2007 Movie Poll 12/28/07

WENN 2007 MOVIE POLL ====================

As the year nears its close, have you really seen all the 2007 movies that count?

The film buffs at WENN locked themselves away in a dark room with a week's supply of popcorn and warm soda and decided to review the last 12 month's hits and misses at the cinema.

We battled over 300, chuckled about Knocked Up, went native as we recalled Into The Wild's highlights and then dressed up for Hairspray - and we came up with the definitive naughty and nice lists.

So, if you're keen to check out one of the year's best films and avoid the worst, read on...

The Naughty List ----------------

1. Spider-Man 3

It was a big year for second sequels (see the top of the nice list) but this is a film franchise that should end - now! Tobey in tights just doesn't work for us anymore. This landed on all our worst films lists, so, as the powers that be try to decide whether or not to press on with a fourth film, we'll make it easy for you - don't bother!

2. Music And Lyrics

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore made the unlikeliest couple in film history in this sickly sweet romantic comedy where a forgotten British pop star (Grant!) teaches his American plant-waterer how to write a hit song - and cures all her love woes at the same time. Yuck!

3. Ocean's Thirteen

Another blockbuster franchise that should cash in its chips. Even an orange Al Pacino couldn't save this hellish heist movie, which concentrated too heavily on its starry cast and not enough on a plot. And, is it just us, or is Don Cheadle's British accent really annoying? Brad Pitt has just announced there won't be a fourth film - hurrah!

4. Fantastic 4: Rise of The Silver Surfer

Yet another franchise that needs to die as soon as possible. It's not worth detailing the plot for this film because there are four occurring at the same time - and each seems more silly than the last. Bad acting, average special effects and very little humour make this one of the year's most boring films. Not even a sexy blonde Jessica Alba could save this yawn-fest!

5. Live Free Or Die Hard

Bruce Willis returns to save the planet with Drew Barrymore's nerdy real-life boyfriend Justin Long. This third sequel was a long time coming, and, quite frankly, we'd have waited until they decided not to make this second-rate action movie at all. The stunning action sequences, especially the tunnel chase, are the only things that keep the film off the top of this list.

6. Knocked Up

This and 300 were the only films to make it onto both best and worst lists. It seems a few romantic types among us bought into the hype about this sleeper summer hit. It certainly was a sleeper. Zzzzz! Could you really stomach the idea of the stunning Katherine Heigl getting so drunk she'd sleep with chubby Seth Rogen - and then having his kid? Heaven forbid!

7. 3:10 To Yuma

Acclaimed by many, but we saw through the hype surrounding this plodding western. Gladiator Russell Crowe was barely plausible as the bad guy with a heart, while Christian Bale turned in the worst performance of his impressive career as the hero. Just when you think this film couldn't get any worse, the climax comes and leaves you scratching your head. We won't spoil it for you but it's perhaps the worst ending in a western - ever.

8. We Own The Night

If only this had been viewed by all our voters, it would have topped this list - but rules are rules and you can't vote for what you haven't seen. You can almost see the strings move as puppet-like Joaquin Phoenix (the most awkward man in the movies) struggles through this slow-moving vengeance saga that really should never have made it onto the big screen. Even sexy Eva Mendes can't save this nonsense, and Robert Duvall should be ashamed of himself. Truly awful film.

9. Fred Claus

Bah Humbug! Yes, yes we know hammering a Christmas film is like stealing sweets from a kid, but come on people, this has to be the worst festive fare ever to come out of Hollywood. Vince Vaughn as Santa Paul Giamatti's black-sheep brother is about as believable as the jolly red elf himself. What? You mean St. Nick really does exist! Well I hope he brings coal to the cast and crew of this awful film. That said, Kevin Spacey's camp villain and Rachel Weisz's awful cocked-up Cockney accent are howlers.

10. Becoming Jane

American Anne Hathaway spent so much time perfecting her oh-so-English accent for this period piece that she forgot to act, and James McAvoy makes a poor leading man. Jane Austen (the Jane of the title) will be spinning in her grave. At best, this should have been a TV two-parter - with better stars!

The Nice List --------------

1. The Bourne Ultimatum

We all voted for this one and at least it proves that not all sequels are a waste of time. The third Jason Bourne adventure was non-stop action and Matt Damon was stunning as the forgetful hitman trying to piece together his life. With thespians David Strathairn and Joan Allen among the supporting cast, this was all action and all acting. Now Damon's tough guy has discovered his true identity, we think the next instalment should be called Bourne Free!

2. American Gangster

The Oscars people should just hand Denzel Washington their Best Actor prize every year - he's the best of the best and everyone raises their game when they're acting alongside him. Russell Crowe is the recipient of Denzel's talents in this gritty true-life crime drama and Ridley Scott's direction has rarely been better. Even the soundtrack is stunning. Top marks.

3. Hairspray

John Travolta as a fat woman - inspired! An absolute joy to watch, the Hairspray re-do put a spring in all our steps - and gave us a new young star in the shape of Nikki Blonsky. But, for us, the show stealer was the ever-delightful Christopher Walken as joke shop owner Wilbur Turnblad. We're still dreaming about his backyard dance routine with his movie 'wife' Travolta. Terrific casting, great song and dance and just lovely.

4. Into The Wild

For many, the film of the year. Sean Penn waited 10 years to get the rights to make walkabout hero Chris McCandless' life story and it was worth the wait. Young Emile Hirsch is stunning as the tragic wilderness man and there are scenes in this film that will make you sob openly. Pearl Jam star Eddie Vedder's soundtrack really hits home too. An absolute must-see.

5. Michael Clayton

George Clooney reminds us all what a great actor he is in this menacing movie, and, for our money, he's the only guy who can challenge Denzel Washington for an Oscar. Great acting and a seriously good script make this film one of the year's finest. It's sure to land a handful of Oscar nods.

6. La Vie En Rose

Marion Cotillard has already won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of tragic torch singer Edith Piaf in this heartbreaking film. The French actress truly 'becomes' Piaf and even she admits she "channelled" the spirit of the legendary performer, who died too young, for the part. A true cinema masterpiece.

7. Ratatouille

The only animated film on the list, this clever little film about a rodent chef in Paris appealed to the kid in all of us. Billed as "the best reviewed film of the year" the critics got it right for once; this movie has gone on to make $600 million (#300 million). That's a big chunk of cheese!

8. 300

This epic battle movie wowed cinemagoers at the beginning of the year, despite mixed reviews. Gerard Butler was impressive as the muscle-bound Spartan king, who led an army of 300 against the Persians in 480 B.C. Director Zack Snyder wowed us all with some of the most stunning battle sequences, turning Frank Miller's graphic novel into a big screen work of art.

9. Zodiac

Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. are part of a great cast in this dark, moody and very atmospheric film about the Zodiac serial killer who terrorised Northern California in the 1960s and 70s. It's always nice when the ever-watchable Downey Jr. finds time between prison and rehab to deliver an excellent performance, and, with more than a few edge-of-your-seat scenes, this chilling movie is not one to watch by yourself... you have been warned!

10. The Darjeeling Ltd

Three brothers reunite to travel across India in an attempt to find enlightenment - and their long-estranged mother - in this charming, funny and touching film from Wes Anderson. A joy to watch from beginning to end, the chemistry between Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman is fantastic. Don't miss Natalie Portman's delightful (and we should add, partly nude) performance in the mini-film preceding the movie. (KL/WN/TN)

 

 

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