The Best Movies of 2007: Part II (The Real Best Movies)

I’m going to make a bold statement and say that 2007 was the best year for movies of this new century. While Oscar viewership may have been down, this year’s crop of Best Picture nominees were a cut above (In my opinion, the best since 1994 when Forrest Gump faced off against Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, Quiz Show, and Four Weddings and a Funeral).

Sadly, the most surprising part of my top 10 list will be how much similarity it bears to P’s picks. I shudder to think that 60% of my favorite 10 films of 2007 can also be found sharing space with Hostel 2 on Peanut’s slightly misguided list.

Starting off with some great flicks that didn’t quite break the top 10 but certainly deserve a rental:

The Namesake – Can you imagine Van Wilder’s Taj or Harold and Kumar’s Kumar holding down a heavy role in a serious drama? I couldn’t, but The Namesake proved me wrong. Kal Penn is surprisingly excellent in a dramatic turn as Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants seeking to preserve their culture and traditions while assimilating into life in America. The rest of the cast is terrific as well, particularly Irfan Khan as Gogol’s father.

Waitress – A film as delicious as the pies Keri Russell’s main character bakes. Funny and heartwarming, with enough weight to make it stick, Waitress is supremely enjoyable. Plus, a friend of P’s and mine worked as a production assistant on this flick, so show him some love.

My 10 through 6 can all be found on P’s list, but here are some additional thoughts:

10. American Gangster – Who was better, Denzel or Russell? Debate.

9. No Country For Old Men – Loved Stephen Root’s bit part. Made me wonder what would happen if Office Space’s Milton confronted Anton Chigurh over a Swingline stapler.

8. Bourne Ultimatum – The best blockbuster of the year surely deserves a spot on any top 10 list.

7. Michael Clayton –Clooney, Swinton, and Wilkinson all deliver pitch perfect performances in one of the more intelligent lawyer films to be made in a while.

6. Superbad – Funniest movie of the year. Break yoself foo!

Now for the really good stuff:

5. Once – If you haven’t discovered this Irish gem, go out and rent it tonight. It is a modern musical of sorts, but don’t worry, the characters don’t break into song for no reason. Plus, with real musicians playing the lead roles, this is as authentic as a musical gets. The best song in the film, “Falling Slowly,” won this year’s Best Song Oscar, and is hauntingly addictive. I’ve been listening to it daily since I saw the film over a month ago.

4. Juno – Hilarious and original. I’m surprised Juno didn’t make it on to P’s list, but then again P picked Hostel 2. He clearly has some issues. On a side note – was anyone else eerily transfixed on the ridiculously high slit of Diablo Cody’s Oscar dress as she made her way onstage to accept her Juno Screenplay award? That was one wardrobe malfunction I was not particularly looking forward to.

3. Ratatouille – Best animated movie of the Pixar age. That’s right, Ratatouille was better than Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Cars, and even Finding Nemo.

2. There Will Be Blood – Wow. Amazing. P and B’s consensus pick for Movie of the Year. But, not quite as amazing as B’s individual pick for Movie of the Year…

1. The Lives of Others – The Lives of Others was the best movie I have seen in many years. The story, which revolves around an East German secret police officer spying on and then becoming wrapped up in the lives of a playwright and his girlfriend, is captivating. The acting is spot on. The ending packs a huge punch. All around, this was a perfect film. It deservingly won last year’s Best Foreign Film Oscar, but it was released in the U.S. last spring. Since it is in German, be prepared for subtitles, but frankly, you’ll hardly notice them once the story gets going.

EW's Soundbites from 2007

For your enjoyment, funny quotes from 2007 (borrowed from the Entertainment Weekly article found here):

''This guy is either going to think, Here's another kid with a fake ID, or Here's McLovin, the 25-year-old Hawaiian organ donor.''— Michael Cera in Superbad

''I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have maps, and, uh, I believe that our education, like such as in South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere, like, such as. And I believe that they should, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., er, should help South Africa, and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children.''— Miss South Carolina Teen USA Lauren Caitlin Upton, answering a question about why 20 percent of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map, on the Miss Teen USA pageant

''I've been to thousands and thousands of concerts in my life, and I can tell you these are the worst seats I've ever had.''— James Spader, commenting on the theater-in-the-round seating while accepting his Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a drama series

''At least I leave you funnier than when I found you.'' — Seth (Adam Brody), saying goodbye to Ryan (Ben McKenzie), on the series finale of The O.C.

