Best Movies of 2007***

1. There Will Be Blood: This is hands down my favorite movie of 2007 (though it just premiere here in Houston. Its writhes with psychological tension, demonstrates a sharply skillful screenplay, and probably one of the more beautifully shot movies of the year. Furthermore, its got an amazing and appropriately unsettling score to accompany what is without a doubt a brilliant film. Without giving too much away, it's a psychiatrist's dream. Get out your DSM-IV! I anticipate a very lively BCM movie club with this one.
2. Ratatouille: I must admit, that I just saw this movie on a whim in July to better get to know some of my psychiatry residents, but instead I fell in love with a truly flawless, fun film. Great writing, computer animations with warmth? Imagine that? Favorite scene? Clearly the gastronomic childhood flashback. Until I saw There Will Be Blood yesterday, Ratatouille firmly held it position as my favorite for 2007.
3. Eastern Promises: The reviews promised a film that pulsates, breathes, and challenges, and certainly they weren't off the mark. I headed the warning that its violence was unvarnished with a bristly sobriety and attempted to prepare myself. Nope. Clearly not enough. The director's decidedly unglamorous approach was a critique more of American audiences than an attempted to be gory (vis-à-vis A History of Violence). Go Cronenberg.
4. No Country for Old Men: Violence is empty and unforgiving
5. Waitress: Nothing in the world like Southern pie and existential despair
6. Away from Her: Alzheimer's steals a partner away
7. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Locked-in-Syndrome, with a great imagination
8. Charlie Wilson's War: Money and power rule this world. Tradition mostly.
9. The Host: Good times with Korean monsters
10. Superbad: Super good high-school antics
11. Knocked Up: Super good young-adult antics
12. Sweeney Todd: Who knew that musicals could be bloody?
13. The Darjeeling Limited: Too be considered only with the addition of the short film Hotel Chevalier
14. Juno: I never thought that teen-pregnancy could be so hilarious. Thanks America!
15. American Gangster: cause Denzel is a badass. Period.

The following films have not been viewed yet...cause I don't have THAT much time...

Before the Devil Knows Your Dead***
Atonement***

Cecil's Best Films of 2006

Cecil's Best Films of 2005

Barrack the Vote

Non Sequitur

After a whirlwind impromptu tour of Houston with PBM4 and Barré, I've got a treasure trove of non sequitur photos. These were taken on my New Years Eve recovery day with the two in the warehouse district in Houston's eastside. Goodness knows where all we went, but I love it. Thoughts?