Reel Deal: The best of 2007
Alex Plimack
Arts | 12/6/07
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In my first full year as a movie critic, I saw more movies in 365 days than I ever have before. I missed a few along the way (see my list at the bottom), forgot a few, and I was unfortunate enough to see some stinkers ("Perfect Stranger" and "Hot Rod" to name a couple). But there were good films throughout, and with three weeks left in the 2007, it's not too early for me to reveal my Top 10 list of the year.
1. "No Country for Old Men"
The Coen Brothers have made their best film yet and the best film of 2007. A thrilling, unrelenting experience, "No Country" features Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones delivering stellar performances with Javier Bardem as the serial killer Anton Chigurh, probably the scariest character to grace the big screen in recent memory.
2. "Once"
Representing everything Hollywood isn't, "Once" came out of nowhere to win the hearts of moviegoers with its modern-musical love story. With undoubtedly the best soundtrack of the year, the film managed to go against the typical romantic movie stereotypes and craft an inspiring tale through its subtlety and undeniable indie sensibilities.
3. "Juno"
If Ellen Page wasn't a star before "Juno," she will be after it sees wide release. The quirky tale of Juno, a pregnant 16-year-old deciding to put the baby up for adoption has Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner as a couple who wants a child of their own, J.K. Simmons and Allison Janey as the dad and step-mom and Michael Cera as the donor of the Y chromosome. Diablo Cody's script is nothing short of brilliant.
4. "Into the Wild"
Sweeping. Entralling. Epic. Yet, introverted. The seemingly paradoxical nature of the Sean Penn directed "Into The Wild" makes for a focused look at one young man's loss of direction and his effort to find his place in the world. Emile Hirsch throws himself into the film as Christopher McCandless, dropping close to 40 pounds for the role but it's Hal Holbrook who steals the show as the lonely old man who tries to stop Chris on his journey.
1. "No Country for Old Men"
The Coen Brothers have made their best film yet and the best film of 2007. A thrilling, unrelenting experience, "No Country" features Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones delivering stellar performances with Javier Bardem as the serial killer Anton Chigurh, probably the scariest character to grace the big screen in recent memory.
2. "Once"
Representing everything Hollywood isn't, "Once" came out of nowhere to win the hearts of moviegoers with its modern-musical love story. With undoubtedly the best soundtrack of the year, the film managed to go against the typical romantic movie stereotypes and craft an inspiring tale through its subtlety and undeniable indie sensibilities.
3. "Juno"
If Ellen Page wasn't a star before "Juno," she will be after it sees wide release. The quirky tale of Juno, a pregnant 16-year-old deciding to put the baby up for adoption has Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner as a couple who wants a child of their own, J.K. Simmons and Allison Janey as the dad and step-mom and Michael Cera as the donor of the Y chromosome. Diablo Cody's script is nothing short of brilliant.
4. "Into the Wild"
Sweeping. Entralling. Epic. Yet, introverted. The seemingly paradoxical nature of the Sean Penn directed "Into The Wild" makes for a focused look at one young man's loss of direction and his effort to find his place in the world. Emile Hirsch throws himself into the film as Christopher McCandless, dropping close to 40 pounds for the role but it's Hal Holbrook who steals the show as the lonely old man who tries to stop Chris on his journey.
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