By Brian Lieberman
Correspondent
Posted Feb. 18

With the great American outdoors, teen pregnancy, psychotic murderers, gangsters, kidnappings and transforming robots from outer space as subjects, 2007 was probably one of the best in recent years for cinema.

It certainly was not difficult to put together a list of films that truly caught my eye. It was just as easy, of course, to put together another list of those unfortunates that did not.

While I saw many films this year, there were a great number that I missed, some of which would probably have made my list. Nonetheless, I can only rank from among those films I did see. And so, without any further ado, here are my picks of 2007.

‘No Country for Old Men’

The Coen Brothers are back and they’re better than ever. After such cinematic masterpieces such as "Fargo," "O, Brother Where Art Thou?" and "The Big Lebowski," their latest film, ‘No Country for Old Men," is their best to date.

It makes an absolute mockery of the work that they crafted in the past. Adapted from Cormac McCarthy’s unconventionally written novel, Joel and Ethan Coen’s "Old Men" tells the story of a young man, Llewelyn Moss. Moss, while hunting in the desert stumbles upon a heap of dead bodies and a briefcase full of money belonging to a mentally unstable serial killer named Anton Chigurh.

A horrifically bloody cat and mouse chase ensues between the two men and more than enough lives are "sacrificed" at the hands of Chigurh along the way. Much like last year’s big Oscar winner "The Departed," "No Country for Old Men" is not only the bloodiest, most death ridden film of the year, but it is also heavily favored to take home the statue for Best Picture at this year’s Oscar ceremony.

Actor Javier Bardem is deservedly predicted to win for his ingeniously haunting portrayal of Chigurh. Never before have I been so afraid of an on-screen villain; his menacing facial expressions, his hair and his overall body gestures were bone chilling.

Bardem’s Chigurh is as scary, or even scarier than Anthony Hopkins’ legendary Hannibal Lecter. The Coen Brothers have again proved themselves to be two of the greatest cinematic storytellers of our time. The film’s deeper meanings of human nature and fate will have moviegoers amazed for decades to come. "No Country for Old Men" is the best film of the year. Period.

‘Into the Wild’

About two summers ago, my fellow students and I were asked – forced, actually - to read Jon Krakauer’s national bestseller, "Into the Wild." I admit that I am not exactly an avid reader and pouring through "Into the Wild" was not on top of my summer "hit list".

But when I finally mustered up the courage and patience to sit down and actually read the book, it was, without a doubt, one of the greatest literary experiences of my life.

Three years later, while the book was still considerably ingrained in my memory, the film adaptation was finally released. In what may be one of the greatest directorial turns in the world of cinema, writer-director Sean Penn has crafted a beautiful, heartbreaking film that will undeniably stand the test of time.

Paying considerable homage to the central theme and spirit of Krakauer’s novel, "Into the Wild" documents the true story of a privileged college student, named Christopher McCandless.

In April 1992 McCandless abandons his comfortable life and journeys far into the Alaskan wilderness in search of himself and the purpose of his seemingly useless existence.

Penn’s filmmaking is idyllic and the performances he draws from his cast are incredibly sincere and heartfelt. Unbelievably overlooked by the Academy is Emile Hirsch’s portrayal of McCandless and his treacherous, unfortunate journey into madness.

"Into the Wild" is a beautifully spiritual, poignant film and one that our ever-increasing apathetic, materialistic world must see.

‘Juno’

In what is being dubbed as this year's "Little Miss Sunshine," "Juno" is actually a much better film than last year’s critically and audience acclaimed indie that surprisingly garnered a great deal of Oscar nominations.

"Juno," which has deservedly been nominated for Best Picture of the year as well, tells the story of a girl who is unexpectedly impregnated by her childhood friend and is forced to deal with the innumerable pressures of motherhood that could have been easily avoided.

Newcomer Ellen Page has officially put herself on the map of Hollywood celebrity as she delivers one of the greatest female performances of the year. Page’s brilliant deadpan comedic timing and sincere emotions evoke the countless fears and uncertainties that teenagers face on a daily basis.

Diablo Cody's ingenious Oscar nominated screenplay cleverly and sensitively tackles the heated political issue of abortion. What begins as a simple offbeat comedy about teenage pregnancy, "Juno" becomes much, much more than just that.

At its core "Juno" is a heartbreaking story of the powers of love and the puzzling bonds that keep friends and family together. Merely stating that "Juno" is one of the best films of the year would be an understatement.

"Juno" is one of the best, most unconventionally heart-warming films ever made.

‘Gone Baby Gone’

Unsuccessful actor turned director Ben Affleck has finally found something he is good at, something he is extremely good at. Based on the novel by the same author who provided the inspiration for Clint Eastwood’s 2003 hit, "Mystic River," "Gone Baby Gone" is the disturbingly painful story of two Boston private detectives who are first asked to investigate the recent kidnapping of a raging alcoholic’s daughter. The pair ultimately unravel a deadly chain of corruption in unexpected places.

Although it had a poor release at the box office, "Gone Baby Gone" was undeniably one of the best films of 2007. Casey Affleck and Ed Harris deliver award-worthy performances and the plot raises questions regarding the difference between one’s moral ethics and "doing the right thing".

The film’s "unresolved" conclusion and numerous unanswered questions will undeniably have viewers contemplating its significance, as well as its brilliance long after having seen it.

Don’t be turned off simply because Ben Affleck’s name is attached to this film; "Gone Baby Gone" proves that Affleck is an enormously talented filmmaker and has irrefutably succeeded with his first crack behind the camera.

Honorable mentions:

"Sweeney Todd," "Knocked Up," "Superbad," "The Bourne Ultimatum," "American Gangster," "Once," "Eastern Promises," "Hairspray," "The Kite Runner," "The Hoax"

Brian Lieberman is a senior at NV/Old Tappan High School and frequent contributor to Suburbanite’s Teen Txt. section.