Best movies 2007

I've seen this film at least 4 times, and I love it! An instant classic! Perfectly directed, written and filmed, with great cinematography and edited to perfection. The performances are beyond great, specially Tommy Lee Jones and Javier Bardem, who makes one of the creepiest characters in years. He keeps so calmed and serious that even gives you the chills, being such a wall where you can't see what's going on through his mind is disturbing, and the way he kills merciless makes him a great character (along with his hairstyle...)
I think I finally got the message of the film: the world isn't the same as it was years before, violence isn't the same and problems aren't the same. And the old men (for example, the police Ed Tom Bell) can understand it better because he has lived the change.
The Coen brothers practically invented a genre, kind of a Neo-Western, in which the bad guy pursuits the good guy, moved by greed and insanity. A Masterpiece!

Directing: 5
Acting: 5
Story: 4.5
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements : 5
Impact: 5
Enjoyment: 5

Golden Apples:
1) Best movie of the year
2) Best supporting actor
3) Best writing achievement
4) Best character - Anton Chigurh
5) Best casting achievement

A total masterpiece. A movie about greed, family, religion, and the insanity of power. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of the best performances on the decade! Excellent cinematography, masterful direction and great script, containing one of the most talked-about quotes in years:
Daniel Plainview: "Drainage! Drainage, Eli! Drained dry, you boy! If you have a milkshake and I have a milkshake and I have a straw and my straw reaches across the room and starts to drink your milkshake. I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!"

Powerful, gripping, and one of those movies you would never forget.

Directing: 5
Acting: 5
Story: 5
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements : 5
Impact: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Music: 4.5

Golden Apples:
1) Best leading actor
2) Best directing achievement
3) Best cinematography
4) Best public acceptance

At least once in a while, a movie turns out to have something really special. Last year I must say it was Little Miss Sunshine's time, now on 2007 I assert Ratatouille has it. But I mean not only for being a great film, but for having soul, with a bit of entertainment and amusement. For breaking down clichés and rules of the genre. Ratatouille is one of the most entertaining movies I had seen in a while. And I mean it, because in every movie, when the characters get angry one-another, it lasts for hours, but in Ratatouille problems are solved quickly, so you don't get stressed out with uncomfortable moments. The graphics are stunning, beautiful, just like Paris itself. The characters are amazing, I mean, Remy, Chef Skinner, Linguini and the rest may be memorable for years. I just watched it for the second time, and liked it even more. I highly recommend for everyone, if you haven't seen it. I remember the last line in the movie, when Anton Ego said to Remy "Surprise me!", I felt like telling that to Disney Pixar, and they totally nailed it. Best movie of the year so far!

Golden Apples:
1) Best light and color usage
2) Best comedy/family movie
3) Best animated film

Truly a remarkable modern masterpiece about love, destiny, war, and so many subjects I would never finish. With a stunning cinematography, charming music and perfect editing, this movie stands out as one of the best (if not the best) film of 2007.
The performances, perfect, every single one. First, Keira Knightley, graceful and beautiful, leads the screen showing a side we know only from Pride and Prejudice (2005). James McAvoy, he keeps himself centered and determined, his love for Cecilia seems even palpable. Saoirse Ronan, who brings to life Briony as a girl, makes the best work in the movie. She is mysterious, calm, she seems almost too mature for her age. You fall in love with her, she is amazing! Then Romola Garai, as Briony teenager, had to deal with the worst part of the movie, she must face the horrors of war and still look mysterious and professional. Finally, Vanessa Redgrave does a great job, being elegant and regretting what she done wrong in a mature way that blew me away.
There's no words to describe the beauty of this film, director Joe Wright made a wonderful job with every single screen-shot. I must recall the music, daring to add a typing-machine rhythm. One of the best movies this year, and even from past years! A huge achievement.
And, WHAT AN ENDING!! I just could never get it out of my head, this ending made the film 10 times better!! Do yourself a favor and watch this wonderful film!!

