The 21st century officially started January 1, 2001. However, for the sake of simplicity, we’ll include the year 2000 in there, primarily because it contains a “2.”  Over the last nine years, there have been plenty of sci-fi films, ranging from full-out action to indie dramas. Many have gone on to great things, like this year’s Star Trek, while others have disappeared quickly and faded from memory.

With the Sam Rockwell sci-fi thriller Moon, about an astronaut who begins to see some very strange things on the eve of his return trip to Earth, coming to limited theaters this week, I felt it was a good time to look at the sci-fi movies of recent years that for one reason or another don’t get the respect they deserve. Some are blockbusters that people now shrug off and others are tiny films that lacked the marketing budget to become well known. (more…)

Time and time again, we hear that actresses have it much harder when it comes to finding good parts in Hollywood. It’s true, as year after year I usually have to scrounge to find truly stand-out actresses. This year, for whatever reason, it was not difficult at all. Funny enough, some big names like Penelope Cruz, Marisa Tomei and Angelina Jolie are not included on this list… because I didn’t think they were worthy.

Here is a list of the best leading and supporting actresses in 2008, ranked in order:

1. Meryl Streep, Doubt
   Streep is all but expected to turn in Oscar-worthy performances, though we can forgive her for Mamma Mia and only hope she struck up a revenue sharing deal for that film. Playing an ultra conservative, fiercely authoritative nun in Doubt, she is wonderfully wicked in this play adaptation. Her scene with Philip Seymour Hoffman is downright mesmerizing, and as great of an actor as Hoffman is, you know who will win the battle.
2. Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
   Hathaway turns in a career-defining performance as an alcholic who, fresh out of rehab, has arrived to create chaos at her sister’s wedding. The movie is depressing and Hathaway’s character is the main contributor, as she time and time again makes every scene as painful as possible. She, in many ways, is like the serious, realistic and more damaged version of Michael Scott from “The Office,” and should be commended for it.
3. Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
   Winslet is required to show up on lists such as this one, and she does not disappoint in 2008. Her performance as a depressed housewife and mother in the 1950’s is tragic. While she isn’t my #1 pick, I would be quite content if she took home the Oscar this year – and in fact would be quite surprised if she didn’t.
4. Amy Adams, Doubt
   Adams is hot, but she’s also an excellent actress. People may not have noticed, but she’s starting to rack up a respectable career in just the few years since she sneaked into the spotlight, and her performance as an innocent, naive nun proves just how strong of an actress she really is. Even though Streep chews scenery in every scene she’s in, Adams holds her own and establishes herself as the perfect counterbalance to the stronger-willed character.
5. Melissa Leo, Frozen River
   Frozen River is a good movie, but it’d be a forgettable B-grade drama-thriller without the performance of Melissa Leo. Leo plays desperate and tough at the same time, and never for a second do we question her motives for engaging in illegal, risky behavior. Everything about her is perfect in this movie – too bad she has such stiff competition.
6. Viola Davis, Doubt
   Viola Davis only has one scene in the entire movie, but boy is it a doozey. While neither Adams’ or Hoffman’s characters can stand up to Streep’s, Davis’ puts the head nun in her place with a tear-jerking and downright disturbing speech that essentially condones pedophilia when it comes to her own son. That’s messed up, but brilliant.
7. Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
   McDormand is one of the best actresses working today; she can do drama, comedy and anything in between – or often at the same time. As a gym employee who is desperately trying to save up for cosmetic surgery, McDormand delivers a stellar performance, even when matched against the likes of Brad Pitt and George Clooney, both of whom tend to steal the spotlight.
8. Gwenyth Paltrow, Iron Man
   Everyone has been praising director Jon Favreau and actor Robert Downey Jr. for making Iron Man the massive blockbuster that it is, but Gwenyth Paltrow who, in what could have been a thankless and forgettable role, made her character anything but. She has great chemistry with Downey Jr. and looks as hot as ever.
9. Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married
   Anne Hathaway is the one everyone’s talking about in regards to Rachel Getting Married, but her on-screen sister – the title character, no less – is nearly as good. Though not nearly as frustrating or depressing as Hathaway’s character – and thus not nearly as noticeable – DeWitt manages to portray the more reasonable sister with just as many flaws and issues as her alcoholic sibling.
10. Kate Winslet, The Reader
    I didn’t really like Winslet’s performance when I first saw The Reader – and I am not a huge fan of the movie itself – but she has grown on me. After all, when you think about how unlikable, flawed and ugly she is in this movie, you realize that with just a touch of makeup this actress transformed herself into an enigma of a character, one whom the main character cherishes and loves, yet who others despise for the atrocities she committed.
11. Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Dark Knight
    The praise has been all about Heath Ledger, and if people play it safe they mention Morgan Freeman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine. Still, Gyllenhaal turns in a great supporting performance here. I’m one of the few who didn’t mind Katie Holmes in the original, but when you watch one film right after the other – like I did the other night – you realize what an upgrade director Christopher Nolan pulled off when replacing one with the other. Gyllenhaal’s final scene is as emotional as it is due to the actress’s ability to reveal to the audience her sudden, momentary shock that everything is not going to end happily.
12. Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
    Interestingly, when people think of this movie, their minds immediately go to Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz making out. Mine does, too, but it also goes to the third actress who, in fact, plays the main character. Rebecca Hall, the least-known name in the entire movie, was hardly marketed at all, but not only is she prettier than Johansson and Cruz (a very, very hard feat), she also delivers a compelling performance.
13. Evan Rachel Wood, The Wrestler
    Marisa Tomei has been getting all the attention when it comes to supporting performances, but maybe I was too focused on her incessant nudity throughout the film. No, my praise lands on Evan Rachel Wood, who once again delivers a strong, emotional performance as the estranged daughter of Mickey Rourke. She only has a few scenes, but those scenes are the most powerful of the movie.
14. The ladies of Sex and the City: The Movie
    OK, so I wouldn’t give any of these ladies Oscars, but they should be commended for bringing their TV counterparts to the big screen in a funny, sentimental and believable way. Thanks to the chemistry these women have with one another, Sex and the City catapulted female-oriented movies into arenas normally reserved for adrenaline -filled action flicks.
15. Nicole Kidman, Australia
    Kidman isn’t amazing in Australia, but she fits the part perfectly. Her performance in the first third of the movie is particularly memorable, as she plays a surprisingly funny, Scarlett O’Hara-esque Brit who doesn’t know the first thing about life down under. There’s a reason why she’s at the bottom of this list, but she still is worthy of recognition.

