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2007 Top Flicks
The timely rendition of making a list.
Well, it's been a while since posting anything on here and while I have a 4lb meatloaf in the smoker that I'm tending to, rather than post pics on Good Eats, I figured I'd get to a list that I've been cultivating for the past 3 months. So here is a look at my top 11 movies from 2007. Just in time to add them to your Netflix queue (after you add American Poop that is).
11 - BLACK SNAKE MOAN
Not quite as good as Craig Brewster's previous film, "Hustle & Flow", though I gotta say that I enjoyed this trip into the south where hard blues, stiff drinking, and tough love are all that matter. Oh, and Christina Ricci is topless...and crazy!
10 - OCEANS THIRTEEN
Who doesn't love a caper flick? I'm probably the ONLY person who loved all three of the "Oceans" films, but this one...bringing it back to Vegas...upping the level of absurdity in the heist...and adding spectacular costumes for our main characters just made it one of the most fun movies this past summer.
9 - 300
C'mon!!! Ass-kicking, bad-ass, hard-rocking, 3-D fight sequences for almost a full 90 minutes. Yeah, it made me embarrassed that I'm in such bad shape and one hairy bastard, but fuck it, this was a movie I wanted to MAKE!
8 - EASTERN PROMISES
Anyone see this one? Anyone? Dude...Viggo Mortensen is a-mazing! And the second film from David Cronenberg and Mortensen that explores a good/evil duality of the human psyche in relation to organized crime knocks it out the park. Especially that nude fight sequence in the Russian Bath. I couldn't fight like that with my ding-dang hanging out, could you?
7 - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Yeah it won all the prizes, yeah it's a Cohen Bros flick, yeah it DID kick some serious ass. And it was better than like 90% of the shit that was released this year. But I got the message and thought it played second-fiddle to Javier Bardem and his cattle-prodding death ray.
6 - RATATOUILLE
What can I say? I love to cook. As usual, Pixar animations tell a better tale than nearly any live-action movie out there. I've watched this movie several times now and it's always entertaining...and I imagine it always will be.
5/4 - KNOCKED UP/SUPERBAD
I thought it fitting that these two comedies were tied on my list. They came from the same team of filmmakers, featured much of the same cast, and did very similar business. I loved them for completely different reasons though. "Knocked Up" was the better story overall and had tender moments to it akin to "The 40 Year-Old Virgin", whereas "Superbad" created some of the BEST characters in a comedy since "Dumb and Dumber".
3 - INTO THE WILD
This movie was sure to be my number 1 spot for months upon its release. For a movie that lasted 2 1/2 hours, I was never bored for one minute. The visuals, Eddie Vedder's music, and a tragic but true story all made a truely beautiful film.
2 - JUNO
Cute young pregnant chicks with a punk-rock attitude. Umm, I think it's safe to say that this could've gone either way. Fortunately, it went the way of a funny, fun movie that I'd watch again and again.
1 - THERE WILL BE BLOOD
How did this not win best picture? How? It was epic, intense, beautiful, and amazingly awesome. There was little violence but it was very violent regardless. The dichotomy of money vs. religion still holds true over 100 later. And who would have ever thought that "Oil" by Upton Sinclair could be so timely and relevant in an entirely new century. Oh yeah...and the last scene might be the greatest final scene in film since "The Godfather Part II". Milkshake...yeah...
So there you have it. Discuss, argue, rant, rave. Give me your lists. There are still about a dozen movies from 2007 that I've yet to see which could affect these standings, but as with all things over time, they'll probably change anyway and I'll see "Smoking Aces" move into my number 1 spot.
Ratatouilleeeeeeee!
What a fun name! And Paul, I could have sworn I saw you cry for Dan in Real Life. Juno was a bust. It's on the over hyped indie movie list along with Garden State from back in the day. I liked the Kingdom with Jamie Foxx. They could have really botched up another Middle Eastern war movie, but they didn't. 300 was so good! And No Country for Old Men probably will inspire loads of hipster haircuts, friend-o. That guy was crazy; such a great actor. Black Snake Moan was HOT. I'm giving it up for J.Timberlake - he had that going and Alphadog. Yeah that's about all I got. I've got to stop congesting our queue with oldies like Fiddler on the Roof, which we've been sitting on for a month now.
