Favorite Films of 2007
I wrote this last year before I had the blog, but since I just posted my favorite of 2008, thought this might be relevant and fun to see last years.
My Top Favorite Films of 2007
Gone Baby Gone – brilliant acting and direction from the Affleck brothers, with one of the greatest moral questions that should leave people debating its aftermath all the way home and then some.
Eastern Promises – again 2007 was the year of morality as the always great Viggo Mortenson plays a Russian mobster, but is he really? And if he isn’t does that really make him righteous?
Into the Wild – One of my favorite books, its an incredible character study with beautiful cinematography and a charming performance by Emile Hirsch. Mccandless was such an interesting person, and with such unique ideas of life, its worth seeing just to see the world through his eyes if only for a few hours.
The Borne Ultimatum – are there spy movies much smarter with a protagonist any “cooler” in movie history. The action covertly takes place in our everyday environment gives it this authenticity that is very engaging.
No Country for Old Men – The Coen’s and their go to cinematographer Roger Deakins, do it again, painting beautiful but stark landscapes of the desert, as one of the most menacing villains in all of movie history played with such a haunting panache by Javier Barden and a wonderful performance by the quasi-anti hero Josh Brolin
Juno- Jason Reitman is the future of smart comedy after Woody Allen retires from the movies. Ellen Page is the future of smart leading ladies after Jodie Foster stops making movies, and this movie is the culmination of both of these stars making this sharp, quick, and endearing comedy with high brow social comedy and a very heightened dialogue
Ratatouille – Pixar is the best animation production house out there right now. Everything they make is gold. Clever clever clever. With great stories that all have big hearts and nice morals, hands down best animation of the year.
3:10 to Yuma – the most overlooked movie of 2007, 3:10 breathed new life into the modern western and more importantly successfully. the two acting power houses Christian Bale and Russel Crowe facing off is delicious and supporting actor ben foster as Crowe’s second in command is the surgar on top. Another moral story of right and wrong or more like choosing between hard and wrong, Crowe is terrific as the onion-like antagonist.
The Darjeeling Limited – I just love Wes Anderson and all his humor, I just get him I guess and think his stuff is hilarious. With Jason Swartzman, Adrian Brody and Owen Wilson riffing off each other as they travel through India, Darjeeling becomes more poignant then life aquatic was as the three brothers learn how to grow up and move on after their fathers death and mother’s abandonment
Sweeney Todd – I think we all had our doubts with this one, but Depp and Burton make another great film, and yes Depp can sing. Although sometimes I felt some songs should have been cut to move the story faster, they were lots of fun listen to and Depp’s dark and brooding milieu is wonderful for this dark story.
Honorable mentions
Hairspray – what a fun musical with great performances
Charlie Wilson’s War – hoffman and hanks riffing off one another is hilarious and this true story is enlightening because of not just what it says about the past, but what could again happen in the future if we don’t do things right this time
Michael Clayton – a wonderful political thriller, and so smart but scary as hell too
Diving Bell and the Butterfly – amazing true story of a man at 42 has a stroke and paralyzed with his only ability being to blink his eye, tells his story
The Savages – wonderful performances in this very funny dramedy
Zodiac – kept my heart beating fast the whole time, fascinating story
Dan if Real Life – I love steve carrel when he is acting instead of performing
Stardust – a wonderfully enchanting and endearing fantasy
American Gangster – so interesting that is happened, Denzel plays franks lucus with a fierce determination to take over new york city and brolin is vicious as a corrupt cop
Once – charming new age musical with sweet romance and great music.
Performer of the Year
Phillip Seymour Hoffman – three movies and three great performances, the guy is amazing, he can do comedy (Charlie Wilson, savages) drama (before the devil knows and dead) all in one year.
2 years ago • Notes