Extra Butter

Over the past few years, I've noticed a continuous decline in my travels to the local theatre. Not sure if it's because of cost or audience behavior. Maybe it's the lack of quality films or maybe even the advent of the home theatre system. Whatever it may be, 2007 actually had me giddy at the prospects of cinema gold. More often times than not, my reluctance to pay $15 for a friggin movie was met with a level of voyeur satisfaction not felt since the glorious fall of 1999. I think I actually went to the movies approximately 20 times this year. Of those 20, not one encompassed complete suckiness. In fact, 10 of 'em really stood out. Here are my attempts at formulating a 10 Best List:

1. Gone Baby Gone - By no means a perfect film, but easily my favorite. Ben Affleck proves his filmmaking worth with an intimate Boston tale of a kidnapping motivated by not so clear motivations. A richly layered script authenticated by wonderful performances, intelligent storytelling, and scene after scene of fully realized exchange. This is a great study of character and character.


2. No Country for Old Men - One of my favorite books becomes one of my favorite Coen Bros. flicks. Combining the comedic absurdity of Fargo with the heart-pounding intensity of Blood Simple, Joel and Ethan Coen have created the first fully realized cinematic novel. Every beat of this film matches verbatim author Cormac McCarthy's study of a nation gone wrong. Josh Brolin is the badass everyman who finds the loot. Javier Bardem is the monster assassin hot on his trail. And Tommy Lee Jones is the helpless sheriff on the sidelines of this twisted tale where the line between what's right and wrong is covered in blood.


3. The Bourne Ultimatum - The best of the Bournes, and one of the best action flicks ever. Matt Damon owns this generation's spy genre with the cool calculated resolve he births in Jason Bourne. The bathtub fight and end chase sequence are not to be missed - no action director films dirty chaos better than Paul Greengrass as he does here.


4. Superbad - Perhaps the best cinematic adolescent representation of the co-founders of Yeah, I Figured...only we still talk like this today. This movie is fucking hilarious with heart to spare. The verbal intercourse between Seth and Evan is very reminiscent of what usually takes place between JDot and I. For further comparisons, check out Richard Lewis and Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau in Swingers, Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander in Seinfeld, and Fuckhead 1 and Fuckhead 2 in Desperado.
   
5. Ocean's 13 - Contrary to popular opinion, 12 did not suck. In fact, I may prefer that to the more playful bookends. This is more of the same from the Oceans crew, but I'm not complaining. Place your bets for the year's most entertaining romp!


6. Death Proof - Tarantino's contribution to Grindhouse dwarfs Rodriguez' Planet Terror. This slasher flick is infused with QT's patented merry-go-round dialogue. The Cannes cut out on DVD gives more depth to what initially felt like stock characters. A welcome addition to the Tarantino library.


7. Knocked Up - The second of Judd Appatow's films (he directs here) to make the cut. Superbad makes this tale of loosey goosey regret seem G-rated in comparison. Both however are honest and true to it's characters without violating the rules of gross out comedies. Seth Rogan and Katharine Heigel are fun together, but the real chemistry is between Rogan and Paul Rudd. I loved this movie.


8. Lars and the Real Girl - What a surprise. Another beautiful case study of restrained perception by the great Ryan Gosling. What could've been a sap-happy, annoyingly cute, impossible to believe tale of plastic doll love, instead is the most lovable of the year's films.


9. The Kingdom - The opening credits alone merit praise, but this action film is a powder keg of intense stand-offs and differing political and cultural beliefs that share a common thread. Director Peter Berg is emerging as a technically proficient virtuoso of action. And when Jamie Foxx tones it down here as he did to such great effect in Miami Vice, he is the quintessential stoic action hero.


10. The Darjeeling Limited - I really enjoyed this examination of spiritual and sibling fellowship from a director I almost gave up on. This is Wes Anderson's best since Rushmore. The revelation of Natalie's excess junk in her compact little trunk also helps. Who knew?

(Editor's Note: I've yet to see PT Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" and Jason Reitman's "Juno" - two films I anticipate to occupy space near the top.)