Echo Times

Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: A&E

Well, it's that time of the year again. The time when I get to sit back and write about what delighted me as a moviegoer. To be honest, it was quite a solid year for film. There were many well-done films but only a handful of exceptional work. The first five on my list were easy to conjure, but the second half wasn't. Since there were so many "well-done" films, I decided to add five more to the list as "special mention." Even after all that deliberation, there were still more I wish I could have added to the list.

"Lifted" & "Ratatouille"

This combo of short film hilarity and feature-length magic is as close as one can get to movie heaven. Gary Rydstrom's "Lifted" was the inventive story about an alien learning to drive and operate a flying saucer. Brad Bird's "Ratatouille" was the grand and imaginative tale of a rat that wants to cook, defying family, evolution, and all expectations. "Lifted" will shatter your funny bone, and "Ratatouille" will warm your heart.

"Grindhouse"

It is quite unfortunate that this double-feature homage to 70s exploitation bombed last April at the box office. Audiences missed out on an exhilarating blast of old-school fun made by A-list talent working at the top of their game. Robert Rodriquez's "Planet Horror," starring Rose McGowan as a stripper and Freddy Rodriquez as a drifter leading a band of civilians against an onslaught of zombies, was an ingenious homage to cult gore fests like the "Living Dead" series. Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof," starring Kurt Russell and Rosario Dawson, was an peerless tribute to 70s car-chase classics about a stuntman that goes after women with his "Death Proof" car. That's because these two mavericks are one (or is that two?) of a kind.

"300"

You know a film this popular has hit a nerve with the American populous when there's a plethora of parodies on YouTube. This neo-sword-and-sandals epic starring Gerald Butler and Lena Headley had a little something for everyone- Butler and 299 other men in skimpy loincloths for women, Headley and the scantily clad oracle girls for the men, sociopolitical parables for the intellectuals, and gruesome violence for the adolescent mind. Zack Snyder's smart storytelling makes this thrill-ride the most captivating action-adventure since "The Matrix."

"The Number 23"

Yes, I know. Everyone hated it. [Hell, there are even some on this paper that hated it.] But I know better. There are about 23 reasons why I loved this film, but since I can't name them all, I'll just give a couple: Jim Carrey was incredibly convincing as loving husband Walter Sparrow who first turns obsessive over the number "23," and later deadly. The screenplay by Fernley Phillips cleverly develops an obviously ridiculous premise while the direction by Joel Schumacher finds just the right tone for the material. Watch it again, and then really, really think about it.

"Hot Fuzz"

I've always liked muscle-bound "guy" movies about blowing things up. I've only just begun to enjoy quirky English comedies where verbal wit and visual acumen are the norm. I love it when the two are combined. In this hilarious parody of buddy-cop movies, Simon Pegg stars as Nicholas Angel, an exceptional police constable who is transferred to a small town where the residents start turning up dead, and Nick Frost is Angel's hapless partner who just loves action movies. It's quite apparent that director Edgar Wright loves action movies as well. While it's no surprise that this is the funniest British import since Wright's own "Shaun of the Dead," it is a surprise that it works as an action film in its own (dead) right.

"The Bourne Ultimatum"

This being the year of the so-called "threequel," I was quite surprised and floored by the third entry in the Bourne series. Matt Damon is back in top form as amnesiac spy Jason Bourne still trying to uncover the truth of his past. This movie is not only an exceptional piece of action craftsmanship but also a sharp commentary on these post-9/11 times. How could it not be, considering that Paul Greengrass, who directed "Ultimatum," also helmed "United 93?" I don't think I've ever seen a "threequel" that made me want to watch the whole series over again to reconsider everything that came before.

"Juno"

Finally, the hype is worth believing. Ellen Page is marvelous as Juno, the quick-witted 16 year-old who gets pregnant and decides to donate the child to two would-be parents played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman. Diablo Cody's screenplay is so good that it merges contemporary "teenspeak" with Hollywood style one-liners in such a way that it is totally believable and incredibly entertaining. Jason Reitman's direction deserves the Oscar for his careful and considerate approach with his actors. Don't be surprised if this film takes a few statuettes come Oscar night.

