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My 10 Favourite Films of 2007

2007 was interesting in that while it may not have provided the most amazing crop of films of the decade (or even the past two years), it certainly produced a crop of unique and memorable motion pictures. These are the 10 that impressed me most <>

The Cream

(updated)
10. 3:10 to Yuma
9. Into the Wild

8. Show Business



Detailing the road taken by 4 new broadway musicals on the way to the Tony Awards, this documentary feature was one of the most fun, refreshing and exhilarating motion pictures I've had the pleasure of viewing last year. I actually found this one by mistake, which could've added to my overall appreciation of it. For lovers of theatre, this is an enthusiastic recommendation.

7. Grindhouse



Seeing this was the most fun I had in a movie theatre last year. This film is pure adrenaline, and features two fresh, original and funny throwbacks to grindhouse features. Fake trailers and purposefully sloppy editing added another element that created the perfect atmosphere for this type of feature. While I preferred Planet Terror slightly to Death Proof, each brought it's own edge to the project and showcased each director's capabilities. But someone should really tell QT to stop "acting."

6. There Will Be Blood



Paul Thomas Anderson lends credibility to his versatility with this very impressive adaptation. The cinematography, score, art direction and sound are all top notch, and the film is accentuated by two incredible performances by Lewis and Dano. The Daniel Plainview uttered quoted, "I drink your milkshake" is one for the ages, and will be remembered for years to come.

5. Lust, Caution



Ang Lee brings insight, personality and unprecedented sensuality to this production. Lust, Caution excels in nearly every area and the atmosphere broods with tension and unpredictable brutality. This is one of the best combinations of cinematography and editing for the year, and the score could very well be the year's best (although my sentiments lie with Howard's work in I Am Legend). Tang Wei crafts a memorable lead (in more ways than one), and brings her all to this most impressive debut role.

4. Once



Hands down, the sweetest movie of the year, whose ending is possibly my favourite since 2004's Before Sunset. The songs are all magical, the story perfect in it's simplicity, and the film unforgettable in it's sincerity. This is my favourite movie musical since Moulin Rouge! Once hits you when you least expect it, and with it's emotionally satisfying cadre of songs, will not soon be forgotten.

3. I Am Legend



So good in so many ways, I am still baffled by the hate towards this near-perfect genre flick. Will Smith's performance is spot-on, and he single-handedly carries this film, with a little help from his dog Sam. The atmosphere is perfect, the score is perfect, and even though it's resolution may have been a bit contrived, I was completely satisfied both times I watched it.

2. In the Shadow of the Moon



The most impressive documentary I've seen in a long time, and this year marks the only year I've ever included two docs in my end of year Top 10. What sets this apart is the combination style of re-telling the events. We are treated to the story of man's journey to the moon, from the POV of the astronauts involved, both at the time, and in retrospect. David Sington's use of footage is put together admirably, and the emotion and sheer pride felt from the men involved is highly contagious. For a brief moment last year, I considered this for my #1 spot.


But last year's crowning jewel was without a doubt...

1. No Country for Old Men



Bardem's Anton Chigurh is one of screen's most compelling antagonists, and he dominates the screen in this profoundly multi-layered film. The film's tagline "You can't stop what's coming" perfectly sums up this onion in a nutshell, and this is one of the most impressive films I've seen in the past few years. The sole perfect rating I handed out last year, and most deservedly so. I can recommend no 2007 release more strongly.

The Leftovers
Black Snake Moan, Cashback, Gone Baby Gone, Into the Wild, Juno, 3:10 to Yuma

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The 2nd Annual Kimbo Awards

Here, I present you with my official 2007 Film Nominations and Wins. With exactly 100 films seen, I've viewed more films released in the past year than any previous year. After a thorough assessment of what the year had to offer, I've come up with a list of the best of the best in every Academy recognisable category (minus the shorts). And they are as follows:

Nominees are presented in order of preference

Best Picture



Winner
No Country for Old Men

Other Nominees
In the Shadow of the Moon
I Am Legend
Once
Lust, Caution

Best Director



Winner
Ang Lee – Lust, Caution

Other Nominees
Joel & Ethan Coen – No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson – There Will Be Blood
David Sington – In the Shadow of the Moon
Francis Lawrence – I Am Legend

Best Actor in a Leading Role



Winner
Daniel Day-Lewis, as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood

Other Nominees
Will Smith, as Robert Neville in I Am Legend
Casey Affleck, as Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Brad Pitt, as Jesse James in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Benicio Del Toro, as Jerry Sunborne in Things We Lost in the Fire

