Mark's Best and Worst films of 2007
'Best of' lists are funny beasts - they vary as much as opinions on individual films do, and who hasn't violently disagreed with a film critic from time to time? At year's end, however, there is always the urge to reflect on the great and the not-so-great offered for consumption by a greedy audience.
Much like in 2006 when I noted the difficulty I had had finding time to see and review films due to other, less fun, commitments, the same caveat applies in 2007. Within the limitations of the list of films I've seen and reviewed, the following are the best and worst as I saw them. Films missed included Stuart's favourite of the year (Four Minutes) and others that many critics have loved. Some films already receiving a rapturous reception overseas, like Juno and There Will Be Blood for example, are yet to be released in Australia and thus are ineligible.
As always, we are keen for discussion around our year-in-review lists, either on our forum or comments via the contact page.
Hope that 2007 was a fun year of film-watching for all readers and let's all cross fingers that 2008 provides even more enjoyment and challenge in the world of cinema!
A remarkable film that may come as a complete surprise as the number one pick for the year, Once is one of those films that not many people saw, and split those who did into groups that either loved it or hated it. It is charming and subtle and unambitious, but it completely nails the struggle for more than subsistence among the street traders of Dublin. An extraordinary soundtrack sung by the two leads completes the package. Clearly my favourite film of 2007.
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One of the best of the many films made in recent years looking back over the Communist era in Germany, The Lives of Others has rightly been rewarded as Best Foreign Language Film of the Year in the 2007 Academy Awards, and holds that position in these rankings as well. Excellent performances combined with skilful direction make this a downbeat but brilliant film.
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Sneaking into the Top Five with one week to go is the latest film by the brilliant partnership of Joel & Ethan Coen. A modern western, it is notable for its astonishing antagonist played by Javier Bardem. It also offers great performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin.
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Another film featuring wonderful performances, in this case by Viggo Mortensen who clothes himself in Russian mobster so well one could be forgiven for believing he was born into it. Casually violent and focussing on the bleakness of the criminal underbelly, Eastern Promises is highly recommended.
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Released the same day as No Country for Old Men, together they ensure a resounding send-off to 2007. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are excellent, but it is the young star Saoirse Ronan who steals the show - in a role notable for its ambiguity she gives a performance of significant skill.
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Honourable mentions must also go to three films that ranked similarly to Atonement:
Shut Up & Sing is a rather remarkable documentary detailing the time just prior and immediately after the singer of The Dixie Chicks made her now infamous statement of shame to a concert audience in London that President Bush was from her state of Texas. An incredible example of serendipity for filmmaker Barbara Kopple.
The Cemetery Club (Moadon beit hakvarot) was the best of several films I saw as part of the 2007 AICE Israeli Film Festival, and is the second documentary to just miss a place in the top five. Director Tali Shemesh examines the complex relationship between her grandmother and great aunt with skill and dexterity.
Conversations with My Gardener (Dialogue avec mon jardinier) also examines the relationship between two people, although it is the impact that each has on the other that is the focus. Daniel Auteuil is brilliant but Jean-Pierre Darroussin is even better.
A remake of German Film Mostly Martha, one wonders once again why Hollywood insists on trying to replicate stories and failing so badly. Catherine Zeta-Jones is especially uninspiring.
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Jason Statham and Jet Li on screen together but not fighting each other... an odd choice, but that's what faces unsuspecting audiences primed for a martial arts fest who unwittingly watch Rogue Assassin.
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Aims at coming-of-age story but gets bogged down in poorly developed subplots and strangely irrelevant minor characters. Truly misses its aim.
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Director Paul Greengrass' insistence on rapid-fire editing and handheld cinematography has left both Bourne sequels almost unwatchable, with potentially great action thrillers lost in the blur. Why this visual style was continued after the appalling The Bourne Supremacy is beyond me.
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Bearable only for the performance of Laura Linney whose New York Mom Mrs X is truly horrifying. Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans share a surprising lack of spark.
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Discuss your favourite - or most despised - films of 2007 on the hoopla.nu forum
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