Never mind the sore bum: Best Moviegoing Experiences of 2007

Oops, sorry I know this was supposed to go up last night but the siren song of an all night Rock Band party proved to be irresistible. Oh well without further ado here are my Top Five movie-going experiences of 2007. Just to clarify, these aren't necessarily my top five films of 2007 (though three of them will show up on my list), rather this is a look at the film-going memories that will rank as some of my favorites when I look back at the actual experience of sitting in a theatre and enjoying the show.

5. Preview screening for Spider-Man 3 at AMC 25
Yeah that's right, Spider-Man 3, the internet and lay persons filmic whipping boy. Spidey and Sam Raimi were so good to you for two amazing films that you couldn't cut them a little slack for taking an indulgence here or there could you America? Oh no, it was "too much dancing this" and "bad acting" that. But I am more then willing to forgive the film its trespasses and enjoy it for what it is: a remarkable spectacle meant to be enjoyed by a large number of people. I am sorry but this film GETS Peter Parker and and it GETS Spider-Man. The action sequences are still remarkable and the application of weight and movement to decidedly inhuman ability is really exhilarating. The crowd totally got behind Jonah's pill regimen, Topher Grace in general, the very relaxed James Franco, Gwen Stacey's rescue from the crumbling building, the Sandman and Spidey fight in the armored car and damn if I didn't get a little bit teary as Spidey swung down high-fiving the fans in his celebration as the marching band played the 60's TV theme. That's everything I need from Spidey film right there and you'd never think anyone thought one bad thing about the film based on that initial outing.
4. AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 Enchanted
I came into the theatre with moderate expectations and fell madly in love. People applauded every musical number AND the opening animated sequence (which, have I mentioned this yet, is gorgeous). Plus cameo in-theatre appearances by Bernadette Peters and Joel Grey (though I was the only one who noticed). When you pay ten bucks and get back a hundred bucks worth of memories (and a film mascot for the blog) THAT is a GOOD experience.

3. AMC Loews IMAX Lincoln Square 13 Beowulf in 3D
Despite the tenor of this article I must express that these experiences are the exception, not the rule. As technology improves and civility goes out the window during screenings for more tender fare like Atonement and Juno (seriously why wouldn't that woman SHUT UP?!) it becomes harder and harder to justify not staying in and let netflix do all the heavy lifting. But once in a while you get an experience that just isn't possible for home. Beowulf more then any movie on this list (with the exception of Grindhouse) just could not work as well at home. Seeing the genuinely epic (but decidedly witty) film unfold on a mammoth screen with its staggering depth of field and mammoth scope was exhilarating. My breath was literally taken away from me several times and made me wish I was younger so I could go imaginary play Beowulf with my friends when I left the theatre (didn't stop me from yelling "I am Bewowulf" a bunch of times that night though-thank YOU Captain Morgan). Now THAT is impressive.

2. Union Square Midnight opening of Grindhouse
I can't imagine a better way to see this movie. In a packed theatre (and judging from the b.o. receipts maybe the only packed theatre in the entirety of Grindhouse screenings) full of film nerds. Also taking into account that for a good rowdy audience you can't beat Union Square (we threw plastic snakes at the Snakes on a Plane screening for goodness sake), it was the perfect environment for the bladder testing film. When a crowd claps for Michael Beihn's credit, you know you're in the right theatre. I also loved the gasps and "oh shit" exclamations during the chase in Deathproof. Lots of laughs and clapping and hooting and hollering. I couldn't BELIEVE that no one else would want to subject themselves to this kind of fun. The entire theatre was transported to another time and place and I liked it there.
1. Lincoln Center Hot Fuzz Preview Screening-Part of the Hot Fuzztival
As though there could ever be any doubt. This spectacular birthday present courtesy of my friend Frank found us and several other lucky souls at ground zero for awesome. The evening started off with the sensational (but surprisingly short) Edgar Wright introducing one of the many films that influenced Hot Fuzz, Electra Glide in Blue, easily the most bizarre and counter-culture cop film I've ever seen. The out came Edgar again with co-writer and star Simon Pegg (dazzlingly handsome in person) and co-star Nick Frost. The crowd of Spaced and Shaun of the Dead fans were salivating and nothing could prepare us for what came next. Through bales of laughter and applause unspooled, simply put, one of the best comedies of 2007. To be fair it's probably one of the best action films of 2007 too (and it features one of the best ensembles, but I'll save all this for when I rank it for the year). Then the spokesman for Lincoln Center came on to inform us that he would not be running the Q&A and instead he would pass hosting duties over to a huge fan of the Wright boys. At this point I turned to look back at entry wing of the theatre and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I shook my seat companion and whispered "Frank, LOOK" and sure enough, there was Kevin Smith. When he was announced the already ecstatic crowd completely lost it. From there on it just did not stop: the announcement that Paul Freeman (BELLOQ!) was in the audience (a mere two rows behind me), this was huge as Raiders of the Lost Ark easily my favorite movie of all time, the hilarious Q&A that was easily as funny as the movie, meeting CHUD writer Devin Faraci (one of my favorite writers on the web-yes even though he doesn't like the end of Batman Begins), shaking hands with Nick Frost while he took in a smoke. It was the type of thing you never forget and eternally bonds you to a film. Good stuff.

