15. Knocked Up (Judd Apatow)
I personally am not a fan of mainstream vulgar comedies which have been dominant in film for a decade or so, but within that genre comes diamonds in the rough like Knocked Up. I don't care who you are this movie is hilarious and strikes something in most of the younger generation. The comedy is actually the type of stuff people talk about with their friends. It gets a little slow after the middle point of the movie and picks up again at the end, but I appreciate its message. This stood out to me as a gateway to better comedy in film.
14. Sweeny Todd : The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Tim Burton)
Bloody, dark, Tim Burton directed movie musical? Amazingly entertaining. I think Tim Burton is great and adapts stories that he can improve on instead of change them to be something worse. Its like he puts his spin on anything and usually it works. Although very gorey, I wasn't repulsed by it because the nature of it all was so much fun. Helena definitely stole the show for me and gave a great performance as always. The best Musical of 2007
13. The Darjeeling LTD. (Wes Anderson)
Wes Anderson is a great director, and I will check out anything he does for the rest of his career. There is a spirit to his films which I think a lot of directors go for, but little achieve it like he can. I think this is easily the weakest of his films, but still far better than most movies of the year. I did however enjoy the dynamic of the three brothers characters a lot and I felt the location and the train really added extra characters to the movie. Very Funny but I hope Owen Wilson co writes the next project, Jason Schwartzman doesn't really write with Wes as well as Owen.
12. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (David Yates)
David Yates took the longest book in the Harry Potter series and made the shortest, most put together movie in the franchise. The first fifteen minutes of the movie set a tone to me that took you out of that boy wizard childish fairy tail element that all the other films have, and took me into a film that stands apart from the rest. I think it is the best looking harry potter film and I also am glad David Yates is finishing the rest of the Harry Potter films.
11. Juno (Jason Reitman)
Juno is so funny! This photo is actually my favorite shot in the movie. There is nothing greater then a pregnant high schooler eating lunch with her best friend in a trophy case. I found some of the critical acclaim this movie got to be a little excessive and uncalled for. I don't think it takes away from the good time you have when you watch this sarcastic, emotional, hilarious movie.
10. A Mighty Heart (Michael Winterbottom)
This film is very realistic and in a way feels too real at times. I know it was very hard for a lot of people to watch but I think this film is underrated. Angelina Jolie gives the performance of her life, its so embarassing to portray someone still alive and known by people, but to put everything into it the way she does is impressive to say the least. Angelina was snubbed by the Academy for sure.
09. Gone Baby Gone (Ben Affleck)
I have never really like Ben Affleck until I saw what he did with this movie. Casey definitely proved his leading man status in this film as well. It felt slightly too long but overall I was captivated by the story, as well as Amy Ryan. I Hadn't really seen her before this but she stuck out as the most fascinating part of the story. The Character she plays is Funny, Scary, Evil and Misunderstood but when you don't know how you feel about the person it is obviously a good performance.
08. Away From Her (Sarah Polley)
Suprisingly one of the best movies of the year. Sarah Polley is a good actor as well as a good director, but she is a brilliant writer and that was showcased in this one. I think the dialogue carries this movie from start to finish with the amazing aid of Julie Christie's stellar performance. She however is evenly matched with Gordon Pinsett who played my favorite Character in the film. Set in Canada, the shots are breathtaking and realistic. It was shocking to me how much I could like a movie about alzheimers.
07. There Will Be Blood ( Paul Thomas Anderson)
Initially when I saw this movie I felt a strange groundhogs day type feeling of "where have I seen something like this before?" And then it hit me...Kubrick. The music, the way it looked, the really long movie that isn't really about much. But after watching it a second time I took that element out of my mind and saw how different it was. It is a bold movie that makes no apologies and I respect it a lot. Daniel Day Lewis is over the top in the best way imaginable, and I mean that as a compliment
06. Atonement (Joe Wright)
A great looking picture, a great cast, and a five minute one take shot that makes me want to lose my mind! Atonement was daring and aesthetically pleasing in all ways. The ending hit some people hard but I was ready for it and I am nothing but impressed with this one. Kiera Knightley always seemed like such a bitch to me, but I knew she could act. Then I saw Atonement and have nothing but love for her obviously.
05. Into the Wild (Sean Penn)
This movie made America look so pretty. I just wanted to take a road trip after. This story was so amazing and refreshing to watch. Sean Penn is a very passionate person and I think you could see that in the way he directed this film. Catherine Keener's Character was so cool and I wanted to have a conversation with that woman. I feel this movie was over looked at the oscars, but its also a very youthful movie which I think some people might not be able to identify with.
04. No Country for Old Men (The Coen Brothers)
Three men on a chase for each other, and none of them ever meet face to face. Money is involved as well as a shotgun with a silencer, a serial killer, and an old man trying to keep the peace. But in this day with how crazy people are, its definitely not as easy as it used to be. I think that's basically what this movie is about and that is such a refreshing concept. Incredibly well acted, and funny, and scary, No country is an exhilarating ride that you have to be apart of. The best film on this list (but not my favorite).
03. La Vie En Rose (Olivier Dahan)
Marion Cotillard has been one of my favorite actresses since I saw her in Jeunet's A Very Long Engagement. I love her in everything I've seen her in. But then this movie came along and blew my mind. There a couple flaws with the story but I think the way it jumps around Edith's life is perfectly set. Marion gives one of the best performances I've ever seen in my life and I thank her for showing these young american actresses how to win a fucking Oscar. I don't think any 32 year old actress in America is close to being at her level. Edith Piaf is also very important to me as I am such a fan, Marion did it right and Made this movie one of my favorites.
02. Michael Clayton (Tony Gilroy)
Not a big Clooney fan but definitely a Michael fan. This movie gave me the sensation that I was reading an awesome murder mystery novel and unfolded before my eyes as a masterpiece. A very Human story about corruption and deceit. Tom Wilkinson gave me a Peter Finch in Network flashback and I saw a mad man lose everything all over again. I want to read Realm and Conquest so bad even though it doesn't exist. I wish Michael Clayton would have won best picture just cause its the shit! The only negative I have is I wish Tilda Swinton was in the movie more.
01. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Julian Schnabel)
One of the most beautiful movies ever! Mathieu Almaraic is a fine actor who took on a chalenging role and did it well. However I don't think anything matters when dealing with the directing of this movie. I'm so impressed with how it all came together and can only imagine the work that was put into this movie. Every female character was beautiful, and to see them through his eyes made you feel personal attraction and affection for these women. To see first hand what that experience of being locked inside your own body is like is something you never expect to see when watching a film. It took me there and impressed me more than any other this year, the groundbreaking techniques and visual amazement make this my favorite movie of 2007
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I want to do this for every year I can so this is the beginning and I will see you in 2006
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