The 411 Top 5: Week 77
Posted by Trevor Snyder on 09.07.2007
The Top 5 Best Summer Movies of 2007
Well, that's it, folks. The summer movie season of 2007 is officially over. This week's release of Shoot ‘Em Up and 3:10 to Yuma can pretty much be considered the beginning of the fall movie season. And I think it's safe to say that the fall movies never really seem to generate as much excitement as their summer counterparts, which is why now is a perfect time to do two things: start getting ready for next summer's movies (bring on Iron Man and The Dark Knight!!), and start reminiscing about the summer that was. We here at 411 are all over that last one, which is why this week we're proud to present:
THE TOP 5 BEST SUMMER MOVIES OF 2007
Trevor Snyder
HONORABLE MENTION
1408 - Eli Roth's gruesome Hostel: Part II was supposed to be the summer's big horror movie, and while I enjoyed that movie as well, there's no denying that crown actually ended up going to the PG-13 rated 1408. Thanks to a bravura performance from John Cusack, 1408 reminded us all that blood and guts aren't necessary to make a scary movie, not to mention that it is still possible to make a great flick from a Stephen King story.
THE TOP 5
5.The Simpsons Movie
Whether you still enjoy the television series or not (I do), there's no denying that its peak years are well in the past. So the big question for the long-awaited feature version was: is there any possible way it can live up to the wait? Turns out it can. Sure, it was essentially a really long episode of the show, but then, how could it be anything else? The show has been running long enough, and done so many stories, that there just aren't that many big epic ideas out there that they haven't already tackled. So the creators did something smart – instead of spending all of their creative juices trying to come up with some huge concept for the movie, they simply wrote a very funny episode. And we're talking very funny. Thanks to the input of the best Simpsons writers, the movie ended up being full of more laughs than the show has had for years, and did a nice job reminding audiences of why we fell in love with the show in the first place. It'll be interesting to see if its success results in a bump up for the show's ratings this year.
4.Superbad
No offense to Knocked Up (which I enjoyed, but was hampered by a somewhat weak final 30 minutes), but this summer's true comedy champion was that other flick brought to us by Seth Rogen and now-comedy-God Judd Apatow. True, a late-20's struggling writer like myself can't help but feel a little peeved by the fact that Rogen and childhood friend Evan Goldberg wrote Superbad when they were barely teenagers. But it's not because they don't deserve the success – it's because their script really is that damn good. By the time Superbad arrived, it was riding such a wave of hype and buzz that it wasn't unquestionable to suspect a massive letdown or a Snakes on a Plane-esque dud. But when a film is this hilarious, there's really no derailing it. Congratulations, Superbad, my friends and I will be quoting you for years to come – which is the highest honor we can bestow upon a comedy.
3.Live Free or Die Hard
Whereas I went into the next two movies fully expecting to be entertained, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one. Oh sure, I was looking forward to it and all, but there were a lot of question marks hanging over it. In a summer with a lot of talk about the redundancy of "Part 3's," here was the even-more dreaded fourth film. Not only that, but it had been over a decade since the last entry. Plus it was directed by a guy who had previously only helmed vampire vs. werewolf movies. And then there was that little thing about it being PG-13. PG-13! Needless to say, it wasn't hard to wonder if this was going to a real Die Hard or not. I guess us doubters forgot one little thing – you don't ever count out John F'ing McClane. Watching Willis back in action was not only a nostalgic blast, but the film itself was a more-than-worthy reinvention of the franchise. And as for that PG-13, it didn't even end up mattering, as the film was just as violent as the previous entries (only with less actual blood), and it turned out that McClane doesn't need F-bombs to be a badass.
2.The Bourne Ultimatum
Sorry James, hope you enjoyed that little less-than-a-year comeback trip to the top. Because in August, the other J.B. roared back into theaters to once again take his rightful place as the king of the modern action film. Seriously, out of all the sequels this summer, this is the one I would have been most pissed about if it had turned out to be a letdown. Instead, Ultimatum brought the series to a fitting finale (maybe), and cemented the franchise's status as the best action series going. Hell, one of the best action series of all time.