I'll be back later with my honorable mentions and worst of the year entries (links later tonight too you lucky blog reader).

What was the name of the lead character again?

Robert Zemeckis' take on the literary classic Beowulf far exceeded my expectations for it and may well turn out to be one of my favorites for the year. Much has been made of he film's motion-capture process that converted the film's actors into 3D analogues, but Beowulf is such a hale and sturdy film that the gimmick for all its impressiveness is quickly forgotten when pure enjoyment sets in. Beowulf manages to capture the thrill, spectacle and intensity that a lot of the franchise action films that arrived this summer failed to replicate. Director Zemeckis knows his way around a blockbuster and he packs the screen with enough spectacle and epic compositions that the film's 3D digital roll-out makes it required in-theatre viewing. What makes Beowulf especially gratifying is that in addition to containing barrels full of machismo it also contains a fairly cutting screenplay that makes some clever additions to the Beowulf mythos. Its the perfect film for every frat on campus, even the one with the highest GPA.

In interviews with screenwriters Roger Avary and Neil Gaiman (such as the one found here) the dynamic quickly presents itself. Avary seems to be responsible for the heft and bombast and Gaiman waits till he's done pontificating to get in a sharp remark. This dynamic is evident again and again in the film. A scene of grand reveling gives way to two of the courtiers taking a piss and having a conversation about the new god that's quickly becoming popular "the Christ Jesus." It puts me in mindset of Gaiman's work far better than this year's own Gaiman adaptation Stardust.
Beowulf begins with the inhabitants of King Hrothgar's (a portly and pixilated Anthony Hopkins) new mead hall making too much of a racket and driving the monster Grendel (Crispin Glover) nuts. Grendel viciously (and rather frighteningly) attacks the hall leaving as bloody and vicious path of destruction PG-13 can allow in his wake. Hrothgar puts out the call for heroes

When we first meet our protagonist its like something out of 300. Beowulf (a 3D made-over Ray Winstone) is at sea with his men during a terrible tempest and is engaging in all manner of boasting. "My mother was the sea!" Beowulf exclaims in a way that would no doubt please Gerard Butler. Then his number two Wiglaf (ever dependable Brendan Gleeson) adds "Aye and me mother was a fishmonger who would rather her son die in battle than be drowned at sea." Its not the type of back-talk you'd ever hear in 300 and its what made me go from being impressed by the film to genuinely enjoying it. For one thing it undercuts Beowulf's line and makes one think, "this guy is full of it." Its a good tactic for a story that alternates between being about preserving and perverting legacy (whether is be through deeds or offspring). Both Beowulf and Beowulf SHOULD be bombastic. Gelping, or grand bragging, as my AP lit teacher memorably taught me lo these many years ago, was a common practice by storytellers and leaders at the time. It was a means of showing status. Its especially telling in a later scene where Beowulf essentially defeats an opponent by yelling at him about how great he is. Its helpful to know this going in cause Beowulf sure likes to yell his own name in the movie, a lot. Beowulf has a good sense of humor about itself, whether it be in Wiglaf's brief moments of cowardice, Beowulf's fortunate covering when he fights Grendel in the nude or the sheer impetuousness in the storytelling when Beowulf recounts why he lost a swimming match.

Of course no discussion of Beowulf would be complete without mentioning this lady:
Angelina Jolie is the one woman who is best served in the film by 3D rendering. Her face and body are distinct enough that she comes off more "real" than the other actresses in the film (Robin Wright Penn and Allison Lohman are not quite so fortunate). I put real in quotes because half the time she is a monster seen only piecemeal as an enormous, terrifying beast, then when in more human form her skin is coated in creamy-gold, she has a reptilian tail, spiked heel feet (which drew a chuckle from my audience) and is prone to flying. Still Angelina is a lot of fun in the film, even if she's using that wretched accent from Alexander again. Between this and A Mighty Heart I'm really enjoying her this year which is a nice change of pace. You can find a clever piece about how Grendel's mother is a worthy addition to Zemeckis' rather cartoon-y collection of femme fatale's here.

The film is not without its problems. The rendering still hasn't gotten to a point where every character looks amazing, basically if a character wasn't played by a "name" actor they could be mistaken for one of the humans in Shrek. There's also a brief chunk in the middle where one might get a bit squirmy in their seat ready for more action. Luckily act three doesn't disappoint in this regard as Beowulf fights probably the best dragon I've ever seen on film ever. Its incredibly exciting and again pushes the boundaries of the rating. The dragon's reveal still manages to be frightening even though I knew it was coming.

I could go on about how much fun John Malkovich's advisor Unferth is, or how well the 3D is used to convey depth of field as opposed to just gimmick shots where stuff flies at the audience but this is time better spent for my readers to actually go and see the film. Rarely does the opportunity crop up for a film that not only benefits from being seen on the big screen, but Beowulf absolutely demands it be seen in digital 3D in all its grandeur. The real Beowulf would do no less.