Movies of 2007

Like presumably millions of others, I am quite fond of reading "top etc. etc." lists of movies, actors and so on, compiled by critics and audience polls. But recently, I have become extremely fond of generating my own too!

English movies are too much of an ocean...I have seen too many movies that I have liked to create a true favorites list, even though I have a few standard titles that I name when someone asks me. Hindi movies - uptil 2004 or so, I have a clear idea of what my top 10-20 favorite movies are. After that, age started catching up and its better if I have an annual list from which I can create another favorites list a decade down the line!

And, as I said, I am extremely fond of creating this list :)

Here's to 2007. Certainly not a year like 2006 was, wonderfully varied and exciting but sufficiently interesting to present a challenge. What I liked about 2007 was that there were some good roles for women, both on the commercial and not-so-commercial scene, which was a relief. Over the past few years, the declining quality of actresses and the roles they play (or maybe its the reverse cause and effect!) is something that's upsetting, mainly because it is at odds with the progress being made in real life. This year, some solid actresses asserted themselves, sometimes successfully like Tabu and Kareena and sometimes not so much like Rani. But the result was equally impactful - bimbos like Priyanka and Katrina were kept in their place.

Top 10

1. Chak De India - topical, entertaining and SRK was wonderful. Only thing that prevents it from being an all time favorite is the lack of a gripping climax
2. Jab We Met - I consider this as India's answer to Meg Ryan's rom coms. And like them, this has become one of my "anytime, anywhere" movies. And the songs are my favorite this year!!
3. Om Shanti Om - thorough entertainer; but again, just didnt have Dhoom's appeal for me without Hrithik's godliness and fab music
4. Manorama Six Feet Under - brilliantly made movie with perfect performances
5. Cheeni Kum - a lovely, lovely movie esp because of Tabu and great dialogues
6. Life in a Metro - very real, interesting characters played by good perfomers
7. Guru -again, a well made biopic on Hollywoodish lines, esp the strong supporting cast (incl Ash)
8. Taare Zameen Par - very very nice movie, well made and it genuinely touched me
9. Honeymoon Travels - because this is the kind of ensemble movie I always enjoy
10. Johny Gaddar - because I am a Chase fan and its high time we went back to these kind of movies (they did get made during the '80s art period but not after that)

Runners up

11. Gandhi My Father - A for effort and Akshaye's performance. If it had been better paced and more involving, it could have been a cracker
12. No Smoking - esoteric, yes. Un-understandable, yes. Did I have fun watching it? yes.
13. Ek Chaalis ki Last Local - nice enough movie, and Abhay is as usual good to watch
14. Khoya Khoya Chand - I love movies about movies and this was, like Gandhi My Father, a great effort
15. Saawariya - I didnt find it terrible. Quite watchable with some interesting ideas and Ranbir's good

Didnt see, they could have been in the favorites list -

Bheja Fry
Shootout at Lokhandwala
The Namesake
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom