Dice’s Favorite 25 Movies of 2007
(These are, in order, the 25 movies I enjoy, respect, desire, and love the most that I saw for the first time in the calender year 2007)
* possible objectionable content warning
Honorable Mentions:
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25. Transformers – This is the kind of movie I usually swoon over for it’s big budget effects and explosions only to realize a year down the road that it’s not as good as I thought. However, even with a pretty great performance from man of the moment Shia, I only liked this one in bits and pieces. The main problem is that the new Transformers are over designed, too complicated when simple would have done the trick. It makes the plot difficult to follow even if some of the scenes are jaw dropping. Also, Bay revels way too much in the Jr. High sense of what’s funny. Still I almost bought it in HD pay per view just to see the visuals again, so it gets the last spot on the list.
24. Invincible – This is literally Rocky morphed to football. There are a lot of things to love about this movie including Mark Wahlberg’s understated genius. Also love the themes about friendship and heart, even if it does get a bit sappy at times.
23. Zodiac* – Probably the most deserving of the asterisk on the list. The content (mostly violence and language) makes this one hard to recommend except that it is one of the most engaging true stories I have ever seen on film. I can’t believe I had never heard of this case before, but I certainly will never forget about it now. Brilliantly written, directed, and acted as well.
22. Breach – This one caught me by complete surprise. I didn’t even add it immediately to my Netflix because it didn’t look like something I would care for. When a friend recommended it I gave it a look and loved it. Similar to Zodiac, it’s is a very compelling true story. It’s that kind of movie that you immediately google after watching to see more info on the real events it is based on. Chris Cooper is so good in this that he makes it appear effortless.
21. Stomp the Yard – OK fine, there’s always at least one guilty pleasure that sneaks onto my list (There are more coming, I promise). But this is my list and I know it sounds silly but I loved this movie. The critic in me can see that it’s fairly paint by numbers with some over the top dance movie cliches, but there is something so earnest about these performances that I was drawn in. I promise if they make Stompin’ 2:Electric Boogaloo I’ll have the good sense not to like it so much, but as it stands now, this stays on the list.
Back tomorrow with 20-16!