Well, we’ve reached the half way point of 2007 and I thought it would be fun for weekend discussion to throw together my list of the top 10 films so far this year. Remember, all lists are subjective, and that’s the fun of them. So here you go:
1) TRANSFORMERS
It’s almost not fair to put this on the list since most of you guys haven’t had the chance to see it yet… but since I have seen it, I had to put it here. Hands down this is the best summer blockbuster film I’ve ever seen. The best action film all year, great humor, and genuinely solid characters combined with the greatest visual effects in the history of film make Transformers one hell of an entertaining film. I haven’t looked forward to a film as much as this one since the first Star Wars Prequel…. fortunately THIS one didn’t let me down.
2) RATATOUILLE
I’ve said it a thousand times, and I’ll say it again. Pixar is not only the best animation studio around… they are the best movie studio in the world. This organization couldn’t make a less than amazing film if they tried. Ratatouille makes a strong case to possibly be considered the very best film Pixar has done to date. Dazzling animation, terrific storytelling, endearing characters… wow.
3) MR. BROOKS
Never would have thought I’d be putting a Kevin Costner film on my list… but Mr. Brooks has turned out to be one of my favorite films of the year so far. easily the best performance Kevin Costner has given in his career, and the chemistry he and William Hurt have together as the two sides to one personality is creepy, powerful and hilarious at the same time (please note this is not a comedy). Excellent film despite having Dane Cook in it. Get your ass out and see it if you can still find it in a theater near you
4) 300
Finally, a “man’s man” action film that celebrates extreme machismo. Grrrr!
5) WAITRESS
It is a source of great sadness for me that this film never got the full wide release it so richly deserved. Such a simple story, told in such a beautiful way. Kerri Russell is indeed back and her performance in this forces you to sit up and take notice that she intends to be a force in the coming years. Nathan Fillion is at his most charming… and Andy Griffith rules the damn planet. All Kneel before Andy. Holy crap he was funny in this movie
6) REIGN OVER ME
Totally caught me by surprise. A touching, warm film filled with so much sadness that never once came across as forced or cheesy. What breaks y heart even more is to see Adam Sandler give a performance like this one…. and then see him go back to “Ouch, I just got punched in the balls” comedy.
7) SICKO
Love him or hate him, Michael Moore gets people talking. Sicko is a brilliant film… and when Fox gives a Moore film a positive review, you pretty much have to pay attention. See this one… argue about it later
8) DIE HARD 4
No, it doesn’t quite live up to the previous Die Hard films… but that isn’t important. What is important is that Bruce Willis once again delvers the goods and gives us a damn entertaining film.
9) BREACH
Some people didn’t like this film as much as I did, and I guess I can understand why. But to me, a solid film with good tension that never took the simple way out of looking at complex and difficult characters.
10) KNOCKED UP
Mix all the ingredients from The 40 Year Old Virgin in with a touch more seriousness but the same terrific chemistry between Rogan and Rudd and you’ve got a winner
Ok, so there you have it folks. My 10 best films of 2007 at the half way point thus far. I really wanted to include a couple more… but these are the ones I felt strongest for. So what do you think? What shouldn’t be on there? What should be on there that isn’t there?
