Top 10 Movies of 2007

With the year officially at a close and the award season just now getting interesting, it is now that time when I, after going through a plentiful share of films over the winter break (I saw a total of ten movies, all in theatres, from the period of Dec. 21 through Jan. 5). So here is what I believe everyone should see because they are great films.

10. Superbad
When I normally select my number ten spot, it is usually for a film I don't really consider one of the best films, but it is one that is more like a personal favorite of mine that has made a significant contribution to the year. That rationale is how this comedy got on my list, but I don't think too many people disagree. This was very surprising for me, considering I don't generally watch films like this. It's humor is outrageous but works nearly every time. I think this is the best of the raunchy sex comedies, the best to come from Judd Apatow, and, simply, one of the best comedies in the last decade.

9. Ratatouille
Pixar just can't be stopped, but what makes this tale of a Paris rat with a searing interest for the culinary arts a masterpiece is Brad Bird. Bird is responsible for the Oscar-winning The Incredibles, which I also thought was one of the best films that year. Ratatouille is filled with a warm sense of the story as it is rich with both characters and content. The voices are superb, especially Peter O'Toole taking on the dreaded critic Anton Ego and raises the bar of voice acting to an Oscar worthy level.

8. Eastern Promises
There have been some divided opinions about David Cronenberg's latest which takes a dive into the Russian mafia in London. It is very dark and brooming and distance in its storytelling, but I think those are essential elements to this story. Nobody in this film is meant to be a character to cuddle up to, not even Viggo Mortensen, the film's protagonist, who gives the best performance of his career. Cronenberg always treats these kinds of characters in a fascinating way, and he certainly gave us a fight scene that will never be forgotten.

7. Into the Wild
I was completely enchanted by Sean Penn's endearing adaptation of the absorbing book. I guess what surprised me most was the absence of any political agendas or moral guilt trips. Penn does the right thing by just stepping back and showing us this character whose only journey is to find himself in his own way. It is a powerful story that is aided by Penn's direction and Emile Hirsch's great performance.

6. There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day-Lewis is so commanding in this film that it is impossible not to recognize his sheer brilliance as an actor. He manages to create a character that is layered with so many complexities that you don't know how to feel about him. His character map is all over the place, much like the film. But give it up for Paul Thomas Anderson's sophisticated direction to make it all happen. Also to note: a great, and underrated, supporting performance from Paul Dano, and the strange but genius score from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood.

5. Zodiac
It is a shame that this film was released so early in the year and was neglected by audiences at the time. David Fincher's stark and exciting detective thriller is his best work in a long time. The entire atmosphere of this film is brilliantly taken in by the technical aspects, and while Robert Downey, Jr. probably didn't stretch too much for this role, he creates probably the most memorable character in the entire film.

4. No Country for Old Men
There is no denying the power of this film and all the components that make it happen. The Coens' great direction packed with a rich screenplay, the great acting from players like Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin, and the absolutely amazing cinematography from Roger Deakins. I didn't completely fall in love with this film, since it is not at the top spot, but it was certainly one of the trips to the cineplex that was very much impactful.

3. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Too few people saw this film, and I hope that tragedy won't happen again when this is released on DVD. Sidney Lumet proves that no matter what age, he still has the power to craft a beautiful film. The crazy plot is guided by its great ensemble, ranging from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney. See this movie.

2. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
WAY too few people saw this one as well. Writer-director Andrew Dominik created an unconventional western for us, but his in-depth character study about these two men is a fascination venture into their lives. I like Brad Pitt in this film, but it is more than true that Casey Affleck blows his costar out of the water. He would have my vote for Best Supporting Actor this year.

1. Sweeney Todd
I was a little hesitant putting this at number one at first. I am a HUGE Tim Burton fan, and I was afraid my allegiance to him would influence my reason to put it here. However, I do honestly believe that this film was the best movie going experience I had and I cannot think of one thing I didn't enjoy about this film. Musicals have never been my greatest pleasure mainly because none of them have really been translated for screen. They've all still retained their Broadway essence. But Burton takes this and shapes it for film, and I sincerely appreciate that. But it is also Johnny Depp's performance that really makes the film great. I fell in love with this movie from start to finish.