Review of 2007!
Well I haven't updated much of late so I thought I'd kick things off with a belated look back at my favourite things of 2007. Starting off with the ubiquitous Top Ten Films list...
TOP TEN FILMS OF 2007
Again, didn't get to the cinema as much as I'd have liked, especially in the latter half of the year, and there were plenty of films that would likely grace alot of Top Ten lists that I didn't get to see. Even still, here's my pick of the ones I did see.
10. Live Free or Die Hard
The fourth film in the relatively consistent Die Hard franchise raised a few eyebrows when it was announce - Brucey was getting on a bit and he'd chosen Len Wiseman as his director, the man responsible for the atrocious Underworld films. Would the film (known in the UK simply as 'Die Hard 4.0) be an appropriate send off for John McClane, or was it just a cheap way to push through sales of white vests? It was actually neither, and ended up being nothing more (or less) than an entertaining action flick.
9. Sicko
Another intriguing documentary from Michael Moore, goes a long way to show that America isn't necessarily the 'land of the free', and certainly far from being the land of the free healthcare. Over-exaggerates the successes of our dear old NHS but makes its point well.
8. Zodiac
Based on the true story of the Zodiac killer who stalked San Francisco in the '70s. Worth viewing solely for Robert Downey Jr's performance.
7. Hot Fuzz
Everything to say about Hot Fuzz has been said by millions of other people. An instant classic of British Comedy but over-eggs the pudding towards the end.
6. Knocked Up
First classic of the year from Judd Apatow's production company, a cross between a 'gross-out' film and a Rom-com sounds disastrous but this is no ordinary gross-out rom-com. It's a clever, sharp and witty film...
5. Superbad
...but not as clever and sharp as this. Never before have I laughed so loud in a movie theater. Comedy of the year without a doubt.
4. Breach
Amazing performances from Chris Cooper and Ryan Philippe who portray the traitorous FBI agent and the rookie out to expose him. Based, very closely I'm led to believe, on the true story of Robert Hanssen who was convicted of espionage in 2001. A cracking thriller.
3. Half Nelson
Officially a 2006 film but it came out in '07 in Australia where I saw it. Ryan Gosling portrays the young, enthusiastic but drug-addicted teacher who befriends one of his female pupils in a non-pervy way. Dramatic and touching.
2. Amazing Grace
The story of British MP William Wilberforce, a leading abolitionist of slave labour in the British Empire. Brilliant script, and worth watching to see just how little the House of Commons has changed in 200 years.
1. The Bourne Ultimatum
It's the third part of an action blockbuster trilogy and thus has no right at the top of any 'best film' list but this bucks (almost) all the trends. Expensive photography is eschewed in favour of Paul Greengrass' 'documentary' style of directing. Film of the year, action franchise of the decade.
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2007
As I spent most of the year travelling I didn't get much chance to get hold of new music, and when I got back in September I was playing catch-up, nevertheless, here's my top ten.
10. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer?
With more personal lyrics than its predecessors, it's a brave and gutsy change of pace from frontman Kevin Barnes. Maybe a touch too serious but a splendid record.
9. Phoebe Kreutz - Big Lousy Moon
New York folkie Phoebe Kreutz specializes in cute and clever lyrics with stupidly catchy melodies, and this album is a joy from start to finish.
8. Rachael Dadd - The World Outside Is In A Cupboard
Haunting effort from Bristolian Rachael Dadd, with several shades of my favourite female songwriter Lisa Germano. Rachael Dadd is fast becoming my second favourite.
7. Scout Niblett - This Fool Can Die Now
Fantastic voice and fantastic song structure, doesn't deviate in style from previous efforts but somehow manages to continue getting better. Only placed higher than Rachael Dadd because I've listened to Scout more.
6. Die! Die! Die! - Die! Die! Die!
First heard of these guys when I was in their native New Zealand last year, and coincidentally they'd just signed with Dundee's own Pet Piranha records. Noisy and dischordant and sounds fantastic.
5. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Would win a 'best album title of the year' poll if it was up to me, felt Spoon's latest album didn't quite hit the heights of 2005's 'Gimme Fiction' but still a damn fine record from a band who seem to be revelling in the creative freedom their label is allowing them. The songs are finely tuned to the verge of perfection.
4. Emma Pollock - Watch The Fireworks
Great voice and great tunes from former Delgados vocalist. Being Scottish has earned her bonus points too. Combines pop sensibilities with ethereal moments. Splendid!
3. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
First album in six years or something and it's clear they've been saving up. Solid, raw, but ultimately catchy.
2. McGazz - McGazzprom
Very hard to choose between this and my number one, McGazz has upped the ante with his latest (and still free to download) offering of poppy electronica. The songs are incredibly well written and has enough clever little word plays to keep you smiling every second line. The samples never detract from the overall song and are used to great effect. Catchy as fuck.
1. The National - Boxer
What can I say? Hardly the most upbeat album of the year but it is moody and anthemic in a way that Snow Patrol can only dream of. Very 'indie' but in all the right ways - an absolute joy from start to finish. Album of the year.
