By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer
With fantasy football season finished and baseball still a couple of months away, it’s as good a time as any to put sports on the backburner for a day or two. After last year’s debut of RotoScoop’s best and worst column ended up being a smashing success, it’s time for the 2007 version.
One caveat before we get started. While it’s an objective fact I’m better than you at fantasy sports, I understand the following “art†is more subjective, and the hierarchy of it all is less important than it’s inclusion in the first place. There’s something ridiculous about comparing a comedy with a drama. And now, without further ado, my 2007 Year-End Lists:
MOVIES
Weird how almost all of the year’s good movies typically come out during December/January. It’s almost as if the picture doesn’t want to end up a RotoScoop favorite. I digress. Anyway, I haven’t seen “There Will Be Blood,†and since I’m a huge Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis fan, I’d be surprised if it’s not worthy of inclusion at a later date.
10. Death Proof – More than anything, “Grindhouse†can best be described as a truly unique movie going experience. If you didn’t see this in the theatre, then forget about it; it’s simply not the same. “Death Proof†was the superior, second half to the double feature, and admittedly, I always have a soft spot for Quentin Tarantino. It’s a film that consists of mostly dialogue and good old-fashioned stunts as opposed to CGI. And last but not least, the fake trailers, which appeared before and in between the movies in the theatre, are pretty ridiculous.
9. Eastern Promises – Far from great, “Eastern Promises†doesn’t even come close to matching David Cronenberg’s last film, the amazing “A History of Violence.†Still, it keeps your interest, with a paradox at its core. I liked its lack of resolution.
8. 3:10 To Yuma – First, a confession: I’ll watch anything with Christian Bale in it. “American Psycho†is definitely one of my five favorite movies of all-time. I’m no fan of westerns, but they simply don’t make movies like this anymore, and I was thoroughly entertained. Ben Foster might be one of the most underrated actors out there right now.
7. Once – This script pretty much reads, “boy meets girl. They sing. The end.†Still, it’s shot very well, is unique and the songs will stay with you for days. For what it’s worth, this is my fiancée’s favorite movie of the year.
6. American Gangster – While there may not be anything special about this movie, it’s acted and executed quite well. Pretty crazy for a true story.
5. Superbad – It’s very funny, if not also blatantly immature. The first half of the movie rates right up there with just about any other on the laugh scale, but it drops off significantly from there on. Still, there’s some terrific dialogue here. “The funny thing about my back is…”
4. Knocked Up – The year’s biggest debate has to be “Superbad or Knocked Up?†While I acknowledge it’s somewhat close, I side pretty heavily toward the more adult “Knocked Up,†which certainly possesses more substance.
3. Zodiac – I did say I reserved the right to change my mind when I previously ranked Zodiac as my favorite David Fincher film, and after a repeat viewing, I’m flip-flopping. It’s still a great film – and certainly the most realistic Fincher flick – but after further review, it’s not as MEMORABLE as the others. My new rank: 1. Se7en 2. Fight Club 3. Zodiac
2. Juno – Written by an ex-stripper and phone sex operator, “Juno†tries to be a little too hip for its own good at times (Dwight from “The Office†saying “home skillet†comes to mind), but this movie is much more rewarding than the vastly inferior “Little Miss Sunshine.†It’s the rare movie that makes you both laugh and cry. I wasn’t a fan of director Jason Reitman’s first film (“Thank You For Smokingâ€), but here he gets it right. I liked Ellen Page in “Hard Candy.†I loved her in “Juno.†Her dynamic with the adoptive parents is something special, as is this movie.
1. No Country For Old Men – Odd movie. Little character development yet Chigurh haunted me for weeks. And how would you describe its genre? An action/comedy? The Coen brothers finally decided to start respecting their characters, without a snarky wink, and the results are fantastic. I refuse to accept the notion there was a movie released this year that kept you more on the edge of your seat for 2 hours. We all have choices to make in our lives, and never has silence been so loud.
