The Top 300 of 2007

Hello everybody. I have not formally introduced myself yet. My name is Dan Wilson and I am an addict. I am in a deep addiction to Film. I had a few other blogs back in the day. None of them went over too well, so here is to hoping.


In this Blog I will talk a lot about movies. My opinion on Hollywood and beyond. If anybody has a comment or wishes to talk to me personally just e-mail me at sh_maverick28@hotmail.com . Now that the year is comming to an end, I thought I would make my very first top list. What else would be appropriate other than the top-300 of 2007.


Okay, so 300 is stretching it and will be more like 10, the logo just kind of ooks better.




10. Stardust - I can't say that I have ever read any of Stardust, but the movie was pretty good. The acting was up there. The movie made a poke at every fantasy cliche there is out there. This movie is director Matthew Vaughn's second (First was Layer Cake). I love this guy's work, starting with the early Guy Richie movies. Doing this he wanted to prove he wasn't limited to gangster movies. I think this attempt warrants a spot on my list of top 10 of 2007.

9. Rescue Dawn - There is not a Christian Bale movie out there that isn't good. Say what you want about "Newsies" or "Harsh Times", but the man is a fine actor. This movie is drama and action, simple as that. Not everybody keeps their end of the acting up, but the cinematography was spot on and Bale did his job well.

8. In The Land of Women - Okay, so the star of the movie (Adam Brody) was a cast member of "The O.C.". I will not hold that against him. I unfortunately have not been able to see his acting much since the skateboard-comedy, "Grind". From what I have seen of him, the guy is going to be golden in the comedy and romantic genres. This film about one man's journey to find himself consumed in love is simply a fantastic movie to watch. I will admit to liking the odd romantic comedy, and this one was something special. I respect the actor a great deal. Does that mean I respect the choice to cast him as The Flash, in Fox's upcoming Justice League of America adaptation? No I do not. In fact, D.C. has no place at Fox to begin with.

7. Bourne Ultimatum - To sum this up I will copy the words of Clint Morris over at Moviehole: "Never has a trilogy been so constantly solid throughout – even ‘’Return of the Jedi’’ was weak – and ‘’Ultimatum’’ doesn’t miss a beat. This is both an excellent action film and a bonafide epic that’s again proved why Matt Damon is one of the most popular and in-demand actors in the business."


6. 300 - A movie where a Scot plays a Spartan. No beef with him though. I am afraid Gery Butler may be able to pound the ever loving crap out of me while eating an apple. Besides, he is a phenomenal actor, and very under rated. I look forward very much to seeing him act with Jeremy Piven in Guy Richie's nex flik, Rock'n'Rolla. 300 is a story about 300 men (does his general count himself and Leonidas when he says "300 men"?). They go up against a horde of Persians. There is plenty of blood and fighting. The story is great, action is even better. You would think this movie would be all serious, but no. Writer, Frank Miller manges to make the movie witty while being consistent with its testosterone pumping.

5. 3:10 to Yuma - From the opening scenes I knew that the Western may be the coolest Western I have seen since the John Wayne era. Not only that but Russell Crowe and Bale act out in a film based on cult-legend Elmore Leonard's acclaimed story about the old west and men on the run. This is remake, make sure you know that when you watch it. I say this because, it is very rare to find a remake movie that surpasses the original. This one pulls the task off seamlessly.

4. Superbad - Okay, the Appatow boy's are brilliant to say the least. Give them credit for some of the best comedy had to offer in the last five year's. This film does not let up. From start to finish, Superbad delivers laughs not heard since the original teaming up in Anchorman.

3. Grindhouse - As a whole, when I first watched this collection of misfit movies, I was at a loss for words. The Rodriguez zombie flick was filled with more action and made more sense than most zombie movies (Plot wise)... I say this keeping in mind a girl with an m16 for a leg. As for Quentin Tarantino's turn at the helm, we see a superb chase sequence, and are treated to a female version of Jules Winnfield. Combined together with delicious faux trailer's, the film was a giant success for the people that got to see it. I for one enjoyed this more than most films this year as you can clearly see. It is a shame it did't get the attention that it deserved.

2. Transformers - Come on, it had to be on here. I for one am not a fan of director Michael Bay at all. I went in expecting a movie filled with car chases, and cheap humor... I got that, but with a twist. The cars involved in the car chases transformed into thirty foot robot's. If Bay's goal was to make me wet my pants... mission accomplished. Actor Shia Labeouf (Sam) , AMAZING. I remembered this kid from Constantine and Holes. I hated those movies. However, this one was action and humor from start to finish. I can not let an opportunity pass to recognize it's success. Do you know why I think this movie worked well? In my opinion, John Turturro (Agent Simmons) demanded it be a good movie since he only does those.If that is the case, thank you Jesus*. You made this movie amazing.

1. Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver...

Sorry Bad Joke.

1. Amazing Grace - Ioan Gruffudd stars as William Wilberforce, the man who was behind the abolition of the slave trade in Britain. He was a weak man at one point in time, and was almost made to quit. That is until he consulted mentor and friend John Newton (Albert Finney), the man who wrote and composed the song, Amazing Grace. Together he and his ragtag team of minister's and one politician, which consisted of actor's Rufus Sewell and Michael Gambon... The task was eventually accomplished. The film moves from start to finish without flaw. I am a history buff, and that may add to this number one spot. There does have to be something said though about Grufudd. His character was a man who changed the world as we know it today. Without him I am sure traces of slavery would still be legally around today. So with that said, Ioan Gruffudd finally made an impact. This time as the real Mr. Fantastic.


So there you have my top 10 of 2007. I have yet to see No Country for Old Men, or Swenney Todd or else I am sure they would be on here. These films have been chosen, not based on popularity, but on overall quality.

I hope you have learned a bit about me, and hope that you will continue to visit this blog in the future. Thank you very much for your support.

* Jesus was a character played by Turturro in The Big Lebowski.