I love a good movie as much as the next person. In fact, my favorite hobby hinges on the fact that there are good movies out there. But, as a self-proclaimed critic, the best movies for writing reviews are the bad ones. What can one say about Schindler’s List without going into a fluffy tirade of prose about how good it is, when the reader, for the most part, just wants to hear, “This movie rocks?” No, it’s the bad movies where the real meat is, where the reviewer can unlock his deepest, pent-up aggressions toward sloppy filmmaking and unleash, narrowing in on the direct causes that contributed to a picture’s downfall.

And in 2008, just like any year, there were a fair amount of movies that allowed me to play mean. At the same time, 2008 marks a continuing improvement on my part to avoid the movies I know are bad. One summer, way back when I was in high school, I went and saw just about every movie that came out – in theaters, no less – even if I knew they were going to be horrible. I was obsessed. I even backtracked to 1995 to see just about anything that had been released, just so that my database could be complete. When I could have been watching the classics of the century, I was instead watching some crappy movie from ‘97 that I knew was going to be bad.

One should not pay too close attention to reviews, because everyone has their own tastes and the more movies a critic watches, the more cynical he or she becomes. Nevertheless, there are movies that you don’t need a critic to tell you that they’re going to suck. And those are the movies I’m starting to weed out of my obsession, so I can focus on other important things, like my day job, friends, family and perhaps finding a girlfriend one of these days. (more…)

May 2008 is here, and that can only mean one thing: I grow another year older, and the summer movie season has started. Okay, that’s two things, but read on anyway! There are a lot of great movies coming out this year, or, at least, movies that appear to be great. From a new Batman movie to one of the most anticipated films of all time – the fourth Indiana Jones movie – buzz is at an all-time high.

But where there is buzz, there is unrealistic expectations… will the 2008 summer movie season offer some major disappointments? If either of those aforementioned films disappoint, I will go on a rampage, and, unfortunately, I feel like I’ve set the bar way too high. Still, beyond those two films, there are 20 other movies that might be worth seeing this summer – and this only counts the mainstream films that have released their trailers. Of course, all the real heavy hitters have showed their true colors by now… or have they?

Also, take my 2008 summer movie survey – you could win an Eastern Promises DVD.

