Of the 40 movies I saw in theatres this past year, I can easily say that 2007 has been the best year for films since 1999. There was so much ambition, depth, and intelligent writing to go around the whole year. Although the better films didn't come along till November-December, there were many great movies that no one saw early in the year. Here is my list of the 10 best movies of 2007, and some honorable mentions. Keep in mind that there are a few films I haven't seen that could've made this list including "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"- "The Savages", and "The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford."
10. Gone Baby Gone-Many critics appreciated Ben Affleck's debut film, but I really found it engaging and thought-provoking. Afflecks uses his knowledge of his childhood city Boston, to create a gritty and realistic version of crime a small neighborhood. With a solid cast, and good performances from Amy Ryan,Casey Affleck, and Ed Harris, Gone Baby Gone has a conclusion that is intriguing and hard to shake. Good work Ben.
9. Michael Clayton-First time director Tony Gilroy feels like a veteran in this corporate thriller that boasts an involving and a thinker of a plot. George Clooney gives one of his top performances as an in house fixer for a big time law firm. When things get messy Clooney's character is called upon to clean up the mess. The consistent Tom Wilkinson and the underrated Tilda Swinton also provide nomination worthy performances in this excellent film. The last shot of the film is also noteworthy, while many were walking out of the theatre during it, I still felt as if the film was playing out.
8. The Bourne Ultimatum-The years fastest film, is also one of the best action movies of this decade. Director Paul Greengrass raises the bar with this great and involving spy chase film. While some hated the rapid and jerky handheld camera work, it didn't bother me and it made the film even better. Matt Damon is really restrained in his performance, very little dialogue, but his facial expressions are more telling than words, these films are going to continue to get him great work.
7. Juno- Juno has a lot going for itself, its the year's best written comedy, and also shows off some of this years most surprising performances. The young and mature actress plays Ellen Page, plays a smart and sarcastic teen who gets pregnant on accident and gives the baby to an adopting couple. Some people hated the original and cathcy dialogue, but it worked perfectly with Juno's character and attitude. Also, look for maybe Jennifer Garners best performance. With a great soundtrack and a cuddly story, Juno is a real winner that will appeal to most audiences.
6. Atonement-This film actually caught me off guard, sure it received good reviews but when I walked into it, I didn't think I'd like it this much. After seeing it twice within 5 days, the story and the scope of the film really stuck with me. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy play lovers seperated by war and a lie told by a young girl played by 3 different actresses. Director Joe Wright uses great visuals and an great score to tell this story of loss and regret, Atonement is excellent.
5. Zodiac-This is director David Finchers most mature and involving work. He has made a living doing dark films, and Zodiac is no different. The film chronicles the history of the Zodiac killer seen through the eyes of a handful of characters. The film is methodical in its run time of 158 minutes, but I was never bored. This is more of procedural and wordy film rather than a scary retelling of the Zodiac murders. Robert Downey Jr gives another great performance,as well as Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo. This film will stick with you for weeks.
4. Once-Appearing in critics top 10 lists is this gem of a movie. Once is the story of two lost lovers who meet in Dublin and connect by writing, singing,and sharing the art of music with eachother. Many people classify this as a musical, its simply a film with music in it that thrives on being charming and honest. Once will make you smile for 90 minutes as you get involved in the songs and lives of these two people.
3. Into the Wild-Easily the years most emotional film, telling of an idealistic and romantic youth who hits the road and hitchhikes to Alaska to live off of the land. Emile Hirsch defines breakthrough performance, and Hal Holbrook is truly heartbreaking. Director Sean Penn proves that he can direct, as this story pulls you in and proves to be beautiful, poetic, and gut-wrenching. Into the Wild is truly a cinematic experience that is worth taking if you can handle the final destination.
2. No Country for Old Men-The Coen. Brothers have made there best film with this literary adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name. This film tells of a chase in Texas involving interesting characters and themes of death,fate,and greed. Javier Bardem's performance is truly frightening as the face of death. Tommy Lee and Josh Brolin are also great. There isnt a dull or boring scene in this involving and suspenseful crime drama. Every shot, word spoken, and action means something in the end, with a lot under the surface, No Country for Old Men is truly a masterpiece that will haunt you.
1. There Will Be Blood-The years biggest, most ambitious film, is also the best film in a GREAT year of films. There Will Be Blood is the story of career oil man Daniel Planview, played by the best living actor Daniel Day-Lewis, in a seismic and larger than life performance. Plainview's story is also the story of the maturing of America through business,religion,ambition,and greed. When you talk about perfection and overall originality, this film along with No Country for Old Men seperate themselves from almost all of the films I have seen since 2000. There Will Be Blood is many things, it's a fascinating and terrifying character study, it's a dark and strange horror film, it's a drama, and ultimately it's an odyssey into the darkest sides of a human being ever shown of screen. Director P.T Anderson doesn't fail after all of the initial hype and praise. The cinematography by Jack Fisk shows the epic and young landscapes of the early oil days and long after. The haunting score by Johnny Greenwood perfectly captures the mood of this film, and the ending, wow that ending.... This film is in limited release, but please drive to a major city and let this film take you over.
Honorable Mention: All of these films are worthy of being in my top 10,but just so many great films this year.
-Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
-Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
-3:10 to Yuma
-Knocked Up
-28 Weeks Later
-In the Valley of Elah
-American Gangster
-Walk Hard:The Dewey Cox Story
Worth Noting: These films were also good by not quite on par with my honorable mention selection.
-Waitress
-I'm Not There
-Away from Her
-Rescue Dawn
-Eastern Promises
-Paris Je T'aime
-Superbad
Worst movie of the year
-Spiderman 3
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