Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2008 > July > 10 > Entry
The best films of the half year
Why do a 10 best list when the year’s only half over? Simple. It’s to give some quality films from early in the year their due. They may not be good enough to end up on a 10 best list at the end of the year, but they’re certainly good enough to warrant a little extra attention.
The list also serves as an interesting primer for what will come at the end of the year. Which movies will be strong enough to stay here?
Keep in mind that I’m counting movies that opened in the Dayton area this calendar year, even though they may technically be 2007 films.
10. The Spiderwick Chronicles: Amid the glut of fantasy films lately, this one kind of got buried in the mix, which is too bad. For my money, it’s better than either of the Narnia films.
9. The Bank Job: Jason Statham stars in an action movie with a brain! Wow!
8. Forgetting Sarah Marshall: The Judd Apatow movies not actually directed by Apatow have been a mixed bag, but this one was easily the funniest of the lot.
7. Persepolis: I found this highly acclaimed animated film a bit overrated, due mainly to the abrupt ending, but there’s no denying its unique vision and biting humor.
6. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day: A delightful throwback to 1930s style screwball comedy. And yes, the presence of a certain Amy Adams helped earn it a spot here.
5. Kung Fu Panda: It just might be DreamWorks best animated film. Hi-ya, Shrek!
4. Atonement: A shattering, engrossing look at the nature of truth, and the power of a lie.
3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: How on earth can someone understand the feelings of someone who’s can only communicate by blinking one eyelid? By making a film as extraordinary as this one.
2. There Will Be Blood: Admittedly, the movie is not for all tastes, but I draw the line at complaints this movie doesn’t work because the lead character isn’t likable. There is no law that says lead characters must be likable, but they do have to be charismatic. And if Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance can’t put that across, nothing can.
1. WALL-E: I have a strong feeling this masterpiece will stay in the same place on my list come December.
Admittedly, this list is not comprehensive as I haven’t caught up with acclaimed titles like In Bruges or 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days yet. What other movies deseve consideration? What are your favorites of the year thus far?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Lists
Comments
By Kim
July 14, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Thanks, Eric - I missed that one somehow. I found the film charming - perhaps even daring and innovative, but it didn’t move me to the extent that it did you I guess. It felt a little slow to me in spots - and the message felt more heavy handed to me than it did to you. Maybe it was because I saw it at a drive-in and it was my 3rd movie of the night, so it was around 1am when I started watching it - lol! Perhaps I should give it another look when I’m more fresh! I guess it does speak volumes that I stayed awake - ha!By Sir Critic
July 12, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
Sure did, Kim. Check out the Reviews category in the sidebar. That’ll tell you why I think it’s quite a bit better than okay.By Kim
July 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Wall-E? Seriously? did you review that one? I would be curious to see what you thought was wonderful about it. I thought it was “okay” - but the word “masterpiece” is not one that comes to mind for this film.By Kim S.
July 11, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
You waived “Iron Man” for “Atonement”? That one I simply can’t see. I found “Atonement” extremely disappointing, and far short of my expectations - no matter the release year. And “There Will Be Blood”, in my opinion, needs more than one viewing. First viewing I hated it. Second I started to respect it, but I still wouldn’t call it his best film - nowhere near “Magnolia”. I am glad to see “Persepolis” make the cut, though. And I’m looking forward to “The Bank Job”. I’ll have to make a similar list myself.By Sir Critic
July 10, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
No, no Iron Man. I liked it a lot, but not as much as these 10. It just missed.By Otis
July 10, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Dude, no IRON MAN?By Rob
July 10, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
I only count movies “officially” released in a given year, whether or not they’ve made it to Dayton, so I’ve officially only seen 14 of this year’s movies (through 7/1, so this doesn’t count Hancock). Here’s my order: 1. WALL-E 2. Iron Man 3. In Bruges 4. Get Smart 5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall 6. Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 7. Cloverfield 8. Definitely, Maybe 9. The Hammer 10.The Incredible Hulk 11. The Other Boleyn Girl 12. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 13. Wanted 14. Be Kind RewindBy Allie D.
July 10, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Well, definitely watch In Bruges. That movie will likely be in my Top 5, at the very least. In fact, if things go the way I’m hoping they’ll go with The Dark Knight and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it will likely be a solid three or four. We shall see. I also highly recommend The Counterfeiters. I will also put The Bank Job on here as well because it was probably the best heist flick I’ve seen in a few years, but I doubt it will hold for the rest of the year.