1.Transformers
If ever there was a film that pretty much defines what people typically mean when they say "summer movie," then Transformers is it. And yes, I mean that in a good way. The haters can criticize Michael Bay all they want, but here he delivered exactly the kind of film he needed to, complete with all the elements that make a perfect "dumb but fun" movie: Amazing FX, exciting action, hot girls, fast cars, robots, fast cars that turn into robots. I'm sure there were some longtime fans of the cartoon who felt letdown by this version but, speaking as someone who grew up with the show, I personally felt like the movie lived up to the name, and was a hell-of-a-lot of fun, too. Heck, I saw it three times, and will probably quickly double that number once I get my hands on the DVD. Film snobs can bitch and moan about movies like this, but sometimes you just need a big, dumb, and loud movie. And, sometimes, if you're lucky, they're as flat-out enjoyable as Transformers.
Ben Piper
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Let me preface this by saying that I won't be including anything that I haven't seen. Sorry, No Bourne or Knocked Up, although I believe that they should belong just upon word of mouth.
Spider-Man 3: If you had told me that this was going to be my own personal disappointment of the summer, I would have kicked you in the shin, just on basic principle. While Sam Raimi didn't deliver an out and out fiasco, he did deliver an underwhelming, overpacked mess of an action flick. I'm not saying that it out and out sucked, because it truly didn't. But compared to the predecessors in this franchise, it was a huge disappointment.
Pirates 3: Um, yeah. Meh. It was... just there. And I paid good money to see it. Call it the "must see the conclusion of the Matrix trilogy" theory.
THE TOP 5
5.Transformers
I completely and totally expected to hate this film going in. Why? Well, I was never a fan of the Transformers universe to begin with, in that I was actually too old for it when it first emerged in the mid eighties. On top of that, two words that forms a name, Michael Bay. Can't stand the guy, can't stand his movies. Other 411 writers have stated that he is "all sizzle, no steak", and that sums up my feelings perfectly. HOWEVER, despite the cookie cutter paint by numbers set up which eventually led into the over the top special effects laden third act, I actually kind of liked it. Was it great? No, but it was good. Will it hold up after a second viewing? Knowing Michael Bay, probably not, which is why I'm hedging my bets and won't ever see it again. But yeah, I was satisfied with my viewing experience for the most part.
4.Live Free or Die Hard
Bruce Willis as John McClain? Yeah, that in itself is a slamdunk. But when you add in the "Mac" guy from those Apple TV commercials as his sidekick? And they actually have some chemistry and comic timing together? Some of the stunts that took place were a little too over the top for believability, and while I prefer Sam Jackson as the sidekick (yeah I dug With A Vengeance) I had a good time. And while the F-bombs were kind of missing, in another sense, not really. Some would claim blasphemy at a verbally neutered McClain, but I didn't feel like it took anything away from the film going experience.
3.1408
What's that? A good horror movie based upon a Stephen King short story that has no gore to speak of in this current torture porn mentality of Hollywood? Yup. Look, I know all too well that King adaptations are hit or miss, and more than often miss. But in my eyes, this one succeeds. Instead of gutting and eye gouging and God knows what else kind of depravity that can be done to the human body, we get a tale of a writer (John Cusack) that visits supposedly haunted places and writes about them, all the while being a devout non-believer in the supernatural. One day, he gets warned via a mysterious postcard not to visit a certain room within the Dolphin Hotel in New York. Of course, he can't resist. And once he gets up in that "Evil. F*cking. Room" as the hotel manager (Sam J. Jackson) describes it, all bets are off. We get to watch as he attempts to match wits with the room that he is in, and it's a worthwhile ride. One that more people should have taken in, and hopefully will once this is released on DVD. Good stuff.
2.Ratatouille
I posed the question not too long ago during "Fact or Fiction" that this was the best overall movie of the summer. I did so because at the time that is how I felt. (I've since seen the number one movie on my list, hence this ranking) This movie undoubtedly charmed me, I have no other words to describe what I felt. It's true. Early on, I found myself thinking that I was being subconsciously programmed into liking what I was seeing, for I had no explanation for why I felt so strongly that way. Was it the visuals? Was the the story? Was it the characters reactions to the things that happened around them? The voice work? The attention to detail? It was all of the above. I mean, this is a kid's movie about a rat (A RAT!) becoming the greatest chef in Paris! It has become a sort of an unwritten rule, but now it should be set in stone; PIXAR= Quality entertainment.
