comment #1

Dr. Smith says ...

I can't BELIEEEEEEEEVE you put the Bourne movie on the list.

comment #2

PerfectTommy says ...

Where's "The Bucket List"?

comment #3

cinemascopian says ...

The Bourne movie is justifiably there. It was a superb piece of commercial film-making. John Frankenheimer must be smiling from the heavens.

comment #4

PerfectTommy says ...

It is a good list, but did you decide to keep it non-doc and domestic? I was wondering if "4 Months, 3 Week, 2 Days" might have otherwise made the cut.

comment #5

BNick says ...

Wow, I would have been shocked if you'd told be in March that Sweeney Todd would be in your Top 5, Jeff.

But those are all excellent choices, the ones I've seen, anyway.

comment #6

PerfectTommy says ...

Glad to see "4 Months" added to the list. I haven't had a chance to see it, but I'm looking forward to it.(So is my wife, who a few years ago went on a mission trip to a Romanian orphanage.)

comment #7

gruver1 says ...

Wells to Perfect Tommy: Thanks for reminding me about "Four Months," etc. I guess I was thinking domestically, but this film is way too good to leave off. I've changed it....thanks.

comment #8

jason4235 says ...

Where's Superbad? I'd put that above a lot of those choices.

comment #9

le corbeau says ...

I was less wild about Bourne 3 than that, for reasons a search of this site will reveal, but at the same time, I'm amazed at people who are shocked to see a piece of commercial Hollywood filmmaking next to There Will Be Blood and Control. What is this, New York critics in the 30s sneering at Duck Soup and Top Hat to make more room for Robert Flaherty documentaries and Soviet movies about life on a collective farm? As St. Pauline said, "Movies are so rarely great art that if we can't appreciate great trash, what's the point of going?" I think in ten years the same list looking back will have shed a couple of those somber heavy-lifting dramas-- and gained a couple of Knocked Ups or Shoot To Kills. If you doubt that, look at a similar list from, say, 1984, and show me the serious drama on it which you've rewatched more often than The Terminator.

comment #10

Josh Massey says ...

Wait, Shoot to Kill? As in Tom Berenger/Sidney Poitier Shoot to Kill?

I'm assuming you meant Shoot 'Em Up, but I cherish any reference to that paint-by-numbers 1988 film that I nevertheless loved so much.

comment #11

p.Vice says ...

I believe 4 Months was placed on the list as proof that Jeffrey still watches a foreign film on occasion. I thought it wasn't opening until January so I'm not sure it would stand as a 2007 release per the journalism standard of only including films that opened during the calendar year.

comment #12

Discman says ...

STILL no "Killer of Sheep"?

I have to conclude that you simply didn't see the film during its (first-ever) theatrical run this year, Jeffrey.

comment #13

MichaelC says ...

A very respectable list.

Still, I have to say that after returning here all year to enjoy your steady and enthusiastic advocacy of Once I am disappointed and surprised to see it finish outside of the top ten. I have a bunch left to see but I currently rank it second behind only No Country.

comment #14

Breedlove says ...

It's funny, I saw ZODIAC for the second time just last night and I have to say, I know I'm probably crazy but to me it's a movie that I greatly admire but can't quite fall in love with. I'm not sure why. It's obvious that Fincher is a genius, it's a brilliantly put together movie, an elegant and subtle movie...I feel like it should be one of my favorite movies and yet it's not. It leaves me a little cold...tons of great stuff in it, obviously, but I prefer the pulpy thrills of SEVEN, personally...I dig this more mature direction Fincher seems to be heading in, though, definitely the right call.

Anyway, I haven't seen close to everything but to me NO COUNTRY is hands-down the best film of the year. I would have liked to have seen RESCUE DAWN on your list somewhere. I don't know if I've ever felt a charge of adreniline watching an action sequence as when they finally try to break out of the prison camp...

comment #15

BNick says ...

I second everything that Breedlove said/feels about Zodiac. I'm almost ashamed to say it's not one of my favorite films of the year.

No Country For Old Men already feels to me like a cinematic and cultural landmark. I can't imagine it won't get at least two or three of the critics' awards this weekend, and it could well be on its way to a romp this awards season.

comment #16

EOTW says ...

