We've come to the end of a pretty decent year of film and I saw 32 movies at the cinema.
It's a tough one to pick but it has been made easier by having five films rate a 9/10, I had four 8.5s and nine 8/10s so that's 17 of the 32 rating an eight or better. A quality year.
Here are the top five films of 2007.....
1. Reign Over Me
An absolutely stunning film about Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), a man who lost his way after his family was taken in the September 11 attacks. Sandler is amazing in this role. He's completely shut down and lives a life that revolves around entertaining himself without having to face reality. Until he meets an old friend who needs healing in his own way. A moving film about friendship and a deserved number one.
2. Into The Wild
The true story of 24-year-old Chris McCandless, who in 1992 donated all his money to charity and abandoned his life to discover America, and himself. Directed by Sean Penn, this film is breathtaking from the scenery, the brilliant performance by Emile Hirsch and the subtle messages about life it tells. In any other year this would be a clear number one but just misses out.
3. Breach
An acting tour de force with Chris Cooper and Ryan Phillippe facing off as a corrupt FBI agent and the junior brought in by the authorities to bring him down. The fantastic Laura Linney also shines here. Based on the true story of Robert Hanssen, they get the mystery of what happens at the end out of the way right at the start so you can get down to finding out how he came unstuck. Not a flashy film at all, very bleak in appearance but outstanding in every way.
4. The Simpsons Movie
A change of pace from the top three and this surprises nobody. Pretty much a really, really good 90 minute episode of the longest running animated TV show and it holds up. There are superhero pigs (well just one), dares, nude scenes and environmental distasters - just your standard Simpsons fare. Very fun, particularly if you're a fan like me.
5. Spider-Man 3
Some people thought there was too much stuffed in to this movie and it became a bit crowded. I see the point but maybe I am a bit biased because I love Spiderman in a favourite superhero kind of way. They handled Venom well and I thought Topher Grace was good in that role. I thought it was at least as good as Spider-Man 2.
So that's the top five and a pretty solid one at that. If you haven't seen the top three, as they weren't major blockbuster releases like the other two I wholly recommend them. If you like thought provoking films, excellent acting and a good drama they are well and truly must sees.
Honourable mentions go to: The Number 23, Transformers, Amazing Grace, Death At A Funeral and the hugely under rated Australian film Noise.
Surprise of the year: the infectious musical Hairspray.
Runner-up: the Australian league film The Final Winter.
Flop of the year: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry - all the funny bits were in the preview. Sandler gets best and worst film of the year in a rare feat.
See you at the movies in 2008, a year which at the moment is looking a bit patchy with Prince Caspian looking a mid-year highlight.
1 comment:
Agree totally with you on "Into the Wild". V disappointed that i didn't see Breach - I'll have to see it at one of the famous 'Raymo Review Viewings" in Marsfield ;)
I do however, have to disagree with you on the Simpsons Movie. Now I know it's almost mandatory for you to include it (as is the case if they ever, god forbid, made a Friends movie). But it just didn't go the whole distance for me. A brilliant first half, followed up by an average second half left me giving it only a 3.5 star rating.
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