Well I guess it’s better late than never. I know this is the first thing I promised to post on this blog and I’m finally done. The Oscars were last night and I should have bet money on them because I went 8 for 10 with my predictions. While reading the results this morning I decided I should probably finish up this list. These are all the movies I saw that were released in they year 2007.  If I saw a movie in January that was released in 2006, doesn’t count. If a movie had it’s theatrical release and 2006 and I saw it on DVD in 2007, doesn’t count. If a movie was released in February and I saw in on DVD in October, does count. So here they are . . .

2007 Movies

1. There Will Be Blood
I had been waiting for something new from PT Anderson for a very long time. While many thought Punch Drunk Love was let down, I thought it was incredible. When I found out five years later that we’d finally be hearing from Anderson again I was excited and, I must admit, I was more than a little biased. When I found out that the film was going to be about a turn of the century oil tycoon, my excitement expanded. When I found out that oil tycoon would be played by none other than Daniel Day-Lewis, my excitement was off the charts. So when I finally got to see There Will be blood on opening night from a nosebleed seat at the Cedar Lee my expectations were pretty high. In all honesty, they were met. Daniel Day Lewis was great. I said the day I saw it that he would win Best Actor and he did. All in all the movie seemed a little Kubrickian to me. Long wide shots, minutes at a time with no dialogue (twenty minutes pass before we hear anyone speak in this movie), and a score from Johnny Greenwood that reminded me of The Shining. Awesome.

 2. No Country For Old Men
In this film the Coen Brothers remove the crutch of quirky characters with odd stories that they’ve used so often in the past and tell an incredible story. The Coen Brothers are some of my favorite film makers but I must say I had a hard time connecting with them in the 2000’s. I prefer the Fargo/Big Lebowski/Barton Fink days more than The Lady Killers. This film made me fall in love with them all over again. This movie produces one of the creepiest characters i’ve seen in a very long time. Anton played by Javier Bardem is so convincingly emotionless. For some reason the look of this film reminded me a little of their debut film Blood Work. You should rent that. And THIS if you haven’t seen it yet!

 3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
When I first saw a trailer for this movie I really wanted to see it. What I expected was a film that borders on the line of fantasy and reality like Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless mind. The kind of movie that gives you the feeling of total freedom. That’s not what I got at all. What I did get was very much the opposite. As the movie begins, you are seeing from the perspective of a man who is awaking from a coma. What you think is going to be a short camera angle ends up lasting quite a while and you start to feel like this character, isolated and unable to break free. You find out that the man in the hospital is actually the editor for Elle Magazine in France and has been paralyzed from the neck down, cant talk and can only communicate by blinking his left eye.. THe movie takes us through his experiences or lack there of and to his imagination where he lives the life he can no longer live in reality.

 4. Atonement
I love it when this happens. Shannon and I were on our way out to the Cedar Lee to try and catch The Darjeeling Ltd. It was a travesty that I hadn’t yet seen the new movie from one of my favorite directors. As it turns out, we were too late and we missed. I had heard that Atonement was good but knew nothing about it so we bought to tickets. I’ve always liked seeing movies without having a clue about what it’s about and that’s what was about to happen. The opening sequences in this movie are very beautiful and the editing is fantastic. The score immediately sucks you in and is VERY moving. The film follows the paths of two would be lovers who get caught up in a very unfortunate situation due to to the naive observations of a young girl (who I thought would easily win the Oscar, she didnt). This movie is incredible. As I write this, I’m even wondering why this movie isn’t higher on the list. The 4 and a half minute camera shot through the devestated streets of france literally moved me to tears.

5. Black Snake Moan
Hustle and Flow rocked my world. What I thought was going to a crappy Mtv film that exploites women and glamourizes the gang bang lifestyle turned out to be a very real, very well written, very well acted film about the struggles of one man and his desire to make music. Craig Brewer’s next film did not let me down. Black Snake Moan takes place in Memphis yet again. While hip hop serves as the medium and atmosphere surrounding Hustle and Flow, Black Snake Moan is rooted firmly in the Blues. Sam Jackson stops doing an impression of himself and actually does some acting in this movie. The way craig brewer prioritized music is inspiring. THis movie is almost a parable in a way, following Christina Ricci’s sex obsessed charater who finds her way into the hands of Sam Jackson’s character who plans on ‘curing’ her of her unsettling vice. I loved and I can’t wait to see what he’s got in the works.

 6. Once
This movie simultaneously made me want to make more music and to make a movie. The simple DIY approach was very refreshing. The main characters don’t even have names in the film. The story follows to people who find a common desire to make music. It spans the few weeks that they spend writing and creating music. Glen Hansard (singer from the frames) stars in this film and it’s their real music that is used. Great performance. Great soundtrack. Buy it. And buy some frames albums.

7. We Own The Night
I went into this movie basically thinking I was going to see the Departed part two, which to be honest with you, would have been totally fine as far as I’m concerned. What I expected to be a run of the mill cop movie ended up being so much more. We own The Night follows two brothers that have chosen two very different paths. Mark Wahlber (always awesome) decided to stay with the family business and become a cop, while the wilder Juaquin Pheonix breaks away to be a pillar in the club scene. Placed in late 80s New York when the streets were at their most unsafe, Pheonix must make a decision to do the right thing. While most cop movies have you looking for the twists and turns and predicting the ending, this film concentrates more on the characters and their stories, the emotional journey that they are taking and whether for the worse or for the better.