1.Superbad
This is the Porky's of this generation, but elevated a notch not only with regards to intelligence and overall filmmaking but truthfulness with regards to real life. Yes, it's crass. Yes, it's vulgar. Yes, it is easily the funniest movie that I've seen in some time. The storyline is played out in that it's the same thing that has been trotted out countless times before; losers who want to get laid for the first time. But the end result is a real and heartfelt result. This is what American Pie tried to be and mildly succeeded at. But this effort far and away is the superior product. I fully expect a "McLovin" sequel.
Owain J. Brimfield
I haven't actually seen too many movies in cinemas this summer (or this year in fact, due to living on an island that has two cinemas with a grand total of three screens between them). So of the ones I've seen:
5.Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman
A reasonably compelling character study of Britain's last state executioner, Albert Pierrepoint, captured in an excellent portrayal by everyone's favorite Brummie Timothy Spall. It's not a movie you really need to actively seek out, but as and when it shows up on TV it'll be worth watching on a slow night.
4.Transformers
You know, I fully expected to hate this, and I think I even railed against it in Fact or Fiction a while back. Turns out some of my hatred was misplaced; clearly I was expecting a good movie, when what I should have been expecting was a good Michael Bay movie. Transformers is a total popcorn flick, crammed full of massive explosions and more humor than I would have expected (Bernie Mac, as always, has a hilarious cameo), and the CGI is quite frankly breathtaking, almost photo-realistic at times. It doesn't need a sequel but will probably get one based on its success, hopefully going beyond Earth into space (maybe bringing in Unicron... [dribbles with anticipation]). So, fair enough, I'm off to grab a slice of tasty humble pie.
3.This is England
Another powerful piece of British cinema from Shane Meadows, whose Dead Man's Shoes is one of my favorite indie films of recent years. The story of a young skinhead's childhood in the 1980s and his encounters with gang culture is by turns wonderfully warm and coldly brutal, and is a credit to Meadows' directorial skills.
2.The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Possibly the best idea for a documentary ever, as two middle-aged geeks compete for the world record on the original Donkey Kong arcade machine - a brutally unforgiving game, and one which I will happily admit to not having beaten the third level. Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell play Kong with an immense amount of passion, and it's heartening to see such devotion to video games, so long decried in mainstream media as unworthy of much attention. Thankfully, it's a viewpoint which is in the process of shifting, and this film can do wonders for the image of gamers as real people with big hearts.
1.Sunshine
Watching this in the cinema was a true visual delight - Sunshine is probably the best-looking film of the summer, and with a budget significantly lower than most other contenders. Although there are a fair number of flaws present, the film is at its best when re-watched, allowing us to pick up on some of the more subtle moments as Cillian Murphy and crew race to revive a dying sun. While some of the film's attempts at philosophizing do misfire (mainly in part due to the fact that the themes are not given sufficient time to develop), and the final act is rather confusing, it's still a confident and thought-provoking slab of science fiction. It's been labeled as a modern 2001, a comparison which is probably better suited to Darren Aranofsky's visually similar The Fountain but is nonetheless appropriate. Articulate, exciting and dazzling, Sunshine is my favorite film of the summer.
Bryan Kristopowitz
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Sunshine: Danny Boyle's science fiction flick isn't original in any real sense, but that doesn't really matter, does it? I don't think it does. The movie is so beautiful to look at and to experience that you sort of forgive it for its myriad problems. I guess you could call the movie "deliberate" in doing whatever it is it's doing. It's certainly not the movie I expected it to be, and that's a good thing. Like The Fountain, Sunshine will only get better with age.
Stardust: This movie will probably be famous forever for the return of Michelle Pfeiffer as a villain and for Robert DeNiro's "swishy" portrayal of the pirate in the flying pirate ship. What the movie should be known for, and it's the one thing I'll remember about it from now until whenever I forget it, is the whole "ooh ah" of the movie. It's a fantasy movie with a "real" fantasy world that every character accepts as real. That, to me, is the hallmark of great movie fantasy. The characters accept the world that they live in. Plus, Stardust is a lot of fun. And it's kind of cruel, too. When people die, they freaking die. That's fun in a fantasy flick.
