List: Sean’s Top 10 Films of 2007

1. No Country for Old Men – 5

I wasn’t convinced that the Coen’s dark adventure flick was the best film of the year when I walked out of the theater; but part of the effectiveness of this film is it’s tendency to creep into your mind and hang out until it’s a part of your vocabulary. There’s barely anything more that can be said about No Country at this point. Roughly everyone on the internet and in print has weighed in on Bardem’s legitimate claim to be the best villain since Hannibal Lecter, and how the Coens masterful writing and near perfect eye make No Country a near classic. Despite a few close contenders, in the end, this was an easy choice for Best Film of the Year.

2. Death Proof (Full-Length Version) – 4.5

Julian summed things up on this one pretty nicely. While most critics overlooked Death Proof, it’s really a more than solid addition to the Tarantino canon – witty, fun, and with a compelling and irresistably suspenseful plot with the simple pull of Reservoir Dogs. Unlike Julian, however, I’m going to give a slight edge to the full-length, DVD version. While the shortened edition packs a quicker punch, I feel like the DVD release benefits from the opportunity to spend more time with the first set of girls, making the eventual comeuppance more cathartic. Also the full-length has the hottest lapdance scene in the history of time.

3. There Will Be Blood – 4.5

I know plenty of people who would be shocked and appalled to see this one not in the number one spot. And indeed, it is a fantastic film that fires on just about every level, from the obviously unearthly performances from Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano to the obsessive score to the enlightened adaptation by Paul Thomas Anderson. I couldn’t explain why I liked Death Proof and No Country a shade more, but the feeling was definitely there. I was working on a milkshake joke, but nothing’s coming.

4. The Wind That Shakes the Barley - 4.5

If there had been a Cinema Five last year, you would’ve seen lots of impassioned posts from me about how great this one is, and lots of angry rebuttals from Julian knocking it down a peg or two. The Wind hasn’t been seen much ’round these parts, but had a godlike reaction across the pond after it won the 2006 Palme d’Or. Cillian Murphy stars as Loach depicts the full heartbreaking sweep of the struggle for Irish independence. Like all of Irish history, it’s a little bleak, but incredibly moving and honest.

5. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters - 4.5

I actually had to talk myself out of calling this the best film of the year. Director Seth Gordon chronicles an undeniably innocuous conflict – the battle over the longstanding world record in Donkey Kong – and pulls out the finest narrative I’ve ever seen in a documentary. Steve Weibe is a flawed but lovable underdog, and Billy Mitchell is one of the smarmiest villains you’ll ever find in real life. The topic might not pull you in, but by the conclusion, this film is undeniable.

6. Knocked Up – 4

Julian has a trademark on Cinema Five Apatow commentary, so I’ll just add that this is what comedies should be aping for the next few years, not continuing to produce mediocre clones of Anchorman. Also, far too many people have overlooked Loudon Wainwright’s perfect soundtrack for this one.

7. Lust/Caution – 4

http://cinemafive.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/globetrotting-mini-reviews/

8. American Gangster – 4

One of the rare times when Russell Crowe avoided sucking like the overpaid jackass he is, American Gangster injected some much needed lifeblood into the mafia genre. Denzel proved that he still owns his image, using his charm and appeal for evil to great effect. This one was probably forgotten too quickly.

9. In the Valley of Elah – 4

Tommy Lee Jones is definitely the performer of the year, between this and No Country. Elah ended up sort of collapsing under its own weight, unable to support both the mystery it wanted to be and the high-minded political commentary that it was, but excellent performances from Jones and Theron combined with Paul Haggis’ always phenomenal writing carry this one far enough.

10. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - 4

I’ll link to my original review, but a second viewing caused me to inflate my opinion a bit. http://cinemafive.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/review-sweeney-todd-the-demon-barber-of-fleet-street/

Honorable Mentions to Charlie Wilson’s War, Right at Your Door, The Namesake, Sicko, and Persepolis.

I have yet to see I’m Not There, Gone Baby Gone, Away From Home, Paprika, and No End in Sight, among others.