My 10 Favorite Films of 2007:
1. Juno - This isn't just my favorite film of 2007; I loved it so much that it's become my favorite movie of all time. It's one of those rare movies that just seems to get everything right. I'm not saying it's perfect... some of the hipster dialogue in the beginning feels a little overdone. But first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody gets all the elements right: she creates believable (read: emotionally complex) characters and realistic situations without making it boring (I think we've all seen plenty of "realistic" indie movies that only manage to be boring as hell). Cody also does something even harder: she makes every character relatable in some way, and doesn't let anyone simply be good or bad. In any other film Juno's parents or Jason Bateman's character would have become a villain of some kind, but Cody treats them all with respect and love. For those who didn't think "Juno" deserved the Best Screenplay Oscar, ignore the dialogue and look at the set-up; the details are what make this film work so well. And, above all, it's a movie that somehow manages to keep growing on me every time I watch it.
2. Persepolis - Based on the graphic novel of the same name inspired by the writer's true life, "Persepolis" actually feels a lot like an Iranian version of "Juno" at times. Both films revolve around a smart, witty young woman who is forced to deal with a number of personal setbacks. But "Persepolis" has a lot more on its mind than teen pregnancy; actually that's about the only thing writer/protagonist Marjane Satrapi (referred to as "Marji" in the movie) didn't have to deal with growing up. The film begins with Satrapi as a child in 1970's Iran as the Islamic revolution is beginning, and follows her as she leaves Iran and spends a number of years in France before eventually returning to Iran as a young adult. I actually learned a lot of things about Iran, often named as part of the "Axis of Evil," from watching this film. It's heartbreaking to see how the Islamic revolution, which at first Marji and her family believe will bring a positive change to their country, eventually evolves into an even more oppressive dictatorship. But don't let this trick you into thinking the film is a downer; there is a lot of warmth and humor on display as a young Marji falls in love with punk rock and grows into a smart and cynical writer. I could go on talking about this film forever, but instead I'll just tell you to see it for yourself (but a warning: make sure to watch it in the original French language; the English re-dubbing with famous actors like Sean Penn just doesn't work for a film like this).
3. Zodiac - This film tells the terrifying true story of the Zodiac Killer who terrorized the state of California in the 1970s, and the exhaustive manhunt that eventually became an obsession for three men. Director David Fincher (he also made "Seven," "Fight Club" and "Panic Room"), who was a kid growing up in California when the Zodiac Killer became famous, attempted to keep the film as close to the real events as possible, and he's so successful that at times it feels like you're watching a documentary. Although we see scenes of the Zodiac committing his murders (which are horrifying without being exploitive), the film is really about the search for the killer and how it eventually destroyed the lives of three men, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and pre-"Iron Man" Robert Downey Jr. It's a long movie, and some people may be disappointed that it's not a more traditional "horror film" like they might expect. But give it a chance and take it for what it is, and I think you'll enjoy it.
4. Atonement - Based on the celebrated novel by Ian McEwan, this is an epic film centered around intimate actions that destroy the lives of three people. The story begins shortly before World War II, as servant Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) and his highborn childhood friend Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) suddenly discover that they have mutual feelings for each other. But Cecilia's young, immature sister Briony (deserved Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan), who also has a crush on Robbie, sees something she doesn't understand and it leads her to tell a lie that gets Robbie sent to prison. Then the film shifts to a number of years later, when Robbie is now serving in the war effort as a means of getting out of prison, Cecilia is a nurse and Briony, now a young adult, has come to realize the seriousness of what she did and is trying to atone for her actions (hence the title). This is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, and any student of film needs to see the amazing Dunkirk beach sequence shot in one continuous take on a Steady-cam. But the story is what really drives the picture, with an ending that comes out of nowhere and punches you in the gut emotionally. "Atonement" is pure, powerful filmmaking.
5. There Will Be Blood - A truly bizarre film, "There Will Be Blood" isn't easy to explain to anyone. Most of you probably already know about Daniel Day-Lewis's amazing performance (and mustache), and of course there was the whole "I-drink-your-milkshake" thing (which I was definitely not expecting to become a national catchphrase). But, like "Atonement," the real power of this film stems from it being an intimate story told on an epic scale. Watching Day-Lewis's oil tycoon Daniel Plainview wage a war of wills against the insane teenage preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) is like watching two great armies engaging in an epic battle. I was completely mesmerized for every moment of this film, from the opening title cards to the unbelievable final shots. "There Will Be Blood" definitely may not be for everyone's tastes, but I guarantee you've never seen anything like it before.
