Al's Top Rated Films: 2007
One of the better years in the 2000s in my opinion. At least one big personal classic, and several others are close.
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- DirectorGreg MottolaStarsMichael CeraJonah HillChristopher Mintz-PlasseTwo co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.Hilarious coming-of-age high school comedy from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg about 2 best buddies who have to face the facts that their splitting up and going to different colleges in the final weeks before their senior year ends. With the help of their buddy Fogell, they seize the chance to supply the liquor for a huge party, to hopefully seal the deal with some choice females they have been chasing after. Many outrageously hysterical events and obstacles present themselves along the way. This isn't just your average high-school comedy. It is so well written, acted, and have a lot of originality and uniqueness when it comes to the dialogue. Michael Cera (Evan), Jonah Hill (Seth) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Fogell/McLovin) all deliver some of their all-time best performances. Bill Hader and Seth Rogen were great as the police officers. Emma Stone and Martha MacIsaac also had great supporting roles, among many others. Superb funky soundtrack as well. Classic flick for the genre.
- DirectorJames MangoldStarsRussell CroweChristian BaleBen FosterA small-time rancher agrees to hold a captured outlaw who's awaiting a train to go to court in Yuma. A battle of wills ensues as the outlaw tries to psych out the rancher.Superb modern western from James Mangold set in 1884 Arizona, and follows a Civil War veteran and honest cattle rancher named Dan Evans. His family's drought-ridden land is about to be overthrown by a greedy railroad tycoon named Bisbee, and he needs to come up with money fast before they lose their land and home altogether. After he runs into a conflict with an infamous outlaw and gunfighter named Ben Wade and his gang during one of their robberies, he agrees to help Bisbee and other lawmen in the dangerous task of escorting Wade to Contention City where he'll board the 3:10 train to Yuma Prison, for a fee of $200. While he needs the money, he also wants a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of his son William, as well as his wife and younger son. This is my first time seeing Christian Bale and Russell Crowe in a western, and they both delivered a couple of their all-time best lead performances. Ben Foster also delivers a fantastic starring role, along with the young Logan Lerman. Dallas Roberts, Peter Fonda, Alan Tudyk, Luce Rains, Gretchen Mol, Kevin Durand, Chad Brummett, Luke Wilson, Benjamin Petry, and others had great roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorSean PennStarsEmile HirschVince VaughnCatherine KeenerAfter graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.Fantastic and inspiring adventure-filled biopic from Sean Penn about a man named Christopher McCandless. After he graduates at the top of his class from Emory University, he abandons all his possessions, gives all his money to charity, and embarks on an incredible journey as he hitchhikes his way too Alaska to live off the land in the wilderness. Along his journey, he meets plenty of interesting characters that help shape his philosophy on living his new life. Emile Hirsch's delivered his all-time best performance. I can't imagine anyone playing the role better. Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Brian H. Dierker, Hal Holbrook, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, and others had great supporting roles. Superb soundtrack/score from Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
- DirectorKasi LemmonsStarsDon CheadleChiwetel EjioforBruce McFeeThe story of Washington D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist in the 1960s.Fantastic historical biopic from Kasi Lemmons that follows the life of ex-con Ralph "Petey" Greene, who became a wildly popular radio personality in Washington D.C. during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, by bringing the brutal and honest truths about society and black issues to light. It also follows his friend and manager Dewey Hughes; who gave him his shot WOL-AM radio, and led him down a path of superstardom until they both realize they were striving for different goals in the process. Don Cheadle delivered his all-time best lead performance in my opinion. He was perfect for the role. Much of the same could be said for Chiwetel Ejiofor, who also delivered an excellent and complex lead role. They both had great chemistry throughout the picture. Taraji P. Henson, Martin Sheen, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, and others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorDenzel WashingtonStarsDenzel WashingtonForest WhitakerKimberly EliseA drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.Fantastic biopic on the story of Melvin B. Tolson—a professor at Wiley College Texas with a revolutionary and sometimes radical philosophy who coaches a nearly undefeated debate team in 1935–1936—making them the first African-American students to debate with white students at white colleges. It leads up to a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to debate Harvard University's national champions. Powerful story with great writing, acting, and direction from Denzel Washington himself. He also delivered a superb lead performance. Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, and Forest Whitaker also had fantastic lead performances. Jermaine Williams, Gina Ravera, John Heard, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.Excellent crime/drama/thriller from the Coen brothers set in rural Texas, about a hunter that stumbles upon a drug deal that went horribly wrong—leaving everyone dead or nearly dead. There's also a satchel filled with $2 million, which he takes at the risk of somebody murdering him for it. Soon, a maniacal killer is hot on his tracks, and will stop at nothing to get the money back. Visually stunning and very well-written and acted. It's also unique for not having a traditional music soundtrack...which makes all the other sounds more impactful, thrilling and frightening. Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin all had excellent lead performances. Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, Stephen Root, and others had great roles among the supporting cast.