TELEVISION
10. The Shield – Season 6 wasn’t as good as the amazing Seasons 4 and 5, but that’s hardly an indictment. Far from your average procedural cop drama, “The Shield†is griping and unapologetic. Walton Goggins is the best actor no one knows about.
9. 30 Rock – “30 Rock†has become so underrated, it’s now overrated. While most would point to Tracy Jordan or (sigh) Kenneth as the show’s funniest characters, I say it’s Jenna. It’s good, don’t get me wrong, but it’s almost universal proclamation as TV’s best show in 2007 is as misguided as Malibu.
8. Flight Of The Conchords – FOTC is subtle, clever and even better after repeat viewings. While I’m normally against musical interludes, these are too good not to like (especially the brilliant “It’s Business Timeâ€). Maybe Bret and Jemaine are a little too dense sometimes, but role players Murray, Mel and Dave are flat-out hilarious. Watching FOTC doesn’t make me quite as happy as this guy, but it’s close.
7. Dexter – More of a guilty pleasure than anything else, but I somehow found myself looking forward to this show every week almost more than any other. The narration is god-awful, but the show as a whole really improved during season 2. If loving Dexter is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.
6. The Sopranos – A terrific show that came to a fitting end. But after writing about the finale here in which I believed Tony didn’t die, I’ve completely changed my tune. I was wrong. In fact, I’m 100 percent convinced that was David Chase’s intention. If you don’t believe me, maybe this guy will convince you. Or Chase himself.
5. The Sarah Silverman Program – This show is not for anyone with taste, morals or is faint of heart. The protagonist isn’t a hero but rather a spoiled, childish, bigoted pervert. She’s also hilarious. The funniest comedian alive today, Sarah Silverman is simply brilliant.
4. Tell Me You Love Me – I gave up on this show midway through the second episode. After being apprised of my mistake, I luckily gave it another shot. Yes, it’s slow, but it’s also realistic to a fault, to the point of being gut-wrenching. If you can’t take the intimacy, I can understand, but to call this show the best drama about couples would be the understatement of the century.
3. Lost – “Lost†can sometimes be gimmicky, but it works. I’m normally not into science fiction, but the existential aspect of this show is beyond intriguing. What’s going to happen next? I refuse to believe there’s ever been a show that leaves viewers wanting more than “Lost†does – and I mean that in a good way. “The Sopranos†last episode was brilliant, but I’d argue “Lost’s†season finale was even better.
2. The Office – Just because the British version is better doesn’t make the American one any less brilliant. With so many likable characters, “The Office†is set for a long run, and it’s the best comedy not on cable since “Seinfeld.†Creed is my favorite character, by the way.
1. Curb Your Enthusiasm – Without a doubt, there’s no one I’d rather meet in person than Larry David. Watching art imitate life (his wife left him both on the show and in reality this year) was fascinating, and Season 6 was easily one of the best the remarkable series has yet to offer. The co-creator of “Seinfeld,†it’s pretty crazy that David has become one of the finest actors on television. The last five minutes of Season 6 was the funniest span of TV in recent memory, if not ever.
Honorable Mention (just missed the list): Mad Men, Extras, John From Cincinnati, Friday Night Lights, Weeds, Californication, Damages
MUSIC
5. The Good, The Bad & The Queen – My friend Sean turned me on to The Good, The Bad & The Queen, (incidentally, you should all check out his new movie), one of the more under the radar groups from 2007. Lead singer Damon Albarn came from Blur and The Gorillaz, but this is his best effort yet. The group is an odd mix – Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong and Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen, plus the production of Danger Mouse. In the end, the eclectic mix works magnificently. And yes, war is bad.
Highlights: “Herculean,†“History Songâ€
4. The Shins: “Wincing The Night Away†– Admittedly, they sometimes do sound a little too “The O.C.†And the lyrics are incomprehensible for the most part. Still, it’s hard to deny that The Shins are catchy. I don’t think they get enough credit among the snobby music community, and I blame Zach Braff for it.