Directing: 4
Acting: 5
Story: 4.5
Originality: 5
Visual elements : 5
Impact: 4
Enjoyment: 4.5
Music: 5

Golden Apples:
1) Best music score
2) Best art direction

A wonderful piece of modern art! Thank you Julian Schnabel for remembering us how touching and beautiful cinema could be. In mu opinion, he did the greatest achievement in directing on 2007, transforming a simple movie into a spiritual journey through the mind of the character. Very original way to shot the film, with beautiful cinematography, great script, but ok performances... A movie to remember for the year to come.

Directing: 5
Acting: 3.5
Story: 5
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements: 5
Impact: 4.5
Enjoyment: 3
Music: 4

Golden Apples:
1) Most original film

A simple but powerful film. Anamaria Marinca does a great job in her role, the direction is flawless, the script is amazing and the whole concept very original. The scenes seem a little bit gory and dark, like to portrait us in the difficult moment Romania was living through. Otilia manages to stay calmed and centered throughout the whole movie, even if the world around her and the inner problems are growing bigger and bigger. One of the best movies of the year.


Directing: 4.5
Acting: 4.5
Story: 4.5
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements : 4
Impact: 4.5
Enjoyment: 4

Golden Apples:
1) Best non-American film

I couldn't be happier about the huge twist comedies have made since 2006, staying away from Rob Schneider/Adam Sandler things and giving it a whole new artful level, introducing some heart and originality to new productions. So was it last year with Little Miss Sunshine and Thank You For Smoking, directed by Jason Reitman who directed Juno.
It seems everyone was happy doing this movie, because everyone made the performances of their lives, including Jennifer Garner! Ellen Page is above all, sweet and cool throughout the whole film, she keeps her teenager ideals even when facing the pregnancy.
With some hilarious parts, witty dialogs and wonderful directing, this makes one of the best "gifts" on 2007.

Directing: 4.5
Acting: 5
Story: 4.5
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements: 4.5
Impact: 4
Enjoyment: 5
Music: 4.5

Golden Apples:
1) Best musical selection

When I grow up, I want to be like Jason Bourne! Lol Incredibly well made action film, Matt Damon is excellent as always, the sequences are amazing and the three Oscars it got this year are well-deserved!

Golden Apples:
1) Best film editing
2) Best sound

A movie with a GREAT cast, a good screenplay and directing. Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson along the whole cast do an excellent job, but above all George Clooney is outstanding, you could actually see real emotions in his character, even his frownings and smiles are real. The story was good, with a good shocker and ending. I insist, what is amazing about this film is its cast! George Clooney surely deserves the Oscar this year!!!

Directing: 4.5
Acting: 5
Story: 4.5
Originality: 3.5
Visual elements : 4
Impact: 3.5
Enjoyment: 4
Music: 4

A little and simple film; yet beautiful, special and touching. The songs are great, specially my personal favorite "Falling Slowly" (one of the best songs I have heard!) It's amazing how anyone can do a good movie with a very little budget! This movie shows how the "budget" limitations are just an excuse, because it's actually possible to make one of the best movies of the year with a few dollars!
And it's impossible not to love Markéta Irglová...! And not to forget the most memorable and touching moment in the Academy Awards Ceremony this year, when Jon Stewart called her back so she can tell her speech... It has a special place in my heart, really...

Golden Apples:
1) Best original song - "Falling Slowly"

Absolutely wonderful film! Teaching after teaching after teaching, of life's truths. With an awesome cast, I loved Hal Holbrook and Catherine Keener. Emile Hircsh does an amazing job as Christopher McCandless! I would recommend it to everyone!

One of the best movies this year (2007) so far! It tells us the true story of the first black man who became a narc in New York, put on stage perfectly and with great performances, specially from Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and the minor role actress Ruby Dee (Frank's mother) who made an excellent job as a proud mother who you end loving. A great mafia film, with some soul given by the cop Richie. Good job!

Directing: 4
Acting: 4.5
Story: 4
Originality: 4
Visual elements: 4
Impact: 3.5
Enjoyment: 4.5
Music: 4

This is the last movie I saw before the Academy Awards night! Violent, sadistic, bloody good! Johnny Depp delivers one of his best performances yet, along with Helena Bonham Carter. Another look at Burton's twisted mind, with great sets and costumes. The music is very catchy and original. The ending is a big surprise. Though not a flawless film, still one to remember for the year to come. I hope this gets at least the art direction award tomorrow!