I'm not surprised by the incluion of Bourne 3. Next to MICHAEL CLAYTON, it was the best piece of commercial filmmaking I've seen this year and one of the best action pics ever made, and, and this is no small and, it was an AMAZING third film. Not many trilogies have kicked ass in all 3 films. Let's hope this is the last of the series.

comment #17

Dan Revill says ...

While I thought Before The Devil Knows You're Dead was an interesting film, I just don't see how you can love it so much. I did see it because of your recommendation, but I'll probably never see it again. PSH was much better in The Savages.

comment #18

K. Bowen says ...

A serious question, Jeff: Didn't you rave about Assassination of Jesse James as one of the best Westerns in Heaven knows how long? What happened?

comment #19

Mr B says ...

I would have liked to see Jesse James a bit higher on the list, although I know it is a polarizing film. I enjoyed or loved a lot of the movies you listed but that one more than any other I just can't get out of my head and I know I will see it many more times. I totally support Bourne on this list, sure there were more important movies hence it being number 10, but it is one of the best pure action movies I've seen.

Having said all of that, I'm working my way through season 4 of 'The Wire' and I'm trying to remember when I've seen anything better in any medium.

comment #20

truefaith says ...

Why do most of your Top Ten films and honorable mentions have violence in them? No wonder we live in such a violent society. You couldn't pick any non-violent Top Ten films, such as RATATOUILLE, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, JUNO, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL, or even THE KITE RUNNER???

comment #21

Craig Kennedy says ...

A list to be proud of.

I'm not ready to start making my own list yet. #1 No Country for Old Men. #2 There Will Be Blood. After that it seems like there are 20 films I could put in the remaining 8 spots.

comment #22

Josh Massey says ...

No love for The Host, by the way? Is that considered a 2007 release?

comment #23

actionman says ...

very surprised to see Jesse James so far down on the list. Granted it has been an exceptional year, but Jesse James is one of the best films of the decade. But nice list Wells, good on you for including Bourne Ultimatum, one of the best, classiest action films in years.

comment #24

Edward Havens says ...

Discman, there's no Killer of Sheep on his list because Milestone didn't buy an ad on HE this year. Almost every film on his list is either a film that had advertised on HE or is distributed by a company that heavily advertises on HE. You'll note the lack of product from truly indie distributors (IFC and the Weinsteins are hardly independent) and you'll notice the lack of films he might have seen at film festivals that either don't have distribution deals yet and could use someone of some stature giving it a good word.

Considering 4 Months did make the list, it's very strange The Band's Visit is not on the list. With all the thumping Wells kept doing for it, and considering it is currently playing in theatres (a one week Oscar qualifying run for all other categories), surely it deserves to be on Wells's list. Oh well. I guess that'll show Sony Classics they need to line HE's wallet better.

comment #25

Caustic712 says ...

Great list, although I think 5 years from now more people will be remembering Superbad than American Gangster.

And Mr. B, I'm in total agreement -- I've been catching up with The Wire on Netflix (currently midway through season 3), and it's an amazing achievement. The fact that the world at large will barely notice when the fifth and final season ends in the spring is a damn shame. (Maybe they can bring in David Chase to come up with a real watercooler ending.)

comment #26

Crow T Robot says ...

Buckle up, kids. You're going to see Ultimatum on a ton of best lists this year. Although I prefer the less herky jerky first one, Greengrass' 2007 entry is one of the best actioners since The Fugitive (which got a best picture nom if you'll remember).

comment #27

Mr B says ...

Or just maybe Edward, he gets people to advertise from movies he actually likes. And conversely I've seen Jeff give meh or slight slams to movies that do advertise on here. So I don't buy your argument one bit. Make your complaints against Jeff, but i think this one is cheap, unfair, unfounded, and lame.

I missed where he wrote, 'this is a list of little movies that need my help to do well in theaters.' This was a great year, there were a lot of quality movies that didn't make the list, just because something you liked didn't don't call foul. Argue FOR the movie you like but those cheap shots lessen your argument.

comment #28

PerfectTommy says ...

About "Four Months": "I thought it wasn't opening until January so I'm not sure it would stand as a 2007 release per the journalism standard of only including films that opened during the calendar year."

Posted by p.Vice at December 8, 2007 07:12 AM

Since "Four Months" would be up for this year's Oscars, it rightly belongs on this year's list.

comment #29

Walter Sobchak says ...

It's funny that Jeffrey has so beaten us over the head with "Zodiac" that many posters here feel the need to apologize for not liking it more.

