C. K. (cmkempf)

Brüno (Bruno) R

One of the best comedies I've seen this year, Bruno doesn't exactly exude mild-mannered humor, but it sure as hell is a lot funnier than the average comedy these days.

Sacha Baren Cohen, of "Borat" fame, switches gears to his Austrian alter ego Bruno as the gay fashionista desperately tries to become famous.

While there were certainly moments that disgusted me (and what else should we expect after seeing "Borat"), there were plenty more moments that made me double over in laughter. Even in the tightest clutches of shock, this movie made me laugh.

Certainly, you will want to save this for adult audiences--probably ones with more open minds to clarify that further--but this is most assuredly a worthy continuation of the alter egos of Sacha Baren Cohen franchise.

American Gangster R

Although such a crime drama may have been better in the hands of a Scorsese or even Mann, Ridley Scott provides a more than satisfying look into the rise and fall of drug kingpin Frank Lucas.

Denzel Washington gives us a gritty performance as Lucas, who made himself famous for skipping the middle man in the heroin industry, going straight to the source in Vietnam and smuggling dope into the United States via military vehicles; and Russell Crowe is solid as always in the role of detective Richie Roberts, who brings down Lucas' ring and exposes a rash of police corruption throughout New York City.

Josh Brolin, who plays corrupt NYC detective Trupo, shines in his supporting role, relentlessly stealing scenes with his unforgiving bad cop persona.

There are some aspects of the story that prevent this film from receiving a top rating, a few subplots that leave loose ends, but overall this is a fantastic crime drama and one that certainly deserves to be honored with the top movies of 2007.

Fight Club R

The Departed R