We asked you to vote for your favourite films directed by the great Steven Spielberg and you responded in great numbers and even greater love for his heavy contribution to Western cinema. It appears we hold a lot of nostalgia for the ol’ ‘berg too, for nothing from the past decade made the list.
Sunshine
Nobody’s got onscreen sci-fi this right since the original Matrix. Danny Boyle’s Sunshine is beautiful, it’s scary (profoundly, not just in a boogedy-boo space-monster kind of way), fresh and adventurous.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Wistful, violent and brash, the picture crafts legendary around Brad Pitt’s well-turned realness. Casey Affleck’s bravery is in realising that his best features are brought out under Pitt’s shadow, so that when James exits the stage, Ford becomes a haunted wanderer, cinema’s most tragic coulda-been since Rupert Pupkin.
Zodiac
True to career form, David Fincher follows a spell in the desert of mediocrity with another movie that redefines our expectations of him ñ and from movies. If the brilliant Se7en’s main legacy is a sad succession of grimy exploitation pics claiming a basis in fact, what better way to put the whole tired genre in an unmarked grave?
The Lives of Others
Words like ‘genius’ and ‘masterpiece’ were hurled around willy-nilly, which rather overplayed this intimate story about a touching human connection in a cold war zone.
This Is England
Breathes with life and natural spontaneous acting. These actors are all inexperienced; most of them were gathered from the local youth theatre group. The lead, 13-year-old Thomas Turgoose, is absolutely brilliant and provides the heart and soul of the film.
Ratatouille
An animated masterpiece. With a strong story, exciting action scenes, great animation, and a genuinely moving climax, the film was a charming low-key treat.
The Dead Girl
A minimum of fanfare greeted this perfectly-cast, deftly written, passionately subdued collection of fables about Missing White Women. That’s a shame, because beneath all the grime and alt-country angst lies a lasting, poignant set of vignettes about loss, grief, the ugly side of love, and why it might all be worth it.
The Bourne Ultimatum
After the grim missteps of Supremacy, Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon regrouped to turn in the smartest tent-peg blockbuster of the year. Smartly plotted, sublimely cast, and presented with such panache you could almost forget the Seagal-worthy dialogue.
Deep Water
Screening first at the NZ Film Festival, this documentary about a solo around the world yacht race in 60s England, focused on the remarkable Don Crowhurst story. The filmmakers have crafted a superbly constructed and faithful account of a deeply tragic life. It’s a ripping yarn, as well as a very personal tale of aspiration, expectation and failure.
The Darjeeling Limited
Even more divisive than his earlier efforts, Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited further proves him one of this generations great talents. Personal filmmaking in the mold of the French directors of the 60s, and the Americans of the 70s, live on via Wesley. Combines absurdity, beauty and melancholy, with great performances and a cracker soundtrack.
Control
Anton Corbijn’s (his debut feature) inky and atmospheric portrait of Joy Division front man Ian Curtis. Striking for its stark beauty and naturally awesome soundtrack, the film merged the man’s story with his music to create an extraordinary cinematic rendering of despair.
Little Children
Comedy prince Judd Apatow had a couple of winners this year (also Knocked Up), but this wins out simply for being the funniest film of 07. It’s foul mouthed, immature and stars that walking incarnation of awkwardness Michael Cera (Arrested Development); comedy’s best talent in an age.
Eagle vs Shark
Featuring a pitch perfect performance from Loren Horsley plus our national comedy hero Jemaine Clement. Taika Waititi found humour – perhaps quintessentially NZ – in awkwardness, loneliness and character insecurities. Promises more great things to come from Waititi.
Black Snake Moan
You could sit through a million pitch meetings and never arrive at a notion like this one. Reeling you in with sexy Southern Gothic weirdness, the pic’s beating heart is one of compassion, grace, victory through endurance. Oh, and check it out, turns out Sam Jackson can still act. Like a motherfucker.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Whilst its appeal is greater to those inclined to the fantasy film, director del Toro (Hellboy) gives this brutal and whimsical film enough darkness and grit to tap into something both childlike and depressingly adult. An anti-Hollywood, imaginative fairytale.
