Now that I've watched a lot more of last year's movies, I'm re-writing my top ten of last year. This is tough, because last year has turned into an INCREDIBLE year for movies. That's another reason I kind of want to repost this. There were absolute masterpieces, and some of my favorites won't even make the top ten. There hasn't been a year like this in recent memory. In fact, I'm normally struggling to come up with ten movies that I loved from the previous year! It really should be a top 20, but I'll put those in my honorable mention.
1.Children of Men - I've posted on this before, an absolutely amazing film.
2.The Departed - Scorcese at his best with an unbelievable cast. Marky Mark was fantastic, but of course Leo steals the show. I watched this movie again about a week ago, and even caught some stuff I had missed. Watching it again makes me realize how freaking great this movie is.
3.The Prestige - Another great director, another great movie. Hugh Jackman rocks this one, and the twists and turns really got me. Not quite on par with Memento, but great none the less.
4.Stranger than Fiction - See the post below
5.Apocalypto - Mel does it again. Bloody, to be sure, but packed with symbolism and the Gospel. Doesn't pull any punches with the disgusting culture we call the Mayans.
6.Casino Royale - I have an affinity for Goldeneye, but the more I think about it, the more I come to realize that this is the best Bond movie ever...or at least that I have seen. Daniel Craig, man. This is a great flick; fun, thoughtful, action-packed, sexy, you name it.
7.Little Miss Sunshine - Some weird, not-for-everyone stuff in it, but overall has a great script, great performances, and one hilarious dance scene on par with Napoleon Dynamite. Great message too, if you know what to look for.
8.Lady in the Water - What a great social commentary, and criticism of critics! Shymalan isn't getting the buffer of great press he once was, but regardless of what you hear, this is an excellent movie.
9.Nacho Libre - Seeing Jack Black do this, The Holiday, and a Tenacious D movie in the same year is truly incredible. This movie is not only hilarious, but understated and witty in the same vein. On a side note, I've never seen Joel laugh so hard as he did in this movie...then again, I didn't see Borat with him...
10.Flags of Our Fathers - An excellent war movie that explores all of the sometimes ignored aspects of the terror and horror that is war.
Honorable Mention:
1.United 93 - Intense, intense, intense. But extremely well-made, and a very important film. Excellent performances by the unknowns, too. Good stuff.
2.Babel - Very well done, thought-provoking and hit me on a coupla levels. Brad Pitt was superb!
3.The Illusionist - Too much like the Prestige, and not as good, but very enjoyable and thoughtful.
4.The Last Kiss - I had a hard time putting this on here because all of the male characters in this movie SUCK, but the speech Tom Wilkinson gives at the end is a fantastic payoff, and the script really is excellent. Lacey and I are Zach Braff nerds, but there's too much meaningless nudity in here, so beware.
5.Marie Antoinette - A little slow, but given time, it creeps up on you. Looks and sounds fantastic, and if you seek a message, you shall find it, much like Lost in Translation. And yes, I disagree with a great many people about this last point.
Posted by jmmelton at March 12, 2007 10:33 AM | TrackBack