My Top 10 Movies of 2007

By Caleb S. Garcia

My compliments to 2007 for being a great year of cinematic sensation. Like most years there were many good and bad films, but let’s focus on the theatrical experiences that provoked deep thinking, entertained the mind and redefined quality and originality.

10) Ocean’s Thirteen (B+)

 In a year of many part threes, the third installment of the Ocean’s franchise rains victorious and also brings sweet redemption after the lackluster part two. In a year where Aptow and crew ruled the box office, the Ocean’s cast and crew echoed back to the original’s charm and genius as they maintained their knack for comedy and sweet use of star power.

9) Amazing Grace (B+)

Beyond being a period piece about the morally admirable William Wilberforce and his quest to stop the slave trade in Great Britain, this film is a work of quality. It’s not going to be up there with Braveheart and whatnot but actor Ioan Gruffudd does a great job as the lead and the story is exceptional and emotionally moving; it’s a notable message film.  

8) 3:10 to Yuma (B+)

The Western lives again in this superb remake where Christian Bale and Russell Crow dive into the characters quite well. What can I say? Virtually everything is solid and works. The directing is sharp, the story was even educational, and it’s an all around cool deal where you see people pushed to extremes. It’s what you want in a Western.

7) 300 (B+)

The awesomeness of this film will go down in history. Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, the soft focus, paint like look of the movie ruled and the glorious and bloody action was wonderful. The cultural impact is notable, just typing in “300” on you-tube will result in a plethora of fan made spoofs that will keep you rolling on the floor.

6) Lions for Lambs (B+)

I can already feel the heat of disagreement on this one. In a season of political dramas this movie stands out as is fallows three different stories which feature the “near holy trinity” of Cruise, Streep and Redford. The film was short but contained insightful dialogue and in a scene where the professor is lecturing the class I even recognized an old classmate in the background, so nice.

5) Charlie Wilson’s War (B+)

“Oh bye, bye Miss American pie…” that’s a song that was in the trailer, but unfortunately not in the flicka, but none-the-less captures the feel of the film. Hanks just delivers in everything and these characters take you on a fun, slick and neat ride through the Afghan / Soviet covert war of the 80s with all the highs and lows involved.   

4) Michael Clayton (A-)

Stylization people, stylization. This film has a hidden goodness about it and picked up 7 academy award nominations. Among these, Tom Wilkinson (yea FALCONE) steals the scene as “Shiva the god of death” as works superb opposite Clooney as one tries to unravel the mystery and “running through the forest” goodness of this film.   

3) No Country for Old Men (A-)

Initially this film made me curse on the inside and want to strangle the person next to me. Then after the water settled, and I read a few critics, and saw the 8 academy award nominations, I realized the quality that the Cohen brothers brought to this eerie, scary, strange and great use of quiet story. Of course the end can be frustrating (and reminds me of Scoop) but the overall sucker-punch in the gut and the bone chilling psycho Chigurh makes it perhaps the year’s finest quality film.    

2) Juno (A-)

So I guess Fox Searchlight has a good track record. Juno took the nation by storm and is a great example of why indies are raining supreme. The female lead and all the characters are very defined, smart and original. The story is simple but told with great detail and has a relatable factor. The film is not overrated and is a words-fall-short joy to behold.   

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1) American Gangster (A-)    

I realize that as soon as I put this as my number one, some think I lose a sense of credibility. In truth, I believe this film to be A- quality and was very impressed with it. I think Ridley Scott got kind of jacked in the Oscars but that’s life. The film gave us two powerhouse actors that delivered and a story about the high stakes involved with drug smuggling and busting the smugglers. Say what you will, but Gangster rocked.   

        Thanks for reading!