8. Charlie Wilson’s War
When studio 60 got cancelled, I officially lost faith in the general tv watching public. This was one of the smartest and pointed shows to come onto the air and it barely got a chance to finish it’s season. In a culture that profits from the exploitation of skin and emotions with reality television, maybe I’m too blame for getting my hopes up. Aaron Sorkin in my opinion is one of the greatest writers around and it shows in Charlie Wilson’s War. The true story of a rough around the edges senator who decides to single handedly help stop the cold war. Yes it’s a tom hanks movie. But Phillip Seymour Hoffman steals every scene he’s in.

 9. Reign Over Me
Adam Sandler really can act. I know, I saw click to, and it was horrible. But reign over me was very good. This film follows a man who is succesful on the surface but unhappy on the inside. The always talented Don Cheadle plays a dentist who is pretty much going through the motions, until he spots his old college roommate on the street. Eager to live a life more than what he is, he reconnects with Adam Sandler and they begin to hang out. Adam Sandler’s character lost his entire family in the September 11th attacks and still hasn’t found a way to deal with it. In the end they both end up helping eachother survive life. Ending credits contain a great Who cover by Pearl Jam.

 10. Paris je t’aime
THis movie is about Love. It’s a collection of about fifteen different smaller films with different directors contributing. Steve Buscemi, Natalie Portman and many other notable faces make appearances. I found it very refreshing.

 The Rest . . .

11. Black Book – Great movie about a woman seeking revenge for the death of her lover by pretending to be a nazi.

12. Juno - Hilarious movie about teen pregnancy. Jason Bateman is awesome. So is Michael Cera.

13. Zodiac - 3 hour long movie about a killer that’s never found. Loved every minute of it.

14. 3:10 to Yuma – Awesome western with Russel Crowe and Christian Bale.

15. Grindhouse – Contrary to popular opinion I felt Deathproof was MUCH better than Planet Terror. Thanksgiving.

16. Diggers - Smaller film starring Paul Rudd about finding happiness in a small town in the 70’s, that makes it’s money from digging clams.

17. American Gangster – Liked the album better than the movie, but the movie was pretty good.

18. The Namesake - A guy from India balancing his NYC life and his Indian Heritage.

19. Michael Clayton – George clooney is awesome. So is Tom Wilkenson.

20. The Simpsons - Haven’t laughed this much out loud in the theater in a long long time.

21. Knocked Up – Seth Rogan is great.

22. The Bourne Ultimatum – Don’t really like Action movies but I love these. Julia Stiles is still hot.

23. 28 weeks later – A sequel that was good. 28 months later?

24. Eastern Promises - The russian mob is scary. So is Vigo naked.

25. Hot Fuzz – Very funny. Point Break.

26. Rescue Dawn - Christian Bale is great. I think this movie may not have gotten a fair rating because I watched Apocalypse Now for the first time ( I know I’m sorry) the day before.

27. The Hottest State - Great book. Good Movie.

28. No End In Sight - What seemed to be a pretty balanced doc about Iraq.

29. Superbad - Super funny but Super vulgar. Michael Cera’s gonna be a legend.

30. Fracture - Used to not like Ryan Gosling and then I saw half Nelson. This is a good movie. Rent Half Nelson.

31. Breach - Hi I’m Ryan. I can act when I’m not hiding behind by wifes chin.

32. Maxed Out - Sobering Doc about the credit industry.

33. Dedication - Good flick starring Mandy Moore about a two people trying to write a childrens book.

34. Walk Hard - A lot of funny cameos. Even Eddie Vedder.

35. Across The Universe – Too idealistic. Fake Cartoon version of the 60s.

36. The Hoax - True Story. Good movie.

37. The Nines – Ryan Reynolds and alternate dimensions.

38. Sicko - Michael Moore.

39. 1408 - John Cusack is a better actor than this.

40. Shooter - Mark Walhberg, always awesome.

41. Alpha Dog – Better than I expected. JT is a good actor.

42. Freedom Writers - I can’t trust a movie about the inner city that’s rated pg.

43. Mr. Brooks - Kevin Costner. still gets naked.

44. The Ex - Love Zach Braff. Love Jason Bateman. Kinda liked The ex.

45. Blades Of Glory – As much as this has already been done. It’s still funny.

46. I know Pronounce You CHuck and Larry - Hey we’re not gay, we’re straight. Look at all these funny scenarios!

47. Because I said so - Mandy Moore: Awesome. This Movie: Not.

48. Bug - Very very creepy.

49. TMNT - Heroes in a half shell.

50. Transformers – Stupid. I don’t care what you say. I’m right.

51. Smokin Aces - I love Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Common and I hate this movie.

52. Lonely Hearts  Stylized Noir film without the Style.

53. The Number 23 – Number 53! 5 minus 3 is two and three is 23!!! dumb.

54. Goodluck Chuck – Oh dane. I gave you a free pass with Employee of the month but I think we should see other people now.

55. License To Wed – Again Mandy Moore what’s going on!?

56. The Messengers – suck.