However, I want to make sure the list to be a list of the best movies that I actually saw in 2007, since my previous Top 10 list was published here.
10. 3:10 to Yuma. The best western since Unforgiven stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in a remake of a classic which matches the original for intensity and suspense--with the added benefit of a scenery-chewing performance by Ben Foster as the fey psycho violent sidekick.
9. Boy Culture. What? A well-written gay movie? Yes, Virginia, they do exist! This romantic comedy had very handsome actors interacting in a surprisingly real and really surprising way.
8. 300. A homoerotic smorgasbord of computer generated ultraviolence masquerading as a historic epic. "1800 abs" was a unique visual experience, very stimulating and although story-deficient, oddly compelling.
7. Ratatouille. The latest film from Brad Bird, the creator of my 2004 favorite film, The Incredibles is the creative force behind this tour de force animated masterpiece from the magicians at Pixar about a rat in a Paris restaurant who loves to cook.
6. 28 Weeks Later / Sunshine. From the mind of Danny Boyle (28 Days Later) and each featuring Rose Byrne comes these two very different, science-fiction based action films. 28 Weeks Later is actually more effective than the original. Sunshine is an absolutely gorgeous spaceship-based thriller influenced by seminal films like Alien and 2001.
5. The Simpsons Movie. Like a really good, 90-minute episode of The Simpsons--what's not to like?
4. The Namesake. I may be influenced by my trip to India last year, but I was greatly moved by this film adaptation of one of my favorite books by Jhumpa Lahiri. The story is about the intergeneration conflict between immigrant parents and their American born children. In addition, the acting by Kal Penn and Irfan Khan is extraordinary, and Mira Nair's directing is at her most proficient to date.
3. Sicko/¡Salud!. The health care crisis in the United States is only growing worse day after day and these two documentaries pointed out the ridiculous state of affairs while also highlighting that there are other solutions many other countries around the world have identified and implemented.
2. The Bourne Ultimatum. A technically flawless summer action movie helmed by director Peter Greengrass and carried by Matt Damon which starts with the accelerator to the floor and doesn't let up until the final frame.
1. Juno. The most enjoyable time I spent at the movies all year was watching this heartfelt, pitch-perfect comedy that has an impact which is felt long after the movie is over. Diablo Cody's script along with an incredible ensemble cast headed by the hitherto unheralded Ellen Page in the title role are destined to receive Oscar recognition.
Honorable Mentions: The Host, American Gangster, Hairspray and I Am Legend.
I thought "Boy Culture" was just awful, none of the charachters had the same spark as they did in the book, maybe it was just bad casting for me, since, I couldn't take any of the actors serious, it was like a made for televison Hallmark movie.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED The Great Debators and I've heard that Persopolis is awesome. I wasn't that thrilled with "The Simpsons Movie". Hope you're having fun in Italy.
ReplyDeleteThe Simpsons was a HOOT, although, the pig thing really messed it up for me, but, the idea of everyone trying to not see a nekkid Bart is what made it true to the series.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait until the next one!
"3:10 to Yuma" was terrible! The characters don't follow any commonsense at all. Why is Russell Crowe's mass murdering outlaw not even tied up? Or gagged? He's allowed to basically kill everyone.
ReplyDeleteHere's my full take on this stinker of a film: http://tinyurl.com/3dw5dy
I disagree. 3:10 to Yuma is a great film. The reason why Russell Crowe is not tied up or gagged is because he saves his captor's lives and everyone realizes they are going to needthe skills of a killer to get out of their situation alive.
ReplyDelete