- DirectorMike BinderStarsAdam SandlerDon CheadleJada Pinkett SmithA man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate. Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help the man recover from his grief.Excellent drama about a man who lost his wife and three daughters in the September 11th airplane crash attack on New York City in 2001. He's suffering from severe post traumatic stress syndrome, and avoids memories and painful thoughts as much as possible. Having no friends or anyone to talk to, he runs into his old dental college roommate, and they rekindle their friendship, which is the only thing that's helped the man since losing his family. Great story about grief, family, loss, love, and friendship. Adam Sandler blew my mind once again with another superb dramatic performance. The same could be said for Don Cheadle's complex performance. Liv Tyler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Melinda Dillon, Robert Klein, and Mike Binder all had great roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsMorgan FreemanEd HarrisCasey AffleckTwo Boston area detectives investigate a little girl's kidnapping, which ultimately turns into a crisis both professionally and personally.Fantastic crime drama/mystery written and directed by Ben Affleck, which follows two Boston private detectives as they investigate the disappearance of a 4-year-old girl, who are chosen to work the case because of their familiarity of the family's tough Boston neighborhood. As they make progress in the case, it seems the probability the girl is still alive is very slim—until they bust the case wide open—which reveals a mysterious plot-twist and drama-filled ending. Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan are great together, and both arguably deliver their best lead performances. Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, John Ashton, Amy Ryan, Amy Madigan, Titus Welliver, Edi Gathegi, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsPhilip Seymour HoffmanEthan HawkeAlbert FinneyWhen two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelry store the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that sends them, their father and one brother's wife barreling towards a shattering climax.Excellent crime drama from Sidney Lumet that follows two brothers in desperate need of cash, who decide to rob the small jewelry store their mom and dad own. Knowing the setup and security, they plan to get away with $600,000 while their parents collect the insurance money—a scenario where everybody wins. Plans end up changing and the robbery goes horrifically wrong, which creates a domino effect of heartbreak, drama, and deadly chaos. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, and Marisa Tomei all deliver excellent lead performances—arguably their best. Albert Finney, Amy Ryan, Michael Shannon, Aleksa Palladino, Brían F. O'Byrne, Rosemary Harris, Blaine Horton, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsKurt RussellZoë BellRosario DawsonTwo separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.Unique, action-packed, and underrated Quentin Tarantino crime thriller that sets up two very different correlating stories in which a group of beautiful young women are stalked by a former Hollywood stuntman, who uses his reinforced 1969 Dodge Charger to lure, frighten, and kill his victims. I Love the low budget Grindhouse feel. The dialogue and feel of the film is very different, with lots of unexpected turns and an absolutely superb ending. Kurt Russell delivers one of his best performances in my book. He was awesome. Zoë Bell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, and Rose McGowan all has great roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsGlen HansardMarkéta IrglováHugh WalshA modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.Fantastic music-inspired drama/romance from John Carney set in Dublin, Ireland, and follows a singer/songwriter street musician and vacuum cleaner repairman named Guy. Guy regularly plays his heart out on the street to earn some extra income, with songs inspired by a heart-breaking relationship he's been suffering with for years. He catches the eye and ear of a poor Czech immigrant and street flower salesman named Girl, who's immediately taken with his music and initiates a friendship. Their relationship grows organically when he discovers she is also a singer/songwriter/piano player, and they make gorgeous music together. While he begins to fall in love with her, Girl has a husband and a daughter, which complicates the situation for both of them as they continue to make beautiful music. Fantastic story with a great unknown cast that are directed perfectly by John Carney. None of the roles are overdone, and it's just a moving a fantastic love story throughout. