My Top 10 of 2007 So Far...

Nat posted his Top 10 for 2007 so far over at The Film Experience and what's weird, list-averse person that I normally am, I was actually thinking on this same topic yesterday too. I wasn't planning on posting mine - it was for something else I'm working on, birthday-related - and it wasn't even a full ten that I'd accumulated, but what the hey, I'll give it a go for no other reason then I can. I'm not bothering with adhering strictly to release date nonsense, some of these were released overseas before this year or haven't even seen a real release here at all, but I've seen them this year so they count, in my logic. There are also plenty of films I've missed. But anyway...

10 - Away From Her - Sarah Polley made a lovely directorial debut with this film and eased three fantastic performances out of Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, and Kristen Thomson. It's a small film that I don't see myself watching too often, but a lovely testament to love after the dust has settled.

9 - Black Book - Carice Van Houten really is as great a find as she's been called, and Verhoeven's return to his roots makes the Holocaust positively - and ocasionally disturbingly so - rousing.

8 - Jindabyne - For one, it has Laura Linney, and for another, it one of the greatest final scenes of a film in recent memory. There are no words for how much I love this movie's denouement.

7 - Severance - A total blast. Everything I wanted it to be and more. Also, mmmm Danny Dyer. (my review)

6 - Ratatouille - Pixar, O Pixar, how much do I love thee? Though, to be fair, Jim Henson put rats in the kitchen and made me love them first.

5 - Zodiac - This might move up after I see it again, but as is this stylistic departure for Fincher was just proof he's one of the greatest talents working today. Keeping his camera-movements relatively timid and focused on the story and the actors he brought in one of the most fascinating procedurals in years. (Am I forgetting something?) (my review)

4 - Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon - I know, I've said enough already. Seriously though - see this thing already! (my review)

3 - Year of the Dog - Molly Shannon gives what I think has been my favorite performance all year long (so far) in this film, and she's surrounded by terrific supporting turns by Laura Dern and Peter Sarsgaard and I was just totally on board with everywhere Mike White went with this story. LOVE this film. (my review)

2 - Grindhouse - I'm keeping the films as one, but if I had to choose Quentin's Death Proof would be in this spot by itself. But that'd be at the expense of Rodriguez's asskicking Planet Terror and Rose McGowan's leg and mmm Freddy Rodriguez and all the trailers and I can't do it, they're one. And they're as awesome as as I'd hoped.

1 - I'm a Cyborg But That's OK - Park Chan-wook is, along with Michael Haneke, possibly my favorite living director. He's only made five films, but I love every single one of them, and his streak continues and ventures into seemingly very different territory with this one. It's just bliss, total bliss. If you aren't yodeling when you leave this movie you're dead inside. (my review)
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