Nick's Movie Picks 2007-2008
Faithful to my one-post-per-year pace, I’ve decided to give people my opinions of this year’s movies. Since not everything (but most) of what I wanted to see has been made available to me yet, there may be forthcoming addenda.Best Drama: There Will Be Blood
This is an EXTREMELY difficult choice with No Country for Old Men and Michael Clayton in the running. My decision comes down to this: I like to disagree with the Academy, and I think Chris will probably pick Michael Clayton…I can’t steal his thunder like that.
Best Action: 300
This one is easy. Sure its outrageous, sure its “action porn” as one critic called it, but I defy you not to, at some point during the movie, clench your fist and flash a sadistic grin as the appendages fly.
Best Comedy: Superbad
This is also easy. Not only did it make me laugh harder than any movie in years, but it is the comedy of my generation (i.e. those in high school and college right now).
Best Screenplay: No Country for Old Men.
You can view this as the other best drama award, if you want.
Best Actor: Javier Bardem, No Country
Best Supporting Actor: Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Actress: Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Though probably a supporting role, I didn’t see many movies this year with major female characters.
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Ryan Gone Baby Gone
That The Wire never gets nominated for anything does bias my decision.
Best Soundtrack: Black Snake Moan.
It contains tracks of some of my favorite modern blues artists: R.L. Burnside, the Black Keys, North Mississippi Allstars. Samuel L. Jackson more than holds his own in several tracks, including a cover of the title track. It’s all real down-and-dirty electric Blues.
Movie with Best Original Music: Into the Wild.
Eddie Vedder hits the right emotions without distracting from the film.
Most Overrated Movie of the Year: Juno.
Movies like this are far more enjoyable when you have little or no expectations.
Most Underrated Movie of the Year: Into the Wild.
The Academy did recognize one of its many great supporting performances by nominating Hal Holbrook, but this adaptation, which kept just the right distance from its source material (faithful yet stripped of a lot of the weary “outdoorsman” stuff) is up there with No Country, Blood, and Clayton for best of the year.
Movie I most look forward to see that never opened in the Quad Cities: I’m Not There.
posted by Nick Dee @ 1:58 AM
2 Comments:
What timing. My copy of "Into the Wild" arrived from Netflix just today. Haven't watched it yet of course, but what about a shout-out instead for Jonny Greenwood and "There Will Be Blood" for Original Music? Very bizarre score in that one.
Must be a generational thing but I think I'd flip the trophies for "Juno" and "Superbad." Still, one can't dispute the work of Michael Cera in either.
Johnny Greenwood's score was excellent. It reminded me at times of "Lost"'s moody scoring (but not so over the top!) It was a tough decision.
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