A look back at films from 2007

It has been really fun, particularly since I can choose which movies I want to see and review (That’s the beauty of not being a professional critic).

It also means that the reviews are a bit skewed toward the positive. I look over my list of 39 reviews for the year, I find so many excellent films that it is hard to choose a top ten list.

I also see a few turkeys, some disappointments.

I also missed some films that received critical acclaim, such as Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, but that’s why DVD rentals are a great way to catch up on those you’ve missed.

Without further ado, my top 10:

10. 3:10 to Yuma – Remake of the 1950s Glenn Ford Western; starring Russell Crowe. Very interesting; particularly high praise from someone who never liked Westerns before and tends to shy away from violence.

9. The Savages – Starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. Likely to be shunned by many because it deals with the demise of a parent and dysfunctional family dynamics.

8. Lions for Lambs – Robert Redford’s thought-provoking look at the Iraq/Afghan wars. Too cerebral for a wide audience, but a very well-crafted, probing film, with first class acting and directing.

7. Lars and the Real Girl – The sleeper of the year with an absolutely stunning performance by Ryan Gosling as the delusional Lars. A surprising blend of comedy and pathos.

6. Away from Her – Yet another look at aging, and family dynamics, with an Oscar-worthy, comeback performance by the wonderful Julie Christie as a wife struck by Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Silk – A truly exquisite period piece about the silk trade during the 19th century, with some of the most artistic cinematography in years.

4. Once – A celebration of music, love and the human spirit. Succeeded beautifully in blending music into the storyline (accomplished what unfortunately August Rush failed to do).

3. No Country for Old Men – One of the most chilling movies in a long time, yet so well done, that it must be recognized as a truly incredible job of filmmaking by the Cohen Brothers.

2. The Lives of Others – Released in the United States in 2007, though nominated for Best Foreign Film of 2006, this is a totally engrossing look at life behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany during the Cold War.

1. The Namesake – Released at the beginning of 2007, this was a true bi-cultural masterpiece; a compelling story, a fascinating look at life in India, and life in the United States for an East Indian family.

The Near-Misses: Atonement, Lust, Caution, August Rush. These films were touted as being so memorable, so significant, so everything that my expectations weren’t met – alas! Atonement was marred by too much war, and Lust, Caution by a theme that included sadomasochism and violence that just went too far. August Rush (see above), a great topic that just didn’t materialize into a good film. Disappointing.

The Turkeys: In no particular order: The Astronaut Farmer – Billy Bob Thornton can do much better – a totally preposterous plot that wasn’t even very interesting. Because I Said So – Diane Keaton’s absolute worst. What was she thinking? Catch and Release – A "cutesy” stinker that was so bad, I forgot what it was about or who starred. The Perfect Stranger – Halle Berry and Bruce Willis should have their heads examined for taking on this film; it deserves to go immediately on to late night cable as a one-star "C” movie!

Happy New Year – wishing us all a wonderful movie-viewing 2008!

Eve Visconti is a writer and long time movie buff who lives in Foster City.