I eagerly anticipate evaluating The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Into The Wild, and Margot at the Wedding, however here are the top 2007 films I’ve seen:
1. Atonement
2. Once
3. The Darjeeling Limited
4. I’m Not There
5. Across the Universe
6. No Country for Old Men
7. The Bourne Ultimatum
8. The Great Debaters
Until I actually saw the film, I thought Atonement would be a typical love story about some wartime couple; how wrong I was. I have not had such a strong emotional reaction to a story all year. While I find Ian McEwan’s novel, you should seriously consider making plans to see Atonement.
Once crafts a story about love and human connection between two musicians in Dublin. Unlike most musicals where people randomly burst into song, Once weaves the music seamlessly into the lives of its characters. This styling, as well as the digital filming, create a sense of authenticity and closeness as the story builds. The soundtrack for this movie is worth your time.
The Darjeeling Limited . . . I’ve already said much on this film. More will come.
Although I’m Not There has a few weaker moments, it has strong artistic and stylistic vision. This poetic film invites many interpretations because the characters and stories are episodic, unique, yet connected. Added bonus: Cate Blanchett as a Dylanesque figure—wonderful.
Across the Universe is a musical where people randomly burst into song; however the tunes are almost all Beatles music reimagined in ways that are familiar enough to enjoy yet capture the interest of people who’ve heard The Beatles (and covers) for more than a couple decades. The movie contains vibrant colours and sets. Although the storyline wears thin in many places, I take the film as a snapshot of the movement that is the 1960s—the characters are simply lenses to provide understanding of everything that was happening.
No Country for Old Men has topped the list of most reviewers . . . For me, the reflections on the fallout of the world changing makes this movie great. The unresolved ending—despite theater goers incredulity—closes this feature perfectly.
A great action movie, with some substance and good plot twists, that even Laura liked: The Bourne Ultimatum.
An “inspired by a true story” film about black students from Texas in the 1930s that Oprah produced and Denzel Washington directed, The Great Debaters surpasses the expectation of the inspirational movie genre. Beyond reminding me of the long and difficult (and ongoing) struggle for racial equality, the movie tells an inspirational story about the importance of education and the mind, as well as the importance of rhetoric. The movie hits it out of the park on the final scene.
Edit: Writers at The Village Voice (see article) and NY Times are heralding the late-coming There Will Be Blood as the best film of 2007! So … I may revise my list if I get the chance to see it.
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