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová both delivered excellent lead performances, along with a great supporting cast.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsJake GyllenhaalRobert Downey Jr.Mark RuffaloBetween 1968 and 1983, a San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified individual who terrorizes Northern California with a killing spree.Fascinating and excellent crime drama/mystery from David Fincher that follows an eccentric cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle, who becomes obsessed with obsessed with researching and investigating events surrounding the Zodiac Killer—an unidentified serial killer who torments police with letters and mysterious messages. It follows several investigators and newspeople tirelessly looking to crack the case, which is much of an unsolved mystery to this day. Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Edwards all deliver great lead performances. Brian Cox, John Carroll Lynch, Elias Koteas, Donal Logue, Lee Norris, Patrick Scott Lewis, Pell James, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorAndrew DominikStarsBrad PittCasey AffleckSam ShepardRobert Ford, who has idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the resurgent gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.Excellent western and historical biopic that follows the last 7 months in the life of infamous outlaw, Jesse James. It also follows the story of Robert Ford, who had idolized Jesse his whole life, and wanted nothing more than to be part of the James Gang. When his wishes are refused, he becomes increasingly jealous and hateful of Jesse throughout the story, which leads up to Jesse's eventual demise—and shines a new cowardly light on Robert Ford. Brad Pitt delivered one of his finest performances as Jesse James, but Casey Affleck is arguably steals the show with his fantastic Oscar-nominated performance as Robert Ford. It's arguably his best role. Sam Rockwell, Jeremy Renner, Sam Shepard, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Schneider, Mary-Louise Parker, and others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsDaniel Day-LewisPaul DanoCiarán HindsA story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.Powerful drama from Paul Thomas Anderson starting in 1898, about a merciless silver miner (Daniel Plainview) who moves to California to prospect for oil, and ends up buying up local land and paying next to nothing for it. It also follows one of the men who he swindled land from—a local preacher and faith-healer (Eli Sunday) who combats Daniel's motives, and wants to build his own religious empire while the locals see Daniel for the greed he really possesses. Daniel Day-Lewis only seems to take on epic roles like this, and he does a fantastic job transforming himself into Daniel Plainview. Paul Dano also delivered a superb lead performance. Dillon Freasier, Ciarán Hinds, Kevin J. O'Connor, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorJason ReitmanStarsElliot PageMichael CeraJennifer GarnerFaced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes a selfless decision regarding the unborn child.Hilarious and moving coming-of-age comedy drama from Jason Reitman that follows a quirky and eccentric 16-year-old high-school junior named Juno MacGuff, who gets pregnant after sleeping with her equally offbeat best friend, Paulie Bleeker. Her first thought is to get an abortion, but decides she can't go through with it after going to the free clinic. She then finds a young, wealthy, and happy looking couple who are desperate to have a baby in the classifieds, and decides to make a selfless decision and let this couple adopt the baby. Over the next 9 months, we see Juno struggling with school and social life as she balances her emotions over the pregnancy. Things are going fine until something unexpected happens with the adoptive parents, which heightens tensions. Excellent and extremely well done film with great dialogue and a very fitting soundtrack. Elliot Page delivers a fantastic lead performance. Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, and Allison Janney also have excellent starring roles. Olivia Thirlby, Eileen Pedde, Rainn Wilson, and many others also had great supporting roles.