6. No Country for Old Men - Also known as the Best Picture Oscar winner of last year. Although it was compared to "There Will Be Blood" for it's desert setting and dark themes, the movies are actually polar opposites of one another. While "There Will Be Blood" is big, epic and completely over the top, "No Country for Old Men" is slower-paced and tells a much more low key story. Sure, serial killer Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is a walking embodiment of pure evil, but the core of the film is best expressed through the words of Tommy Lee Jones' Sheriff Bell. As he tracks Chigurh's path of destruction and tries to help Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who Chigurh is chasing to get back the money from a drug deal gone bad that Moss stumbled upon and took, Bell reflects on the deteriorating state of the world. Witnessing the brutal, unmotivated carnage that Chigurh leaves in his wake forces him to reflect on how the world is changing from the earlier days of himself and of his ancestors. He simply isn't able to understand the kind of violence that he is presented with, and comes to the conclusion that the times of his generation are coming to an end. So yeah, it's very much a thinking man's movie... but it's also got great performances (Chigurh really does rank alongside Hannibal Lecter as a truly terrifying vision of evil), a great story and excellent direction. It's more or less a perfect film. But it can be a little slow at times, which is why it doesn't score higher on the list.
7. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Forget "The Phantom of the Opera;" this is the way a horror-based musical should be done! Director Tim Burton brings his signature darkly Gothic style to this squirm-inducing tale. Without the typical good-at-heart social misfits that usually occupy Burton's films, "Sweeney Todd" is easily the darkest film he's ever made. Johnny Depp delivers yet another stand-out performance as the title character, but the other cast members do top notch work as well (including Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman). "Sweeney Todd" is bold, brilliant and, as the New York Times declared, "a work of extreme genius" in every way.
8. The Orphanage - Described by many as the 2007 equivalent of "Pan's Labyrinth," and that's not exactly a bad description; the creative fingerprints of producer and "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo del Toro are all over "The Orphanage." A woman moves her family into the now-empty orphanage that she grew up in as a child with plans to reopen it. You can probably guess that things don't go quite so well. But, like the rest of Toro's work, this is a lot more than a simple horror film. I don't want to go into too much detail (the more you don't know about the film going in, the better your experience with it will be), but like "Pan's Labyrinth" this is a film that focuses just as much on compelling emotion and old-school storytelling as it does on providing scares (and this movie is genuinely terrifying). If you like ghost stories, then "The Orphanage" is definitely a movie you should not miss.
9. Bridge to Terabithia - Based on the classic coming of age book by Katherine Paterson. If you've never read the book and have only seen the trailers for the film, which make it look like a third-rate "Narnia" rip-off, then you'll be very shocked by the actual film itself. This is a very moving (and heartbreaking) story about the power of friendship and imagination. Fifth grade outcasts Jesse (Josh Hutcherson) and new girl Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) become friends over a mutual love of art, and soon they have created their own imaginary kingdom of Terabithia in the woods behind their houses. Despite the way the advertising made the film look, roughly 80-90% of it takes place in the real world and revolves around how the kids deal with real life problems like bullies, poverty and nagging family members. The time they spend in Terabithia serves as a place they can escape to and where they can feel powerful. This is a great film for families to watch together... although I've got to warn you that, if you're not already familiar with the story, there's a twist about halfway through that is absolutely devastating. Simply put, if you don't get choked up while watching "Bridge to Terabithia" then I doubt you have a heart at all.
10. The Bourne Ultimatum - Matt Damon returns as amnesiac action hero Jason Bourne in the third and best installment in the series. This time Jason attempts to discover the truth about who he really is and how be became an assassin. Like the previous films, "The Bourne Ultimatum" doesn't skimp on incredibly executed action sequences (including a three-person chase/fight scene that is surprisingly suspenseful), but it also brings back the emotion that was somewhat lacking in the second movie. And it has a perfect ending that leave things just open-ended enough for the possibility of another addition to the series (which has recently been confirmed). As long as the filmmakers continue to keep up the same level of quality, I'm totally up for more trips into the mixed-up mind of Jason Bourne.
So there you have it; my top ten favorite movies of 2007. Until next year...
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