The Best Film of the Year

2007 saw the return of quality to Hollywood (though in relatively small proportions). Without doubt, the best film of the year-- the best film in the last 7 years, in fact-- is Atonement. I heard it described on the radio this morning as "sensuous and intelligent." That's exactly what the film is at its most bare-bones description.

I don't know about you, but when I see a film that is this viscerally moving, I can't use words to describe it; to do so would cheapen a beautiful experience between a human being and a work of art that no one else would be able to understand. Indeed, I would not attempt to grasp your personal experience with it. Would I ask you to express what your own existence means in a couple of paragraphs? Futile, I think.

Simply stated: go see this film. It's superb in so many ways and you don't have to have a film degree to appreciate it. Plus, James McAvoy is the finest actor of my generation. Period.

Other good and/or fun movies of 2007: Across the Universe, American Gangster, A Mighty Heart, Hairspray, Breach, I Am Legend, Becoming Jane (2006), Knocked Up, Transformers, Bella and Ratatouille.

I have yet to see the following films but I'm pretty sure I'm in for a treat: Juno, Sweeney Todd, No Country for Old Men, In the Valley of Elah, Gone Baby Gone, I'm Not There, The Savages, Eastern Promises, Persepolis, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, The Brave One, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and There Will Be Blood. I'm sure there are others.

That's the wrap-up! I'll let you guys know when I get back into film criticism on Roxbusters.com.

EDIT: I just saw Once. It's right up there with Atonement. Lovely!