Best Actress in a Leading Role



Winner
Amy Adams, as Giselle in Enchanted

Other Nominees
Christina Ricci, as Rae in Black Snake Moan
Jodie Foster, as Erica Bain The Brave One
Tang Wei, as Wong Chia Chi in Lust, Caution
Ellen Page, as Juno MacGuff in Juno

Best Actor in a Supporting Role



Winner
Javier Bardem, as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men

Other Nominees
Paul Dano, as Paul/Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood
Hal Holbrook, as Ron Franz in Into the Wild
Justin Timberlake, as Frankie Ballenbacher in Alpha Dog
Sam Rockwell, as Charley Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Best Actress in a Supporting Role



Winner
Saoirse Ronan, as Briony Tallis in Atonement

Other Nominees
Marisa Tomei, as Gina Hanson in Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Jennifer Garner, as Vanessa Loring in Juno
Marcia Gay Harden, as Mrs. Carmody in The Mist
Olympia Dukakis, as Phyllis in In the Land of Women

Best Original Score
Sample of winning score linked to film title



Winner
James Newton Howard - I Am Legend

Other Nominees
Alexandre Desplat - Lust, Caution
Nick Cave - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Dario Marianelli - Atonement
Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood

Best Original Song
Sample of nominated songs linked to song title



Winner
“Falling Slowly” – Once

Other Nominees
“So Close” – Enchanted
“Lies” – Once
“Le Festin” – Ratatouille
“Forever” – The Man from Earth

Best Film Editing



Winner
Cashback

Other Nominees
Lust, Caution
300
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood


Winners in the remaining categories

Best Original Screenplay
Craig Brewer - Black Snake Moan

Best Adapted Screenplay
Joel & Ethan Coen – No Country for Old Men

Animated Feature
Ratatouille

Best Art Direction
There Will Be Blood

Best Cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Best Costume Design
Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Best Documentary Feature
In the Shadow of the Moon

Best Foreign Language Film
Lust, Caution

Best Makeup
Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Best Sound Editing
Atonement

Best Sound Mixing
There Will Be Blood

Best Visual Effects
Sunshine

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In the Shadow of the Moon

Simply amazing. One of the most moving and thorough documentaries I have seen in quite some time. It succeeds in every way, as not only do we revisit the voyage of man to the moon in the late 60s and 70s, but we see how it has impacted the men involved to this day. The direction is top notch, and the execution is just brilliant. One of 2007's few gems. A near flawless motion picture.

My father was born shortly after the Wright Brothers. He could barely believe that I went to the Moon. But my son, Tom, was five. And he didn't think it was any big deal.

9/10

© 2008 Kim Bartlett

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Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

A well-edited, well-written tale of a robbery gone bad. Sidney Lumet does a commendable job of directing this compelling tale, that falters only slightly on it's way to a conclusion. The score is perfect, and represents one of the more memorable efforts of the year. An exciting, watchable caper flick that should stand up even on repeated viewings. And Marisa Tomei's Gina may just be the best cute/sexy combination of the decade.

As far as performances go, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei are memorable and Ethan Hawke is effective. Albert Finney, Amy Ryan and Rosemary Harris were adequate.

Can I help you to seconds?

8/10

© 2008 Kim Bartlett

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The 10 Worst Films of 2007

These are the 10 worst films released in 2007 that I've had the displeasure of viewing. Avoid at all costs.

10. Good Luck Chuck



You would think that image alone would make the film worth watching, huh? Try again. Alba's the endearing equivalent of a baboon and the romance doesn't work because it's between two unlikeable characters. Delivers a few laughs, but Alba's train wreck of a character single-handedly ruined it for me.

9. American Pie Presents: Beta House



By far the worst of the "sequels." The storyline feels so rehashed and idiotic that I was even bored by the nudity. And there was plenty of it.

8. Cougar Club



In a nutshell? Two idiots get the opportunity to make money by starting a cougar club (a club devoted to older women wanting to pay for young boy toy sex). Throw in a cliché annoying girlfriend and overdone genre plot tactics, and there ya have it.

7. The Haunting Hour: Don’t Think About It



Don't ask me why I watched this. I was a rabid Goosebumps fan as an adolescent and I tried to recreate some of that magic by watching this. Not an entirely bad movie... if you're a six year old. Tobin Bell makes a memorable cameo, though.

6. Across the Universe



About as much structure as diarrhea. The cinematic waste of time of the year, that is so pointless and self-aware I don't remembering cringing more in a single film... ever. I do give it props for maybe one or two (of about 20) well done covers of The Beatles songs, and for some pretty interesting visuals.

5. License to Wed



Not interesting. Not funny.