"Stardust"

While I liked "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," I felt this fantasy soared even higher. It's a shame it didn't make much in the theaters, but now that it's on DVD, one can relish the adventures of Young Dunstan Thorn (Ben Barnes), Yvaine the falling star (Claire Danes), and Lamia the witch (Michelle Pfeiffer). It's "The Princess Bride" of the 21st century.

"Zodiac"

I wasn't alive in the seventies, but my parents certainly were and they were scared senseless by this serial killer terrorizing the Bay Area. David Fincher's mature direction warped me back to a time when people were afraid to walk the streets in the light of day. This truly is Alan J. Pakula's "All the President's Men" meets Fincher's own "Se7en."

"Eastern Promises"

I'm not quite sure why I love this film so. I've only encountered this phenomenon once before while watching "The Year of Living Dangerously." I loved that film because it transported me into another world without really trying. The same goes for "Promises." Director David Cronenberg's under-your-skin approach melds deeply with Steven Knight's sly screenplay about a Russian hitman (Viggo Mortenesen, in probably his best role yet) with a moral quandary.

Special Mention: Here are five films that didn't make the cut, but still deserve much praise.

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" & "Atonement"

Here are two romantic tragedies that are as sharp as daggers. Johnny Depp's barber out to avenge the death of his wife and Saoirse Ronan's young writer who makes a terrible mistake are both captivating.

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut"

Snip, snip, snip. Director Ridley Scott can finally stop cutting. His revolutionary sci-fi opus has now come into focus. And it is beautiful.

"Hairspray"

The happiest, giddiest musical since "Grease." Cetainly helps to have the stars of "Grease 1 & 2" (John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer) in supporting roles.

"Persepolis"
Takes two almost-obsolete movies forms (2-D animation and Black & White) and gives them new life in the coming of age tale of an Iranian girl who has to leave home, first physically, then spiritually, and later completely.

Nick's Oscar picks

This isn't a list of who's most likely to win, but whom I'd like to win.

Best Picture: Lianne Halfon, Mason Novick, & Russell Smith ("Juno")

Best Director: Jason Reitman ("Juno")

Best Actor: Viggo Mortensen ("Eastern Promises"); Close 2nd: Johnny Depp ("Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street")

Best Actress: Ellen Page ("Juno")

Best Supporting Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Charlie Wilson's War")

Best Supporting Actress: Saoirse Ronan ("Atonement")

Best Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody ("Juno"); Close 2nd: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava, and Jim Capobianco ("Ratatouille")
Best Adapted Screenplay: Christopher Hampton ("Atonement")
Best Cinematography: Robert Elswit ("There Will Be Blood")
Best Editing: Christopher Rouse ("The Bourne Ultimatum")
Best Art Direction: Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo ("Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street")
Best Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran ("Atonement")
Best Makeup: Ve Neill and Martin Samuel ("Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End")
Best Musical Score: Michael Giacchino ("Ratatouille")
Best Sound: Scott Millan, David Parker, and Kirk Francis ("The Bourne Ultimatum")
Best Sound Editing: Karen M. Baker and Per Hallberg ("The Bourne Ultimatum")
Best Visual Effects: Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Russell Earl, and John Frazier ("Transformers")

Best Animated Film: Brad Bird ("Ratatouille")

Best Documentary: Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs ("No End In Sight")

The Worst

I don't like to say any more than is necessary about the worst of the year, but I must say this: There were just so many good films this year, it stands to reason that some of the titles on the list have substantial value (I technically did like #8-10 on this list). I just know that Roger Ebert would punch me if he heard me say "No Country" just wasn't that good.

1. "Alpha Dog"
2. "Rush Hour 3"
3. "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry"
4. "No Country for Old Men"
5. "Halloween"
6. "American Gangster"
7. "Hitman"
8. "Transformers"
9. "Cassandra's Dream"
10. "Fantastic Four 2"

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