The Best of 2007
By Mark Bailey on Jan. 03, 2008
Television
By Casey Gillis, The Burg
-- Pushing Daisies
One of the best series to come along in quite some time.
Everything about it is enchanting, especially the romance between childhood sweethearts Ned and Chuck (a perfectly-matched Lee Pace and Anna Friel, both recently nominated for Golden Globe Awards). And Chi McBride is hilarious as private investigator Emerson Cod, who is always nearby with a grumpy quip to make sure their courtship never gets too treacly.
-- Damages
Even though I didn’t know what was really going on half the time. This gritty drama was full of crosses, double crosses and triple crosses as Glenn Close’s evil litigator Patty Hewes sued billionaire Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson, who left all traces of Sam Malone and “Cheers” in the dust with his powerhouse performance). The show was brilliant, fascinating and had me on the edge of my seat every week.
-- CSI
Which was completely revitalized over the past year, thanks to the introduction of the miniature killer. The mystery, which lasted all of last season, infused new life into the 7-year-old show.
Shivers went down my spine every time I heard the eerie score that accompanied the discovery of a new miniature. The creepiness continued once the killer’s identity was revealed: she was a disturbed young woman who then targeted CSI Sara Sidle as her next victim. With such an incredible build-up, the killer’s reveal could easily have disappointed. It didn’t.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Liev Schreiber’s guest stint as Michael Keppler, who stepped in for a few episodes while Grissom was off on sabbatical. Adding an actor of his caliber to the cast made the show that much better.
-- Bones
With its great cast and quirky humor, “Bones” goes beyond a simple procedural. And it wouldn’t be what it is without leads Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz, who have one of those perfect will-they-or-won’t-they relationships.
While we were busy waiting around for them to finally get together, another couple in the lab did act on their feelings this year: Angela and Hodgins, who prove that opposites do attract.
Things got even better early this season when John Francis Daley joined the cast as Dr. Sweets, who fits right in with “Bones” odd group of investigators.
-- Burn Notice
One of the best series to debut last summer.
Leading man Jeffrey Donovan is equal parts funny, tough and just plain hot as “burned” spy Michael Weston who, with his knack for creating weapons out of everyday items, is the second coming of MacGyver. And who can complain about the inclusion of cult film star Bruce Campbell (“Evil Dead,” “Army of Darkness”) as Michael’s retired CIA agent pal, Sam?
Music
By Liz Barry, The Burg
-- Boxer (The National)
Haunting and expansive. The more I listen, the more I discover. I’m a huge fan of Matt Berninger’s rich, crooning vocals.
-- Neon Bible (Arcade Fire)
Not as strong as their debut album, Funeral, but exquisite nonetheless.
-- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Spoon)
I can’t help but tap my toes to this funky album.
-- Armchair Apocrypha (Andrew Bird)
Hooked from the first listen.
-- Lynn Teeter Flower (Maria Taylor)
Underrated. Lynn Teeter Flower made my list for its unabashed intimacy and subtle beauty.
Film
By Jeremy Fogt, The Burg
--No Country for Old Men
Coen brothers return with a masterpiece. Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem play once-in-a-lifetime roles, tracking each other across the desert plains of west Texas.
--Knocked Up/Superbad
Both are hilarious and vulgar, and both have very real stories mixed in with the laughs.
-- Grindhouse
When I first walked out of the theater after seeing this double feature, my feelings were mixed, at best. In
retrospect, the double-billed ‘Planet Terror’ and ‘Death Proof’ achieved exactly the type of B-movie grandeur they set out for.
-- 300
Zack Snyder takes Frank Miller’s fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae and paints a sensational fantasy.
-- There Will Be Blood
Along with ‘Atonement,’ ‘Juno’ and ‘Lust, Caution.’ Four films that I haven’t seen because they’ve yet to come to Lynchburg theaters, but each has received great reviews. I know it’s cheating; deal with it.
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