2007 Capsule Reviews

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
rating: *****
review: One of my all-time favorite movies, Brad Pitt's most unexpected role in a career that to that point had been made of unexpected roles, taking on a quintessential American rebel, with masterful direction from Andrew Dominik and trademark narration from Hugh Ross.

American Gangster
rating: ****
review: I love when two major movie stars collide, which is what happens here between Denzel Washington (the eponymous gangster) and Russell Crowe (who takes on the challenge of bringing him down).  This is Ridley Scott in another of his genre deconstructions.

Ratatouille
rating: ****
review: As close to a true artistic masterpiece as Pixar has gotten, culminating in a divine meditation from Peter O'Toole, the likes of which will probably never be heard again in an animated film.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
rating: ****
review: The final showdown between Dumbledore and Voldemort ought to be considered a master class of fantasy dueling, the most rewarding element of this fifth film in the series.

Gone Baby Gone
rating: ****
review: Ben Affleck began a career revival by directing this Dennis Lehane mystery, starring his brother Casey in one of his defining roles (along with the eponymous Robert Ford above).

Smokin' Aces
rating: ****
review: A truly rollicking experience from Joe Carnahan featuring a bevy of great character performances from the likes of Ben Affleck (yes), Chris Pine, Ryan Reynolds, and even Jeremy Piven as the nominal (and eponymous) lead character.

Across the Universe
rating: ****
review: A visionary exploration of the Beatles catalog with exquisitely reinterpreted arrangements.

No Country for Old Men
rating: ****
review: The Coens go subdued, Josh Brolin solidifies his ascent to A-level, and Javier Bardem delivers an iconic performance as the relentless Anton Chigurh.

The Simpsons Movie
rating: ****
review: It may not feature the delirious music of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, but this is a perfect representation of the secret heart at the center of The Simpsons.

3:10 to Yuma
rating: ****
review: Crowe does another epic team-up, this time as the villain to Christian Bale's would-be hero in this modern Western.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
rating: ****
review: It may lack the sheer panache of Dead Man's Chest, but this is a worthy, otherworldly conclusion to the original Pirates trilogy.

The Lookout
rating: ****
review: Joseph Gordon-Levitt's true breakout performance after the splashy attention-getting style of Brick.

I'm Not There
rating: ****
review: Several big names play Bob Dylan in this extrapolation of his legend, including Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, and Heath Ledger.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age
rating: ****
review: Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth duology reaches epic proportions, the very rare historic drama featuring a woman at the heart of action.

Hot Fuzz
rating: ****
review: Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost, the team behind Shaun of the Dead, return in a kind of British Western.

Lucky You
rating: ****
review: Eric Bana bringing humanity to the traditional gambling narrative.

The Number 23
rating: ****
review: Jim Carrey in a mind-bending drama that allows him to lose himself in the narrative rather than stand out in front of it.

Spider-Man 3
rating: ****
review: The traditionally maligned final Sam Raimi/Tobey Maguire/Kirsten Dunst Spider-Man flick is actually narratively its strongest, thanks to at least one of its villains, Thomas Haden Church's Sandman.

Grindhouse
rating: ****
review: A film each from Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Taratino, who both let loose for rollicking adventures.

Charlie Wilson's War
rating: ****
review: Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks explore the mess of the Middle East, from well before 9/11.

Lions for Lambs
rating: ****
review: An ensemble cast including Tom Cruise takes an immersive look at the post-9/11 intellectual landscape.

Juno
rating: ****
review: Ellen Page's perfect role, as a sardonic teen struggling to reconcile her life after becoming pregnant.

The Mist
rating: ****
review: An overlooked horror spectacle from Frank Darabont, once again adapting Stephen King.

In the Valley of Elah
rating: ****
review: Tommy Lee Jones laments the state of the United States post-9/11.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
rating: ****
review: Arguably better than its predecessor, kind of hard to understand why Nicolas Cage hasn't gotten to make another one.

300
rating: ****
review: Instantly iconic visual spectacle from Zack Snyder and Gerard Butler, from the Frank Miller graphic novel.

