Atonement (2007)
Briony Tallis, a 13 year old girl, witnesses a scandalous moment between her sister (Keira Knightley) and the groundskeeper’s son (James McAvoy) and unwittingly fabricates a story which would cause a chain of events that shows how sometimes small actions can have lasting horrible consequences. Beautifully shot (including an extremely difficult non stop 5+ minute tracking shot of a beach war camp), great cinematography and a truly heartbreaking plot, makes this one of the most depressing movies I’ve watched in a while. Not one of those that makes you wanna cry, but rather twists you inside at how unfair the world can really be sometimes..
The Good Shepherd (2006)
A complex convoluted intricate story about how American espionage began from WW1 right up to the Cuban missile crisis, told from the viewpoint of one of the possible founders of the CIA (played by Matt Damon). Well, apparently spying seems to include a lot of networking, paper pushing, distrust, and counter intelligence - exactly how its supposed to be in real life quite unlike all the Mission Impossible and James Bond stuff we got spoilt on. It’s an intelligent critical and I could even say historically possible fiction, but at almost 3 hours long, this movie tested my patience.. I’m pretty sure it’d test yours too.
Stardust (2007)
I read the novel for this earlier last year before I knew that the movie was going to be released. I finished it in 2 days in almost 1 sitting which is testament to how much I enjoyed the story. It’s one thing however reading fantasy and being able to picture all the magic in your mind, and another trying to put it on the big screen without making it too ridiculous or corny. But this movie pulled it off, and it pulled it off wondrously. They just don’t make fantasy movies like this anymore, not since hits like The Nevereding Story, Labyrinth, Willow, etc - similarly childish delightful stories that suck you in and make you cry, moan, cheer and laugh along with each scene, as incredulous as they may be. Simply beautiful.
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
This is one of the most oddball and original movies I’ve had the pleasure of watching. I’ve got new found respect for Will Ferell (whose movies and stupid comedies I’ve never really liked) after seeing him in this complex role, as a typical guy who’s normal monotonous life routine suddenly goes all astray when out of nowhere, he starts hearing a voice narrating his life. The whole plot itself is a little wanky to describe without giving away too many spoilers, but all I will say is this - this movie is definitely stranger than fiction (okay I admit, lame pun). Splendidly written, one-of-a-kind, and such a stirring, poignant ending.. this is a definite must watch!
War (2007)
Jason Statham and Jet Li squares off in this movie about a cop hunting a rogue assassin. Another typical Hollywood showdown between the American law enforcement, Chinese triads and the Japanese Yakuza. Jet Li hardly says much in this film, instead relying just on his ‘cocky’ look he overuses in all of his English movies. There are some decent fighting scenes, with a completely unbelievable plot twist near the end. Watch only if you are desperate for some mindless action.
The Hunting Party (2007)
When this movie started off stating “Only the most ridiculous parts of this story are true..”, I knew I was going to be in for a fun ride. A discredited war correspondent (played by Richard Gere) goes on a hunt with his old time seasoned cameraman (Terrence Howard) and a young journalist, for one of Bosnia’s most wanted war criminals aka ‘The Fox‘. Based on an true article written by 3 journalists who managed to track down and find a certain individual that the UN, NATO and Hague couldn’t locate despite being on their most wanted list, the movie highlighted the very possible conspiracy that world policing agencies often let war criminals go free in exchange for peace. Although this was filmed in a satirical tone, it managed to outdo itself, and was tremendously enjoyable for me simply because it didn’t take itself too seriously. Not too bad.
Eastern Promises (2007)
Eastern Promises blew me away on many levels. First of all, Viggo Mortensen was so utterly believable in his role as a Russian mobster that I completely didn’t recognize him throughout the entire movie. He made me go “DAMN, that is one Oscar worthy performance if there was any!” (my thoughts were proven correct, as he just got nominated for the 80th Academy Awards for the best Actor). The movie also uses a lot of in your face shock elements more typical of Japanese and Korean films. Lots of brutal violence, including one of the most riveting and gripping fight scenes I’ve ever seen in any movie. Watch this if you can - on DVD preferably - because I’m just not sure how much they would have censored in our local cinemas (there was quite a lot to cut actually).
Captivity (2007)
Elisha Cuthbert plays a high profile model who gets kidnapped by a demented serial killer who delights in torturing his victims in this Saw thriller wannabe. Everything in this film is just that - wannabe. Torture and horrific moments are so completely out of sync with the rest of the movie, and the plot twist and ending was just lame. Who the hell blockades a door that opens from the outside? A shotgun doesn’t cause pistol like wounds. Cheap scares, lame plot and an even lamer excuse for the perpetrator’s motivations. Avoid.
