The Best Movies of 2007

· Zodiac- Spooky, interesting, good acting, the scene in the basement scared the hell out of me. Of all the movies I saw this year, Zodiac was the most "complete" film I saw
· Black Snake Moan- The BLUES- on celluloid. Underrated movie because no one could get past Ricci's scantily clad performance- but since when wasn't the blues sexy?
· Hot Fuzz- From the kids that brought us Shaun of the Dead- this action movie send-up was better than any of the actual big budget movies that came out this year. And it has a priest with a machine gun- what else could you ask for?
· I'm Not Here- Reinvents the Biopic. For such an arty film, infinitely watchable, interesting take on the Bob Dylan Legend. Even Cate Blanchett works even though she's doing the most obvious "impression" of Dylan- which works because she's playing him during the "amphetamine daze" days- and isn't every junkie a parody of themselves?
· I Am Legend- Fraught with weaknesses on its face- The more time that passes the richer the allegory becomes in my mind. Cancer as Communism, Cure as Al Queda, Will Smith as the US and the dog as the innocent bystander.
· The Simpsons- Finally, on the big screen and as chock full of gags as the best of the TV episodes.
· The Bourne Ultimatum- Genius trilogy- action the way it should be done and seldom is.
· Superbad/Knocked Up- Both movies by Judd Apatow made me laugh until I nearly peed.
· Harry Potter- A franchise that manages to get better each movie. The horrible woman that play Umbridge deserves an Oscar- just looking at her makes you want to punch her in the nose. Hrmph indeed.
· Ratatouie- A great movie about a foodie rat- who woulda thought? Brad Bird is a genius with a visual style that just makes you shake your head with its richness.
· Dan in Real Life- FINALLY a love story where people I'm supposed to care about don't cheat on their spouses- I can't stand the "romantic comedies" where you're supposed to excuse the main characters infidelity just because their spouse is portrayed as a lout.
· The Last Mimzy- A kid's movie for smart kids- FINALLY!
· 2nd Half of DeathProof- First half is boring even though Kurt Russel is clearly having a great time- the stunt work in the second half is some of the best I've ever seen in any movie ever- I don't know how the stuntwoman stayed on that car!
· Ocean's 13- Makes the list just for the scenes in the Mexican Dice Factory and the unforgettable line, "The nose plays"
· Sicko- Michael Moore, as usual, picking them up and knocking them down. Maybe a bit of an easy target considering the need to bring attention to less known problems.
· Talk To Me- I really like the way they portrayed the riots after MLK's assassination- Don Cheadle was great.

Movies I have not seen- and would probably make the list:
· Darjeeling Limited
· Assasination of Jesse James
· Michael Clayton
· No Country For Old Men
· Southland Tales
· King of Kong- A Fistful of Quarters
· The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
· The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Biggest Disappointments

The big budget movies just really sucked this year!!!
Spiderman 3
Transformers
Live Free or Die Hard
Pirates 3


Movie Trend That Freaks Me Out the Most
Torture Porn- Hostel, etc. I like a good horror movie- but torture as entertainment is a scary trend for a country that practices torture for real.