UPDATE Top 10 Movies of 2007 - Oct 14

1. In the Valley of Elah - In the Valley of Elah - After the fast moving but more in-you-face approach to 2005's "Crash" Paul Haggis slows things down a bit for this thoughtful and profound film. Tommy Lee Jones' performance is sublime as a grieving father and is nicely supported by Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon. Though at first the film seems stuck in nowheres-ville, it continues to build and build until the final horrifying revelation/s. Many films have focused on the tragedies of soldiers over seas, but few explore what can happen when they return home. Grade: A (maybe even A+, but I take a lot of time before giving one of those out).
   
   
2. Waitress - just like last year's Little Miss Sunshine (my #2 of 2006 coincidentally), Waitress shows the magic that can happen when a relatively simple looking formula is done so well that it feels original. Wonderful characters (led by a radiant Keri Russell) and a hilarious and touching script (that never becomes sappy) make this as tasty as any of the pies that Russell's character bakes (some of the best looking food ever put on screen). This was director/writer/actress Adrienne Shelly's last film (she was murdered in late 2006) and it is a great film to be remembered by. Grade: A
   
   
3. Once - even more simple and straightforward than Waitress, Once is a marvelous little film that shows you don't need flashy costumes or big show stoppers (though those are fine in the right situations) to make an absorbing film about music. It's simplicity gives a greater sense of intimacy with the two main characters, referred to only as "man" and "woman". To quote the New York Times, "2 musicians, a simple premise, 88 minutes, and not a single false note." Grade: A
   
   
4. Zodiac - Many would be afraid of a non-action movie with a 2 hr. 45 min running time, and I was too. However, though at its end, you'll feel that Zodiac was long, it was worth it. The amount of detail from the book is brilliantly translated to the screen to provided lots of information that's actually interesting as opposed to wasted breath. As the film builds and builds, the amount of tensions continually increases with each Zodiac killing (though only a few are shown) until it culminates in the most tense scene of the year: The basement scene. I won't spoil it for you, but dear GOD it was great. Acting is very good, but not necessarily worthy of any awards (especially Robert Downey Jr.'s overrated performance), but what really stands out are the writing, directing, and spooky cinematography. Grade: A or A-
   
   
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Of all the Potter films this was the first to ever truly thrill me. It is wonderfully dark, and David Yates often use of close ups, combined with the SUPERB cinematography gives the feeling of nauseating claustrophobia. Art direction is also brilliant, in particular the ministry of magic, and the special effects are definitely the best the series has ever seen. The editing is very crisp, and keeps these moving along briskly, but not to the point that it feels rushed. Because of the remarkable editing, it would've seemed wiser to actually include more of the events in the book, seeing as the editing made this film feel more like 1 hr and 45 min, instead of 2 hrs and 20 minutes. Nicholas Hooper does a very nice job with adapting and adding to the original Harry Potter theme (which is played infrequently) and his theme for Prof. Umbridge is as much a part of the character as Staunton herself. Though a perfectly cast Helena Bonham Carter is somewhat underused as wicked Bellatrix Lestrange, Imelda Staunton is sugary, sweet, and chilling perfection as the new malevolent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Watching her smile sweetly as Harry writes with a quill that acts as a torture device is flat out scary. The three leads have also matured. After being somewhat uneven in Goblet of Fire (Watson in particular), they are all much more competent and comfortable in their roles (though none of them are "great" by any means). New comer Evanna Lynch is good as Luna Lovegood, but the script makes her seem to be simply aloof instead of truly spacey and conspiracy obsessed. Despite its grimness, the script also manages to inject many moments of delight and humor, which help keep the film from being a cinematic depressant. This is without a doubt, one of the best of the summer sequels, and despite feeling a bit short despite its actual running time, it stands as the best (although least accessible to non Potter fans) film in the series. David Yates has reportedly been signed on to direct Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and from what I've just seen, this is definitely a good thing. Grade: A-
6. Michael Clayton: a very well acted legal thriller that at times leaves things a bit too opaque. The post below contains the full review. Grade: B+/A-
   
   
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - so, unlike a great deal of fans, I at least liked all of the Pirates films. I adore the first one, really liked the second one, and really really liked the third (but hopefully final) installment. Even more epic with many visually stunning scenes, the film's greatest success is that it makes the Jack Sparrow character feel fresh again. Even as a big Capt. Jack fan, the "drunk pirate" schtick was starting to wear just a bit thin by the end of "Dead Man's Chest." Now, the loopy protagonist feels new again due to numerous Sparrow hallucinations who at times surround the real Jack. The interactions between them give Jack Sparrow more nuance than ever before. Also on the good side: lots of the wonderful Geoffrey Rush as Capt. Barbossa, Keira isn't annoying any more, Bill Nighy gets to add more to Davy Jones, and the overall conclusion is really satisfying. The bad: some of the special effects (godzilla-Calypso) seemed like they were there just to show off, some of the scenes just seemed random (Norrington's death) and of course, Orlando Bloom is just a tad too bland. Strangely, I find this to be the least humorous of the three movies, but it's my second favorite of the trilogy. Go figure... Grade: A-
   
   
8. Eastern Promises - first off, I H-A-T-E-D David Cronenberg's last film, A History of Violence (2005), so I was glad that he redeemed himself here. Though Naomi Watts suffers from a weak character, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel, and Armin Muehller-Stahl are superb, especially Mortensen. In essence, this thing is The Godfather set in London with the Russian mob as opposed to the Italians. My only complaint: okay Mr. Cronenberg, you like harcore violence, we get it. Now just tone it down some. Grade: B+
9. Across the Universe - It's official, Julie Taymor is the visual genius of our time. Her inventive musical takes a different approach; instead of creating a story and weaving in the songs of the Beatles, she derives a story from the songs. The story isn't terribly original (boy meets girl, they fall in love, the get separated, etc...) but it's works because of the tremendous visual inventiveness. It's also a great deal of fun listening to a bunch of different voices sing the Beatles' songs and it gives them a much needed breath of fresh air. This is one filled with memorable scenes that might even require multiple viewings... Grade: B+
   
   
10. Hot Fuzz - the bottom line: it's better made, written, directed, and acted than 99% of the film that its spoofing. Hysterical send up of "buddy cop" movies filled with a fantastically fast moving and witty screenplay. One of the best comedies of 2007 so far. God I love the Brits. Grade: B+
    
    
    

Best of the Rest:

1. La Vie En Rose B+
   
2. Elizabeth: The Golden Age B+
   
3. 3:10 to Yuma B+
4. Hairspray B+
5. The Simpsons Movie B+
6. The Brave One B+
7. The Bourne Ultimatum B+
8. Breach B+
9. Knocked Up B+
10. Fay Grim B+
11. 300 B+
12. Ocean’s 13 B+