Ah yes, 2007 has come and gone. I've probably seen more films this year than the last two combined. Quantity did not necessarily mean quality this year though, I waded through a lot of crap to get to the good stuff. Now for further disclaimers: I don't fancy myself a film critic, so don't attack me if I hated Ghost Rider (I'm looking at you, Joey Fernandez), but rather a film enthusiast. This is not a "BEST OF" list, but a "FAVORITE" LIST, so put down those rotten eggs, Alexis Tioseco. Lastly, this is a list of everything I have SEEN in 2007, not necessarily films released this year.

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10. 28 Weeks Later
A worthy, passable sequel to Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later, yet a great thriller in it’s own right. Retaining the grainy, realistic tone and visual style of the first film, but upping its carnage and gore, 28 Weeks Later dares you, no double dares you, not to flinch.



9. Gone Baby Gone
Ben Affleck directed this. And it was actually pretty damn good. Based on the first in a series of Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) books about Patrick Kenzie and Angie Genarro, two private eyes who operate in seedy Boston while juggling an on and off relationship.



8. Sicko
Michael Moore strikes again, this time against the U.S’ health insurance system. As over the top as it was, it had me glued to my seat. You may not agree with his politics, but you can’t deny his genius, nor his skill at provoking intelligent debate.



7. Ratatouille
It always amazes me whenever animated movies have the ability to evoke real, human emotions, even when it comes from cartoon rats. It’s of no surprise then that this one is done by Brad Bird (who made my favorite animated film of all time—The Iron Giant), who is a master at telling an exciting adventure story but fusing it with just the right amount of heart and sweetness.



6. Eastern Promises
David Cronenberg’s last team up with Viggo Mortensen (A History Of Violence) was one of my favorite films from last year, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that their follow up is equally, if not slightly more, thought provoking. The violence is explosive, and the lead stars are amazing.



5. Superbad/Knocked Up
I know it’s cheating to lump both movies together, but the total impact of both was greater than the sum of its parts. Superbad was 1 part sweet/ 1 part raunchfest/100% comedy gold; while Knocked Up was like a sitcom high on crack. And I mean that in the best way possible. Team Apatow saved comedy in 2007.






4. The Host (Gwoemul)
No one does good monster movies anymore, especially not Hollywood (prove me wrong, Cloverfield!). Out of nowhere comes The Host, a Korean thriller about one of the most dysfunctional families ever filmed, banding together to save their youngest member after she is snatched away from them by a gigantic lizard mutated by expired Formaldehyde. It sounds ludicrous, but the result is nothing short of a masterpiece.



3. The Lives Of Others
Set in 1984, in Cold War Germany, where privacy is rare; a stoic, emotionless Stasi captain bugs a playwright’s house due to his questionable loyalty to the regime. He is drawn into the playwright’s world, and eventually starts to identify with his beliefs. It’s a gripping, heart breaking film. The ending is unexpected, but perfect.



2. No Country for Old Men
It’s bleak, brutal, horrifying; just like any Cormac McCarthy novel. If taken in small doses, it’s also a Coen Bros. staple. This is arguably their darkest, most violent film yet, and it. Just. Might. Be. Their. Best. Wow, I hear a million film nerds everywhere simultaneously gnash their teeth in outrage.



1. Once
At the tail end of the year, I chanced upon a low budget Irish romance that knocked my socks off, and shot to the top of my favorites list by being everything most romance movies aren’t: realistic, inspiring, bittersweet. An Irish street musician meets a Czech flower vendor and falls head over heels in love with her, inspiring him to elevate his musical creativity beyond what he ever thought possible.




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Here's a second list, but I won't defend my choices. It's a strange mix, I know, but everything on it is fantastic.


Music

10. Arctic Monkeys/Favorite Worst Nightmare
9. Foo Fighters/Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
8. The White Stripes/Icky Thump
7. Lupe Fiasco/The Cool
6. Iron & Wine/The Sheperd’s Dog
5. Bloc Party/ A Weekend In The City
4. Amy Winehouse/ Back To Black
3. The Shins/Wincing The Night Away
2. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova/“Once” OST
1. Radiohead/In Rainbows

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Wow, this must be my longest journal entry in 2 years.