2007 might have been the highwater mark of this decade for filmaking. There were several excellent films that came out of major studios last year - There Will Be Blood, No Country For Old Men, The Darjeeling Limited, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Control - all of which are five star films. Additionally, there were some really good films as well - Alpha Dog, Eastern Promises, I'm Not There, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - all were very strong, interesting films that major studios usually do not support.
But the film I'd like to throw the spotlight on today is Zodiac. The film focuses on the Zodiac murders of the late 60's and early 1970's, crimes that were horrific and sent the west coast into a heightened sense of panic for years and years. David Fincher is one of my very favorite directors, (Seven, Fight Club, The Game) and he is a master of creating atmosphere. This atmosphere feels completely authentic, which is especially effective as he often takes the viewer into places that are uncomfortable. As in his previous films, most notably Seven, Fincher places the viewer in a world where every interior or exterior shot carries a sense of dread - the tension builds and builds until you as a viewer sit on the edge of your seat, palms sweating profusely. He is a master storyteller, and arcs his films in such a way that you hold your breathe for the duration.
But what makes Zodiac a great film is that the theme is really obsession - the obsession to kill of the serial killer mirrored by the obsession of the men who are attempting to solve the case. This includes police (Anthony Edwards and the magnificent Mark Ruffalo), a reporter (Robert Downey Jr. bringing his bizarre authenticity as usual), and a cartoonist turned obsessive (a hollow-eyed Jake Gyllenhall). The case goes on for years and years, and everyone associated with the investigation loses themselves in it. This is a brilliant film that the studio clearly did not know how to market, and it came and went quickly from theaters. It should have been nominated for Best Picture rather than the usual Oscar schlock like Atonement. Do yourself a favor and check it out - it will keep you up at night long after the final frame.
But the film I'd like to throw the spotlight on today is Zodiac. The film focuses on the Zodiac murders of the late 60's and early 1970's, crimes that were horrific and sent the west coast into a heightened sense of panic for years and years. David Fincher is one of my very favorite directors, (Seven, Fight Club, The Game) and he is a master of creating atmosphere. This atmosphere feels completely authentic, which is especially effective as he often takes the viewer into places that are uncomfortable. As in his previous films, most notably Seven, Fincher places the viewer in a world where every interior or exterior shot carries a sense of dread - the tension builds and builds until you as a viewer sit on the edge of your seat, palms sweating profusely. He is a master storyteller, and arcs his films in such a way that you hold your breathe for the duration.
But what makes Zodiac a great film is that the theme is really obsession - the obsession to kill of the serial killer mirrored by the obsession of the men who are attempting to solve the case. This includes police (Anthony Edwards and the magnificent Mark Ruffalo), a reporter (Robert Downey Jr. bringing his bizarre authenticity as usual), and a cartoonist turned obsessive (a hollow-eyed Jake Gyllenhall). The case goes on for years and years, and everyone associated with the investigation loses themselves in it. This is a brilliant film that the studio clearly did not know how to market, and it came and went quickly from theaters. It should have been nominated for Best Picture rather than the usual Oscar schlock like Atonement. Do yourself a favor and check it out - it will keep you up at night long after the final frame.