Whose Your Caddy?: I certainly had no intention of seeing this flick when I saw the preview for it. It just didn't look like a worthwhile movie. Sort of a jokey version of "Caddyshack" but with Jeffrey Jones instead of Ted Knight. But the more I think about the movie and the performances and just the general goofiness of a low rent comedy with a cliché social message, the more and more I like it. You can tell everyone in the movie is having a blast and they want you to have a blast and you take them up on it. And Whose Your Caddy? has perhaps the movie line of the year: "Why can't a soul brother be Captain Crunch?" Why the heck isn't that on a T-shirt?
THE TOP 5
5.Spider-Man 3
It's jammed to the walls with plot and characters, it's loud and at times confusing, and you wonder at the end why Raimi and Sony even bothered putting Venom in the story at all. Beyond the obvious merchandising opportunities that Venom presents, I can't figure out why he's in the movie. And why the heck is Topher Grace playing him? Even with all of that nonsense, Spider-Man 3 sort of figures itself out and provides enough slam bang big butt action to make you forget all of the story problems. I guess they could always bring back Venom at a later date. And maybe Sandman is floating away to really atone for his sins and find Nick Nolte's Absorbing Man lightning bolt character from Ang Lee's Hulk. Although Sony will probably once again pack the next one with several villains and potentially Batman & Robin the franchise, I'll be there ready to see it. Like most people will.
4.Transformers
Michael Bay certainly outdid himself with Transformers, a movie that, despite the confusing robot villains and my inability to tell most of them apart (both good and bad), featured one of the coolest characters ever to appear on any screen, large or small: Optimus Prime. Kind of like Spider-Man 3, Transformers is packed with human characters and exploits and all of the giant robot stuff, which all gets kind of confusing after a while and makes you wonder why several movies featuring the Transformers weren't made from the story. There could have been a military story, a kid and his car discovery story, and a search for the big space thing story, each with its own movie and cast and whatnot. That didn't happen, obviously. What we did get were some dang decent giant robot kung fu battles and battle action and none of it looked ridiculous. That's all we were looking for and we got it.
3.Sicko
Ah, yes, big fat Michael Moore roared back into the movie and political/public discussion with his flick about the state of health care in the United States. Left wing yahoos like me cheered, right wing degenerates, as they usually do when Moore does something, cried foul and whined and bitched on Fox News about how the conservative message never gets on television, and people the country over, at least for a few weeks, actually willingly discussed the healthcare issue. In the end, Sicko probably won't initiate any real change, but at least it made enough money to allow Moore to make another movie. Because you just know he's going to do another one. I, for one, can't wait.
2.Hairspray
With the exception of the flick sitting in the number one spot on my list, I don't think I had as much fun at the movies as I did with the musical version of Hairspray. I usually don't go for musicals (I just don't, it's not that they're bad or awful or anything, I just don't) but I sort of wandered into this one and ended up loving it. Nikki Blonsky, in her first major role, knocked it out of the park as Tracy Turnblad, the girl that just wants to dance on the Corky show. She's so freaking enthusiastic and upbeat; normally it'd make you sick. No one could be that happy. But you like Tracy no matter what. Great stuff. Loads of fun.
1.The Simpson's Movie:
Like most Simpsons nerds, I went into this movie with both hope and dread. I wanted it to oh so much work, but I knew that it could have just played there on the big screen, getting worse and worse as it went on. But that didn't happen. Instead, I think we got a great animated comedy, one that will live forever not only because it's part of the two decade legacy of the cartoon TV show, but because it itself is a great movie. I always figured that if the Simpsons ever did have a movie it would be more of a musical type thing and have a bigger, more "out there" story, sort of like that first Simpson's arcade game where Mr. Burns steals Maggie and the rest of the Simpsons have to rescue her. What we got instead was a bunch of little stories surrounding one big story that didn't seem all that big but worked as a big story anyway. I can't wait for the DVD.