1. The Dark Knight
   I have been waiting with eager anticipation for over a year for the follow-up to the excellent Batman Begins. Christopher Nolan’s original was a classic, and perhaps the best comic book movie of all time, and there’s no reason to expect any less here. The all-star, Oscar-glistening cast is returning, only with an upgrade of talent that includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart and, of course, Heath Ledger as Batman’s arch villain. Many people think Ledger’s performance drove him to death, and from everything the previews indicate, he turns in a remarkable performance. Is July really two months away?
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
   Harrison Ford really hasn’t done anything noteworthy in years, so it’s only fitting he returns to one of his most adored roles. The fact that Ford, Lucas and Spielberg have all returned for this fourth film is a good sign, as it’s not just some lame sequel with some crappy director and a youthful actor. Unlike The Dark Knight, I can see expectations surpassing reality here; George Lucas has even commented on that in recent interviews. As long as I keep my excitement toned down, I think I’ll be OK.
3. The X-Files: I Want to Believe
   Who knows if this one will be any good. The X-Files passed its prime many years ago, and fans have pretty much moved on. Then again, maybe this is the perfect time to return to the adored franchise for what is presumably going to be the last movie. I don’t expect this one to make an amazing amount of money in theaters, but it should be an entertaining blast. It’ll definitely be cool to see David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson back together again, and early previews have been promising.
4. Hancock
   A movie that has only begun its marketing blitz, Hancock appears to be the latest Will Smith blockbuster. No one is betting against Smith, as he has a tendency to choose quality (or at least decent) projects that result in a ton of money. This movie, about a drunk-and-bitter “superhero,” looks great, as the trailers perfectly blend humor, action and visual effects together. In a season full of comic book adaptations, Hancock should still emerge as a summer blockbuster – and maybe it will even appeal to a crowd that doesn’t normally swarm to the “standard” comic book flicks.
5. Iron Man
   Speaking of “standard,” Iron Man opens tonight (Thursday) and from the reviews I’ve seen, it’s going to have no problem making tons of money. Reviews have been strong, and it’s really no surprise: the visuals look great, the action intense, the humor plentiful and Robert Downey Jr. in a surprisingly perfect role (playing a cocky, drunken bastard who must redeem himself). The previews have been entertaining and I hope I get a chance to go see this flick tonight.
6. Get Smart
   Rarely do I get that excited for comedies, but Get Smart, starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, The Rock, Terence Stamp and Alan Arkin, looks pretty hilarious. These TV adaptations can be hit-or-miss, but the goofy spy show seems prime for just such a conversion. The previews have been note-on, offering lots of humorous bits and a promise for some silly excitement. Carell and Hathaway both seem like good choices to lead the film, and it’s always entertaining to see The Rock in a comedy such as this.
7. WALL• E
   I have no rule: do not question Pixar, unless they’re making a Cars sequel. Pixar continues to set the benchmark for quality writing, storytelling and visual effects among animated films, if not among films in general. Wall-E looks to continue their trend of exceptional, as the film once again avoids the route of pop culture references, modern songs and marketing big voice talent to present us with a unique story about a robot who lives on Earth long after the last of humanity has disappeared. Not only is the story intriguing, but the visual effects look simply stunning.
8. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
   A couple years ago, only a few fanboys knew who Guillermo Del Toro was. Not anymore. The man took a little known comic book character (a red devil, no less) and made a truly entertaining and high quality action film on a relatively low budget. From there, we got Pan’s Labyrinth, one of the best films I’ve seen in years. And with Del Toro signed on to direct the new Hobbit sequels, demand is at an all-time high. Thankfully, he managed to squeak out a new Hellboy movie while waiting, and hopefully it will be just as good as the original. The previews have not been incredible, though it appears as though the elements were just poorly presented by the marketing department. At least I hope that’s the case.
9. Pineapple Express
   Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen are back, this time in an indie-looking, pot-smoking, crime thriller, about an ordinary guy who witnesses a murder and goes on the run with his drug dealing friend (James Franco). The movie looks substantially different from the recent Apatow films (Knocked Up, Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall), but it still looks good. I like the low-budget look the film has, but the screenplay, once again, should sell this one.
10. The Happening
    M. Night Shyamalan is at it again. Once a sure-thing, Shyamalan has directed two disappointing films in a row. The Village was okay, until the end, but Lady in the Water was just a disaster. Still, I – and several other people – are holding out hope for The Happening, a movie that looks to be more along the lines of Signs than any of his more recent stuff. Can this movie save his career? It’s impossible to tell. All of his films are marketed very well and give very little away, so there’s no way of telling this one will be any better or worse than Lady. Still, it appears as though he has gone a little more conventional this time around, which should be a good thing. “Conventional,” by the way, is used relatively here.
11. Sex and the City: The Movie
    The HBO comedy series really shouldn’t get a movie. It’s just not the kind of show that should get a movie. In fact, the only HBO shows that deserve such treatment are Carnivale and Deadwood, though even those are pushing acceptability (I didn’t say The Sopranos because, like all HBO shows, they succeed because the stories span episodes and seasons, and are not and should not be contained within a single, two-hour time frame). All that being said, Sex and the City was a well-written and entertaining television show, and as such I’m looking forward to the movie. And yes, that’s coming from a 25-year old straight guy.
12. Tropic Thunder
    I’m sort of sick of Ben Stiller, and not only does he star in this movie but he also directs it, but Tropic Thunder just looks like a blast. About a group of actors who unknowingly find themselves involved in real warfare when they are meant to just be filming an action movie, Tropic Thunder has a great comedic cast that includes Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. Downey, in particular, is a selling point, not only because he is the best actor of the group but because he plays the best actor – ever – in the movie, a man so dedicated to his work that he actually undergoes a controversial surgical procedure to make himself African-American. That alone is worth the price of admission.
13. Son of Rambow
    One of the few films on this list that isn’t receiving a wide release – at least not at first – is the Son of Rambow. What’s better than one Rambo movie in the year? How about two? Son of Rambow is a comedy about a young boy who decides to make his own action movie; the previews are full of stunts-gone-bad and other childhood mishaps. The movie looks touching, but more importantly funny.
14. The Strangers
    OK, so The Strangers will probably suck. It seems to have been pushed back time and time again, which is never a good sign, and has been dropped in the middle of a hornet’s nest – the end of May. Still, with few other horror movies out and about, if any, The Strangers looks pretty creepy. The movie, which stars Liv Tyler, is about a couple who find their house invaded by a bunch of masked intruders. I’m a sucker for movies that could, in theory, happen to me, and it’s not inconceivable that some psychopaths could put on Halloween masks and break into someone’s house. The trailers are effectively scary, and that’s enough for me.
15. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
    Way down in the #15 spot is The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The movie looks good. Hell, the movie looks really good. The film is well presented, the story looks darker and more exciting than the first one, so on and so forth. Still, I’m hesitant. The first movie was decent, but a little bland and no Lord of the Rings. The fact that the movie is made for children specifically hurts, especially since the movie is marketed like it’s some kind of gritty war movie. Prince Caspian is rated PG, which means we’re going to get more of the same. I hope that going in with lowered expectations will do the film justice, but I doubt I’m going to come out of the theater raving.
16. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
    Under other circumstances, a Star Wars movie would automatically be in the Top 5 of my list. But, considering that The Clone Wars is an animated movie originally meant for the small screen, I am not that thrilled. The visuals look questionable at best – while I’m sure the action while be find, the characters themselves look quite cartoonish. This alone has me worried. I don’t know why, but I would have been excited for this had it simply premiered on television like it was meant to; there’s something about Star Wars being on another medium that allows me to separate it from the theatrical films. As such, I am worried that this movie is somehow going to ruin the Star Wars experience for me, regardless of the fact that the three prequels were less than stellar to begin with.
17. Wanted
    A clear Matrix wannabe, Wanted shows off just enough visuals, action and Angelina Jolie skin to have me curious. This is one of those movies that is going to end up being ridiculously entertaining or pathetically bad; I don’t see much in between here. James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman also bring some promise to the film, but Wanted still looks like more of a paycheck film than a legitimate, quality picture. Still, I’m curious.
18. You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
    Adam Sandler is back in another goofy comedy, and this one is sure to raise some controversy. The movie is about a Palestinian guy who heads to America to become a hair stylist – but ends up getting involved with some Islamic terrorists. The movie definitely treads on shaky ground, but there are enough laughs in the trailer to have me wanting more. I don’t expect this movie to be among his best, but it shows promise. Then again, so did Chuck and Larry, and that one was terrible.
19. The Incredible Hulk
    Ah, The Incredible Hulk. What can I say? The movie just doesn’t look that good. I’ve never been a big fan of the green “hero,” and the fact that the original movie was forgettable doesn’t help. Still, Ed Norton, one of the best actors working today, has taken on the lead role. Unfortunately, having now seen two different movie trailers, I have yet to be impressed. The visuals look questionable, the direction more so. Those slow motion shots of the Hulk flying through the air? Uh-oh. I am still holding onto an ounce of hope, but compared to the other summer movies, this one is going to sink fast if it isn’t up to par. Hell, it will probably sink fast anyway.
20. The Babysitters
    A movie few will see, The Babysitters is on this list because it’s about a teenage babysitter who starts an escort service. And no, it’s not a porn. The movie promises sex, scandal, crime and possibly more, and that’s enough to get me to add this to my Netflix list.
21. War, Inc.
    John Cusack stars in this movie that is being compared to Grosse Point Blank. I didn’t particularly like that movie, but this is the kind of movie where he thrives, so War, Inc. should not be disregarded. In fact, having just watched the trailer, this movie looks really funny and politically edgy. Why is this #21? Because I’m too lazy to move it higher.
22. The Midnight Meat Train
    Last but not least, there’s this movie. A horror movie that probably won’t be any good, Midnight Meat Train offers a pretty slick and gruesome trailer – and an awesome title. In reality, the title suggests something ridiculously cheesy and the previews show no such things, but other than that, how can I not be excited for a movie called such a thing?

