The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Into the Past: 2007

Welcome to The Wasteland into the Past! Join this journey backwards in time as I take a cinematic look at years past. Each article will focus on a singular year and my Top 5 films from that year. Turn back the clock with me…and let’s get started! 

2007

No Country for Old Men

What is the film that sets the bar for all neo-westerns? No Country for Old Men. The Coen Brothers delivered an instant classic film that has defined a subgenre with its perfect filmmaking, rich screenplay, and excellent cast. Cormac McCarthy is one of the most important voices in American literature with his western motifs, nihilistic worldview, and rich thematic density. No Country for Old Men is one of his key works that has captured post-Vietnam life in America come 1980. The world has evolved and there is change on the horizon that looms over the aging generations. The Coens were able to adapt McCarthy’s work with this darkness, loss of hope, and evil in such a perfect way. The work done by Roger Deakins is perfect with every shot perfectly blocked, lit, and composed. The visual storytelling and detail-oriented filmmaking is a masterclass in how to make a film. There is little music at all in the film and the Coens leverage that silence so well as the tension and suspense is constantly growing in every scene. This cat-and-mouse chase between a misguided veteran and a psychopathic hitman is one of the most tense and compelling conflicts ever put into film. An aging sheriff, near retirement, is on the hunt as well and this adds so many layers to the thematic and emotional structure of the film. The brutal and shocking violence is thematically significant, and The Coens leverage it to shock and engross the audience. But these violent acts fit into the journey of our sheriff who must confront a violent world he just does not understand. The body count is high in this neo-western thriller and there are plenty of iconic and memorable deaths along the way. The subversion of cinematic conventions that The Coens tear apart makes for such a unique and affecting cinematic experience. The cast is incredible as well. Tommy Lee Jones is the real highlight with his sharp wit and rich presence that he brings. His delivery of the surprising final monologue is something special. Javier Bardem delivers one of the greatest villain performances of all time with his unnerving presence as the “human” embodiment of Death. Josh Brolin does not get enough praise for his rich character work and charm that makes Llywelyn Moss so empathetic and interesting. Throw in strong turns from Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Barry Corbin, Stephen Root, Beth Grant, and so many memorable minor characters actors and you have the perfect mosaic of neo-western trappings and McCarthy thematic richness.

There Will Be Blood

What is the greatest performance in the history of cinema? That is a bold question…but a confident answer is Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance as oil baron Daniel Plainview. Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood is the other towering cinematic experience that reached instant classic status. A less traditional neo-western, There Will Be Blood is a compelling and engrossing character study of epic proportions. That epic feel comes from its larger-than-life lead character, Plainview, and the grand scope that Anderson and company can deliver. Day-Lewis is one of the greatest actors of all time and Plainview is one of the most compelling and layered characters in film. The emotion that boils underneath the surface is compelling and when Day-Lewis erupts, audiences are treated to some of the most frightening and intense outbursts in film. There are some huge performance choices with Day-Lewis standing out so much in his church confessional, his fraternal discussion at a fire, and his unhinged release with the iconic “Milkshake” speech. The character work from Day-Lewis is second to none. The filmmaking is masterful as well. The tension that Anderson builds is entrancing. Robert Elswit’s cinematography is precise and textured in so many rich ways. Jonny Greenwood’s score is unnerving and primal in the most oppressive and effective way possible. Each frame is gorgeous and captures the world of There Will Be Blood in such a rich and detailed way. The visual of Plainview’s oil-drenched face lit by fire is one of the most evocative shots you will find in cinema. The rich thematic elements of competition, capitalism, trust, and religion are so rich and dense that you can peel back layers in every scene. The central conflict between Plainview’s capitalist exploits and Eli Sunday’s religious ones is impactful and compelling. Dano rivals Day-Lewis’ performance with complexity, commitment, and emotional layers. Watching these two actors going toe-to-toe is a cinematic treat. This towering epic draws you in and keeps you entranced through the climactic violent outburst and the perfect final line from Plainview.