Chad Webb
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Superbad, Bug, Ocean's Thirteen
5.Paprika
Most people only recognize the blockbusters, while others concentrate on the independent films. My list will have a bit of both. Paprika is the first of two animated movies I loved this summer. When I first was introduced to Director Satoshi Kon with Millenium Actress, I was unsure of how to rate his work. As time went on, I enjoyed it more, and with his latest fourth feature offering, I feel it ranks right up there with his best submissions, and it is certainly one of the best animated adventures of the year. Paprika is a breathtaking piece of animation splendor that explores chaotic daydreams and mysterious nightmares, while revealing the danger of liberating them. Paprika shames our constant and polluted exploitation of CGI by igniting the deepest and most bizarre areas of the mind with an ageless hand-drawn style. Kon is the master at blending fantasy and reality with such an effortless fluid motion. Whether or not this makes my top 10 at year's end remains to be seen, but as of now, it is a wonderful film I urge more to seek out.
4.The Bourne Ultimatum
The first two excursions with Jason Bourne were excellent, not great, but cool nonetheless. I wanted the third to sweep me off my feet, and leave me shaken to the core. That is exactly what the brilliant filmmaker Paul Greengrass did with his second contribution to this superb franchise. This was not just a glorious summer hit, it will go down as one of the best spy flicks in history because of the permanently adrenaline fueled impression it leaves. The action is enveloping, and reverberates with a snap, crackle, and pop. Bourne's fight with an assassin ricochets and sizzles throughout your body like a frantic pinball. Some complain about the camera style, but in my opinion, that sets it apart from the throw away actioners. The technique is indeed unsteady, unstable, and unhinged, but the goal was to place the audience in the room with the characters. The premeditated feeling was to be spastic and rousing, not stagnant and customary. Sequels are usually not this fabulous, but thankfully this one delivered everything it promised. I sincerely hope that it concludes as a trilogy, so that we are left wanting more, yet treasuring the ones we have now.
3.Ratatouille
I have noticed that Pixar has some detractors, or should I say folks that admit the movies are admirable, but seem to have trouble acknowledging just how timeless their annual masterpieces are. It boggles my mind to hear some say that just because this plot involved rats, and not penguins, or cuddly critters that it will therefore not be cherished by children. It doesn't matter what creature is the star. With the right tools, and a crew that cares, any living thing can warm our hearts, and while that sounds extremely cheesy, it is true, and the determined workers at Pixar have given us one of their finest pictures to date with a rat named Remy. What a delightful treat this is from start to finish. This does not strive for exaggerated pop culture references, or increasing fart jokes, it wants a appropriate mixture of comedy, adventure, and drama. The slapstick humor is lively, poetic, and marvelous, the dialogue is witty and absorbing, and the voice talents are absolutely irresistible. Pixar continues to exceed our expectations year after year, and they have given families numerous jewels to revere. We can rely on them.
2.Knocked Up
It was a difficult decision between Knocked Up or Superbad for my top 5 because both comedies were equally as spectacular. In the end, I chose the one directed by Judd Apatow due to how much it reminds me of my own life at the moment. All the characters are about my same age, and it really made an impact on me when I saw it. Not to mention the fact that it is totally non-stop hilarious. Seth Rogen proves to have star power all his own, and the chemistry with his former Freaks and Geeks pals was still present, and made funnier with Jonah Hill included. Even though it was over 2 hours, it never felt long, and instead you didn't want it to end. It appears that anything with Judd Apatow's name attached to it results in an instant classic with quotable lines and memorable scenes. Superbad might be fresh on everyone's mind for good reason, but don't forget about this. I actually liked it more than the 40 Year Old Virgin.
1.Paris, Je T'aime
This was released at the beginning of May, but in my opinion it qualifies as a summer film just like Spider-Man 3, regardless the tiny amount of theaters it was shown in. This is one of the best films of the year, and the reason is that it offers so many different and unusual little stories for the viewer to enjoy. It explores every angle and facet of love in the most versatile and suitable ways. So many acclaimed and novice filmmakers contribute their own piece that is unique and filled with vision. It received enough positive reviews, and did well enough at the box office for such a small capacity, that a second installment New York, I Love You is on the way with more marvelous directors. This film will make you love the city of Paris. Many grumble because one short is better than others in anthology pieces, but that should be expected. This is a great movie that will hopefully gain a bigger audience on DVD.