Wow. I’ve been writing for an hour, and as you can tell from the last couple entries, I’ve had enough.

I, Erik Samdahl, posted my top ten movies of 2007 a couple weeks ago. Here, check out the top ten movies of 2007 as determined by Nathan Vass, who has done occasion guest movie reviews on the website over the last couple of years. Nathan has an excellent but particular taste in movies; I’ll agree with him pretty much spot on 80% of the time, and 10% he’ll absolutely love movies that I simply liked (American Gangster, for one) and the other 10% I couldn’t disagree more (300). Regardless, he writes a lot more poetically than me, so please enjoy his best movies of 2007, as well as some other insightful comments…

1. There Will Be Blood

The boundaries of cinema are now slightly bigger. ‘Blood’ is like nothing you have ever seen, or heard. Every element of it, from Day-Lewis’s blistering, rightly lauded performance to (Radiohead) Jonny Greenwood’s dissonant score- if ever there was a film that defied superlatives, this is it. Anderson’s long takes highlight the performances, and his writing establishes a unique vernacular quite unlike anything I’ve heard, which he slowly escalates to something way beyond tipping point in the final scene, an ungodly stunner that flies in the face of categorization or even description, but must simply be seen to be believed. Everyone knows Day-Lewis is great, but nobody’s ever seen like this before. Steven Spielberg has stated that Anderson is his favorite director of the new generation, and I am inclined to agree. Easily one of the towering cinematic achievements of the new decade.

2. No Country For Old Men

It’s the ending that raises this film to the level of masterpiece. For the first two acts, the Coens make a measured, tense thriller rooted in physicality, with riveting but easily comprehendible situations. Then, the film takes a sharp left turn in its viewpoint, but not its subject matter, forcing us to reevaluate the thematics of what we’ve seen in a way we wouldn’t have expected- it’s about a man’s change in worldview, and how he achieves peace with himself internally, by changing the way he sees things, instead of finding closure physically. It’s a cerebral ending, and a challenging one for most audiences; at first glance it feels unresolved, but in reality it couldn’t be moreso. The film is not exactly very approachable or entertaining, but the execution of the scenes, performances, and in particular, the script, really couldn’t be any better.

3. Zodiac

If you forgot about this film, it’s time to see it again. Another reviewer wrote that if if Fight Club was Fincher’s rock’n'roll masterpiece, this is his twelve-part symphony. Like Oliver Stone’s JFK, the film mines its subject matter for all it’s worth, thereby becoming the definitive last word on its subject (the investigation of the Zodiac murders in 1970s San Francisco). Certainly serial killer movies will continue to be made, but they will be difficult to take seriously in light of this film, which, finally, exposes the true nature of investigative police work and journalism- it is tedious, exhausting, sometimes never-ending- an arduous numbing of the soul. The film is not so much about the Zodiac himself, but about the people who fell to the psychological toll of pursuiing him; one by one they drop out of the picture, until only one (Jake Gyllenhal) is unable to give up, having lost the rest of his life long ago. It’s a bleak picture, but a valuable and cautionary one. Writers will take pleasure in its detail and measured pacing, and especially for its unique inverted-pyramid structure- you’ll know what I mean when you see it.

4. American Gangster

Ridley Scott’s so good that when he turns in another masterpiece, people shrug their shoulders. His new film is as good as any of his others, and well worth the time of any serious filmgoer; the film’s incredibly dense, intricate plotting is reminiscent of JFK. Indeed, Gangster holds the record for the film with the most locations (180). Steven Zaillian’s script takes a unique approach- dozens (about 350, in the shooting script) of very short scenes, many of them without dialogue, sketch together a detailed portrait of two like-minded workaholics on very different career paths.

The two characters seem similar to others we’ve seen before, but there are subtle differences that make them very different. Lucas (Washington) is oblivious to the glamourous side of ‘the life,’ seeing it merely as a lucrative but exhausting business venture; he has conversations with associates not about fast cars or women, but about exclusivity rights and trademark infringement. Roberts is of the same breed, with a little more humanity; both of them define themselves by what they do. Contrary to popular consensus, Crowe’s character is almost more interesting than Washington’s- we wonder what makes him so doggedly honest. Could it be the same vision of the possibilities of America that he shares with Lucas, but from a different angle? A film that stimulates such questions should not be ignored.

