Halfway round the bend - the best films of 2007......so far

"Grindhouse" - What sick, twisted minds would - or for that matter - could come up with a three hour love letter to a double feature of hardcore action, rampant sexuality, grizzly violence, and the feeling of sleazy, cheap entertainment? Try Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, who both made their own feature-length movies back-to-back, with fake trailers in between. Rodriguez's half, Planet Terror, pays homage to blood-splattering horror/zombie movies and Tarantino's other half, Death Proof, pays homage to muscle car movies. Planet Terror is campy, out-of-control fun with the look of a grindhouse picture (the picture was digitally scratched for effect and a reel is missing), but it's Death Proof that brings out the soul the grindhouse and presents us with the most exciting car chase since The French Connection. Rose McGowan puts asses in the seats as Cherry Darling in Planet Terror, a go-go dancer who loses a leg, but gains a machine gun in it's place(not to mention the responsibility of saving the remaining townspeople from mutant zombies), but the star is Kurt Russsel as Stuntman Mike in Death Proof, a womanizing stalker/serial killer with a sweet 1970s Dodge Charger as his weapon of choice. It's the best time you'll have at the movies this year.
**** stars out of ****

"The Lookout" - How do you create an exciting crime thriller from the following plot materials: a kid with brain damage, his blind roommate, and plans to rob a bank? First, you have Joseph Gordon-Levitt in an Oscar-caliber performance with Jeff Daniels following, and then have a great writer/director in Scott Frank show off his emerging talent. Much more than a first-rate heist flick, it tells a gripping story of a young man who's lost all recollection of his past.
***1/2 stars out of ****

"28 Weeks Later" - Finally, a summer movie sequel that doesn't suck. And finally, a horror movie that works in the scare department and in the story department. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo takes over for Danny Boyle and builds on what Boyle began, this time dealing with the re-population of London after the "rage" virus was destroyed.......sort of. One inhabitant holds the virus, and the zombies return, faster and nastier than ever.
*** stars out of ****

"Knocked Up" - Well, what do you know: not only is Judd Apatow's romantic/raunchy comedy about a stoner/slacker named Ben who knocks up an E! employee named Alison, and embark on a nine month road of growing up and missteps, another summer movie that doesn't suck, it's also the funniest movie of 2007.
***1/2 stars out of ****

"Ratatouille" - You'd think that the story of Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming the best chef in Paris, France, by controlling the actions of a garbage boy named Linguini, would surely spell a crap movie, right? Not if you have the computer animated wizards at Pixar and the animation master writer/director Brad Bird (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles) at the helm. Ratatouille is not only a delectable family film, it's also a beautifully written love letter to the city of Paris itself.
***1/2 stars out of ****