PopSyndicate.com

Dallas Morning News Top 10 Lists

Local critics offer intersting choices for Best Films of 2007. But why all the love for American Gangster?

I appreciate the way Chris Vognar gives African American themed films equal consideration.  Sure others say they do to, but Chris consistently gives deserving AA flicks a balanced review, without adding or hinting at an astriek.  I wonder if perhaps it is because of the local critics he is one of the younger ones and has shown an appreciation for for hip hop?  I would have Talk to Me in my top 10, but I am blown away and pleasantly surprised that he included This Christmas as an honorable mention.  I think it is the best Christmas movie since Bad Santa.  Perfect Holiday was not horrible, but not memorable either.

Now having said that - American Gangster should not be #2. I disagree with Stephen Becker’s assertation that this film does not cause you to look at your watch once.  I did not have one on and but if I did.... I did not see many films and it makes my top list because I probably did not see more than 30, if that.  American Gangster is well made in terms of production value and the acting and maybe Denzel was trying to make a statement with his understated performance.  But this was not a film that challenged you to think, and only a few memorable scenes.  Ten years from now do you see other films quoting this film like they do Scarface [which I have never seen] and the Godfather flicks?  The only scene that really engaged/dazzled was the single scene with Denzel and Russell together - you sensed a chess game among masters.  Aside from that the best thing about this movie is Anthony Hamilton’s song, “Can You Feel Me.”

I am surprised that neither list includes Great Debaters because although I have avoided it, as it feels like a history lesson waiting to happen, my friends who have seen it cannot stop raving.  They plan to see it again and then can’t wait to buy the DVD.

I also liked Savages - but for me it is not #1.  I think the top two for me are No Country for Old Men and Atonement.  This year I will probably just have a top 5 but that will come later.

CHRIS VOGNAR
1 The Savages
2 American Gangster
3 Juno
4 Persepolis
5 The Bourne Ultimatum
6 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
7 There Will Be Blood
8 The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
9 Talk to Me
10 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Honorable Mentions: 3:10 to Yuma, Hairspray, Ratatouille, Once, This Christmas

STEPHEN BECKER
1 Once
2 Juno
3 Knocked Up
4 American Gangster
5 Atonement
6 Margot at the Wedding
7 Eastern Promises
8 Gone Baby Gone
9 Beowulf
10 No Country for Old Men

Honorable mentions: Hairspray, Starting Out in the Evening, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, Elizabeth: The Golden Age

To see their comments:  http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/yearinreview/stories/DN-moviesintro_1228gl.State.Edition1.155a1e1.html