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsMatt DamonEdgar RamírezJoan AllenJason Bourne dodges a ruthless C.I.A. official and his Agents from a new assassination program while searching for the origins of his life as a trained killer.Excellent sequel and the best film in the entire Bourne franchise in my book. Picking up the story from the last film, we find Jason Bourne coming out of hiding once again, and gets closer to uncovering his identity with the help of a London-based newspaper reporter. Meanwhile, the CIA still feels Bourne is a dangerous threat, as they make new plans to assassinate him before he recovers his identity. Matt Damon delivers one of best performances of all-time. Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Joan Allen, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney, Daniel Brühl, Scott Glenn, and others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsJack NicholsonMorgan FreemanSean HayesTwo terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die.Hilarious comedy drama/adventure about a rich white corporate billionaire (Edward) who must share room in the cancer ward with an African-American blue-collar mechanic (Carter). Edward immediately makes a fuss and objects—revealing his prejudice. Both of them are told they have less than a year to live. After hearing the news, Edward changes his mind about Carter, and they start talking, sharing stories, and become friends. Eventually they create a "bucket list" of everything they want to accomplish before they die, and set out on a hysterical fun-filled adventure. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are excellent together—great duo throughout the film. Sean Hayes is also solid among a great supporting cast.
- DirectorTamara JenkinsStarsLaura LinneyPhilip Seymour HoffmanPhilip BoscoA sister and brother face the realities of familial responsibility as they begin to care for their ailing father.Excellent comedy drama from Tamara Jenkins that follows a brother and sister named Wendy and Jon Savage who live in New York, and must pause their lives when their short-tempered Arizona-based estranged father starts showing classic signs of dementia. They haven't seen him in several years while he's been living with his girlfriend for the past 20 years—who also just died—which means Wendy and Jon must finally take responsibility for Lenny's life. They decide to bring him back to Buffalo and check him into a nursing home. They face troubling demons and self-discovery concerning their parents, upbringing and future lives as they care for him in his final days. Great story that feels real in every way. Laura Linney arguably delivers her all-time best lead performance, and Philip Seymour Hoffman also delivers the goods as he always does. They both had great chemistry together. Philip Bosco, Peter Friedman, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Cara Seymour, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsTom HanksJulia RobertsPhilip Seymour HoffmanA drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects.Excellent and fascinating biopic from Mike Nichols set in the early 1980s on the life and career of fun-loving, determined, and idealistic Texas congressman Charlie Wilson. With the help of a gorgeous and wealthy Christian conservative (Joanne Herring), he witnesses of the death, poverty, and terror the people in Afghanistan are facing while being occupied by the Soviet Union. From that point on, he makes it his mission to get the weapons and funds needed to Afghanistan needed to defeat the Soviet Union, who were also an enemy of the United States at the time. Fantastic writing, acting, and casting throughout. Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julia Roberts all deliver some of their finest lead performances of their careers. Amy Adams, Om Puri, Ken Stott, John Slattery, Emily Blunt, Christopher Denham, and others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsBruce WillisJustin LongTimothy OlyphantJohn McClane and a young hacker join forces to take down master cyber-terrorist Thomas Gabriel in Washington D.C.The 4th Die Hard movie is surprisingly excellent just like the 3 that came before it. I'd have to consider it one of the best action/thriller film series of all time. It's a rare feat to have this much excellence and cohesiveness for 4 films in a row. This installment follows John McClane 12 years after stopping Simon Gruber, and now finds him going up against a cyber-terrorist, which also involves his daughter. It's a nice change-up in formula from the first 3 films. Bruce Willis delivers an excellent performance as usual. Timothy Olyphant was also great, as was the young hacker, Justin Long. Maggie Q, Kevin Smith, and many others had nice supporting roles.