I should also note the tremendous performance by Washington; watch him at the moment when he first sees Russell Crowe. You can read a dozen emotions on his face in the space of a few seconds. And then there is the direction- each successive film Ridley makes further cements his status as one of the premier visual stylists of our time. The communicative power of the cinematography, the use of music, the layered but followable script, the sheer size of the picture- it’s all impeccable, and very much deserving of the iconic title.

5. The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford

What lingers in the mind is not the story or plotting, but the atmosphere. This is a film about that which is nearly intangible- the unspoken inner thoughts of others, the gradual shifts in the mind that lead a man to do something he originally couldn’t dream of. Scenes drift past us, at first appearing inconsequential, but in hindsight revealing exactly what we needed to know. The title of the picture tells the what and who; the film tells us the how and the why. The performances by both leads are award-worthy, although the film has somehow been passed over this awards season, despite its undeniable if unique quality.

6. I’m Not There

The film is just like Bob Dylan- frustrating but brilliant, complex but engrossing, always at the cusp of being comprehendible. Most importantly of all- it’s completely uncategorizable. The more you know about Dylan, the more comprehensible the film is, and the more one can appreciate the novel approach (six actors, including an 11-year black boy and Cate Blanchett, portray various sides of the Dylan persona). The fact that the movie actually manages to make any sense at all is a testament to the talent of the filmmakers. Todd Haynes’ direction is highly energetic and hugely ambitious; the visuals are many and varied in their approach. You don’t watch this movie so much as wander around in it- and that’s a good thing. The performances are uniformly excellent, especially Blanchett as the 1960s-era Bob Dylan.

7. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly

Large portions of the film are shot exclusively from the point of view of the protagonist’s left eye- the only part of his body that hasn’t been paralyzed. There are lots of movies about paraplegics; you’ve never seen one like this. Vibrant colors and beautiful compositions leap off the screen; American painter Julian Schnabel’s direction is in-your-face outstanding. Somehow, the film manages to be very uplifting, despite its subject matter. The film concerns the man’s coming to terms with his new state of living, somehow still finding some humor and joy in life. The picture is based on the life of a French editor of Elle magazine, who, upon being paralyzed, dictated his entire autobiography by blinking his left eye.

8. Into The Wild

A fantastically involving picture. Penn’s direction is remarkably fluid, and the questions the story posits are relevant to so many of us; we are allowed to consider the character’s ideas and actions on their own terms, and come to our own conclusions about life. One of the most thought-provoking and deeply rewarding cinematic experiences of the year.

9. Juno

How rare- a comedy made with attention to human nature, exploring its characters not just for laughs but for the same insight we gain from watching dramas. There is a humanity lurking under the too-cool exterior of Juno, and you can sense traces of it in the nuances of Ellen Page’s incredible performance; her quirkiness and ironic attitude conceal something that is never shown in the film, but clearly sensed. It’s a remarkably difficult role. Also rare in a teenage comedy- Juno actually seems like her parent’s child, and we can see where she learned to be the smartass that she is. The drama of the story is real, and earned, and by the end, we feel we’ve been somewhere. The same can’t be said for most comedies today. (Also worth noting: when was the last time you saw a *cool* stepmom in a movie??)

10. Michael Clayton / Atonement / The Bourne Ultimatum

All three films are pitch-perfect examples of their respective genres, and represent filmmakers working at the top of their craft. Gilroy’s Michael Clayton is the best legal picture since Mann’s The Insider, and is astonishingly well written and directed for a first timer; Atonement is a period piece with a very unique story focus (neither of the lead actors are the main characters) and very, very sharp editing and direction; with Bourne Ultimatum, Greengrass has all but perfected his style, shooting a studio tentpole sequel as if it was an indie docudrama; the film is made of three chase sequences, and he injects them with a realism that can’t be achieved any other way. His editing is disorienting but intricate; notice how flows of motion are started in one shot but are almost never continued in the next. The best action picture in several years.

Other comments

Sicko

Great, mostly non-partisan documentary that makes you want to move to France.

Transformers

The fulfillment of Michael Bay’s promise to cinema- beautiful, exquisitely photographed wall-to-wall kinetic movement, complete with laughable dialogue and story. It’s fantastic.

Gone Baby Gone

Ben Affleck’s (co)writing and direction is confident and mature, and best of all, understated. The script uses a crime drama as a template for exploring different, complex points of view on a certain aspect of the human condition.

La Vie En Rose

Nearly the best musical biopic that still uses the musical biopic template (that is, struggling artist makes big, takes drugs, does one last show); the overwhelming advantage here is total non-linearity, connecting scenes not by time but by emotion. Cotllard’s performance is outstanding. Also worth noting is the presence of some incredible dynamic tracking shots.

3:10 To Yuma

Another genre picture that works very well without breaking out of the bounds of its mold. The film is about as good as it could be as such. Worth mentioning is the humanity of the Christian Bale character, and the dynamic between the two leads.

Reign Over Me

A brilliant first hour, very affecting in its realistic approach of a unique dilemma studiously avoided in the movies; the remainder of the picture unfortunately dissolves into typical studio melodrama. A massively unrealistic courtroom scene near the end takes the cake.

Across The Universe

Well worth it for its ambition and creativity;

Hot Fuzz

Another excellent comedy with good characters, albeit a good deal more frivolous, and gory, than Juno; it kicks into high gear in the last half hour. A good number of unmissable scenes.

300

Glorified nihilism at its worst. The film wallows in stereotypes and prejudices, positing psychotic violence as a premier problem-solving tool and worse, a cause for glory. It isn’t that the film’s characters are morally repugnant, although they are; it’s that the film takes a stance that glorifies their outlook. Only in post 9-11 America could a picture like this be so well-received. I recognize its many strong points (the visuals are undeniably great), and want to like the picture, but am unable to get past its non-relation to reality. I should stress that despite that, it is not, however, a bad film by any means.