Directing: 4.5
Acting: 4.5
Story: 3.5
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements: 4
Impact: 3
Enjoyment: 4.5
Music: 4

A beautiful portrayal of the life of famous French singer Edith Piaf. The whole movie quality (directing, writing, etc) didn't impress me much... But... Marion Cotillard... there's not enough words to express the perfection and amazing performance she delivers in this film. One of the best actings in years, she was so real, so powerful in her expressions and whatever she did seems as Edith Piaf herself, not "an actress as Edith Piaf". Cotillard must win this year's Oscar, because her performance is just from another level...

Directing: 4
Acting: 5
Story: 4
Originality: 4
Visual elements : 4.5
Impact: 3.5
Enjoyment: 3.5
Music: 4.5

Golden Apples:
1) Best leading actress: Marion Cotillard

A great little film! It reminded me of "The Notebook" but with a lot more of brains and heart. Julie Christie shines as Fiona, delivering one of the best performances this year. This movie shows how love could be kept for 45 years and be the same as it were the first day. Also shows a different face of Alzheimer, making it even a character, the one that could break down their eternal love. With such a soft, elegant mood throughout the film, making it beautiful and delicate, not to miss the point of it. Great film!

Directing: 4.5
Acting: 5
Story: 4.5
Originality: 3.5
Visual elements: 4
Impact: 2.5
Enjoyment: 3.5
Music: 4

I would give this 8 1/2 stars over 10... Direction is flawless, acting was average, shocker was great, but there were some scenes that kept me like WOW! Suspense was very good ridden, I actually felt myself scared sometimes. I would recomment everyone to watch it, some of the best movies this year so far!!

Directing: 4.5
Acting: 4
Story: 4
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements: 4.5
Impact: 3.5
Enjoyment: 4.5

A truly great surprise! An original fairytale, I almost thought Disney was preparing us with the animated classics (Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast...) to watch this! Hilarious and intelligent, with a beautiful performance by Amy Adams! (God, I love her!) This film, along with entertaining was pretty deep in some themes, it brought some innocence to a cruel world, and how people respond to it.
Giselle was a sparkle of magic into the urban ambient, making everyone sing and dance. With great visual effects and charming music, This is another Disney classic, entertaining for every age. Ah, I almost forgot, this makes one of the biggest twists in Disney fairytale movies: the girl must save the guy, that wasn't expected, ha!

Directing: 4
Acting: 4.5
Story: 3
Originality: 4
Visual elements : 4.5
Impact: 4
Enjoyment: 5
Music: 4.5

A very good horror movie, with a great proposal to the genre. Very good plots, but the overall movie is not flawless once you think a bit harder. Many plot holes, characters who appear out of nowhere and their presence disappear with nothing important to add to the story. Some characters are not even important in there. Great shockers and horror scenes, without driving to stupidness. I mean, you REALLY get scared, not only those idiotic sudden jumps in crappy "horror" movies. The ending is superb. Highly entertaining!

Directing: 4
Acting: 4
Story: 4
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements: 4.5
Impact: 3.5
Enjoyment: 5
Music: 4

Wonderful cinematography, I loved the sepia tones and the light-shadows. Casey Affleck does and excellent job with one of the best (if not the best) performances this year. The whole movie is good, but the last minutes are superb. A movie about symbols and the nature of people, regret and revenge.

Directing: 4
Acting: 4
Story: 4.5
Originality: 4.5
Visual elements: 5
Impact: 3.5
Enjoyment: 3.5
Music: 4

Great comedy, finally I could see that we're facing a revolution in the genre, totally forgetting about stupid non-sense so-called comedies (ehem... Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider...). This movie is fun to watch, with a witty script, great acting (specially Katherine Heigl), and a lot of soul in it. Good movie!

Directing: 3.5
Acting: 4
Story: 4.5
Originality: 4
Visual elements : 3.5
Impact: 3
Enjoyment: 5

Visually stunning, a profound journey through our own existance and death itself. The stop-motion is more than perfect, it is amazingly original and the "action" scenes are beautifully crafted. And her eyes are just amazing!