I liked it a great deal, but there are at least ten films this year I like better.

"I didn't think 'Zodiac' was the greatest film of the 21st Century...WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!?!"

comment #30

rocco says ...

I think you just answered your own questions as to why Iraq-themed movies have performed so poorly.

I am a huge fan of the Graysmith books...the atmosphere he creates is unmatched by almost anything outside of a Dostoevsky or, more recently, a Caleb Carr novel...I desperately wanted to love 'Zodiac' as a result...I just couldn't...I just can't buy into a movie where the lead is so terribly mis-cast...that dog-in-a-kennel look permanently tattooed on Jake's face is even more distracting than a scottish accent on a russian submarine.

comment #31

EOTW says ...

It's almost commonplace for everyone who sees THE WIRE to rave about its genius. Yes, it is the greatest drama ever produced for television. It's truly sad that Wells sucks Chase's dick over THE SOPRANOS, when anyone can tell you that it started its downhill slide after that first perfect season. Check out THE WIRE. NEVER a bad season, not even a bad ep in the bunch. For the guy who is just getting to the 3rd season, wait till you get to the 4th. You'll have an orgasm about how great it is.

Sad to think the last season will come and go and barely be noted by anyone but a few TV critics of note.

It is the greatest filmed entertainment in this country, more cinematic than anything produced in this country in years, possibly decades.

I, for one, am glad it never got as big as overrated crap like THE SOPRANOS (after the first season) or even SIX FEET UNDER (which was shit after the first two seasons). If it had, perhaps some of that big moeny would've influenced the show to get crappier and go past its prime, which both of those shows, and most TV shows always do.

Yes, the final season is only 10 eps, but trust me, they are going to be the ten best hours of anything the season. That goes for TV or film.

You been schooled, bitches.

comment #32

MiraJeffAICN says ...

Jeff, a good list, but I thought you were higher on Elah. I was surprised to see it ranked lower than I'm Not There and Bourne. And you forgot about the year's best film. Diving Bell.

comment #33

Jamie says ...

I am a little disappointed that Once didn't crack the Top 10. Excluding No Country I have yet to see a better film this year.

EOTW: Ah! I am midway through Season 4 and I am continually astounded by how each episode gets better than the last.

comment #34

Mr B says ...

Season 4 made me miss work today.

comment #35

Mr B says ...

I can do it Sunday so don't yell at me.

comment #36

le corbeau says ...

Oop. yeah, I didn't mean Shoot To Kill, I meant Stop or My Mom Will Shoot.

comment #37

Dan Revill says ...

Gotta admit that watching all four seasons of The Wire over the past year was by far one of the most gratifying entertainment experiences of my life. I can't wait for this last season. I was going to pick up all 4 box sets, but I think I'll wait for a final Series set (hopefully it'll be out by next Christmas).
I tell co-workers about how great it is when they ask me what my favourite shows are, and they stare at me blankly. The fact that most of the populace isn't aware of the show is truly sad. Season 4 kicked ass. Truly transcendent television - at least David Simon is able to go out on his own terms, unlike David Milch & Deadwood (motherfuck you HBO!).

comment #38

EOTW says ...

Let's face it, Simon and Burns got to make the show they made because it never caught on with a lot of folks, plus, and this is HUGE, it probably, in relation to the other shit on HBO, hardly costs a thing.

A typical ep of DEADWOOD cost in excess of 2-3 MILLION DOLLARS and it was never that popular in th ratings. While I love a lot of things about DEADWOOD (especialy Ian McShane's work, which makes Tony Soprano look like a fucking chipmunk), even i can admit it meandered where it shouldn't have and Milch lost interest in it as he does with everything else he does and the cost was just the final nail in the coffin.

THE WIRE is goin to be the ONLY fully realized show that HBO will ever produced. They gave up on DEADWOOD (rightly so ow that time has gone past) and on CARNIVALE (I fucking LOVED the first season but have yet to watch the 2nd season since I hate the idea that it got cut off at the knees). ROME was too expensive to do and they didn't care for it and don't evne get me going on BIG LOVE. HBO lost its edge years ago.

But it doesn't matter because David Simon is the ONLY David that is a true genius at HBO and I don't throw that word around lightly at all.

comment #39

ZacharyTF says ...

Where's Ratatouille on the list?

