Everywhere you go this time of year there’s a top ten list. Here’s a top four list. My favorite films of the year:
- Away From Her
Painful and beautiful. I was putting off watching this one because I thought it might be too depressing and it is sad there’s no way around it but it’s ultimately life affirming and optimistic. This one hits close to home because of recent experiences with my grandmother. I’ve been a fan of Sarah Polley since Sweet Hereafter, maybe even since Baron Munchausen
- Once
If this was an American movie with Tom Cruise and Hilary Duff in the roles it would not have worked. The music is catchy but not that great. What works here is the wide-eyed optimism of the actors playing the part. They’re not faking it. They really do care for each (I read it, I mean they really are a couple) and they really do care for the music (they’re an actual band). You really do want for them to get together in the movie. They are easily sympathetic. The music is used brilliantly to tell the story. Songs repeat at different times of the story and reveal new information when used in different contexts. So perfect it probably cannot be replicated. - Zodiac
I didn’t like Fight Club. I didn’t like Seven. But Zodiac was awesome. Fincher tells a story with great attention to detail and tension that carries throughout. It probably should be boring but it’s masterfully told in a way that makes the journey a ride you want to go along on. - Juno
The previews don’t do it justice. I thought Ellen Page was great in Hard Candy but that movie made her difficult to watch. In this movie she’s just as good and this time she’s a delight. How they made teenage pregnancy funny I don’t know. Actually, I do. I think the movie makes a case for more female screenwriters. Diablo Cody did a terrific job in making this a realistic film that’s also a comedy rather than a comedy which eschews realism (it’s the opposite of Knocked Up during which I laughed hard but didn’t come away thinking it was a great movie.)
Please let me know your faves.
This is great, Matt. A fantastic connection. Love this web 2.0, no? I never do my top movies of the year, but I will this time. I will try for 10, though and I see one that I will include on mine: Once. LOVED IT!
Thanks for reading my reviews. Your blog is now in my bloglines. Looking forward to your guest hosting soon,
Happy holidays,
Bonnie
Thanks Bonnie.
I look forward to your list.
Matthew,
Thanks for sharing your fav four movies of the year. I’ve only seen Away From Her, and I agree with you that it was sad but life affirming. Sarah Polley did a wonderful job.
I’m definitely going to see Juno over the holidays. I hope I can eventually use it in my senior class. I’ll just have to wait until I see it to know for sure.
Elona,
I’m not sure if I’d show Juno in class. It doesn’t exactly glamorize teen pregnancy but things do turn out totally fine in the end. If someone’s already pregnant it might be helpful but if they’re not pregnant, I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell them not to worry about it.
Then again it could lead to good conversation if handled really delicately. I don’t know. Let me know what you think once you see it.
Addendum: Just saw No Country for Old Men. It’s one I keep thinking about. It’s a scary film. Javiar Bardem’s performance is frightening and the intensity of each of the performers (with the exception of Tommy Lee Jones) is fantastic. What sticks with you is the senseless violence, what people do for money, and the fact that Cohen brothers manage to work in several moments of humor in an otherwise bleak atmosphere.
I agree on Juno.
Zodiac not so much
Anyway, Thought you might want to read my review/personal letter to ms. cody:
dear ms cody
i saw Zodiac agree with you…and I added Once and Away From Her to the blockbuster list
Juno I’ll prob see in theaters in next couple weeks
thnks for the list