Best of 2007

It is dark, strange, bloody, and ugly.
It is a Coen film!
Easily one of their best films since FARGO.
Right from the getgo, the film starts with your nails stuck in the chair without expecting anything. And it continues on until the end.
The most amazing aspect of this film, besides the cast and script, it is the silence. No score or music was accompanied during the film which emphasizes the suspense. But the feeling that Javier Bardem's character is breathing down your neck is enough to give you shivers, especially with the oxygen tank.
As for the cast, Bardem clearly leads this cast. He is the master of this film. No one, not even Tommy Lee Jones, tops his performance.
If any of you are disappointed from this piece, please watch it again and open your mind. It is not just a murder case but much more.
Enjoy!

JUNO is definitely the Little Miss Sunshine of 2008. It will make you laugh, cry and love. The whole film is just clever and fun to watch. And the cast is not disapointing at all. First, little Ellen Page is just amazing. I wont recall her performance the best of the year, but still very astonishing. It is a name to remember. Second, Michael Cera is... well is always good as the young innocent teenager. Lastly, the script is just amazing. The characters use the most awkward terms.
I simply give 2 thumbs and 2 big toes up for another Jason Reitman's masterpiece.
I definitely recommend this one!

Without a doubt, THERE WILL BE BLOOD is the BEST FILM OF 2007!!!
First, the script is absolutely brilliant. It grabs you right from the moment the film starts. And it never let you down. Second, as a Radiohead fan, Jonny Greenwood score is also as brilliant. It adds a very haunting and mysterious mood to the film.
Third, Robert Elswit, the cinematographer, knows how to compose a beautiful film. He created a set that looks like GIANT (epic film by George Stevens) but made it darker and nightmarish.
Lastly, the two genius of the film, PTA and Daniel Day-Lewis, are the ones who really made this film a masterpiece. PTA is THE most clever and creative director of his generation. He is the Orson Welles of the 21st century. The best actor of all time (for me) Day-Lewis is one of the only actor who truly knows how to be in a character's skin. The co-stars also gave stellar performances. Paul Dano and Dillon Freasier (the young boy) really stood out from the film even by the side of one of the best actors.
Altogether, this film should not be missed. Even the 2 hour 30 some minutes will bother you because everything in this film is right! Lastly, try to consider this film with today's issue with oil and money. Just something to think about!

Michael Clayton is by far one of the most clever and complex thriller of the year. The film has a great script and on top of that, the cast is mesmerizing, even the little child.
At first, the film seems a little confusing but the viewers can start to understand bit by bit as the story goes on, similar to Clayton as he goes through this case. And as the story goes on, it never fails because it always grows and gets better. Plus, the final scene of Clooney is quite something, so keep an eye on that.
As for the cast, George Clooney and Tilda Swinton are great great actors, but the highlight of the piece is Tom Wilkinson. He is absolutely amazing. No actor in this film meets the same level of accomplishment as Wilkinson.
Indeed, I recommend this directorial debut from Tony Gilroy who does not let the audience down in this picture. 2 THUMBS UP for the cast and the script.

PERSEPOLIS is a simple animation that projects a powerful message of a young Muslim woman. The animation itself might seem simple and not original but the characters have a lot of personality which transport us through the film.

I'M NOT THERE is a beautiful and interesting film inspired on different stages of Bob Dylan's life. The film is very abstract in terms of its structure because of the multiple characters portraying Bob Dylan. The cinematography is also stunning because it varies depending on the characters whether it is the early or late stage of the Dylan's career. The cast is also excellent. From the young Marcus Carl Franklin to a manly Cate Blanchett, every actor really had their own take of their character which makes each of them unique and interesting.

All in all, you might need to know a little of Bob Dylan history in order to fully understand the film, otherwise it will be a long film. But the astonishing performances and great music might also transport you to nice Dylan ride.

Im not going to say much about EASTERN PROMISES, just expect anything you would want to see in a Cronenberg film. And you wont be disappointed!

