Movies: the year in review so far

By Frank Visco
Collegian Editor
August 29, 2007

Right off the bat I’m going to admit that my list is suspect because I’ve probably missed 20 to 25 great-ish movies thus far this year (10 of which I’ve highlighted in a sidebar). However, those movies excluded, I think I can offer a pretty good take on this year in movies, from January to August. In all, I’ve seen 58 movies released this year. Obviously, they are of varying levels of brilliance, so let’s get this thing started.

Superior films: While not the best Pixar film to hit the ever market, Ratatouille was a heartwarming family film that simultaneously drove home serious adult themes, while featuring the best animation I’ve ever seen (Remy’s reaction to a droplet hitting is pure magic). Meanwhile, Judd Apatow delivered hilarity and sweetness in a way that only he can with Knocked Up, the movie that brought the immensely talented Seth Rogen to the A-list. Werner Herzog’s haunting Rescue Dawn also left a mark, due to the on-location shooting, the supreme true-life optimism in the face of adversity, and amazing persona-altering performances by Steve Zahn and Christian Bale (will somebody please give this guy an Oscar). Lastly, although it was largely ignored, Craig Brewer’s redemption tale Black Snake Moan showcased great performances from Samuel L. Jackson (who works it as a blues singer) and Christina Ricci.

Just below superior: Zodiac was a atmospheric slow burn that, for all its running length, still didn’t totally get inside the three main characters as fully as it could have. Breach proved to be an expertly made genre film with a great performance by Chris Cooper, even though it didn’t deliver the goods on why his character would turn spy. Lastly, Alpha Dog was a raw and gripping tale about posers that go too far, and also showcased great chemistry between Justin Timberlake (a revelation) and Anton Yelchin. Sadly though, the film drops off at the end, speeding through the fallout and totally dropping the Ben Foster character.

Really darn entertaining: Although none claims to be high art, The Lookout, Mr. Brooks, Live Free or Die Hard, Meet the Robinsons, Ocean’s 13, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hot Fuzz, Bridge to Terabithia, Fracture and The Simpsons Movie all proved to be a worthwhile way to spend time.

Yeah it’s good… I guess: 300, Shooter, Music and Lyrics, Coulour Me Kubrick, The Last Mimzy, Disturbia, Vacancy, Broken English, Shrek the Third, Freedom Writers, Next and 1408 aren’t that great, but they are either very good with some glaring flaws (i.e. a bad ending or horrible logic), or nicely made genre pictures that undoubtedly pleased their intended audience.

Whatever: Transformers, Smokin’ Aces, Diggers, Year of the Dog, 28 Weeks Later, Blades of Glory, Sunshine, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Reno 911!: Miami, Spiderman 3, Pride, Ghost Rider, Evan Almighty, I Think I Love My Wife, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and Wild Hogs all fit into this category. I don’t particularly enjoy any of these films (they are pretty bad), but all had their moments (to varying degrees in the realm of what they were trying to achieve).

Seriously? I mean seriously?: Stomp the Yard, Daddy’s Little Girls, The Last Time, The Messengers and License to Wed aren’t exactly terrible, but they leave the viewer asking, “Why?” Some (i.e. License to Wed) are totally pointless, while others are trite and totally cop out in the end (i.e. Daddy’s Little Girls).

A downright bad movie, that took actors of worth and embarrassed them: No need to explain why Premonition, The Contractor, Norbit, The Number 23, Perfect Stranger, and Because I Said So are in this category.

Terrible: Trying to combine Jaws (with a crocodile) with Blood Diamond might sound cool to some, but Primeval proves otherwise.

Worse than terrible: Epic Movie, which is the worst film I’ve seen in a long time.

viscof@lasalle.edu

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