Enchanted
rating: ****
review: Thoroughly enchanting live action update of the traditional Disney princess narrative, starring the only actor who could pull it off, Amy Adams.

There Will Be Blood
rating: ***
review: Unbalanced visionary work from Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis.

The Hunting Party
rating: ***
review: Fascinating, subdued journey with Richard Gere and Terrence Howard.

Rescue Dawn
rating: ***
review: Harrowing tale of survival from Christian Bale.

Fred Claus
rating: ***
review: Novel Santa tale from Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti.

Ocean's Thirteen
rating: ***
review: Breezy final adventure from Danny Ocean's crew.

The Game Plan
rating: ***
review: Goofy family comedy from Dwayne Johnson.

We Own the Night
rating: ***
review: Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, and Eva Mendes in a gritty crime drama.

Michael Clayton
rating: ***
review: George Clooney begins to find his stride as a leading man.

Music and Lyrics
rating: ***
review: Charming romantic comedy from Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant.

I Am Legend
rating: ***
review: Minimalist survival experience with Will Smith.

Shoot 'Em Up
rating: ***
review: Clive Owen delightfully parodies his own Children of Men.

Freedom Writers
rating: ***
review: Hilary Swank as an inspirational teacher with Patrick Dempsey playing against McDreamy type as her naysaying husband.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
rating: ***
review: Tim Burton and Johnny Depp finding out if their acts work in musical form.

Beowulf
rating: ***
review: Motion-capture version with some sweet vocal performances from Ray Winstone (as the title character), Angelina Jolie, and Anthony Hopkins.

Ghost Rider
rating: ***
review: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes and Sam Elliot interpret the Marvel superhero as a kind of modern Western.

License to Wed
rating: ***
review: Robin Williams as a live action supporting actor is clearly still having fun, and so is the kid trying desperately to be just like him.

Shrek the Third
rating: ***
review: The only real misfire in the Shrek series attempts to shift the narrative focus to King Arthur (as voiced by Justin Timberlake).  I always have a hard time remembering what happens in this one.

Bee Movie
rating: ***
review: Jerry Seinfeld disappointingly delivers a fairly traditional animated flick.  But still notable, as it's the only Seinfeld movie appearance to date.

Bucket List
rating: ***
review: Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman popularize the concept of the bucket list.

Alvin and the Chipmunks
rating: ***
review: Lively modern take on the animated critters.

The Bourne Ultimatum
rating: ***
review: The third in the series features Matt Damon learning his secret origin.

Martian Child
rating: ***
review: Charming variation on the classic Harvey narrative, with a kid.

Transformers
rating: ***
review: Bombastic opening salvo of Michael Bay's ultimate cinematic creation.

28 Weeks Later
rating: **
review: If the first one is more memorable, they clearly didn't learn why.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
rating: **
review: Serviceable second entry that chose to counterpoint a team that had already failed to fully connect with a lifeless addition.  But at least he's voiced by Laurence Fishburne, and Chris Evans still plays Johnny Storm.

Pathfinder: Legend of the Ghost Warrior
rating: **
review: Karl Urban is asked to anchor this relentless Viking/Native American horror flick.

The Last Legion
rating: **
review: Colin Firth leads an uninspired look back at the Roman Empire.

Blades of Glory
rating: **
review: A rare misfire from Will Ferrell.

Wild Hogs
rating: **
review:  Uncomfortable comedy that seems to come at the expense of John Travolta and Tim Allen.

Good Luck Chuck
rating: **
review: Dane Cook may be a fine standup comedian, but he's not really a leading man in movies.

The Golden Compass
rating: **
review: The Philip Pullman books may desperately want to be the atheist Chronicles of Narnia, but they haven't launched a successful adaptation.

TMNT
rating: **
review: This computer animated Ninja Turtles entry is pretty forgettable.

Fracture
rating: *
review: Ryan Gosling has been heavily pushed by critics for years, but this was an instance where I found the material to fail him.