Re: Favorites of 2007 so far?

I've fallen way behind on my movie-going lately. "Eastern Promises" just got taken out of theaters this weekend so I'll have to catch it on DVD as well as "Hairspray." There's still a lot on my to-see list.

So far, "Once" has really been the only film that's kinda blown me away. I'd break things down like this...

BEST
3:10 to Yuma
Grindhouse
Hot Fuzz
Once
Ratatouille

GOOD
300
The Bourne Ultimatum
The King of Kong
A Mighty Heart
Paris je t'aime
Rescue Dawn
Stardust

FAIR
1408
Black Snake Moan
Breach
Knocked Up
Superbad
Surf's Up

I'll also say that "Live Free or Die Hard" was probably the best of the summer popcorn flicks. I still want to see "American Gangster", "Assassination of Jesse James", "Control", "Darjeeling Limited", "Lust, Caution" "Michael Clayton", and "No Country for Old Men." Looking forward to "Beowulf", "I'm Not There", and "Persepolis."

-Will

[Post edited by Gangrel00X on Nov 10, 2007]

John,

Jim reviewed Offside here. He failed to appreciate its true genius, but it's a good review.

And, oh yeah, "Private Fears in Public Places" got released in '07 in the US as well. There's another one for the list. Hmm, about half my best of '07 list consists of films I saw in Sept '06 in Toronto. I guess it has been a somewhat disappointing year.

Thanks, John.

Pretty much feel the same about every title in John's original post.

But I also liked Gone Baby Gone and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

I think he really made a name for himself now, rather than being "Ben's brother".

I liked 300 but I have a hunch that "The Golden Compass" will be the favorite of the year. We will have to wait and see!

[Post edited by Ironbull on Nov 10, 2007]

I think Sarah Polley's "Away from Her" should take it hands down. My wife cried on that one

I've never seen her get emotional with a movie before, even with "Grave of the Fireflies" or the end of "Schindler's List". To be honest, when my wife wanted to rent this one I thought I'd hate it as I was not interested in the subject matter AT ALL. Either our little Dawn of the Dead remake star is a genius or she lucked out in some mysterious way. But 10 minutes into this I was captivated by the performances of Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent I forgot I was supposed to hate it and... well... ended up loving it. The color and camera work in the movie would transfer nicely to hi-def, and I'd double dip this one when/if offered.

There are great movies, and then there are big Hollywood blockbusters. This one was the only "great" movie this year so far IMO.

Unfortunately, I have yet to see anything that I was extremely impressed with. I was hoping Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited" would be entertaining, but it was a disappointment.

However, the next month seems promising with the upcoming release of Todd Haynes' "I'm Not There," Noah Baumbach's "Margot at the Wedding," Kar Wai Wong's "My Blueberry Nights," and Francis F. Coppola's "Youth Without Youth." Perhaps, I'm overestimating the potential of Coppola's latest project, but the other three films are sure of be of interest.

Perhaps a top five will have to suffice for this year.

I loved 300!

300
The Darjeeling Limited
Juno
Waitress
Ratatouille
Stardust
In the Valley of Elah
Death at a Funeral
The Simpsons Movie

None are going to win any major Oscars, sadly.

"No Country for Old Men"
"Zodiac"
"Eastern Promises"
"3:10 to Yuma"
"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
'Michael Clayton"


2007/2008
"There Will be Blood" which will take a lot to beat I reckon

[Post edited by jaejae on Feb 9, 2008]