Hot Fuzz

How do you properly send up and homage all the great action films out there? You do what Edgar Wright did with his impressive outing, Hot Fuzz. The Cornetto Trilogy is one of the most influential and beloved films in recent memory. The mixture of humor and genre elements make these films so special. Hot Fuzz is just the strongest and most fully realized of this trio of films as well. The action elements of the film are visceral and raw with a specific style that stands out and lives on with you. There are plenty of shootouts and chases that keep the audience engaged and satisfied. The impressive editing in all of Edgar Wright’s films comes in handy when you have this string of thrilling action sequences. But it is not just action films that Hot Fuzz homages. There are plenty of great elements from classic British folk horror films as well. The Wicker Man is one of the greatest British horror films of all time and Wright lampoons these isolated community horror elements by even casting the star of The Wicker Man Edward Woodard as a member of the town community. The genre elements are top notch and give Wright’s film plenty of personality. The core of the film is the wonderful duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Pegg’s Nicholas Angel is the most skilled police officer in the UK, but it destroys his personal life, and Angel gets sent off to the country. He is paired up with the nepo-baby nitwit police officer Danny (Frost’s). Their chemistry together gives the film plenty of heart and humor. The rest of the cast is insane and stacked from early cameos from Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan, and Bill Nighy to the police crew of Paddy Considine, Rafe Spall, and Olivia Coleman. The town folks are made up of plenty of familiar character actors with memorable turns from Jim Broadbent and especially the dastardly and charming Timothy Dalton. The combination of a stellar cast, sharp editing, impressive direction, and sharp writing makes this film one of the best action/comedies of all time.

Zodiac

Who was the Zodiac killer? That is one of the biggest mysteries in American society. A brutal killer who caused so much pain, loss, and fear who has never been identified. But there was a film bold enough to explore this mystery and even attempt to deliver an answer. David Fincher is an auteur who has such a great handle on the crime-thriller genre that he was the perfect choice to bring this true-crime influenced epic to life. This is epic in runtime (clocking in at over 2.5 hours long) but Fincher can build such momentum and energy which makes this film feel so engrossing from start to finish. There is a singular scene that takes place in a basement that is one of the most intense scenes in modern film. Fincher knows exactly what he is doing. There are sequences where we see the Zodiac in action and those scenes are terrifying. They are honestly scarier than most horror films out there. Because it is Fincher, the visual experience of the film is incredibly precise and rendered. The visuals come to life through Harris Savides’ cinematography which is sharp and gorgeous. The atmosphere is dynamic and layered thanks to the impressive score from David Shire. Zodiac is an atmospheric procedural like no other. The real anchor to the whole film is the talented trio of actors who bring this story to life. Jake Gyllenhaal. Mark Ruffalo. Robert Downey Jr. There are few acting trios who can be better than this one. Downey is still rising back into prominence, and he delivers a charismatic and magnetic turn as Paul Avery. Ruffalo gets a real stage to shine (which didn’t happen much before this film) as the law enforcement perspective of the film, Inspector David Toschi. Gyllenhaal is one of the most intense and dynamic actors working today but back in 2007, Zodiac was an opportunity to really show what he was capable of. But one of the real standout performances in Zodiac comes from John Carroll Lynch. His presence is palpable, and he is menacing in one climactic confrontation. Zodiac just might be one of the greatest crime-thrillers ever made and it is a must-see piece of Fincher’s work.

Ratatouille

What is the most charming, beautiful, and French films in the Pixar filmography? Ratatouille. Brad Bird made a splash with The Iron Giant that was a beautiful film that balanced genre elements and heart. Bird crafted one of the greatest superhero films of all time with his family film The Incredibles. Bird really solidified himself as an animation master with this charming, moving, and engrossing film. Ratatouille follows the tale of Remy, a rat who dreamed of nothing but becoming a chef. He never fits in with his rat family and finds himself in Paris to chase his dream. Inspired by a fictitious version of the acclaimed chef Gusteau and becomes a puppeteer for a goofball new employee at Gusteau’s Linguini. Remy is one of the most charming and empathetic protagonists in Pixar’s filmography. Patton Oswalt is excellent at bringing Remy to life as he imbues so much charm and personality into this little rat. His rat family features some standout voice performances as well with Brian Dennehy as his powerful and controlling father. The kitchen of Gusteau’s is filled with talented performers like Ian Holm, Janeane Garofalo, and Will Arnett. But there is a duo of performances that are some of the bests in all of Pixar. Brad Garrett is energetic and charming in his portrayal of the fictitious Gusteau who pals around with Remy. His humor and heart is the perfect addition to the film. Then you have Anton Ego. His office. His appearance. His backstory. They are all perfectly constructed and really tie the film together. The acting legend Peter O’Toole is so impressive as this food critic as he brings a menacing presence, and he delivers the emotional core of the film to the climax of the story where he gains redemption. There are plenty of twists and turns in this charming story. The emotion is rich and moving. The music from Michael Giacchino is one of the best scores in any Pixar film. Ratatouille is one of the best Pixar has to offer.