Next Thursday can't get here fast enough. That is when I see NCFOM.

comment #40

Josh Massey says ...

"For the guy who is just getting to the 3rd season, wait till you get to the 4th."

Echoed. As great as the first three seasons were, Season 4 takes it to another level.

comment #41

MarkVH says ...

So glad to see all the Wire love on this board. Can't argue with a word - it might be the greatest work of American popular culture released in my lifetime (I'm 27). I spent five months proclaiming its greatness to a co-worker, but he continued to resist watching. Then he did - and from then on, all we could talk about day in and day out was how much we loved The Wire.

Don't know if y'all got to read the profile of David Simon in The New Yorker this past October, but it's incredible stuff, and it also explains why the show has been able to stay on the air. Long story short, it had a couple of big champions among the executive team at HBO who fought for its continuation.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/10/22/071022fa_fact_talbot

Wells, if you haven't seen this show, I think I speak for more than a few people on this board when I say it really is time to watch it. This January-March, when it's generally a slower time for quality movies (Sundance aside), take some time and Netflix the first season (12 episodes). One episode probably won't grab you, but by the end of the season you'll be aching for more. If you don't see this you really are denying yourself one of the great pleasures in any filmed medium.

comment #42

Walter Sobchak says ...

"The Wire" just might be the greatest and most important thing the human race has ever created. Ever. In fact, it's even greater than anything God has ever created, except for Man...who went on to create "The Wire".

Actually I've never seen "The Wire". Apparently it's pretty good from what I gather.

comment #43

iamjoe says ...

Good list, but sad & sad to see Breach on the list; good movie in there somewhere, great actors, but couldn't decide if it was a drama or thriller, and failed at both. And sad to not see Michael Clayton, the best commercial movie of the year.

comment #44

Spicer says ...

I have been meaning to get caught up on The Wire for a long time. And when I say "caught up" I mean I need to start watching it from the beginning.

The problem HBO and all the broadcast networks find themselves in when they choose the shows they order is they never pick things in terms of what are the best shows we can put on the air. HBO has chosen poorly over the last several years because they want The Next Big Thing instead of a really good show that might become the next big thing.

comment #45

K. Bowen says ...

I think genre films have to be on the list. But Bourne was disappointing. 28 Weeks Later and Michael Clayton are the two listable genre films.

comment #46

Caustic712 says ...

Great article, Mark. Thanks for the link. (And I second the suggestion to Jeff to check it out for his own satisfaction. Hell, Wells, I'll loan you my Season 1 set if that'll do the trick; the last paragraph of page 1 of this article should tell you what you need to know.)

Walter, I was skeptical of over-praise at first; this article (fine as it is) includes a lot of it as well. All I can say is, you won't be disappointed.

I can't let all the David Simon love go by without giving a shout-out to the HOMICIDE series. Anyone who wants to talk about how good network television can be should check it out, if they never had the chance when it was on.

comment #47

MiraJeffAICN says ...

Caustic, amen, brotha! Homicide seems to be the show that time forgot. Back when it was on, it was the best show on TV. I used to skip middle school dances (make of that what you will) just to stay home on Friday nights and watch Homicide. I knew my shit back when I was 13.

comment #48

RoyBatty says ...

BOURNE being on this and other lists simply underscores how truly SHITTY this year has been for films. All the shaking camera moves in the world could not hide the fact that it was incredibly stupid and simply retold the same story from the other two in a different, boring way.

When you compare the first one with the others the only thing John Frankenheimer is going to do from "heaven" is weep for what was lost. ULTIMATUM makes IDENTITY seem like WAGES OF FEAR in comparison.

THE WIRE is destined to be one of those shows people will only discover on DVD - but then that is the beauty of DVD. Perhaps a benefit of the strike now guaranteed to last until Spring is that people will start checking out all these boxed sets of great shows.

comment #49

lipranzer says ...

I find myself in the same position as last year - I don't have a favorite film yet. I've got plenty of contenders for a top 10 list (14 of them), and a number of films that wouldn't quite make that list, but are damn good anyway, but nothing sticks out as the best yet. Maybe when SWEENEY TODD (which two critic friends told me I absolutely have to see) or THERE WILL BE BLOOD (which I've been waiting for ever since it was annnounced) or even 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, & 2 DAYS (when it finally opens here).

