THE FOLLOWING, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE MOVIE DVDS OF 2007.
APOCALYPTO - A violent and fascinating movie. It grabs you from the first scene and never lets go. A child telling the captured adult villagers that she would take care of the remaining children is one of the most heartbreaking scenes committed to film.
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA - A superior film to its predecessor, 'The Flags of our Fathers' . The movie honestly depicts the brutality and compassion of the Japanese and American soldiers in a place where humanity stuggled to exist.
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM - The best action movie of the year, hands down. The hand held camera technique may give you vertigo, but it also pushes you into the chaotic chases that power the movie.
TRANSFORMERS - When I watch a movie, I want to be entertained. It's as simple as that. If you like a good story and plot, watch 'Zodiac' or 'Breach', but if you're in the mood for action and state of the art special effects than 'Transfomers' is your movie.
LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD - The best Die Hard since the original. Okay, so John McClane has become superhuman and the action has gotten over the top. Who cares? It's a Die Hard movie. You just gotta love it.
RATATOUILLE - Amusing from start to end. Pixar and its creative staff have once again made a movie that both children and adults can enjoy.
HELP- Just as funny and smart as it was in 1965. This DVD release, in restored color and sound, showcases the Beatles at the peak of their talents in both songwriting and yes, even acting skills.
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX - Many critics thought this the best of the Potters. I personally liked Goblet of Fire a bit more. But this was an excellent film nonetheless. It fully exploited the anguish of not only becoming a teenager in the time of war, but of being an active participant.
HAIRSPRAY - Maybe I appreciated it more because I grew up in Baltimore in the late '50s and early '60s. Or maybe it had just the right amount of humor and music to keep a silly grin on your face through its entirety.
RESCUE DAWN - The same year the Beatles were making 'Help', Dieter Dengler, an American pilot, was shot down over Laos and captured by North Vietnamese soldiers. An inspirational story of hope and determination in the bleakest of circumstances. Dengler's odyssey will stay with you long after the movie has ended.