King Of California (2007)
Michael Douglas was a delight to watch as the slightly insane (or is he?) father of a 17 year old daughter, who goes on a crazy treasure hunting expedition to locate lost Spanish gold smack in the Californian suburbs. This is quite a rare gem - almost indie like, and willing to go a little out of bounds in its storytelling. Great original screenplay, and some beautifully directed scenes makes this a heartwarming movie to occupy one of your afternoons. 
The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007)
The long title pretty much sums up the entire plot of the story. It starts off by introducing us to the main protagonists - the legendary renegade murder and robber Jesse James (Brad Pitt) and the awkward misfit Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) who think the world of him. Of course, as circumstances twist and turn, both character’s vastly different personalities begin to affect each other in ways they (or you) will never expect - which will form the motivations and basis for this film. The great acting by the strong cast, added with some breathtaking cinematography makes this a highly recommended movie if you like character driven ’semi-westerns’. And an unorthodox ending with the film dragging on to explain the consequences of Robert Ford’s actions - leading to a great closure for a great film.
The Warlords (2007)
The Warlords is probably the most epic Chinese war-drama I have ever seen. Although the body count is high, and the film boasts some awesome high budget effects (sweeping panoramas of massive battles), do not expect a typical over-the-top martial arts movie but rather a film based on political intrigue and the relationship (formation to the eventual downfall) of 3 blood-sworn brothers/warlords. Andy Lau, Jet Li and Takeshi Kaneshiro delivers some amazing acting here which ties everything together and kept me riveted from the very beginning to its tragic end. There are many many reasons why anyone should watch this, and very few why you shouldn’t.. so you know what to do. 
Sydney White (2007)
Ah, my little bit of ‘feel good’ indulgence after a sleugh of serious movies. This is pretty much an American sorority chiq flick (like Mean Girls) - a contemporary retelling of Snow White (as the name implies). Sydney White is a strong willed intelligent girl, who despite being outcast by her ‘high profile chiq fraternity house’, finds new friends amongst the school’s misfits - the 7 dorks. Like all underdog movies, together they shall overcome all obstacles and rise above peer oppression and turn their college experience into one they can be proud of. It’s a sweet bubblegummy movie - the sort that most girls dig - and if you liked Amanda Bynes in ‘She’s The Man’, you will definitely like her here too.
Jumper (2008)
Although I watched this in theaters on its opening night, I felt that the movie didn’t quite deserve a blog post of its own. Hayden Christiansen once again disappoints me with his horrible stoned performance - just as he did in Star Wars Episode 2 and 3. On the bright side, the movie has some breathtaking visuals shot from all over the world and has some very unique fight scenes with great effects. As a sci-fi film however, the movie falls a little short though - I find it hard to believe that the technologically advanced Paladins do not have weapons that kill Jumpers on the spot (nooo, they have to ‘catch’ them first and gut them with a Rambo knife). The plot was kinda simplistic, made entertaining only because of the Jumper’s unique ability - but otherwise, the rest is pretty much soulless. Or maybe its just because this movie is merely setting things up (since it’s only the first part of a trilogy). I sure hope the later installments are better..
American Gangster (2007)
This is a gritty tale based on the rise of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) - a real life black mafia boss who dominated much of the American drug trade during the 60’s, and his subsequent fall thanks to the efforts of detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe). I’m definitely impressed by the script, acting and sets (wow, it really did felt like the 60’s) here but I think this movie is a little overrated. It doesn’t quite push boundaries or set new benchmarks, and I wouldn’t exactly say that it had many defining moments either. And unfortunately for it, it was also recently bogged down with controversy over its lack of accuracy compared to actual events. However, it’s still a great movie nonetheless and one definitely worth catching if you’re in the mood for an excellent crime mafia drama.
Across The Universe (2007)
Probably the most ambitious and unique musical I’ve ever seen. Across The Universe is a simple tale of love during the 60’s era, told entirely through 30+ songs from The Beatles. The interpretation of many of the songs range all the way from being complete overhauls (that might piss off old time Beatle fans) to awesome originals (which will revive the genius of The Beatles for the younger generation). As I belong to the so called ‘younger crowd’, I pretty much fell in love with most of it. Hauntingly beautiful, utterly unorthodox, with mindblowing psychedelic special effects - the movie’s (and song’s) messages reached out to me in ways no other musical has. Imagine a huge assorted mix of artfully directed music videos splayed together with a storyline. At the very least, I think I’ll never be able to listen to ‘Hey Jude’ in the same way again..
