The Best (and Worst) of 2007

THE YEAR'S WORST

Shrek the Third- Could it be? The series that revitalized animation sinking so low? Yes! The latest entry is outstandingly awful. Every joke falls flat, the pace is plodding, and the characters are tired and uninteresting. Disapointingly wretched. (*/****)

THE YEAR'S BEST

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Darjeeling Limited- In my opinion this was one of 2007's most overlooked offerings.Wes Anderson continues on his streak of quirky emotionaly satisfying films. It includes three very strong performances in the three lead roles, with a special distinction going to Oscar winner Adrien Brody. {***1/2/****}

The Simpsons Movie- Many hated it, I however loved it and found it to be a near return to form for the Simpson family. The plot is as absurd as the characters, and is really irrelevant. Spider Pig was only the tip of the laughing iceberg (it also happens to be one of 2007's most over used jokes.) Maybe it's because I've been a fan of the show forever, but Homer and Marge's relationship really seemed emotionally honest to me. {***1/2/****}

Ocean's 13- Just plain old Holywood fun. This time the Ocean crew is back on American soil (most of the time) and they've done away with the excess baggage (*Cough cough *Zeta Jones cough*) The film is a huge improvment over the last film and features a delightfully over the top Al Pacino. The dialog has never been sharper. {***1/2/****}

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix- The series seems to just keep getting better with age, not to mention darker. Gone are the days of innocent magic to be replaced by a wonderful forbiding that is seen throughout the film. This also leaves room ofor dark humor. As always the Brittish thespians are outstanding, with a nod to series newcomer Imelda Staunton as the bitch you just love hating. {****/****}

SuperBad- Without doubt one of the year's funniest, this is a film for the frat boy inside us all. Its good to see raunchy films can step out of the shaddow of American Pie (an overrated film.) Michael Cera is just too convincing in his role. Tightly scripted and well made, SuperBad has seemingly unlimited rewatchability. Destined to be a classic! {****/****}

THE TOP 10

10. American Gangster- One of the year's most buzzed about Oscar contender is one terrific picture with a feirce lead performance from Denzel Washington. Equally strong (though sadly not a praised) is Russell Crowe, then again, he's always excellent. Though there are scenes of rousing action, the film's best moment comes near the end with Washington and crowe sitting face to face at a table discussing. The film allows its characters to be intellegent and extend beyond stereotypes, that's rare. {****/****}

9. Reign Over Me- The acting is the best reason to seek this film out. Cheadle is at his best as always. Alan has to be normal. He has to be our vessel to view Charlie. Cheadle fills the bill and adds more than the usual straight man act. As for Sandler, this is the best he has ever been. It is hard for me to imagine anyone else in this role. We all know he good at the manchild shtick, but when his character finally confronts the tragedy in his life Sandler can just bring you to tears.... so can the film. {****/****}

8. Once- A film that defies cliches at every turn, this is one of the most upliftinf music films ever. The songs swoon, and they are performed with passionate gusto. Though un named, the characters are fully realized and relateable. Made on a tiny budget, Once manages to be more affecting and memorable than any of Bruckheimer's work. Note to Holywood, money cannot buy this kind of brilliance. {****/****}

7. The Lookout- The thrill ride that no one bought a ticket to. It's a real shame because it is a tightly made caper film starring one of the best young actors out there (Joseph Gordon Levitt.) This film proves that his performance in Brick was no fluke. Jeff Daniels gives no doubt his best performance. Perfectly calculated and endlessly watchable. {****/****}

6. Grindhouse- Dare I say it? Pure cinematic bliss! Grand performances (especially from Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan and Rosario Dawson) spot on direction and pitch perfect writing all times two in the year's best popcorn film. It's just to bad no one was willing to sit through all 190 minutes. It sickens me that some would rather sit through all 194 minutes of Titanic, yet they didn't go see this film that is eons better (and three minutes shorter!) {****/****}

5. Ratatouille- Simply put, this the best animated film since 1991's Beauty and the Beast. I've resisted saying that it is just as fun for adults as it is for kids, but that is very true. It has the most timeless feeling of any of the Pixar films. It strips the animated film of any pop references that could make it seem dated. Works well as an antidote to the abysmal Shrek the Third. {****/****}

4. Zodiac- Jeez, another box office flop. That's really a shame considering it's the best serial killer film in recent memory (yes, much better than Se7en.) It works well as a thriller, though that is not the primary purpose, as a chronicle of obsession and drive toward the answer to a riddle it ranks with the greats like J.F.K. and All the Predident's Men. It is the strongest most mature film Fincher has made. With its attention to the most miniscule details and steady pace Zodiac will envelop you in a world from start to finish. Beautiful and haunting! {****/****}

3. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- All hail the Demon Barber!! This is the best musical of the past 20 years, it makes Chicago look like a Jr. High School production. Each performance strikes the perfect ballance between theatrical acting and cinematic acting. Johnny Depp deserves many accolades for his brilliant portrayal. He takes a different path than most other Sweeneys, his is a barber that is focused, calculating and most importantly quiet. Resisiting the overly theatrical almost operatic tendancies of the original production is where this film is smartest. Oh and its by Sondheim so you'll be singing the songs for weeks. {****/****}

2. No Country for Old Men- The Coen Brothers are undoubtedly among the top directors currently working, after their last few films it seemed that Fargo was to be their legacy. Then, No Country steps into the picture. This is their best film, bar none. It leaves you shaken and confused, yet all makes sense postmortem. Javier Bardem gives the year's best performance from any actor of any sex in any film. The cast is also pitch perfect, same goes for the writing, and the direction. To be honest, all I can say is that everything you've heard is true. A complete and utter masterwork! {****/****}

1. Knocked Up and Juno- No two films this year have caused me to laugh harder. It may seem simple, but that's why I love them. It's rare for comedies to allow the characters to seem realistic, making the situations all the more involving. These films allow you to care for the characters along with laughing at them. Every scene is a comedic goldmine, a reference tool on comedic timing. Did I mention the flawless casts? Enough jokes to last a lifetime, endless rewatchability, the year's best films. {****/****}

P.S. I know Everybody HATES ties but my opinion changes daily!