Originally uploaded by bankythehack3000

2007 was not a good year for movies in my opinion. Oh sure, the moguls made money hand over fist, but in terms of overall quality, 2007 suffered for its art. The best movies were ultimately flawed (with one exception) and the flaws were bigger than any I can remember in recent memory.

I did see all the films in question with the exception of Michael Clayton. While the reviews were great and Clooney is the coolest guy on earth, I think the legal thriller genre has been played to death. I always anticipated catching it on DVD or cable.

First you need to know that I gots all kindsa Ellen Page love. Her performance and Diablo Cody’s screenplay were reason enough to go to a movie in 2007. Jason Reitman, Juno’s director, had the easiest job in all of Hollywood. I mean, Ed Wood could have directed that film and he would be up for an Oscar right now. Sure, the Jason Bateman character would have been played by George “the Animal” Steele and in a weird twist, Bela Lugosi would have played Juno’s Stepmom but maybe that would have been the break that would allow Bela to finally lay off the goofballs.

Go with me here.

No Country for Old Men is my second favorite film of 2007 and I loved it. Yeah the ending really did suck, but it worked for me. It wasnt a movie I want to see over and over, though. Death is a fate none of us can escape. Got it.

There Will Be Blood shouldn’t even be on this list in my opinion. Paul Thomas Anderson must have some cuckolding photos of a Paramount Exec coupled with a young boy because all the buzz generated on this film is not due to the movie or the screenplay.

It is 100% Daniel Day Lewis. His performance is so riveting and compelling but also traverses a dangerous slope. It could have been considered “campy” except for the fact that its done so deliberately. There is no hint of a sense of humor in the film or in Lewis’ delivery. It was the the only reason I remained seated during the film and remained remotely interested. He’s my pick for best actor if for no other reason, he was Hank Aaron on a team managed by the film-making equivalent of Alan Trammell.