Before I get started, I feel a responsibility to tell you that I’ve already let you down. Fair readers, this list is fraudulent. I missed so many movies I was dying to see in 2007, I should probably just give up my rights to blog and leave the country. The Coen Brothers and Wes Anderson, two of my favorite filmmakers, both came out with high-profile new projects this year, neither of which I have seen yet. And lots of the films I did see are not worth revisiting. A good deal of the truly great films I caught in ‘07 were on DVD, easier on the wallet, but disqualified from these considerations. In two months, I could probably give you an entirely new list. But I shouldn’t discourage you too greatly, each of these films is more than worth a viewing. So, without further ado, here’s the best of my painfully limited sample.

Once – A simple film, but beautiful, and full of the joy of storytelling. The music was gorgeous, the story heart-wrenching, and from the standpoint of emotional impact, I don’t think anything hit this sappy romantic harder. Once haunted me for days after.
Diving Bell and The Butterfly – My mouth dropped open at the very first frame, and I had to pick my lips off the floor after the end credits. Agonizing, visceral, powerful, truly unforgettable. We caught it at the Woodstock Film Festival, and I was so affected afterwards that I almost couldn’t face going to the after party. Almost.
The Simpsons Movie – I’ve been a fan of the show for what seems like my entire life, though I’ve found my interest waning in the last few years. But this film blew away even the loftiest of expectations. Truly hilarious, but also touching, which was a huge surprise. After sixteen years, they managed to show me something new with these characters. That alone was worth the price of admission.
Grindhouse – This should only count as half an entry, because I am not at all a fan of Rodriguez’ Planet Terror. But Death Proof…now there’s a glorious piece of trash. Quentin, you and your overwrought dialogue had me at hello. And the creepy cool performance by Kurt Russell was more than buoyed by some of the best driving stunts I’ve ever seen.
300 – This was a surprise, as I walked into the theater with very low expectations. But what I got was mythology in the flesh, incredible over-the-top performances, and some of the best cinematography of the year, at least in the $50 million and up range.
Air Guitar Nation – Perhaps the most fun I had watching a movie this year. Hilarious by it’s very nature, Air Guitar Nation made Airness not simply a part of my vocabulary, but a life’s mission.
Eastern Promises – Viggo, you are back my friend! A performance I couldn’t take my eyes off of, a truly unexpected ending, and enough effectively shocking violence to give the world of Russian mafia it’s necessary gravity.
Honeydripper – I caught John Sayles’ new film at it’s American Premiere as part of IFP’s Independent Film Week. This one just romance’d my face off. Great ensemble cast, phenomenal soundtrack. The plot was completely straightforward, but this one’s a true crowd pleaser. A perfect example of why I fell in love with movies in the first place.
Billy the Kid – In my experience, it’s a rare thing to find a documentary shot on video that truly calls for viewing in a theater. But ‘Billy’ is one. Some of the visuals gave me goosebumps, and the characters managed to be both unquestionably quirky and utterly universal.
I Am Legend – A Hollywood tentpole flick that somehow managed to move me. The shots of our city in ruins were powerful, but Smith’s relationship with his dog was enough to bring me near tears. He’s really turned it up a notch – found some inner emotional truth that sucked me in almost beside myself. And although the film’s ending left something to be desired, as a whole it left me ruminating on the themes and the characters for most of the next week.