''Do I look like I'm negotiating?'' — George Clooney in Michael Clayton

''Spider-Pig, Spider-Pig, does whatever a Spider-Pig does.'' — Homer Simpson in The Simpsons Movie

''This! Is! Sparta!'' — Gerard Butler in 300

''It's Britney, bitch!'' — Britney Spears, ''Gimme More''

''Give a black man a chance!'' — Kanye West, after losing five awards including Male Artist of the Year at MTV's VMAs

''Somebody needs to teach you some class, my friend. You don't go grabbin' somebody else's, somebody's husband's balls, you understand me? That's very disrespectful!'' — Faith Hill, chiding a randy concert fan in Louisiana

''Clothes don't make the man, God does. Stop taking credit, my pants!'' — Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report

''You are my heroine. And by 'heroine,' I mean lady hero. I don't want to inject you and listen to jazz.'' — Liz Lemon (Tina Fey), to her idol TV writer (Carrie Fisher), on 30 Rock

''You can stand under my umbrella.'' — Rihanna, ''Umbrella''

''Not my daughter, you bitch!'' — Mrs. Weasley, defending Ginny against Bellatrix Lestrange, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I agree... get knocked up

Peanut is right on, for the most part. Knocked Up is definitely the best movie I've seen this summer. Solid chemistry between the leads, a scene-stealing Paul Rudd, and realistic situations with relevant characters make this flick a winner. It is a better movie than equally hilarious but absurdly over the top comedies like Old School, Anchorman, Wedding Crashers, Dodgeball, etc.

But, better than 40-Year Old Virgin ? I think not. Virgin has no slow parts, is equally relevant and hilarious, and maintains itself upon repeat viewings. While I've only seen Knocked Up once, I'm pretty confident that the ass-dragging 3rd quarter of the movie (which Peanut alludes to) would wear on me more and more with each watching. There is no reason why this movie had to be longer than 2hrs. That said, I might buy the DVD just to watch the Vegas chair scene over and over and over again... priceless!

Now, more importantly, when I saw Knocked Up I also caught the trailer for Superbad. I could not be more excited. I'm going out on a limb and giving Superbad a preemptive 3 PB Jars based on the trailer alone. Peanut - on August 17th you're breaking your "no comedy in the theater" rule again and we're both ponying up 11 bills for what promises to be the best comedy of the summer.

From the Mailbag: "Movie Star Stock Watch" by Fluffhead

Pedro, I wrote a correspondent piece, just for you (or all your readers). Hope you enjoy...

I know this is a movie website, but if you wouldn't mind indulging me for a moment, I'd like to talk about a TV show.

The year was 2004. This show was "Come to Papa," an NBC sitcom burned off late in the season. The show starred comedian Tom Papa as a newspaper writer with dreams of being a comedy writer. Papa, who was discovered by Jerry Seinfeld, adopted his mentor's smug demeanor, but not what made "Seinfeld" funny: Costanza (and also witty writing). Papa's prime-time career and the show, understandably, didn't last. So why talk about it now? It does have to do with one of the show's actors, and no, it wasn't John Salley, who played Papa's mailman and as an actor made a so-so basketball player. No, the actual answer: Steve Carrell.

That's right, the world's worst boss honed his traits playing Papa's crazy editor-in-chief at the newspaper. The material was poor, but Carrell ran with it and stole every scene he was in (much like he did previously, and with little fanfare, on "The Daily Show"). The show was destined for failure, but this guy, I thought, had a future. I thought, I wish I could buy stock in Carrell's career. Sure enough, a year later he popped up as the Michael Scott (he was actually cast in "The Office" before "Come to Papa" even aired), and then made the leap to big screen leading man thanks to the fantastic "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." He got $500,000 for that role; now, in this summer's Evan Almighty, he's making $5 million.

So what scene-stealing actors look like they're ready to bust out of the background and increase their salary ten-fold? Well, with Carrell in mind, here's my first Movie Star Stock Watch: Summer Comedy Edition. These are the actors whose stock I'd buy, hold, or sell if I could.

Buy

• Seth Rogen ("Knocked Up," "Superbad") - "Knocked Up" will be the best comedy of the summer, and Rogen will be a big reason why. Judd Apatow seems intent on giving roles to the stars of his failed TV shows (Jason Segel and Jay Baruchel, at least, pop up in main roles in "Knocked"), and Rogen will be the first "Apatow All Star" to truly benefit. He stole scenes from Carrell in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (just like Carrell did from Will Ferrell in "Anchorman"—stealing scenes from a talented comedian is a tell-tale sign that one is poised for big things) and on "Freaks and Geeks." Now he gets the chance to shine on his own. Throw in the fact that he also wrote the hilarious-looking "Superbad" (previous writing credits include "Da Ali G Show" and "Undeclared"), and Rogen looks ready to reach the big time.