Beowulf

People will laugh about this film in times to come- indeed, some already are. Zemeckis has miraculously forgotten how to make the masterpieces for which he is famous, choosing instead to turn a piece of epic literature into a short, action-fluff piece that doesn’t even work on its own terms. 3D effects are particularly risible, essentially emphasizing foreground/background contrasts, throwing the swishing arrow in every now and then. The novelty wears off fast, and 3D shots thrown in for their own sake will seem extraneous and oddly paced on the 2D dvd.

The Kingdom

A surprising disappointment. The film dares to simplify America’s involvement in Iraq, and all the complexities involved, into a big-budget version of CSI. The story and imagery, at times, smacks of blatant wish-fulfillment, particularly in the climactic gun battle. The opening credits set us up for a story that builds upon the complicated, violent history of Saudi Arabia, but only offers us a peek in the film’s final 30 seconds. The rest is a (very) well-executed version of a mediocre and irrelevant story- not something promised in the film’s opening.

Grindhouse

Ebert writes, “This evocation of a grindhouse may have existed somewhere, sometime, but my movie-going reaches back to before either director was born, and I have never witnessed a double bill and supporting program much like the one they have created…. “Grindhouse” is an attempt to re-create a double feature that never existed for an audience that no longer exists.” He is right, but the films stand on their own, even if their origins don’t. Rodriguez understands the appeal of the “good bad film,” and offers an excellent one with Planet Terror, which involves zombies, Bin Laden assassins, barbeques and small motorcycles; Tarantino’s segment is actually intended to be a good movie- which it is- and focuses on too-hip dialogue, female feet, a kinetic car chase, and some fairly disturbing violence that is ambiguous in its intent on the viewer. An excellent, unique package, overflowing with its filmmakers’ creativity and love for their medium.

The Savages

Hoffman nails it, again. Linney proves herself once more. Tamara Jenkins’ script moves well, exploring an unexplored but universal topic (what do we do with our aging parents?) with detail and good humor.

Eastern Promises

Cronenberg’s non-direction appears as a missed opportunity at first sight, but upon further reflection is quite effective. His use of slightly wider-angle lenses and compositions that center shoulders instead of heads doesn’t even register on first viewing. He infuses a subtle sense of dread through mostly indiscernible means; he pointedly asks us to wonder what the different characters are thinking, a task many filmgoers may not be accustomed to. Note the way he reveals that one of the characters is homosexual. The use of readings from a diary, peripherally related to all the characters, is timed to suggest the inner motivations of the characters then onscreen. A unique, film-going experience. Worth mentioning is the climactic (and unending) bathhouse fight, which shows us the visceral vulnerability of close combat in ways we’ve definitely haven’t seen before.

Comedies can win Oscars, or at least Golden Globes. Foreign films get their own category. So, aside from family films, the one genre that never gets much recognition other than through box office dollars is the action movie genre. Action films have become blurred with thrillers recently, as Hollywood has leaned more toward serious, realistic action-thrillers over kick-ass explosion-filled extravaganzas. This list includes some of those, but 2007 saw the reemergence of some bad ass action films.

And no, Spider-Man 3 is not on the list. Here are the top ten action movies of 2007:

1. Transformers (2007)
   The top five action movies of 2007 are pretty close to one another, and the top three are almost interchangeable. But there’s no denying that the film with the biggest impact over the summer was an explosive action film that had fan boys salivating and even regular audience members blown away by spectacular visual effects and a finale that all but destroys Los Angeles. The movie was plagued with some annoying dialogue and other screenplay issues, but Michael Bay’s action sequences overcame those flaws to make Transformers the best action movie of 2007.
2. 300 (2007)
   Coming in a very close second place is 300, a movie from Dawn of the Dead director Zach Snyder. 300 could have been a complete disaster, but Snyder made the movie a visual feast. Some people complained that the movie had a lot more talking than fighting, but I found it to have the perfect balance of politics, drama, visuals and action. 300 is by far and away the most visually original picture of 2007, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Visual Effects Oscar gets handed out – on the one hand, Transfomers offered seamless visuals; on the other, 300 was one long special effect that defied expectations and made the film the biggest hit of the first four months of the year.
3. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
   The smartest action film in the top three, the third Bourne film places third simply because I thought The Bourne Supremacy was slightly better. The Bourne Ultimatum felt a bit like it was re-treading on the second film’s originality only with a less interesting plot, but I only say that because Supremacy is one of my all-time favorite action films. Ultimatum is still a great action movie, and continues to prove that Matt Damon can be an action hero, and a damn intimidating one to boot.
4. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
   Despite going way too over the top at times (the fighter jet blowing up a billion dollars worth of highway, for instance), the fourth Die Hard movie was everything fans were expecting and waiting for. People had all but given up on the chance that they would indeed make a fourth movie, but Bruce Willis brought his rugged John McClain back to theaters one more time. The movie is one long action sequence, and while it is hit a bit by the fact that it is rated PG-13, it is still a pretty brutal thrill ride. At the very least, it was refreshing to return to the action films of old, where tough guys did tough things.
5. No Country for Old Men (2007)
   Who knew that a major Best Picture contender would end up on a Top Ten list for Best Action Movie? Regardless, No Country for Old Men, from the Coen Brothers, is one of the most exciting movies I’ve seen in a long time. Not your typical action film, the Coen Brothers fill their film with an impending sense of dread, and give us one of the scariest and most ruthless villains ever witnessed on the silver screen. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t end the way most of us would have liked – otherwise, this film could have been a lot higher on this list.
6. Shooter (2007)
   Items six through ten aren’t nearly as good as items one through five, but are still good entries for those looking for mindless entertainment. Shooter is a pretty mindless film that tries to cover some idiocies with a political assassination and conspiracy storyline, which, for the most part, works well enough. Mark Wahlberg does a good job in the lead, and Shooter offers plenty of action and intrigue. It’s not a great movie, but it’s still better than most action movies we get these days.
7. 28 Weeks Later (2007)
   Okay, so 28 Weeks Later is technically a horror movie, or at the very least a zombie movie, but as far as excitement goes, it’s a great little film. The movie didn’t receive very good reviews nor box office revenues, but this zombie sequel is exciting and suspenseful from the first minute to the last. The opening sequence is great, and the film is full of exciting moments.
8. Vacancy (2007)
   It’s been a while since I last saw this thriller, but I had to put it on the list anyway. It’s not an action movie per se, but it is action-packed, so I think it deserves a place. Starring the unlikely combination of Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale as a nearly divorced couple, Vacancy is about two people who find themselves trapped at the hotel from Hell. The movie is exciting from beginning to the end, minus the last two minutes, which are just dreadful. Still, I hadn’t sat on the edge of my seat like this in a long time.
9. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
   I wasn’t crazy about the ending of this one either, but there’s no denying that 3:10 to Yuma is still a thoroughly entertaining film. Starring the great combination of Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, the western remake offers a complicated and disturbing villain (Crowe), some good action scenes and several other exciting moments. If anyone still thinks that westerns are out of date, 3:10 to Yuma is just one of many recent westerns that proves them wrong.
10. The Kingdom (2007)
    This one wasn’t as good as I was hoping it would be, but The Kingdom has some great action, especially toward the end. Somehow this movie, which featured some pretty spectacular trailers and a quality cast, flopped in theaters despite having everything that action audiences require. The shortcoming of the film is that the screenplay isn’t nearly as good as it should have been, given the material.

