It’s time to get serious.
We issue our fall movie preview on Sunday, that announcement that summer popcorn flicks are moving out to make room for awards season.
There’s a lot to look forward to, with nearly every star you can imagine releasing Oscar-bait material between now and the end of the year.
But let’s look back first, get an idea of this year’s best pictures so far, and then see what’s still there for our 10-best list come late December.
My guideline for selection was simple. After eight months, I’ve rated only two of the more than 150 releases for 2007 as having a quality rating of 4 stars (****) and just eight have been awarded 3.5 stars.
FOUR STARS
"The Namesake"
Director Mira Nair weaves a remarkable tapestry of family, grieving and showing respect for your heritage. A beautiful work of art and sensitivity that will make you call your mother when it’s over.
"Waitress"
This black comedy is just about as perfect as one of its leading character’s pies, and so are the performances of Keri Russell and Andy Griffith.
THREE AND A HALF STARS
"Zodiac"
David Fincher goes creepy and deliberate with his dramatization of the infamous Bay Area murders of the 1970s. Killer news: This is the only title on the list currently available on DVD.
"Grindhouse"
Double-feature fun: Quentin Tarantino delivers a dialogue-driven blood-on-the-highway marvel, while Robert Rodriguez makes a splatter-filled zombie flick that’s the funniest movie of the year.
"In the Land of Women"
This underrated twist on the romantic comedy not only featured the return of Meg Ryan to screens, but a smart screenplay that shows men and women walking a fine line between romance and friendship.
"Sicko"
Forget political biases. The blame falls in every direction as Michael Moore illustrates in painful ways the nation’s healthcare woes. This is going to sting.
"You Kill Me"
It kills me that more people didn’t see Ben Kingsley’s dead-on comic performance as a mob hit man whose drunkenness is getting in the way of his rub-outs. I’m laughing just thinking of some of the one-liners.
"Rescue Dawn"
Christian Bale, Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies are unforgettable as Vietnam prisoners-of-war who plan a great escape. An inspiring film, the subject matter kept war-weary audiences away.
"Hairspray"
I still wish almost anyone but John Travolta, done up as an animatronic wax figure, had played the big-gal role. But I was wowed by everyone else, and that group choreography? Baby, you can’t stop the beat.
"La Vie en Rose"
Check out this week’s Spot review to learn more about the extraordinary life of Edith Piaf . Name to remember: Marion Cotillard, the French actress who delivers – at the very least – the performance of the first eight months of the year.
Read the full reviews:
'The Namesake'
'Waitress’
'Zodiac'
'Grindhouse'
'In the Land of Women'
'Sicko'
'You Kill Me'
'Rescue Dawn'
'Hairspray'
