Backporch Beer - WE'VE CLOSED! THANKS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE!

2007 Movie and TV Year in Review

As it comes that time when we look at what happened during the previous terrestrial revolution, I recognize that the only authoritative topic I can cover is the mass-consumption theatrical venues of the silver screen and the animated squawk box. (Well, I might also have a couple things to say about consumer electronics, but I’ll do that some other time.) If I could talk with you each one-on-one I would tailor my recommendations to your tastes and the stories that parallel your particular place in life. Instead I will make a flailing attempt to put a context on each consumable without giving away any secrets and maybe kismet will occur.

My favorite film of the year is unquestionably Juno. I have seen it three times to date and I will probably see it in theaters again before the opportunity arises to purchase it for home use. Despite its unbelievably literate characters, Juno delivers a philosophically believable and comforting tale with the perfect cast. Yes, it is bordering on rom-com material, but it harbors enough bitter cynicism to overcome any cuteness that may be perceived. Honorable Mention: Superbad

There Will Be Blood is the movie for the film snob in you. Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano power the two strongest characters on the big screen, and there is no doubt you will hear this film’s name repeatedly on Oscar night. It simply has to win Best Actor and Best Original Score (by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood) and will flirt with Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Film. Honorable Mention: No Country For Old Men.

“The best new show on TV” is one that mysteriously is not on (m)any of the critic’s lists. “Life“ was the show that week-after-week Becky and I were jonesing for new storyline. On top of delivering a mystery that was more intriguing with each episode, Damian Lewis’s tics and quips made him the most compelling character on the market. Honorable mention: “Journeyman“ — did anyone else recognize Tommy from Trainspotting?

I should also mention that despite the wet-blanket pilot episode of “Women’s Murder Club“, we now fear for its WGA-strike-related demise. Initially we were watching simply because I didn’t want to run into Laura Harris (which will probably happen annually now) without knowing about what she was working on. I probably wouldn’t have given it a first (or second) chance otherwise, but it has proven to be the better version of CSI and has become the proverbial exception to Becky’s “no latex gloves” rule of television watching.

As far as “the funny”, if I have to tell you to watch “30 Rock“ and “The Office“ then you haven’t been watching TV anyway so why are you reading this? However, if you weren’t watching “SNL”(Saturday Night Live) then you missed out on what could have been a resurgence of popular sketch comedy and live music (in gorgeous HiDef, no less) until it was killed by the WGA strike.

The best alternative entertainment is This American Life. I may not have made a lot of progress on my summer listening plans, but I still grab an episode or two every time I have a long car trip. Ira’s foray into TV wasn’t very memorable but the push to get almost all of TAL’s episodes on iTunes has put more than a couple pennies in the pockets of Apple and Chicago Public Radio.

p.s. I have rejoined the NetFlix ranks in an effort to curb my Blu-Ray expenditures. If you are a member, add me as a friend and we’ll be Flix-buddies.

2 Responses to “2007 Movie and TV Year in Review”