I wanted to put this list out before the Oscars, but oh well. It must be noted that this list only contains movies I actually saw. So if you are wondering where "There Will be Blood," "Juno" or "the Diving Bell and the Butterfly" are, I have not yet had the opportunity to see them yet (and there's no way "Juno" is funnier than "Superbad.")
2007 was definitely the year of suspense thriller, low-brow comedy, and low budget indie inspiration. This year I at least agree with the Academy on "No Country for Old Men." That film is the most complete film I've seen in a long time. It's screenplay is sharply well-written, it's acted perfectly, and it was shot beautifully with brilliant composition making great use of scale, silhouette, and scenery.
I disagree with the Academy whole-heartedly with completely snubbing Fincher's suspense masterpiece, Zodiac (and nominating the yawn-fest, "Michael Clayton" instead). This is by far Fincher's crowning achievement in what has already been a brilliant career. Zodiac surely suffered from it's March release date. It fell off of the radar having been released in film's no man's land. The Academy also goofed big time but not giving The King of Kong a best documentary nomination. This is without a doubt the best documentary I have ever seen. It is engaging and universal. It's a shame that just because it doesn't some left wing agenda, it can't be nominated for best documentary.
1.
No Country for Old Men
J. Cohen/E. Cohen
2.
Zodiac
D. Fincher
3.
The King of Kong
S. Gordon
4.
Once
J. Carney
5.
Away From Her
S. Polley
6.
Sunshine
D. Boyle
7.
Superbad
G. Mottola
8.
Rescue Dawn
W. Herzog
9.
Eastern Promises
D. Cronenberg
Read my review
10.
Gone Baby Gone
B. Affleck
The local Baton Rouge newspaper (and my part-time employer), The Advocate, stated today that it is considering ceasing to print the comic strip "Peanuts." The strip has been a painful regurgitation of unfunny bile since its creator Charles Schultz died. Not only that but "Ziggy" and "Family Circus" may also get an overdue axing. Hooray! Better late than never, The Advocate editors. This is by far the best editorial decision ever made.
