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FILMS TO WATCH 2007
Spider-Man 3
Disappointed by Superman’s return? Underwhelmed by the X-Men’s last stand? Fear not, for Spider-Man is back… in black. Yes, all bad puns aside, the webbed wonder returns in this dark third entry into the mega-franchise without his traditional red and blue suit. Instead, he’s found a shiny black super-suit, courtesy of an alien goo called the symbiote which gives Peter Parker increased strength and a nasty attitude problem. Sadly, once he ditches it, it bonds with fellow Daily Bugle photographer Eddie Brock, turning him into the villainous Venom. Throw in second villain Sandman, new love interest Gwen Stacey and Harry Osbourn arming up and seeking revenge for the death of his father and you have what could well be the darkest film of the summer. Stay tuned true believers. |
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There Will Be Blood
Praise be, Paul Thomas Anderson is back! The brilliant mind behind Boogie Nights, Magnolia and the criminally underrated Punch Drunk Love returns this year with this adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil!. Following Daniel Day Lewis’s oil prospector Plainview as he makes a fortune and clashes with his son, it could be Anderson’s boldest movie yet. Gone are the Philip Seymour Hoffmans and John C Reillys of Anderson’s traditional cast, replaced with less well known character actors such as Ciaran Hinds. Anderson is the best of the new movie brats, so it’s certainly a good early bet for film of the year. |
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Zodiac
Another of the leading movie brats, David Fincher, also returns in 2007 with this tale of obsession and serial killings, based upon the real life tale of Zodiac, a Northern Californian killer who left cryptic letters at the scenes of his crimes. Looking set to mix Se7en with All The President’s Men, the film follows San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith as he becomes obsessed with the still unsolved crimes. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Graysmith, with Robert Downy Jnr and Mark Ruffalo filling out a cracking cast. But, with Fincher using the same digital cameras as Michael Mann did on Miami Vice and Collateral, it’s sure to be the visuals that are the real star of the film. |
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Sunshine
A new Danny Boyle release is always big news for we Mancunians and, after the overlooked Christmas fantasy Millions, the Bury-born director journeys into outer space with Sunshine. A thoughtful voyage into the realms of science fiction, it follows a crew of astronaughts fifty years into the future as they seek to re-ignite our fading sun. With Alex Garland scripting and Cillian Murphy starring, it’s sure to mix 2001-esque intelligence with 28 Days Later-style horror. |
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The Fountain
Making its second appearance on our Something for the New Year list, Darren Aronofsky's labour of love, The Fountain, will finally hit screens in March. The production initially started with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in the lead roles but Pitt eventually bailed to be replaced by Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weiz stepped in for the pregnant Blanchett. However, since the film wrapped the release date has been shifted from the end of 2006 to the start of 2007 and, after a decidedly mixed reception at the Venice Film Festival, the hype has died down considerably. Still, if Pi and Requiem for a Dream are anything to go by, The Fountain will be a feast for the eyes and brain. |
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The Good German
In the summer, Steven Soderbergh will continue to sell out to the man with Ocean’s 13. But in March, he releases this, far more promising effort. Following George Clooney’s American military journalist Jake Geismer, it’s a World War II-set noir tale of murder and deceit into which are drawn Geismer’s former mistress (Cate Blanchett) and driver (Tobey Maguire). With Clooney on the best form of his career, some shimmering black and white visuals and a wonderfully Casablanca-esque poster, this could well be Soderbergh’s best film for years. |
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The Science of Sleep
At flippin’ last! Michel Gondry’s follow-up to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was due for release at the tail end of last year. Sadly, somehow, Science of Sleep got lost and has resurfaced just in time for a February debut. Set to be one of the most inventive films of the year, it stars Gael Garcia Bernal as Stephane, a man who can’t distinguish between his dreams and reality, a unique talent which eventually helps him woo girl next door Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). Although Eternal Sunshine’s Charlie Kaufman isn’t scripting this time (it’s Gondry’s own creation), it looks set to have Kaufman’s sharp sense of humour, but with the kind of hyper-real visual panache which made Gondry’s music videos so charming. |
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Hot Fuzz
In what promises to be a great year for British film, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg follow-up Shaun of the Dead with this spoof actioner. Promising to do for Die Hard what Shaun did for the dead, it finds Pegg’s big-city super-cop Nick Angel relocated to a small rural town where he finds more than he bargained for. Spaced co-star Nick Frost features as Angel’s inept partner, but best of all the villainous Simon Skinner is played by none other than Timothy Dalton, returning to the fray after spending far too long in TV movie hell. |
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The Simpsons Movie
Ten years ago, this would have easily been the most anticipated film of the year. Today, after several below-par seasons and cast wranglings over wages, the release of The Simpsons Movie comes somewhat tainted. The trailer showed little and, despite raising a chuckle or two, displayed the same surreal comedy which has blighted the series over the past few years. Still, with the voice cast all signed up and a few of the classic writers penning the script, this could well hand The Simpsons the shot in the arm they so desperately need. |
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The Bourne Ultimatum
When The Bourne Identity, the first film in this series, was released in 2001 it was overwhelmingly hailed as a return to real spy movies, rather than the action blockbusters that the Bond and Mission Impossible franchises had become. For me though, it wasn’t until Paul Greengrass’s taut and urgent sequel, The Bourne Supremacy, that the series really got into gear. Thankfully, both the United 93 director and star Matt Damon return for this third part along with Paddy Constantine, as the final mysteries which have been circling the previous two films are finally answered. |
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