- DirectorJake KasdanStarsJohn C. ReillyJenna FischerDavid KrumholtzSinger Dewey Cox overcomes adversity to become a musical legend.Hilarious and uniquely done comedy and fictional biopic from Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan, about legendary musician Dewey Cox. Starting with brutal childhood trauma in 1946, the film tells the story of Dewey's rise to fame, his innovation of music styles, drug addiction, marriage problems, and his pursuit of his gorgeous loyal backup singer, Darlene. The movie is hysterical throughout with excellent dialogue and great characters. I'd have to say it's my favorite performance from John C. Reilly yet. He handles this epic role perfectly, and the songs he performs are actually quite excellent as well—giving the film a superb soundtrack that can be listened to on its own. Jenna Fischer was also fantastic as Darlene. Chris Parnell, Matt Besser, Tim Meadows, Kristen Wiig, Raymond J. Barry, Margo Martindale, Craig Robinson, Jack White, and others had great roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsSimon PeggNick FrostMartin FreemanAn overachieving London police sergeant is transferred to a village where the easygoing officers object to his fervor for regulations, all while a string of grisly murders strikes the town.Hilarious action-packed mystery from English comedy greats Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, which follows a skilled and dedicated London police officer who gets reassigned to a small quiet village, which leaves his intense sense of order and regulation hysterically out of place, as a string of mysterious murders start popping up around town. Great writing, direction, and satire as usual from these guys. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost both delivered excellent lead performances. Timothy Dalton, Billie Whitelaw, Jim Broadbent, Stuart Wilson, Martin Freeman, Olivia Colman, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsDenzel WashingtonRussell CroweChiwetel EjioforAn outcast New York City cop is charged with bringing down Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, whose real life inspired this partly biographical film.Great crime drama and biopic from Ridley Scott about the life of Frank Lucas—who became the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan when his boss and mentor died in 1968, by making plans to buy the heroin directly from the source in South East Asia—making a superior and cheaper product than what was currently on the streets. It also follows Richie Roberts—the narcotics detective leading up the investigation to take Lucas down. The movie ran a bit long, but it was a fascinating story and very well done overall. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both delivered great lead performances. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, Carla Gugino, Armand Assante, and KaDee Strickland had nice roles among a solid supporting cast.
- DirectorGregory HoblitStarsAnthony HopkinsRyan GoslingDavid StrathairnAfter shooting his wife, Ted confesses his crime and asks the court to move his case to trial. He represents himself against Willy, a successful lawyer. But there's more to the case than meets the eye.Excellent crime drama/mystery that follows an eccentric Los Angeles structural engineer who shoots and nearly kills his wife after finding out she's been cheating on him with another man. He immediately confesses to shooting her and wants to go straight to trial while defending himself against a young ambitious prosecutor who's looking for an open-and-shut win so he can move on to a different career. But we soon learn that the cold-hearted man has meticulously setup every part of his crime as the prosecutor struggles to find a spec of evidence that will actually convict him. Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling both delivered excellent lead performances. Rosamund Pike, David Strathairn, Billy Burke, Embeth Davidtz, Fiona Shaw, Bob Gunton, and many others had great supporting roles.
- DirectorD.J. CarusoStarsShia LaBeoufDavid MorseCarrie-Anne MossWhen a teenager is placed under house arrest, he succumbs to despair and starts spying on his neighbors, hoping to spice up his life. This, however, leads him to witness a serial killer on the loose.Excellent crime drama from D.J. Caruso set in the seemingly squeaky-clean suburbs of California, and follows a 17-year-old high-school student named Kale Brecht who's still deeply troubled over the horrific death of his father a year earlier. He ends up punching his Spanish teacher in the face after he pushes his buttons, which leaves him sentenced to 3 months house arrest, where he must wear an ankle monitor to track his movements. Through shear boredom, he ends up spying on his neighbors with binoculars. His main focus is on his gorgeous new neighbor Ashley, who's family just moved in next door. However, he soon starts spying on his mysterious neighbor named Robert Turner, and starts to suspect he is up to criminal activity and possibly murder. Tensions really starts to ramp up when Turner witnesses Kale spying on him, which puts Kale, his friends, and family as risk. Great story with great action, thrills, and an excellent cast. Shia LaBeouf delivered arguably the best lead performance I've seen from him yet. Sarah Roemer and David Morse also had great starring roles. Aaron Yoo, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Viola Davis, Matt Craven, and others also had very nice supporting roles.