James McAvoy and Kiera Knightley in "Atonement"
courtesy of Focus Features
"The Best of a Bad Year"

2007 was not the best year for good movies. In fact it was a good year for bad movies. They flourished. Still there were a few bright spots along the way, and these are those in my humble opinion. I present them to you from the bottom up of the "Top Ten," saving the best for last.

(10) Transformers - This was a purely enjoyable movie from the action packed storyline to the amazing feat of seeing the "autobots" change shape. Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox are the human leads and lead they do. From the first moment to the last this is a fun film that kept me enthralled all the way.

(9) August Rush - Anyone who saw this movie and wasn't touched by Freddie Highmore's performance as a little boy orphaned but still believing in his parents. He knows if he can make the right music they will come for him. And when they do, well hold on to your tear ducts.

(8) Michael Clayton - I don't think I have ever enjoyed a George Clooney this much. It is a story about evil lawyers and the price of friendship. The final confrontation scene between Clooney (the good guy) and Tilda Swinton (the bad guy) is alone worth the price of admission or rental.

(7) In the Valley of Elah - Most people thought this was an Iraq War movie and they stayed away in droves. In truth it is a murder mystery with the war as a backdrop. Tommy Lee Jones is at his best as a distraught father searching for the answer to his son's death. The ending of this movie will stay with you for a long time after the movie is over.

(6) Into the Wild - I didn't expect to like this movie but I did. It is the story of a young man (Emile Hirsch) searching for freedom in the wild of nature. You know it is gong to be tragic from the beginning but getting there is quite a journey.

(5) SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET - If you are turned off by blood and guts, this is not the film for you. However if you can stomach the violence the movie is amazingly done. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up again to being Stephen Sondheim's infamous musical to the screen, and yes Johnny can sing!

(4) Before the Devil Knows You're Dead - The most unknown of my top ten, but look for it. Its the tale of two brothers, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke, who decide to rob their parents' jewelry store. Everything goes wrong and that is when the tragedy begins. Sidney Lumet brilliantly directs the film and holds you in his grasp.

(3) Breach - Chris Cooper and Ryan Phillippe star in this true story of espionage and betrayal. Already out on DVD, get this one and spend two hours being entertained by the brilliance of the script and the performances.

(2) Hairspray - A joyous musical celebration of hope and dreams. Nikki Blonsky made an auspicious screen debut as the chubby girl who changed her life and the lives of people around her. John Travolta is her mother and he plays it as a woman not as a man dressed up like a woman. A feel good, learn something, you can dance to it movie!

(1) Drumroll please........ Atonement - A love affair wrecked by a young girl's vicious 
Lives are changed and fates are altered. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy star as the lovers who live their story against the backdrop of World War II. Moviemaking at its best.

So there you have them. Both Michael Clayton and Atonement have been nominated for Best Picture of the year along with "Juno," "No Country For Old Men," and "There Will Be Blood." Only "Juno" came close to making my list. "Country" and "Blood" would be on my ten worst list.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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