Not surprisingly, the Year of the Threequel did not provide much in the way of originality. On the bright side, comedy was king in 2007. Finally, the genre is overflowing with films that are actually worth looking forward to. However, fans of uniformity need not fear as there is still an abundance of rehashed drivel to choose from I’m looking at you Robin Williams, Vince Vaughn, and Ice Cube. Will Ferrell, you are hanging by a very thin thread.
While I’m on the subject of things I am tired of, when is someone going to come save horror? I appreciate Rob Zombie (Halloween) and David Slade’s (30 Days of Night) efforts, but future directors would be better off looking forward rather than backward. Of course, anything is better than torture porn.
Speaking of torture, what is the maximum density for quirky, off-beat indie movies with hip soundtracks? That may be an old complaint, but just because the stories have become more interesting does not mean that such films have gotten better on the whole. Readers may notice my aversion toward reviewing such films. That is partly attributable to my location, but I also am afraid of encouraging another Little Miss Sunshine type media blitz.
On the flipside, I am feeding the blockbuster machine with the movies I do review, and while it is fun to have an excuse to see Live Free or Die Hard, it does leave me feeling guilty about being a part of the lowest common denominator. But I try to remember that, even though as a critic I am expected to be somewhat pretentious, movies are supposed to be fun above all else.
That is why no matter who or what I become, and no matter how addicted I am to movies, there are certain things I just cannot bring myself to see. For instance I would rather get shot in the leg and develop gangrene than witness Alvin and the Chipmunks. I don’t apologize for feeling that way, and as a matter of fact I think any of you who have seen it should apologize to me for the future movie trend you have brought upon us. But before we lose sleep over the future, let’s take one last look at 2007.
Best Film of 2006 Seen in 2007 – Happy Feet
This one was a surprise, and one of the few movies I can recall that had a preview that made the movie look worse than the actual film. What I found most impressive about Happy Feet (aside from the fact that it was directed by the director of The Road Warrior) is how lush and colorful it was when penguins in the arctic only offer about three colors to work with. Though it is hard to tell if the ending was tacked on in response to Al Gore’s superstardom, or if it was the plan from the start, it is difficult to begrudge a children’s movie for having such high aspirations.
Worst Film of the Year – License to Wed
I could probably spend most of 2008 trashing this movie and everyone in the theater I saw it in, but it will get us nowhere. I know I am fighting a losing battle, and I am willing to accept the fact that anyone who likes this movie is stupid.
Most Disappointing Film of 2007 – Spiderman 3
Unequivocally. Nothing new can be said here.
Top 10 of 2007
10. In the Land of Women – Slim pickings in 2007 place this trashy romantic comedy in the Top 10 for me. I’m not sure why I had such a great first impression of this movie, but the evidence is hiding somewhere on this Site, so there is no use in hiding it.
9. I Am Legend – Awesome idea, excellent visuals, PG-13 monsters. Will Smith breathes life into a movie that could have otherwise been rather sub-par. The rating and the casting are clear indications of an effort to maximize profit, but I Am Legend could have been something very special if the makers had considered artistic value first.
8.Ocean’s 13 – What Ocean’s 12 should have been, but there was really no need for this third installment in the series. At this point, it feels more like going to a great Vegas party than shelling out 10 bucks to see the same old thing. Unnecessary, but fun nonetheless.
7. National Treasure: Book of Secrets – Don’t deny it; you like it too.
6.Knocked Up – Judd Apatow continues to prove that he is worthy of the high praise he receives. I feel it is important that we all ride this wave of excellence as far as it will take us. Let’s hope he unique style and sensibility rubs off on a others in the industry. This is quite possibly the hardest I have ever laughed at a movie.
5.Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – People have been ragging on this franchise more and more, and I fail to understand why. Pirates is true to its mythos, characters, and fans in the same way that Star Wars used to be. If anything, each passing film is an improvement upon the last, but I can appreciate that many believe that nothing is quite as great as the original.
4.3:10 to Yuma – The more I think about it, the better I like it. It is nice to see filmmakers trying their hand at Westerns every few years, and it is even more rewarding to see one done right. Everything Christian Bale and Russell Crowe touch is gold and this is no exception. Then Ben Foster steals the movie right out from under them.
3.Bourne Ultimatum – James Bond wishes he was this badass and superheroes dream of such perfect brooding subtlety. The only threequel this year that deserves a fourth installment.
2.Superbad – Strike what I said about Knocked Up, this is the funniest movie I have seen in recent memory. Michael Cera is so great that his performance got me off my high horse and finally give “Arrested Development” a chance. Watching this movie was like the first time I heard the Beatles.
1.Grindhouse – Everyone missed out on this one, and I just cannot believe they split the movies in two for their DVD release. This was required viewing for movie lovers and a must to see in theaters. Where was everyone? Saving their money for Alvin and the Chipmunks I guess.