4. Shrek the Halls



This film gets such a high placement because, for it's short running length (a little over 20 minutes), it managed to bore me to tears. The Shrek series has been on a steady decline since it's first 2001 release, and there is no reason that a 20 minute version should be the least watchable. More Donkey dumbness, more Shrek getting angry, more stupid pointless accidents, yawn. For shame.

3. Norbit



Norbit the character is so expressionless, bland and uninteresting that I have to wonder why Murphy did this. His performance as Norbit's wife Rasputia was mildly entertaining and surprisingly realistic, but the overall quality of the story, characters and humour was unforgivably poor.

2. Hostel: Part II



Takes the term "exploitative" to a new low. I'm a fan of the first one, but this disgraceful, sick piece of trash is not watchable on any level. And even outside the gratuitous gore and dismemberment, the "plot" is about as intuitive as spit.


However, no film released in 2007 was less watchable than...

1. Dead Mary



Okay, I will be honest. This film is probably better overall than a few other titles on this list. However, it takes the crown as my least favourite film of 2007 for having the single most incompetent ending of a film this decade. The ending makes so little sense (and not in a deep way) that I was amazed at how such a bad movie could get so much worse in it's final 2-3 minutes. My choice for the worst film '07 had to offer.

© 2008 Kim Bartlett

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The Screenwriter's Journey, 1.0

I'm writing a screenplay, like a lot of aspiring writers who feel that the WGA strike could a blessing to their dreams. I figure, "strike while the iron is hot." Studio execs are hungry for new talent and I've found, after a 2+ hour phone conference with producer/teacher Hal Croasmun, that high concept alone could sell scripts these days.

Well I think I have it: high concept, original idea, marketable to a wide audience and a marriage of two themes I don't think has ever been written on a major successful level. Of course, most of this is still in my head. I've completed the first 30 or so pages of my first draft and will begin my second draft asap.

I recently acquired David Trottier's The Screenwriter's Bible, which has been in one word: essential. The character development, plotline and structure are all moving along nicely, and at a better pace than I could have ever anticipated. I plan to enter my script in five screenwriting competitions (final deadlines around April or so) as well as continue to exchange dialogue with some people I've been fortunate enough to have met.

I know I haven't said much about the script itself, but as it is still in it's baby stages, I will refrain from divulging much info until it can stand on it's own two feet (like the imagery?). I will say however, that it's an idea I threw out on IMDb's Oscar Buzz message board sometime last year, which was well received by some of the toughest amateur critics. I thought, if these guys rolled with the idea, why not give it a shot?

So here I am, in the middle of it all and loving every minute of it (seriously). And like with all great ventures, most of the joy comes with the journey. I will post updates, periodically as my work progresses.

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For some reason this pic makes me happy

Stars and Auteurs

Top 10 actors, actresses and directors of all-time, presented alphabetically.

ACTORS
Humphrey Bogart
Kenneth Branagh
Daniel Day-Lewis
Robert De Niro
Ed Harris
John Malkovich
Jack Nicholson
Sidney Poitier
Denzel Washington
Bruce Willis

ACTRESSES
Jennifer Connelly
Bette Davis
Jodie Foster
Sally Hawkins
Katharine Hepburn
Glenda Jackson
Charlotte Rampling
Meryl Streep
Emily Watson
Dianne Wiest

DIRECTORS
Woody Allen
Ethan & Joel Coen
Terence Davies
Alfred Hitchcock
Krzysztof Kieslowski
Stanley Kubrick
Richard Linklater
Martin Scorsese
Steven Spielberg
Quentin Tarantino

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A random assortment of 10 films I NEED to see

presented in alphabetical order

Leo McCarey's The Awful Truth
Krzysztof Kieslowski's The Decalogue
Henri-Georges Clouzot's Diabolique
Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru
Mohsen Makhmalbaf's Kandahar
Dario Argento's Opera
Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game
Rob Reiner's Stand by Me* - 9/10.
Paul Almond and Michael Apted's The Up Series
Henri-Georges Clouzot's The Wages of Fear

Any comments/ratings would be greatly appreciated!

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Alpha Dog

With the exception of a few awkwardly directed "interviews," Alpha Dog is a highly entertaining take on the story of FBI Most Wanted, Johnny Truelove. Through one of the best ensembles of the year, Nick Cassavetes tells this tale of how Johnny manages to let a simple case spiral hopelessly out of control. The results of which are culminated in one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the year. Despite it's many flaws, Alpha Dog is definitely watchable.

As far as performances go, Ben Foster and Justin Timberlake are exceptional, Anton Yelchin is memorable and Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis and Chris Marquette are effective. I found Sharon Stone to be overbearing. Everyone else was fine, but not worth mentioning.

I would never rat you guys out

7/10

© 2007 Kim Bartlett