THE BEST MOVIES OF 2007

The year 2006 was one of the best years in many for well-made intelligent movies for people over thirty. This year has been much less so, but there were a few standouts in a year of mindless popcorn-movie sequels, and many so-called prestige movies bathed in violence and gore.

Here are my picks for the best pictures of 2007, with a one-sentence reason.


1. Juno. The most original, heartfelt comedy of the year with great realistic performances, a sharp, witty script and a clever soundtrack.
2. Once. A brilliant re-invention of both the musical and the romance.
3. The Kite Runner. A wonderful glimpse into a foreign culture, and into the heart of the human experience.
4. Atonement. A terrific epic romance, with a magnificent five minute long tacking shot that alone elevates it to classic status.
5. The Hoax. A funny, insightful biopic doubling as time capsule, with a great performance by Richard Gere as Hughes biographer Clifford Irving.
6. The Lives of Others. Great German movie that combines suspense and gut wrenching emotion.
7. The Namesake. Well-done family epic.
8. Michael Clayton. A good old-fashioned, seventies-style morality play with an awesome performance by George Cloney.
9. Hot Fuzz. Hilariously clever British send-up of cop movies that has its cake and eats it too.
10. Bella. A surprisingly well-acted, well-directed indie with a huge heart.

Here are five movies that deserve honorable mentions.:
The Darjeeling Limited. This year’s strangest and most lovely kooky movie.
Black Book. Paul Verhoven pulls out all the stops in this very adult espionage thriller.
Gone, Baby, Gone. Great dialog, great direction, and a great performance by Casey Affleck make this the best crime thriller in years.
Talk to Me. Funny and touching biopic with a wonderful Don Cheadle star turn.
The Host. The best movie ever made about a dysfunctional Korean family fighting giant monsters.

Best movie with no preetentions of greatness whatsoever: Death at a Funeral.


Most Over Rated movies of the year:
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. Two hours of hateful characters, brutal violence, and people treating each other like crap makes for the most excruciatingly painful movie going experience of the year.

Knocked Up. Two unlikable, selfish characters spout obscenities for two hours then have a baby. This is funny how?