These are my favorite movies of the year. Keep in mind, I have yet to see
No Country for Old Men (Now out of my theater),
The Darjeeling Limited (In and out of my theater in one week), or
There Will Be Blood (Yet to even reach my theater.) This isn't really in order.
Juno by Jason Reitman
This was, without a doubt, my favorite movie of the year. It was funny, touching, and for the first time in a while, the script, direction, and acting were all equally impressive. I normally don't rave about performances, but literally every single actor in this movie is great. The film is genuinely quirky, not that irritating Wes Anderson imitation style that has been pervading movies in the past few years. However, despite this quirkiness, every moment of
Juno feels completely real.
The Simpsons Movie by David Silverman
Just like the television show,
The Simpsons Movie is hilarious throughout, and gives us characters that we truly care about. The scene in which Marge leaves a videotape for Homer telling him that their marriage is over is one of the most heartbreaking I've seen in this or any other year. For those who aren't fans of the show, I suppose
The Simpsons Movie isn't great, but it's still ridiculously funny.
Across the Universe by Julie Taymor
Julie Taymor's Beatles musical not only has what is obviously the best soundtrack of the year, but also beautiful visuals, good acting, and extremely interesting characters. This is easily the most visually pleasing film of the year, and the music is phenomenal. My favorite part is probably the "Revolution" scene.
Superbad by Greg Mottola
Superbad is probably the most rewatchable movie I've seen in a long time. I've seen it over five times now, and it's still fresh and hilarious. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's brilliant script gives the movie some very good things to say about friendship between teenagers.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Tim Burton
Burton has been so hit or miss in the past decade, with only one real success (
Big Fish). Now, by adapting Steven Sondheim's beloved musical, he has returned with intense, violent vigor. The final ten minutes of the film are some of the best directing he's ever done. The last three shots have been playing through my head ever since the credits began to roll.
Paprika by Satoshi Kon
Kon's followup to his brilliant 2003 television series,
Paranoia Agent is the best work he's ever done. Somehow, Kon explores themes such as dreams and the nature of reality without depressing you, as such themes have a tendancy to do. In fact, I had a big fat smile on my face walking out of the theater. The animation is beutiful, and during the dream sequences, had such fluidity in motion as if Kon had made the film at 72 frames per second. This is technically a 2006 film, but I don't care.
Zodiac by David Fincher
This is a completely different Fincher from the one that you may know from
Se7en and
Fight Club. Gone are the stylistic and grim/gritty look of those pictures and their many imitators. This film has a fresh, clean look to it, and it's nice to see Fincher try something different.
Knocked Up by Judd Apatow
Apatow's followup to
The 40 Year Old Virgin is much better. While his previous film was funny, it's characters weren't as endearing as Ben Stone and his stupid stoner friends in
Knocked Up. Seth Rogen really pulled off carrying the film for me. His demeanor reminds me of nobody, and maybe that's why he's so hilarious.
Ratatouille by Brad Bird
Brad Bird adds to his ridiculously perfect resume the brilliant
Ratatouille. For the first time, this computer animated film feels animated, and not like an imitation of live action. The view of Paris created in this film has succeeded in making me want to visit there, where so many other live action films have failed.
Hot Fuzz by Edgar Wright
With their first film since
Shaun of the Dead, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg have crafted another great homage to another movie sub genre, the buddy cop movie. This film blends their signature humor style that was honed in
Shaun and the television series
Spaced with a more over the top style in which old women are kicked in the teeth, and priests hides pistols underneath their vestments.
The Worst Movie of the year...
Freedom Writers by Fuck Face
This cliched piece of garbage makes me want to projectile vomit onto Hilary Swank's massive forehead. When will Hollywood learn that she is the most overrated actress of her generation, and that movies about teachers helping out a bad inner city school are trite and pointless? Freedom Writers offers nothing new on the subject, and provides the worst acting I've seen since
Pearl Harbor. I'd continue writing, but I don't want to puke on the keyboard.
