Top 8 Movies of 2007

It’s the end of the year. It’s time for the "Best Of" lists. I made a Top 8 Movies of the Year list. I only picked 8 movies. I think there’s an unwritten rule that end of the year lists either need to have 5, 10, 25, or 100 choices, depending on the topic. I chose 8. I'm a bastard.

8. Grindhouse—This is the most fun I had at the theatre this year. I loved the fake trailers (especially Machete) and the experience of seeing a double feature again; the last double feature I remember going to was The Black Cauldron/The Goonies in 1985. I actually prefer Rodriguez’s Planet Terror to Tarantino’s talky Death Proof. I’m still pissed that the Weinsteins didn’t release the DVD as a single package…I guess they’re waiting for the double dip when they finally decide on a hi-def format.

7. American Gangster—Great performances by Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington (I’ll forgive his stereotypical Pacino-esque yelling scene). Ridley Scott’s direction is perfect. This is the 2nd best gangster film of 2007.

6. Eastern Promises—Another Cronenberg masterpiece. Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, and Vincent Cassel play their roles perfectly. Dark, moody and intense. The best, most brutal fight scene in a movie in a long time. This is my favorite gangster film of 2007.

5. The Kingdom—The last 20 minutes of The Kingdom are as intense as any action movie I’ve seen since Black Hawk Down.

4. Knocked Up—Seth Rogan is a genius. Of all the Judd Apatow films, this is my favorite. Yes, I liked it better than Superbad. Pure amazing awesomeness.

3. Zodiac—Fincher’s best film since Fight Club. I really enjoyed the way this movie educates as well as entertains. Robert Downey Jr. deserves a best supporting actor nomination for this, but since Zodiac was released in March, the Academy will ignore it.

2. Shooter—I love this movie. Sure, Danny Glover’s lispy voice is irritating, but the action is great. I’m disappointed that Shooter didn’t get as much exposure or recognition as the inferior Bourne Ultimatum. I remain confident that Mark Wahlberg can kick Matt Damon’s ass. I’m also confident that this movie didn’t make anyone else’s top whatever lists.

1. No Country For Old Men—The best picture of the year. Perfect direction, perfect writing, perfect cinematography, perfect music (or lack thereof), perfect acting, and a perfect ending (no matter what everyone says). The Coens deserve Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture.

PS: You'll notice that I didn't include There Will Be Blood on my list. That's because I haven't seen it (though, by the previews, I'm sure it would have made my list). I'm sick of distribution companies releasing a movie in limited release (i.e. New York and L.A.) before the year ends so it will be in contention for the Academy Awards. I won't get to see it until January. That means that it might go on my Top 8 Movies of 2008 list. Fuck Hollywood.