Jason Chamberlain
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Simpsons Movie - Kudos to the Simpsons crew for not only creating a damn funny movie, but its plot under wraps for so long in our ‘spoilers everywhere' internet world. And who could forget SPIDERPIG!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Not my favorite of the series (that Umbridge made me want to tear my eyes out every time she came on screen, and she's in it SO much) but still, another enjoyable chapter in the cinematic adventures of the boy wizard.
Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer - I really don't get the venom thrown at this series by... well it seems by everybody. Now I've never read a Fantastic Four comic book, so maybe I just don't carry the huge expectations that everyone else does. But I've found both films to be really enjoyable, big scale popcorn/comic book flicks. I was a fan of the first one and this one didn't disappoint. I was worried the first family would get lost in their own movie admist all the hype about the Surfer, but the balance worked well. The team interplay was awesome again, Chris Evans continues to rock as Johnny Storm, the Surfer was executed perfectly, Doom was back and badass. And if you've got a problem with Jessica Alba in spandex, by god, you've got a problem with me!
THE TOP 5
5.Live Free or Die Hard
This movie caught me completely by surprise. I am a huge fan of action movies, but somehow prior to this film I had never seen a Die Hard movie front to back (unless you count TBS viewings). Anyway, I went in fresh, and what I got was a great summer flick. Bruce Willis kicking ass (obviously), Justin Long with a great turn as his sidekick, and Timothy Olyphant (who is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors) who imbued his uber hacker villain with a genuine sense of menace. Add in some killer action, a great cameo by Kevin Smith, the hotness of Maggie Q and whoever it was playing McClane's daughter and you've got a winner!
4.Rush Hour 3
We waited six long years for a new Rush Hour movie. I don't want to say the wait was worth it, because by rights this film should be Rush Hour 4. But what's here is a fun addition to the series. Lots of great Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker interplay, and speaking of Chan, he continues to amaze with his physical prowess. The battle between Li and Kenji on the Eiffel Tower (complete with swords!) rules, and even Tucker gets to show off some kung fu skills.
3.Spider-Man 3
Yes, I loved this movie. Sue me! Did it have too much going on? Probably. Was the whole "Peter's evil when the bangs come down" thing a little lame? Probably. Was Gwen Stacy pointless? Probably. Did the film have one villain too many? Probably. But still, this movie ruled. It had awesome action (raise your hand if you geeked out for that Spidey/Goblin team up), it had Venom in all his badassness (Topher Grace wasn't bad!), and even some touching moments both expected (Peter and Harry's goodbye) and unexpected (Sandman's strangely tragic creation).
2.Transformers
I wasn't expecting to love this movie as much as I did. I think what surprised me most was just how fun it was. It obviously had some kick ass action, but thanks to a great performance by Shia LaBoeuf, it's also a pretty damn funny movie in a lot of places. I haven't seen the ‘summer blockbuster' executed much better in recent years than this film. From action to laughs, drama to a little romance, it had everything you needed for a fun summer night at the movies.
1.Superbad
I don't want to say this movie took me by surprise, because I was definitely anticipating it. When I first saw the preview I thought it looked kind of lame. I don't know why, something about it just didn't jive with me. But then I saw it again, and again, and again, and I realized how hilarious it was. As a fan of teen raunch comedies, I was definitely eager to see it, but when I did, I was blown away.
I'm not sure that I've ever laughed harder at a movie than this one. And not just hard, but consistently. At least every five minutes in this film (which is about two hours long by the way) you are on the floor laughing. If it isn't McLovin's antics, it's Seth attempting to steal booze, or his admission of penis drawing, or Evan's obliviousness, or his ‘fastest kid alive' running, or the Chinese kid doing his fantastic cat impression, or the awesome lack of professionalism from the two cops, or Evan's cover of These Eyes complete with harmonizing coke heads... the movie throws out joke after joke and gag after gag, and they all land right on the money.