This film proves how the mariage of music and image create a powerful statement. Julie Taymor created a beautiful film filled with love. The colours in this film brings out the energy of the characters.
As a big fan of the Beatles, i think the director coordinated very well the songs in making them into a love story. But i think the love story was just too cheesy, especially the ending.
As a major major U2 fan, i appreciated the appearance of my favorite Irishman, Bono, performing I Am A Walrus.
The whole film felt like a fun "drug trip" that i never had. It ressembles very much to YELLOW SUBMARINE but without the animation.
I only recommend this film if you like the Beatles songs and love stories because it is only that throughout the film. But if you want to experience a joyful ride, this is the film to explore.
Overall, this film is quite a pleasure for the ears and the eyes.

The first few minutes of the film is very slow paced and seems like a low budget film with no ambition. But as the story goes on, the journey which the two main characters are going through is quite disturbing and difficult, and we can see how the style completes the content of the film.

If you like Lars Von Trier filmmaking style, 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS and 2 DAYS might be a picture which could be interesting in terms of its storytelling and camerawork.

There are many words to describe this exceptional film by the amazing Julian Schnabel, but first and foremost, it is beautiful.

The script is very very well-written. It is based on the book (of the same title)which the editor-in-chief of Elle wrote during his days in the hospital. For someone who was paralyzed from head to toe, he used his imagination and memory to reminisce his life in a very poetic manner. Taking in consideration that the film is made in french, it made the film even more affective because of the beauty of the language.

The actors are absolutely astonishing, especially Mathieu Amalric as Jean-Dominique Bauby. He just delivers a true performance, from the psychological to the physical side of the character. The most powerful scenes in the film are the father-son relationship between Amalric and Max Von Sydow (the father). It is so strong that it can brings you to tears.

The cinematography is as astonishing as the story. The landscapes creates the sense of peace and reflection from the character considering he does not have the ability to speak. Plus, the painter within Schnabel brought a colorful and abstractness to some of the images which also reflected the poetic side of the film.

Last, to accompany the beautiful and emotional ride, the soundtrack is quite good as well. The sound of U2, Joe Strummer or Tom Waits, just to name a few, really brings the film together.

Very interesting gangster film! Considering that the head is a 'black' man, the film reflects a different view of gangsterism other than an Italian or a Caucasian man. Plus, regarding the situation in America in the 1970s, the character Frank Lucas was more than a gangster, but also a powerful figure in America.
I give 2 thumbs up for the extraordinary performance of Denzel Washington and the film.

One of the most bizarre but touching films ive seen this year! And Ryan Gosling is just amazing in the lead role! I definitely recommend this little indie film!

LA VIE EN ROSE is astonishing in every way from its story, make-up, music, to its cast.
I wont qualify this film as a biography, but more of the background of her inspiration that gave Edith Piaf the emotion and love to deliver her voice in such a passionate manner.
The gem of the film, Marion Cotillard, gives the most powerful performance of the year without any question. She is Edith Piaf in every aspect. She does not imitate Piaf, but is Piaf. There is a memorable 3 minute long take scene in the film that depicts the breakdown of Piaf. That specific scene will give Cotillard the ultimate golden statue (oscar) for sure.
As a youngster, i do not know much about the French singer, but the last scene did answer all my questions about why she became one of the most significant and talented singer of all time.

This Canadian film is AMAZING. I cannot say enough about the acting, because Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie took my breath away. Christie will, without a doubt, get an Oscar nomination for her role.
On the other hand, we have first time director Sarah Polley who absolutely nailed the directing job.
We see how the power of love can affect our attitudes and emotions to the person we love.

Brad Bird once again created an absolute oeuvre. It is original, amusing, and delicious. It is one of the most clever films i've seen in years. It is just beyond my expections.
I totally recommend this animation!

The film was too overrated.

The art direction of this film is absolutely spectacular.
Cate Blanchett's performance is exquisite. She delivers such a strong and poignant performance, which she always does.
Clive Owens could do better but he is quite a seducer in this film which does not hurt for a lady.
As for the story, it is good in terms of the political aspect but the love triangle just kills it.
All in all, I appreciated mostly the acting and the magnificent setting.