Other movies that almost made the list: Planet Terror, Death Proof and Smokin’ Aces. The two Grindhouse films were both thoroughly entertaining and offered some good action, while Smokin’ Aces was entertaining but not quite as action packed as I was hoping for.

Why wasn’t Spider-Man 3 on the list? Because it just wasn’t that good of a movie. Harry Potter? Not nearly as good as the other movies (and not really an action movie). Pirates of the Caribbean? That movie just sucked. Fantastic Four 2? Enough said.

Just so everyone knows, I updated my Top Ten Movies of 2007 List. I forgot to put Once on the list, and if you’ve seen Once, you know that’s a movie that deserves to be recognized. The movie, about a street musician and an immigrant who strike up a relationship to work on producing an album of the musician’s work, is incredibly simple yet absolutely intriguing at the same time. The song, nominated for an Oscar, is one of the greatest songs to grace the silver screen in a long time.

Read my Once movie review, or take a look at my updated Best Movies of 2007 list.

With Christian Bale being selected to play John Conner in the new Terminator movie, I figured it was time to do a top ten list for this rising actor. For years, Bale has been on the fringe of fame and popularity, and it appears that he is finally breaking into the A-list. If you look back on his career, you’ll realize that Bale chooses his films very wisely for the most part (neither Harsh Times or Captain Corelli’s Mandolin were very good, though).

The movies are ranked on a combination of his performance, the size of his role and the quality of the film overall. Without further ado, here are the top ten movies of Christian Bale’s career:

1. American Psycho
   This satirical drama put Christian Bale on the map as a man obsessed with appearance and reputation, and with killing people in very brutal ways. While some people were put off by the not-quite-literal movie, no one can deny that Christian Bale turned in an Oscar-worthy performance.
2. Batman Begins
   The combination of Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale, along with a cast where every single major player had been nominated for an Oscar other than Katie Holmes, revived the Batman franchise and is arguably the best, if not at least one of the best, comic book adaptations ever. Between Nolan and Bale, the character of Bruce Wayne has never been more realistic or deep.
3. The Prestige
   It took me a second viewing to really appreciate this film, but The Prestige (directed by Batman Begins‘ Christopher Nolan) is a great character study set against a revenge/murder plot. Bale is terrific, and while it was not the kind of movie that would evoke awards, it shows his taste for smart, edgy films.
4. Rescue Dawn
   Few people have seen this war drama as of yet, but Bale is excellent as a real-life pilot who is captured in Vietnam and held in a prisoner’s camp for several years. Funny and powerful at the same time, Rescue Dawn is one of the best movies of 2007.
5. The Machinist
   The movie isn’t completely extraordinary, but the transformation Bale put himself through to become the tragic protagonist shows his dedication to his movies: he lost a record 63 pounds down to a startling 120 pounds. His performance is also quite memorable, too.
6. Newsies
   A lot of you may not realize that Bale is the lead actor in Newsies, the 1992 film about turn-of-the-century kids who sell newspapers. This was one of my favorite films as a kid, and is still a quality musical that stands the test of time.
7. I’m Not There
   Still out in theaters, I’m Not There tells the story of Bob Dylan in a very odd way. While Cate Blanchett overshadows for her portrayal of the artist, Bale, in a lesser role, is also quite good. At the very least, the movie is one of the most unique films ever made, and shows Bale’s capabilities in identifying as such.
8. 3:10 to Yuma
   A classic western made in 2007, 3:10 to Yuma has Bale up against Russell Crowe. While Crowe steals the show, Bale still is a solid edition and is one of the main reasons audiences were lured to theaters. The movie is pretty good, too.
9. Equilibrum
   One of the best action movies to never get a major theatrical release, Bale stars as an assassin in a future, Big Brother society who decides to turn on his handlers and join the rebellion. Spectacular visual effects and direction have Equilibrium rivaling The Matrix, which is not an easy task.
10. Shaft
    A pretty good reimagining of Shaft that never got the recognition it deserved, some may forget that Christian Bale played the ruthless villain in the movie. His character here is not unlike his rich-but-vicious character in American Psycho, but that’s a good thing.

