The Film Blogger's Top 10 Films of 2007

 

#10 - Into the Wild

   

Sean Penn's latest foray behind the camera is contemplative and philosophical, placing Emile Hirsch in the shoes of tragic adventurer Chris McCandless. Hal Holbrook's devastating performance is worth the price of admission alone, yet even so, the sense of pathos felt once this film is over is overwhelming. Uplifting, heartbreaking and exciting in equal measure.

**** 1/2 (out of five)

 

 

#9 - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

   

Julian Schnabel's heartbreaking retelling of the final years of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby is perhaps infused with more emotional resonance and poignance than any other film released in 2007. Mathieu Amalric's sympathetic rendition of Bauby elevates a film that is already artistically stunning and beautiful to behold to astronomical heights. A wondrous achievement.

**** 1/2 (out of five)

 

 

#8 - American Gangster

     

Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe surprised few in serving up a thrilling slice of throwback crime drama, helmed by veteran director Ridley Scott. Although the plot is hardly original, the showdown between these Hollywood heavyweights was a delight to behold, abetted entirely by a stellar script and deft direction.

**** 1/2 (out of five)

 

 

#7 - There Will Be Blood

      

Although its Oscar defeat to The Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men will remain hotly debated for years to come, Paul Thomas Anderson has without doubt crafted a period masterpiece topped by an unforgettable, show-stealing performance from Daniel Day Lewis (which won him the "Best Actor" Oscar). That is not to forget the superb supporting turn from Paul Dano as Daniel Plainview's arch nemesis Eli Sunday (as well as his brother, Paul), not to mention the entrancing cinemtography and scintillating soundtrack. Stunning.

**** 1/2 (out of five)

 

 

#6 - The Bourne Ultimatum

      

The third instalment of the Bourne trilogy manages to escape as the most gritty, action-packed and well-acted of the bunch. Marrying Paul Greengrass' signature "shaky camerawork" with steely performances from Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, Julia Stiles and David Strathairn, Ultimatum marks three-for-three for the Bourne series in delivering intelligent action, crackling visuals and solid performances.  Full Review.

**** 1/2 (out of five)

 

 

#5 - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

        

Sidney Lumet returns to top form in this highly compelling drama, driven by exceptional lead performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and Marisa Tomei. Enough films have dealt with families falling apart, but few have tackled it with the raw, frenetic energy that Lumet so expertly captures here. Ugly, blood-soaked melodrama at its best, and regrettably bereft of several deserving Oscar nominations. Full Review.

**** 1/2 (out of five)

 

 

#4 - 3:10 to Yuma

     

James Mangold revitalised the western genre in glorious fashion with sublime aid from Russell Crowe, Christian Bale and Ben Foster in a remake of the classic 1957 Glenn Ford film of the same name. The slow-building unease brewing between Crowe's outlaw Ben Wade and Bale's noble farmer Dan Evans was certainly brimming with Academy-worthy material, yet was unfortunately snubbed in each and every instance. Nevertheless, 3:10 to Yuma is an extremely successful western with an almost unbearably tense third act.

**** 1/2 (out of five)

 

 

#3 - The King of Kong

                      

    

The battle for video game supremacy between Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell was more compelling than even the most austere action picture of 2007. Touted as "Rocky for nerds", The King of Kong brought a real heart to its mantle, depicting the triumph of the will in the face of adversity. Nobody, I think, would have imagined that such a novel concept, from a documentary of all means, could have inspired and entertained so many. Simply magnificent.  Full Review.

***** (out of five)

 

 

#2 - Superbad

                      

        

Greg Mottola's teen comedy cemented the Apatow production line as one to watch, following on from sure-fire hits The 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Superbad is crude, sweet and intellectually stimulating all at once, presenting plenty of astute insights into teenage awkwardness and the machinations of the male mind. Apatow and his gang continue to do great service to the comedy genre, blending gut-busting hilarity with refined social relevance.  Full Review.

***** (out of five)

 

 

#1 - Zodiac

                      

        

David Fincher's much-hyped detective story delivered expectedly stunning visuals and tight performances from Gyllenhaal and Downey Jr., as well as failing to pander to pressure to deliver a concrete resolution as to the film's main quandary. The integrity of James Vanderbilt's script is greatly admirable, delivering the viewpoint shared in Robert Graysmith's novel, yet keeping as impartial as is possible within that tenet. Fans of the case and cinema aficionados alike are in for a visceral treat. Full Review.

***** (out of five)