Highlights: “Split Needles,†“Sea Legs,†“Sleeping Lessons,†“Phantom Limb,†“Turn On Meâ€
3. Arcade Fire: “Neon Bible†– Listening to “Neon Bible,†which was aptly recorded inside a church, is a divine experience indeed. Frontman Win Butler unapologetically spews righteous accusations on the group’s smart and subtle second album. And it just sounds so damn good. Plus, there’s a song about Jessica and Ashley Simpson’s dad.
Highlights: “Keep The Car Running,†“Intervention,†“Windowsill,†“Neon Bibleâ€
2. Band Of Horses: “Cease To Begin†– If you don’t like the song “Detlef Schrempf,†then you almost certainly are also opposed to puppies, mothers and sunsets. I was late to the party with this group, but my life has become decidedly better after discovering them. BoH are seemingly incapable of making a bad song. Sure, the lyrics are straightforward and sometimes optimistic to the point of cheesy, but I say the world needs more positive messages like this. If you don’t like Band Of Horses, then you probably think up is down, left is right, short is tall, right is wrong and Sophia Bush is ugly.
Highlights: “Detlef Schrempf,†“Marry Song,†“Is There a Ghost,†“No One’s Gonna Love Youâ€
1. Radiohead: “In Rainbows†– Here are my top-five albums of all-time: 1. OK Computer (Radiohead) 2. The Bends (Radiohead) 3. Sea Change (Beck) 4. Nirvana Unplugged in New York (Nirvana) 5. Not exactly sure which one, but it would be Radiohead. It’s safe to say I’m a pretty big fan of the group, so its inclusion at No. 1 comes as no surprise. For what it’s worth, the first three songs listed below would all fall in my top-10 favorite songs from the group from any of their records. Oh, and they changed the modern day market place as well.
Highlights: “Jigsaw Falling Into Place,†“All I Need,†“15 Step,†“Bodysnatchersâ€
That wasn’t the only music I liked this year, so here are some select tracks that I also particularly enjoyed from 2007: “Boy With A Coin†by Iron and Wine, “Dvno†and “D.A.N.C.E†by Justice, “Paper Planes†by M.I.A., “Great Destroyer Modwheelmood†by Nine Inch Nails, “Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe” by Okkervil River, “Peacebone†by Animal Collective, “Mistaken For Strangers†by The National, “Wake Up Call†by Maroon 5, “Bleed It Out†by Linkin Park, “Dig†by Incubus, “Lazy Eye†by Silversun Pickups and “Unite†by Burial.
WORST
I’m not going to make an exhaustive “worst of†list, as this post is already getting (more than) a little on the long side. Additionally, I made a point of avoiding bad movies this year. I don’t need to waste two hours of my life so I can tell you “Good Luck Chuck†was awful. So I’m making the following more of an overrated/bad combination:
Monday Night Football – If you watched ESPN’s second year of running MNF, you know where I’m going with this. If you didn’t catch a telecast, I’m jealous. Here’s what you missed: Tony Kornheiser found that week’s theme and beat it to death. There’s got to be a larger picture here! We can’t just watch a football game, folks. Oh, and they featured excellent guests in the booth this season – Drew Carrey, Vince Vaughn, John C. Reilly to name a few – all of whom offered extremely informative commentary. And by that I mean the opposite.
Heroes and 24 – It’s not that either of these are particularly bad shows (that’s designated for the words-can’t-describe-how-bad-it-is “Dirtâ€), but they got to be so boring, I’ve given up. I’d rather watch 2 Girls 1 Cup.
Plain White T’s and Soulja Boy – Both get played on the radio about as often as any group. Both are whack. Here are some choice lyrics from “Crank That:â€
“I’m 2 clean off in this hoe
Watch me crank it
Watch me roll
Watch me crank that roosavelt
And super soak that Hoeâ€
Even this guy finds that unintelligent. Hope all of you have a happy 2008.
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