2008 Woodie Awards
Ten Noteworthy Movies You May Have Missed Out On
Paresh Jha
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Focus
Names like "No Country for Old Men," "I Am Legend," "3:10 to Yuma," "Juno," "The Bourne Ultimatum," "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" come to mind when thinking of the top movies of 2007. But what about the overlooked films? What about those movies you never gave a second glance? They usually end up on the favorite lists of movie critics only, but here is a chance for everyone to get in on the good stuff. This is a list of six movies, in no particular order, that are worth your time and money.
Breach
Cast: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney
Synopsis: Breach is the story of Robert Hanssen (Cooper), the FBI's most infamous traitor, and the agent who helped bring him down. Eric O'Neil (Phillippe), the young up and coming agent, is assigned to work with Hanssen and monitor his every move. O'Neil is told that Hanssen is a possible sex offender, but the plot thickens as he soon realizes that he is right in the middle of the biggest case the FBI has to offer.
Why you should care: Showcasing one of the best performances of 2007, Chris Cooper subtly makes you sympathize with a traitor to the United States of America yet despise him at the same time. Phillippe holds his own and the two work brilliantly off of each other. While the pace is rather slow, Breach is a great alternative to the complicated plots of other espionage movies like The Good Shepherd. So while the movie is not for everyone, a simple linear plot with strong performances makes this film worth checking out.
Gone Baby Gone
Cast: Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris
Synopsis: Ben Affleck's directorial debut is based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name. The story chronicles the lives of the working class in south Boston when the disappearance of a young girl rocks the lives of the two detectives asked to take the case.
Why you should care: On the surface the film works as a suspense thriller with all the ingredients for success. However, if that was not enough, the movie works on a much deeper level, examining the concept of home and familiarity. Casey Affleck gives a strong and emotionally conflicted performance worth noting while his brother shows excellent skills as a director. Ben forces his whole cast to give honest performances and goes one step further in making Boston just as important as the characters that inhabit it. So whether you are looking for a great crime thriller or a touching movie with depth, "Gone, Baby Gone" works on both levels.
Breach
Cast: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney
Synopsis: Breach is the story of Robert Hanssen (Cooper), the FBI's most infamous traitor, and the agent who helped bring him down. Eric O'Neil (Phillippe), the young up and coming agent, is assigned to work with Hanssen and monitor his every move. O'Neil is told that Hanssen is a possible sex offender, but the plot thickens as he soon realizes that he is right in the middle of the biggest case the FBI has to offer.
Why you should care: Showcasing one of the best performances of 2007, Chris Cooper subtly makes you sympathize with a traitor to the United States of America yet despise him at the same time. Phillippe holds his own and the two work brilliantly off of each other. While the pace is rather slow, Breach is a great alternative to the complicated plots of other espionage movies like The Good Shepherd. So while the movie is not for everyone, a simple linear plot with strong performances makes this film worth checking out.
Gone Baby Gone
Cast: Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris
Synopsis: Ben Affleck's directorial debut is based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name. The story chronicles the lives of the working class in south Boston when the disappearance of a young girl rocks the lives of the two detectives asked to take the case.
Why you should care: On the surface the film works as a suspense thriller with all the ingredients for success. However, if that was not enough, the movie works on a much deeper level, examining the concept of home and familiarity. Casey Affleck gives a strong and emotionally conflicted performance worth noting while his brother shows excellent skills as a director. Ben forces his whole cast to give honest performances and goes one step further in making Boston just as important as the characters that inhabit it. So whether you are looking for a great crime thriller or a touching movie with depth, "Gone, Baby Gone" works on both levels.
Be the first to comment on this story