Great thriller, Viggo Mortensen's performance is outstanding!!!

Directing: 4.5
Acting: 5
Story: 4.5
Originality: 3.5
Visual elements: 3.5
Impact: 2.5
Enjoyment: 4
Music: 4

A very good western trying to keep alive one of the most classic genres on cinema. With great performances and chilling music, good directing and wonderful cinematography. I hated the clichè - cheesy ending, too bad because it went just right before it!

Directing: 4
Acting: 4.5
Story: 3
Originality: 3
Visual elements : 4.5
Impact: 3
Enjoyment: 4
Music: 4.5

Though the story is a little bit dull, the mockumentary style of the film makes it a gem.

A fabulous and colorful musical, with great music and songs and a huge star-power. It made me want to be in the 60's! One of the most entertaining movies I had seen in a while!

Directing: 4
Acting: 3
Story: 3.5
Originality: 3
Visual elements: 4
Impact: 3
Enjoyment: 4.5
Music: 5

How hard could it be to portray a father who recently lost his child? Tommy Lee Jones does it perfectly!

A movie in which the only requisite was to be an Academy Award winner... An good movie about the cold war, though it seemed a like rushed up, Mike Nichols didn't do a great job such as his masterpiece The Graduate, in some parts I couldn't get the point he was trying to make. The performances were good, but nothing special, I could save Philip Seymour Hoffman who had the best role. A very "political" film to my taste...

Directing: 4
Acting: 4.5
Story: 3
Originality: 4
Visual elements : 3.5
Impact: 2.5
Enjoyment: 3.5

Huge star power + legendary director Sidney Lumet + witty script + Marisa Tomei = Really good film.

Directing: 4
Acting: 4
Story: 4
Originality: 3.5
Visual elements : 3
Impact: 3
Enjoyment: 4

Hilarious and clever, keeps truth to the series, including almost every character and introducing some new ones in a good way. A funny movie to watch!

A very interesting and pretty good movie, with great performances by Casey Affleck and Amy Ryan above all. Amy Ryan... I think I couldn't watch her in another role without thinking of her as Helena the drogadict! One of the most complex characters this year, you'll hate her but love her, she gets things wrong but still you understand her happiness. She is amazing in this movie. Very good shockers and unexpectes twists, and leaves you thinking... Amy Ryan should definitely win the Oscar this year.

Directing: 4
Acting: 5
Story: 3.5
Originality: 3.5
Visual elements : 3,5
Impact: 3
Enjoyment: 4

Golden Apples:
1) Best supporting actress: Amy Ryan

Another escencial documentary by the genius Michael Moore! This attacks the medical issues in the US, even comparing it with Europe, Latin America and Cuba. A risk that he took, expecting the system to be better.

Not as bad as I expected... The story was a little rushed up, but it was very entertaining. A very good way to see what the soul really means, but any way, that's what the book is about... And of course, flawless special effects that completely blew me away!!! I have a debate whether this or Transformers would win best special effects this year!

Directing: 3
Acting: 3.5
Story: 2.5
Originality: 2
Visual elements(effects): 5
Impact: 1.5
Enjoyment: 5
Music: 3.5

Golden Apples:
1) Best visual effects

The ultimate popcorn movie!!! Action packed film with flawless visual effects and sound editing that keeps you attached to your seat.

Directing: 4
Acting: 2
Story: 3
Originality: 3
Visual elements (effects): 5
Impact: 2
Enjoyment: 5
Music: 3

A psichological thriller with a good shocker, but many plot holes and flaws... Decent performances, specially by Coster and Hurt. A movie just to spend some time, but nothing that special. Good but not great.

Directing: 3
Acting: 3.5
Story: 3
Originality: 4
Visual elements: 4
Impact: 2
Enjoyment: 4.5
Music: 2

A huge disappointment, another Royal film, but with a terrible writing, terrible directing, terrible editing, but great performances. Cate Blanchett shines as usual, she's amazing and the only thing "right" in the whole movie...

Directing: 3
Acting: 5
Story: 2.5
Originality: 2.5
Visual elements : 3
Impact: 2.5
Enjoyment: 2
Music: 4

Good, but nothing special, very entertaining and action packed.