• Kevin James ("I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry") - I must admit, this movie intrigues me (Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor credited as screenwriters?) while terrifying me at the same time (Jessica Biel not only as Adam Sandler's love interest—who keep getting younger and more attractive each movie, by the way—but also as a lawyer? This might challenge Denise Richards as a scientist in "The World Is Not Enough" and Tara Reid as a genius anthropologist in "Alone in the Dark" as the most questionable casting decision yet). The one thing I do know is that Sandler can still open a movie, and James should stand to reap the benefits. He's gone about his film career the right way (unlike buddy Ray Romano), taking on supporting roles next to bigger stars (Sandler, Will Smith). Look for him to be the big star, with the big paycheck to match, next time around.
  

• Michael Cera ("Superbad") - An open letter to Michael Cera:

Dear Michael,

So long as you keep playing characters akin to George Michael Bluth, I will personally make sure you are on my "buy stock" list until the end of your acting career, or my blogging career, whichever comes first.

Sincerely,

Ryan "What a fun, sexy time for you" Lane

Hold

• Will Arnett (The Brothers Solomon) - I'm very tempted to write a letter similar to the one above addressed to GOB Bluth, but I'll hold off for now—as it seems like Arnett might not have the ability to play anyone except GOB-like beings (not that there's anything wrong with that). He'll certainly stay in the dysfucntional family vein with "Brothers," but he'll be doing the heavy lifting this time. Arnett's previous flirtation with leading man status ("Let's Go to Prison") didn't end well, but he was the best thing in "Blades of Glory," and the early press on this movie is encouraging. I know I'm pulling for Arnett, I mean, COME ON, how could one not be?

• Andy Samberg ("Hot Rod") - Samberg is teetering between Adam Sandler and Jimmy Fallon territory right now, and the teaser trailer for "Hot Rod" certainly has him leaning toward the latter. I wonder if this might end up being too much too soon for Samberg; still I'm holding out some hope—but it might just be because Samberg is probably Jewish (OK, most of his digital shorts on SNL are pretty funny too).

• David Koechner ("The Comebacks")
  Koechner's a fantastic, versatile comedian who's struck a chord in supporting roles ("Anchorman," "The Office") more so than big ones ("The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show"). He deserves a hit as a leading man, and "The Comebacks"—a mishmash parody of sports movies—might be it. Movies such as this (the Scary Movie franchise, Epic Movie, Date Movie, etc.) have done surprisingly well, even if most of those didn't open during the competitive summer months. "The Comebacks" shows up right at the end of August, after the glut of blockbuster movies have run their course, so maybe viewers will be looking for something silly and stupid, which this movie, and Koechner, certainly can provide.
  

Sell

• Zach Braff ("The Ex") - The early reviews of "The Fast Track," I mean, "The Ex," are in, and they aren't favorable. After a solid, if overrated, debut with "Garden State," Braff tried to increase his indie cred with "The Last Kiss," which didn't take, and now he tries his hand at broad, Ben Stiller-style comedy, which doesn't seem promising either. Braff's goofy sentimentality never earned him a large audience on TV, so expecting him to be a leading man in movies right away appears foolhardy. Don't expect "The Ex," which went through a name change and dramatic re-marketing after being shelved for awhile, to make things any easier for him. Another season of "Scrubs" might not seem like such a bad idea to him after all.

• Dane Cook ('Good Luck Chuck," "Mr. Brooks") - Rob Schneider has headlined four movies; David Spade, three (the numbers are five and four, if you want to count "The Benchwarmers" for both of them). "Good Luck Chuck" marks number two for Cook, and unless he quickly befriends Adam Sandler, I'm not sure he's going to catch Schneider or Spade. In fact, the only reason why I'd be rooting for Cook to succeed is because of the increasingly omnipresent and enjoyable Dane Cook backlash. I'm mildly intrigued by him playing a dramatic role in the serial killer drama "Mr. Brooks," but only because it means Kevin Costner might kill him.

• Chris Tucker ("Rush Hour 3")
  Three years passed between the making of "Rush Hour" and "Rush Hour 2." It was 6 years between "Rush Hour 2" and "Rush Hour 3." Does that mean it will be 12 years before we have to see Chris Tucker on screen again? Let's hope so.

Thoughts, comments? Whose stock would you buy, hold, or sell if you could?

Fluffhead (a.k.a. Ryan Lane) is a contributing writer who uses his degree in Magazine Journalism from Syracuse University to write things that neither appear in magazines nor have any journalistic merit.