The results are in. With 2007 gone forever, I would be remiss if I didn’t come up with a top-10 list of some kind. So after much contemplation and the complete indifference to the opinions of others, I have compiled what I believe are the best films of the year. Enjoy and fight nice.
-Dominic Nicosia
1. “Interview”- Steve Buscemi, Sienna Miller
- This human chess game pits Sienna Miller’s pop-tart character against the serious, worldly and brooding war journalist persona donned by Buscemi. Great use of dialogue with an excellent twist at the end.
2. “No Country for Old Men”- Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson
- The Cohen brothers deliver their most gritty and meaningful product yet. Great use of space, amazing message and deliciously sparse dialogue and chilling performances.
3. “The Simpsons Movie”-Harry Shearer, Dan Castelleneta
- No real explanation needed. Hilarious adaptation of the television show. Didn’t think it could be done for more than a half an hour.
4. “There will be Blood”- Daniel Day-Lewis
Had to travel to Philadelphia to see it, but it was well worth it. Daniel Day-Lewis rivals his performance in Gangs of New York. Really scary what could happen in the name of greed.
5. “Superbad”- Michael Cera, Jonah Hill
Worthy of all the acclaim and praise it has received. Hilarious example of that once-in-a-generation movie theory. Gives “Dazed and Confused” a run for it’s money and has secured the term, “Mclovin” a place in the cinematic lexicon.
6. “American Gangster”-Denzel Washington
Another amazing performance from Washington as Frank Lucas. Best biopic of the year to be sure.
7. “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”-Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter.
Once you get past the annoying songs of original adaptation, you see this story has real potential. In this case, it was parlayed into on one of the best films of the year.
8. “The Great Debaters”- Denzel Washington
For those of us who would like to forget the Titans, this film proves that Denzel Washington can indeed master the teacher and teenager mentor role.
9. “3-10 to Yuma”-Christian Bale, Russell Crowe
Psych-out film of the year pits a rancher against an outlaw in a battle of wits. Top honors goes to the always-amazing Christian Bale.
10. “Juno”-Ellen Page, Michael Cera
Really great to see a film that doesn’t treat teen pregnancy like it’s the end of the world. I’m not condoning it, I just think that Juno treats like a real problem and shows how real people deal with it. Great script and spirited performances.
