There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day-Lewis gives a performance for the ages as a California oilman who makes his fortune at the expense of his humanity. From the film’s quiet and fascinating opening passages through its explosive finale, Blood is so masterfully constructed that it has drawn comparisons to Citizen Kane, and deserves every single bit of the praise.
Atonement
A beautifully rendered epic romance that explores the tragic implications of a young girl’s false accusation at an English country house in 1935. James McAvoy and Keira Knightly are two of the best young actors the U.K. has to offer.
The Bourne Ultimatum
Yeah, yeah, the camera is shaky. If you have a sensitive stomach, this movie might not be for you, which is too bad, since Ultimatum delivers a visceral punch-in-the-gut unparalleled this year in film. And Matt Damon is a badass.
Michael Clayton
There’s consensus already that George Clooney is probably the coolest guy in Hollywood, but it’s entirely possible that he’s also the most talented A-list actor around. Here he gives a commanding performance in this exceptional legal thriller’s title role, while Tom Wilkinson is perfectly psychotic as a brilliant lawyer who has lost it.
The Lives of Others
Winner of Best Foreign Language Film at last year’s Oscars, Lives is an excellent examination of the East German secret police (or Stasi) in the waning years of the Cold War.