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| My Best and Worst Movies of 2007 |
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[I've been out of commission for almost two key months. So, I will be a bit late with the following posts/reviews of which I have about a dozen to do between videos/DVDs and theater shows.]
2007 had it's ups and downs. More sequels fell flat/failed than succeeded. [In fact, only ONE sequel managed to impress me.] There were no big CG or special effect phenomena this year other than the Shrek-like "Beowulf" and the best animated movie of the year(which was nothing new but extremely delightful). And, there were a few lewd surprises that made me smile. So, let's get to it...
(in order from best to least impressive)
- Ratatouille (Best Animated Film of the Year--Golden Globes, it truly earned the title with its charming story, loveable characters and vibrant cinematography that made me want to and make some ratatouille of my own as my mouth was watering so badly...this movie made me fall in love with Janeane Garofalo after all her jaded parts prior)
- Hot Fuzz (Action/Comedy with a hint of horror/gore, this one took me by surprise and almost made best film of the year for me even if few if anyone has talked about it at all...minus the gore, this one was a gut buster...a must see especially for the shoot-out scene toward the end)
- Curse of the Golden Flower (Asian Drama/Action, my asian fix and first theater visit for the year...this one almost ended up in the worst pile for its somewhat senseless/unresolved ending, but I could not deny the awe and satisfaction with the artistry and inclusion of astrology dictating the hours of the day--very cool...Gong Li is a multi-facted/talented goddess who can play all shades of characters...you might go mad, but I found this one fascinating)
- Superbad (Teen/Sex Comedy, a coming of age story...this was another BIG surprise to me...I had expected a very raunchy, unpleasant movie--and it had its share of raunch/perversion--but compared to other movies by the same guys and the like, this one was far milder and more enjoyable even with the graphic language and--subtle--sex scenes..."McLovin" steals the show while the cops are the worst part of the film...a good mix of gut busting comedy and life lessons)
- Beowulf (CG animated ala Shrek-style Action/Legend/Moral, a gruesome masterpiece with a questionable ending...Angelina Jolie and Anthony Hopkins top the list of voice actors, but the animation done with motion-capture technology similar to "Monster House" and with characters that look like they are from "Shrek"--though this is NOT A KIDS' MOVIE!!--is the main feature...a bit repetitive/confusing, but satisfying overall...I imagine it is even better in 3D...a very juicy scandal...in the end you are left with a question)(See my review)
- Into the Wild (Drama, a young man's journey into independence...a good solo venture with powerful drama though having minor weak spots)(See my review)
- Juno (Teen Dramedy, a coming of age story about teen pregnancy, my final theater visit of the year...Ellen Page is a loveable but awfully young girl to be playing a mother figure and has a face reminiscent of an innocent and non-jaded Janeane Garofalo...not much new or surprising and a horrible soundtrack blaring in your ears...the ending is a bit confusing/idealistic...but, overall, a watchable film with its share of good comedy and deep thoughts)(See my review)
- The Simpsons Movie (Animated Comedy based on the TV show...though weak from the beginning and end, this one still managed to provide enough amusing bits to make it as valuable as watching 4 episodes of the show all in a row...it's not the epic to wait 20 years for but still enjoyable)
- Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (Action/Sci-Fi based on the Marvel Comic Book...this one was the GOOD surprise sequel of the year...Jessica Alba continues to disappoint me in movies, but the rest of the cast took the saga up a notch with better comedy and action...I wanted the fight between the "suped-up" Torch and Doom to go on a while longer because it was so much fun...the first F4 movie was a groaner, but this one made up for its mistakes...I can only hope it gets better--not worse--from here)
- Spider-Man 3 (Action/Sci-Fi based on the Marvel Comic Book...a bit of a disappointment for many due to the misrepresentation and short scenes with Venom not to mention the change of plot pointing to the Sandman as the murderer of Uncle Ben which felt wrong...minus the negatives, this was still a HUGE ticket machine and had its shining moments...just please, no more singing and dancing scenes)
- (honorable mention) Live Free Or Die Hard (Action/Suspense...The last film in this series that caught my attention was number two--not three...this was chock full of impressive action scenes involving all sorts of vehicles, but the ending fell so flat that I almost tossed this one off the good list...Maggie Q is far more appealing in this than in her later work "Balls of Fury" which was a disaster but her indestructibility was a bit much to swallow)
And now, for the worst of the year(in order of worst to least bothersome)
- Blades of Glory (Comedy/Spoof...the worst Will Ferrel movie--other than maybe "Anchorman"--yet--and I saw "Bewitched"....the ending is enough to make you puke with disappointment...this only puts doubt in my mind for his other sport movie attempts)
- Smoking Aces (Action/Suspense...a horrible and violent example of a film that is all smoke and no substance...it has a few comical and interesting character bits but is riddled with stomach turning scenes in a weak plot that reminds me of those race/chase movies starring Burt Reynolds but far worse than them...Alicia Keys is HOT, and Common is COOL--at least in one little scene on a staircase...I have written off Jeremy Piven and Ryan Reynolds--won't likely see another film of theirs)
- Balls of Fury (Comedy/Spoof with Kung Fu/Asian flair...what I expected to be a hilarious experience was a total disappointment...the best part was the asian artistry/setting...it fails to dominate with comedy by resorting to cheezy elements and a lack-luster ending...a low point for Maggie Q...oh, but you do get to see the Lee who played Bruce in "Dragon" as a big baby with a beard)
- Transformers (Action/Sci-Fi based on the cartoons and comics of the 80s...another childhood dream down the hole...this was a rather big failure to represent the original characters with an assortment of cheezy human characters...changing the script and robots was a big turnoff and disappointment...highlights were the fight scenes between Bumblebee and Barricade and the majority of the cast at the end--even though my favorite, Jazz, had an unfortunate incident...one scene with Bumblebee completely shocked me and would make me cover kids' eyes)
- Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End (Action/Adventure...the third installment of the saga was like a pin to the balloon...the second film was far better in every way...sailing in freezing cold with your chest showing--Orlando, seriously stupid...Johnny Depp is the only good part of this one)
- Resident Evil: Extinction (Action/Horror based on the video game series...another failure of a part three...this was weaker than the previous films and yet more chilling than the second...Mila's outfit is the HOTTEST/best part of the film next to the red dress and boots from part one...it muddles more characters--many not in the games--in a more confusing and lack-luster plot with a questionable ending)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Action/Kids, the fifth chapter of the magical tale based on the books...Potter loses character with age...possibly the most lifeless of the series...the horribly pesky "task master" and one or two of the female wizards/witches are the only highlights to this one)
- Evan Almighty (Moral Comedy/Family...a disappointing follow-up to the Jim Carrey classic...the bible reference and "ark" concept were overplayed)
- I Am Legend (Action/Sci-Fi/Suspense Thriller...this one fails to be original and feels incomplete...Will Smith seems to fail at drama--his serious face looks ready to burst out laughing...highlights are the scenes with the mall mannequins which are Smith at his comic best but do nothing for the shock value of the film)(See my review)
- Shrek the Third (Animated Comedy/Fantasy/Family...best of the worst...it only failed horribly with its ending...I cannot express it enough; the ending was so terribly weak)
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Posted by brainstormer on 2008-01-15 20:04:29 | Rating: | Views: 224
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