Into The Wild
Just finished watching this. Oh Lord, keep me from quitting my job tomorrow and heading for the hills! We're workin' this list, Rob - also saw Ratatouille (wow) and No Country For Old Men (double wow) since you posted it.
Sack Flap Action
Just saw Eastern Promises the other night. The fight scene in the bath house was pretty amazing. I give it two thumb stumps up.
BLACK SNAKE MOAN – One of the few films I actually saw in a theater in ’07. Definitely held my interest, wondering what the f was going to happen next. Not especially touching or thought provoking,, but it wasn’t supposed to be. Still haven’t seen Hustle & Flow. Should definitely add it to the Netflix queue.
OCEANS THIRTEEN – Haven’t seen this one. Probably because most of the charm of Oceans Eleven had worn off for me by Oceans Twelve. Throwing a bunch of hot superstars into a heist flick may be a surefire recipe for success – the first time around.
300 – I was actually a bit surprised how much I enjoyed this one. Based on the previews, I had somewhat low expectations. The fight scenes (i.e. the whole film) were so intense (as were the Spartans themselves). This is a movie that has little plot, but doesn’t get ruined by trying to have it. It is unashamed of being a two hour battle scene. After watching this I felt like I should watch it every Sunday night to prepare to battle through the upcoming week. First guy that looks at me funny in the office gets a shield to the face. I recommend this film to anyone who hasn’t seen it.
EASTERN PROMISES – I don’t think I’ve even heard of this one. It’s on my radar now.
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN – Just saw this for the first time on Friday. It was certainly gripping. The villain was certainly creepy (“Call it.”) Have to give them props for not going with a happy ending, although it’s tough not to feel a little disappointment when there’s not much closure. One of those films where you go, “Shit, is this going to be the end? Yep. Okay.”
RATATOUILLE – Haven’t seen it yet. But it’s already on the queue (added by Becca in an uncharacteristic display of support for animation, though she did watch the Simpsons movie with me).
KNOCKED UP/SUPERBAD – Just saw Superbad this week. Definitely got some laughs. Unfortunately, word of mouth kind of built it up too much for me. People were calling this the funniest movie ever, so I expected my head to explode. Not really a failing of the film so much as my expectations (and the quality of the reviews I’d received). Still, very funny. The montage of dick drawings during the closing credits was phenomenal.
INTO THE WILD – Saw this under the recommendations on Netflix, but didn’t really know anything about it. It will surely be added to the queue now.
JUNO – Good, cute, witty, and at moments touching. Maybe too witty at times. Much of the dialogue lacked believability, in a Dawson’s Creek meets unrealistically precocious indie film indie chick sort of way. While it was good and thoroughly entertaining, this was another film that was a bit overhyped in my opinion. Not really Oscar-worthy. Sorry, Ellen.
THERE WILL BE BLOOD – Anxiously awaiting the DVD release. Haven’t seen it yet. Our helpdesk staff has begun quoting it to each other (yes, something about a milkshake), so I really need to catch up. And now it’s at the top of Rob’s list (screw the Academy), so it’s a must see.
Some of my favorite films of 2007 that didn’t make Rob’s list – Bourne Ultimatum (unlike the Oceans trilogy, Bourne kept me lovin’ every minute of it), Grindhouse: Planet Terror and Death Proof (both are just pure cinematic fun), Dan in Real Life (I’ve got a soft spot for Steve Carell, and it almost made me cry).
I just saw The Darjeeling Limited this weekend and I must say, in terms of creativity, cinematography, and set design, it really kicked some ass. Although it was actually released in 2006, Shortbus was another very interesting film I saw recently. It’s probably the most sexually explicit film outside the porn industry. Not for the faint of heart (if you can’t handle watching an all-male three-way or projectile ejaculate, you should probably pass on this one), but was really quite good.