Oh, and I also share the love of The Wire, even though I have yet to see the 4th season. I'm getting it as a Christmas present, I hope.

comment #50

BurmaShave says ...

RoyBatty, only someone with a true hatred or lack of understanding of film could call this a shitty year. NO COUNTRY, ONCE, ZODIAC, JESSE JAMES, EASTERN PROMISES, RESCUE DAWN, RATATOUILLE, INTO THE WILD..., this has been one for the ages.

I can only hope truefaith's post is a joke.

comment #51

Edward Havens says ...

Burma, if you can only name eight good films in a year where more than 600 were released, that ain't a year for the ages. And when some have to go to a thirty year old film like Killer of Sheep to make it a good year, that ain't a year for the ages either.

comment #52

Craig Kennedy says ...

I'd ask you to name a better year Edward, but comparisons to the past aren't fair. Previous years have the benefit of hindsight and history to filter out the crap and let the cream rise to the top. Some movies get better with age and other are simply forgotten.

comment #53

EOTW says ...

Mark, thanks for that link. Gotta love those long NYer profiles. My sub lapsed years ago but that was good stuff. Curious about how Simon says most of the characters are going to have grim finales. I know that doesn't mean death for all, just more getting put down in the system again. Can't wait.

comment #54

thatmovieguy says ...

Jeff, if you haven't seen this year's unsung masterpiece ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS yet you might want to retract and overhaul this list. Trust me, it's life-changing. Just ask the possibly buzzed woman who sat behind me at the screening yesterday morning and roared with laughter all the way through it, pausing every so often to tell her kids, "Oooh, here comes the scene where..." Absolutely "high"-larious!

comment #55

Edward Havens says ...

cj... I'm just not one of those people who like to make insta-proclamations. When I see someone write or say a film is "destined to be a classic" or that a particular actor or film is "certain to be remembered at Oscar time" or that a year for film is "one for the ages," I am disgusted at that person's short-sighted laziness. And yes, that includes myself, when I make my occasional fall into the trap of useless hyperbole. Can't we at least wait a couple years and see what did stick and what didn't before declaring 2007 a year for the ages? More often than not, history has proven the best films of an era weren't the ones that were declared classics at the moment of their release but the ones that grew in stature over time. Sure, a Gone with the Wind is instantly recognized for the film that it is, but how long did it take The Wizard of Oz to catch the imagination of the generations? Citizen Kane wasn't recognized as the Greatest Film of All Time until 20+ years after its release. And it sure did take Shawshank a number of years and thousands of screenings on TBS to find traction with the masses.

Juno is not destined to be a classic. It's just destined to be this year's Napoleon Dynamite.

comment #56

Craig Kennedy says ...

Fair enough Edward, I'm all for perspective, but I admire the enthusiasm. I've had a better time at the movies this year than I can remember in a while and it's cool other people are excited as well.

comment #57

le corbeau says ...

Sure, a Gone with the Wind is instantly recognized for the film that it is, but how long did it take The Wizard of Oz to catch the imagination of the generations? Citizen Kane wasn't recognized as the Greatest Film of All Time until 20+ years after its release.

Actually, my theory is that after hearing all the hype about how Gone With the Wind was GOING to be the greatest movie ever made, no argument, the critics glommed onto Kane and started talking about IT as the greatest movie ever made because it was their kind of movie (black and white expressionist). And they WERE saying that about it before it even came out (partly to put pressure on RKO not to suppress it for fear of Hearst). That said, it didn't really get that stature until it was reissued to the revival/film society market in the 50s.

Generally, I think critics and awards overrate realistic movies that are about the concerns of the moment, and posterity tends to favor movies which are more stylish and metaphorical about a time period, which is why people loved The Best Years of Our Lives and patronized It's a Wonderful Life in 1946, but we find the former a bit dated (though still a very fine film) and the latter timeless and aimed straight at the heart.

comment #58

Metome says ...

delbomber, well according to Robert Graysmith, Jake was exactly as he was during that time. Graysmith said in many interviews that Jake totally got how he was and his personality during the time of the murders. He said Jake nailed it. Sure he was promonting the movie, but he certainly didn't need to give that praise if Jake was miscast.

comment #59

Jay T. says ...

The best pieces of filmmaking I saw on any screen all year were The Wire and Mad Men -- by a landslide.

comment #60

christian says ...

In The Beginning, There Was The Wire...