Top 10 of 2007

You knew it was coming. Bloggers and critics across the states have been doing this for the last week so I decided to put my two cents in. 2007 has been a good year for movies. Not great, I’ve been torn much worse than I am right now about picking a favorite but it was a good year. The following list is in order of my enjoyment, not critical praise or anything snobby. Just how much I enjoyed what I saw on screen. In reverse order of course.

10. Michael Clayton – I enjoyed this movie loads when it first came out. It was a head trip to be strung along in a series of crazy circumstances. Clooney will get looked at very seriously for Best Actor. Did I mention there is a real live Michael Clayton?

9. Rescue Dawn – I’m shocked people are forgetting this movie on their top 10s. Gibraltar films/Werner Herzog created a masterpiece of what it’s like to be a POW. Steve Zahn better get nominated for best supporting SHAME ON YOU GOLDEN GLOBES.

8. Zodiac – Another example of bad planning on the part of the studio. This would be stealing a lot of the awards talk if it wasn’t released directly after the 2007 awards. Though it was long, this was a great story. San Francisco looked great, and Robert Downey Jr. was as quirky as ever.

7. No Country for Old Men – It’s the juggernaut building momentum into award season. It appears that my love for Paul Thomas Anderson might not be enough to push There Will Be Blood (Still haven’t seen it…) into the top spot. The Coens are also going to make a run at best directing, best supporting actor, and maybe a writing award. I’m impressed with this movie, but I still like Lebowski more.

6. Atonement – I’m going to be unpopular for putting this before No Country for Old Men but I really really enjoyed this adaptation. Joe Wright is a master with the camera and even though I knew the entire story from reading the book, was able to keep my attention technically.

5. Juno -Witty, well written, and performed to perfection. This is the favorite to take home best Original Screenplay. Ellen Page is also going to bust some heads if she doesn’t get that pretty gold statue.

4. Control – I love Joy Division. This is a movie designed for a niche audience and it hit pretty damn well for me. Seeing a recreation of a band I never got to see live is huge. I also was probably one of 10 people to notice that in Wristcutters, the song playing in the diner is Love Will Tear Us Apart. Ian Curtis, like the rest of the people in purgatory, committed suicide.

3. Ratatoille – Feels like forever ago that I was sitting next to a 3 year old girl in the summer months laughing myself crazy. She and the movie were simply adorable and fun for everyone. Pixar will never cease to amaze me in their ability to juggle the adult and child audiences.

2. Lars and the Real Girl – Yes it’s a movie about a blow up doll. Ryan Gosling stars in what could have been an epic disaster, but turned out to be quite the accomplishment. Laughter sifts out of the theater and the audience buys into the story. One of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in the theater.

1. Wristcutters: A Love Story – My favorite film of the year by far. This surrealist look at purgatory was the most satisfying of any that I saw. I walked in with reasonable expectations and they were eclipsed with awe. Suicide has never been more stylish than Goran Dukic’s superb vision. If you aren’t convinced, maybe Tom Waits as an Angel will win you over. A MUST SEE for fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Notable Omissions: THERE WILL BE BLOOD, I can’t believe I haven’t seen this yet. The Savages was excellent as was Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, I just liked these better.  Number 11 could be any of the following, I need to seem them all to determine if the top 10 will stay as it is.

I’m really excited to get Sunshine Danny Boyle’s new one.  It was in theaters while I was traveling cross country and I’m upset I didn’t get to see it. Being released on DVD jan 8th, Netflix it, trust me. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (today) Once probably the most modern musical put to screen. Really low budget but still sensational. Enchanted – Can’t say enough about Disney’s new look on women’s roles.

That about wraps her up. If you have anything you think should be consider leave a comment. If you hate the list also leave a comment.