(Incidentally, here is my top ten of 2006, admittedly I was a bit more detailed with my reasoning last year. I can't find last years top ten albums list, probably because I forgot to write one.)
TOP TEN FILMS OF 2007
Again, didn't get to the cinema as much as I'd have liked, especially in the latter half of the year, and there were plenty of films that would likely grace alot of Top Ten lists that I didn't get to see. Even still, here's my pick of the ones I did see.
10. Live Free or Die Hard
The fourth film in the relatively consistent Die Hard franchise raised a few eyebrows when it was announce - Brucey was getting on a bit and he'd chosen Len Wiseman as his director, the man responsible for the atrocious Underworld films. Would the film (known in the UK simply as 'Die Hard 4.0) be an appropriate send off for John McClane, or was it just a cheap way to push through sales of white vests? It was actually neither, and ended up being nothing more (or less) than an entertaining action flick.
9. Sicko
Another intriguing documentary from Michael Moore, goes a long way to show that America isn't necessarily the 'land of the free', and certainly far from being the land of the free healthcare. Over-exaggerates the successes of our dear old NHS but makes its point well.
8. Zodiac
Based on the true story of the Zodiac killer who stalked San Francisco in the '70s. Worth viewing solely for Robert Downey Jr's performance.
7. Hot Fuzz
Everything to say about Hot Fuzz has been said by millions of other people. An instant classic of British Comedy but over-eggs the pudding towards the end.
6. Knocked Up
First classic of the year from Judd Apatow's production company, a cross between a 'gross-out' film and a Rom-com sounds disastrous but this is no ordinary gross-out rom-com. It's a clever, sharp and witty film...
5. Superbad
...but not as clever and sharp as this. Never before have I laughed so loud in a movie theater. Comedy of the year without a doubt.
4. Breach
Amazing performances from Chris Cooper and Ryan Philippe who portray the traitorous FBI agent and the rookie out to expose him. Based, very closely I'm led to believe, on the true story of Robert Hanssen who was convicted of espionage in 2001. A cracking thriller.
3. Half Nelson
Officially a 2006 film but it came out in '07 in Australia where I saw it. Ryan Gosling portrays the young, enthusiastic but drug-addicted teacher who befriends one of his female pupils in a non-pervy way. Dramatic and touching.
2. Amazing Grace
The story of British MP William Wilberforce, a leading abolitionist of slave labour in the British Empire. Brilliant script, and worth watching to see just how little the House of Commons has changed in 200 years.
1. The Bourne Ultimatum
It's the third part of an action blockbuster trilogy and thus has no right at the top of any 'best film' list but this bucks (almost) all the trends. Expensive photography is eschewed in favour of Paul Greengrass' 'documentary' style of directing. Film of the year, action franchise of the decade.
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2007
As I spent most of the year travelling I didn't get much chance to get hold of new music, and when I got back in September I was playing catch-up, nevertheless, here's my top ten.
10. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer?
With more personal lyrics than its predecessors, it's a brave and gutsy change of pace from frontman Kevin Barnes. Maybe a touch too serious but a splendid record.
9. Phoebe Kreutz - Big Lousy Moon
New York folkie Phoebe Kreutz specializes in cute and clever lyrics with stupidly catchy melodies, and this album is a joy from start to finish.
8. Rachael Dadd - The World Outside Is In A Cupboard
Haunting effort from Bristolian Rachael Dadd, with several shades of my favourite female songwriter Lisa Germano. Rachael Dadd is fast becoming my second favourite.
7. Scout Niblett - This Fool Can Die Now
Fantastic voice and fantastic song structure, doesn't deviate in style from previous efforts but somehow manages to continue getting better. Only placed higher than Rachael Dadd because I've listened to Scout more.
6. Die! Die! Die! - Die! Die! Die!
First heard of these guys when I was in their native New Zealand last year, and coincidentally they'd just signed with Dundee's own Pet Piranha records. Noisy and dischordant and sounds fantastic.
5. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Would win a 'best album title of the year' poll if it was up to me, felt Spoon's latest album didn't quite hit the heights of 2005's 'Gimme Fiction' but still a damn fine record from a band who seem to be revelling in the creative freedom their label is allowing them. The songs are finely tuned to the verge of perfection.
4. Emma Pollock - Watch The Fireworks
Great voice and great tunes from former Delgados vocalist. Being Scottish has earned her bonus points too. Combines pop sensibilities with ethereal moments. Splendid!
3. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
First album in six years or something and it's clear they've been saving up. Solid, raw, but ultimately catchy.
2. McGazz - McGazzprom
Very hard to choose between this and my number one, McGazz has upped the ante with his latest (and still free to download) offering of poppy electronica. The songs are incredibly well written and has enough clever little word plays to keep you smiling every second line. The samples never detract from the overall song and are used to great effect. Catchy as fuck.
1. The National - Boxer
What can I say? Hardly the most upbeat album of the year but it is moody and anthemic in a way that Snow Patrol can only dream of. Very 'indie' but in all the right ways - an absolute joy from start to finish. Album of the year.
(Incidentally, here is my top ten of 2006, admittedly I was a bit more detailed with my reasoning last year. I can't find last years top ten albums list, probably because I forgot to write one.)
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