Other honorable mentions are Reign of Fire, a surprisingly good dragon movie that also didn’t get the recognition it deserved (watch it a couple times and you’ll see what I mean), Howl’s Moving Castle, a movie you can’t really credit to Bale even though he did do voice work for the American version and The New World, my Best Movie of the 2005. The only reason The New World isn’t on the list is that Bale has a smaller role and I had completely forgotten he was even in it.

We’ll ignore the fact he did voice work for Pocahontas, my most hated cartoons ever.

December. It is the perfect month for movies. It is in this month where some of the best movies of the year are released (though for many, they don’t arrive until January). Below is a list of my top ten most anticipated movies of December 2007, in reverse order. These movies may be Oscar contenders, or they may just look entertaining, but they are the films I’m most excited about. Granted, some smaller release pictures may pop up that I can’t anticipate, but take it or leave it.

10. The Bucket List

The Bucket List doesn’t look particularly interesting to me, but you can never rule out the combination of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman come December. The movie has the chance of being this year’s As Good As it Gets, as it looks to be a blend of comedy and drama. The plot probably involves at least one of the characters dying at the end, but having a blast and hitting on young girls up until that point. The feel good movie of the year? Maybe.

9. Aliens vs. Predator Requiem

I definitely didn’t think this one would ever make any top ten lists. The first Alien vs. Predator was a God-awful, laughable mess, but I have to admit that its sequel, Aliens vs Predator Requiem (what does “Requiem” indicate?), with a different director and different cast, looks a lot better. The movie appears to be a lot grittier, a little more grounded in reality (as much as it can be), and a whole lot bloodier. Unlike the first one, the studio wisely made this sequel R-rated, which means a lot more gore. Aliens, Predators and gore is enough for me… I’m sold!

8. Charlie Wilson’s War

A big Oscar contender lies in Charlie Wilson’s War, a movie starring Tom Hanks as a politician who starts his own war and relief mission. The movie is directed by Mike Nichols, who hasn’t really proven himself as an especially powerful director with a few notable exceptions (The Graduate and Closer) come to mind. More intriguing to audiences will be that the movie is written by Aaron Sorkin, best known for “The West Wing”. The cast isn’t too shabby, either… Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman and others come to mind… Overall, this has the potential to be very good, though the trailers have been a little underwhelming. While it looks good, is it good enough to be an Oscar contender? That remains to be seen…

7. Cassandra’s Dream

Fans may be tired of Woody Allen films, but Allen has proven that when he stays away from comedy, he can deliver fresh and meaningful stuff. Following Match Point, a movie I consider to be excellent, Cassandra’s Dream is about two brothers (Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor) who get hired by a relative (Tom Wilkinson) to kill some dude. The movie is a thriller/drama about decisions that can affect the rest of your life. The movie looks dark and relatively gritty, and I’m definitely looking forward to this one.

6. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Love it or hate it? Really good or really bad? This one’s going to be divisive, and is definitely one of the riskier pictures of Tim Burton’s career. Then again, are movies really risky when they look like a Burton film and star Johnny Depp as a really weird and twisted character? It’s been a while since we’ve seen Burton and Depp together, and Depp looking like something closer to his Edward Scissorhand days, and that’s refreshing. Then again, it’s a musical, and that will be a challenge for Burton. Basically, this movie could be really good or really bad, and there’s only one way to find out.

5. The Golden Compass

The movie was heavily promoted over the summer, but since then I really haven’t seen much if any advertisements for this fantasy film, but New Line is certainly looking to capitalize on a lack of fantasy kids films. New Line has to be worried as several films from the same genre have struggled this year, with exception to Harry Potter, of course. The movie looks pretty good, and is one of the few blockbuster-type films this year. Reviews may make or break this one, however.

4. I Am Legend

Will Smith. Action. Sci-fi. It’s a pretty safe bet, even when Smith is the only actor on screen most of the time. The teaser trailer was top notch and quite creepy; the later trailers have revealed the mutated humans (zombies?) to be fast-moving CGI creatures, which have dampened my excitement a little bit. The special effects aside, the movie still looks like a lot of fun, and even if it isn’t a masterpiece, Smith has proven that he can make even so-so movies entertaining (I, Robot comes to mind).

3. Juno

This movie has more Oscar buzz around it than most, and could end up being the Little Miss Sunshine of 2007. My brother has already seen it and says it’s great, and I tend to trust his judgment 95% of the time. The previews are funny and quirky, and considering that there seems to be a real lack of quality comedies right now (Lars and the Real Girl and The Savages being comparable exceptions), this may find both critical and box office success.

2. Atonement

Another film with a lot of Oscar buzz, Atonement has received some great reviews, stars Kiera Knightley (always a plus) and is directed by the guy who brought us the most recent adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which was surprisingly well done. That combination, served up with another period piece story about two lovers who are betrayed by a jealous young girl, has me intrigued to see exactly what this movie is going to be like. Thus, Atonement is high on my list.

1. There Will Be Blood

This is my personal pick for Best Picture. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but if There Will Be Blood is not worthy of a Best Picture Oscar, I will be disappointed. I realize I’m setting myself up for disappointment here. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia) and starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine), the movie looks absolutely stellar. It’s going to be dark, gritty and powerful if I have anything to do with it, and even from the previews it appears there are Oscar nominations in sight for both Day-Lewis and young Dano. At the very least, Dano’s performance could be a break-out one.

Note: Two movies that would appear on this list if not for the fact that they are released in late November, not December, are The Savages (Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman in a comedy-drama) and Awake (a B-grade thriller that happens to look pretty entertaining and star Jessica Alba).