. Transformers
8. Transformers
9. Transformers
10. Transformers
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