Thank you, Mr. Vice, for presenting your favorites. Now I understand why I have to read between the lines anytime you review a truly good movie, one with an uplifting message or one that inspires me to accomplish more in life. You would rather watch a smutty movie about an unintended pregnancy. I loved Chris Hicks because when he said a movie was worth watching he was rarely wrong. I get more good movie reviews from talking with friends and family than I do from reading Jeff Vice. I also find it interesting how many times readers love a movie and then criticize Jeff Vice when they comment in the movie section of desnews.com

I agree totally with Rich. I have almost never agreed with Jeff Vice. Thankfully I have seen many wonderful movies because of it.

Rich - The point of a film critic isn't to find a reviewer that exactly matches your opinion. The point is to find a critic whose taste and knowledge is consistent so you can read a review and have an idea of what you will think of a film. It sounds like it is working for you with Jeff.

90% of Vice's top 10 list are movies that I wouldn't even consider watching. The Deseret News needs to get a critic that is a bit more balanced and that better represents the Utah subscriber base.

Rich, if you come back to here I would love to see your list of top 10 (or 5 or 3) movies of the year. I am not trying to argue with your opinion of Vice, I would just be curious what you have to say. I should make my own list as well and just might.

My husban and I have only seen three movies on your list. A couple of the others look promising for future video rental, but mostly your list inspires us NOT.

that's all

I agree; I'd like to see Rich's top 10 too.

Most mainstream movies are ridiculous and boring so aside from those on Jeff's list, I am curious what movie all these other "mainstream Utahns" are liking.

Most movies are a waste of time to begin with, but I have seen about half of Jeff's top 10, and they were all very well done, interesting stories.

What movies should be bumping them off the list??

I haven't seen any of the movies on Vice's list and hadn't even heard of most of them. I must be living in a different world than he is. I think I'll keep it that way.

From Rich: "I get more good movie reviews from talking with friends and family than I do from reading Jeff Vice."

Pretty sure you're not going to injure Mr. Vice's tender sensibilities--and yes, I'm sure he has them--with your comments on this thread. Nor will anyone disagreeing with a critic. That's their job.

How boring would it be for a critic to solely list films in the mainstream, or that were purely wholesome and delightful. Have you seen "Juno"? I have. What's your opinion on the film? If you haven't seen it, how can you presume it is "smutty"? Because of a teen-aged pregnancy? It's called life, it happens.

Just because a critic doesn't share your exact value systems doesn't mean he's totally worthless.

And before I get flamed for being Mr. Vice's defender, no, I don't agree with all of his film reviews. In fact, only about 50/50. "Juno", however, like many on his list, deserve a second chance, regardless of your prejudicial conceptions and spouting off before even ever seeing the film.

P.S. As always, if you don't like a writer, critic, TV show ... don't read, listen or watch. Do something else.

My Top 10 list coming.

Don't be so mean to Jeff. Although, I agree, his list has the same problem with many critics. They choose their best of list by selecting mostly movies that many people don’t see. Then they throw in stuff like the Knocked Up, the rat cartoon or Bruce Willis cashing a check just so we don’t accuse them of being elitists. But for the most part, many of these movies never played anywhere in the state but in Salt Lake City. They also always drop in a documentary, a true story, a foreign film — all predictable.

While Jeff extolls the virtues of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, it will be outsold on DVD 1,000-1 by Spiderman 3, which really wasn't that great.

At least he’s not as bad as Aint it Cool News. The head geek over there spends hundreds of hours every week pumping up films like Alien vs. Predator, and then picks a bunch of obscure films from Japan he’s never mentioned on his Web site in his top 10 lists.

Someone care to explain to me why, in the words of a poster above, "The Deseret News needs to get a critic that is a bit more balanced and that better represents the Utah subscriber base."

A critic doesn't represent anyone--even whom he's employed by--but himself with his work. It's his opinion. Not the community's, not the employer's, not the subscribers.

As a side note, it would be interesting to know what exactly the newspaper's subscriber base truly portrays. My bet (pun intended) is that it can't be blindly generalized into a pigeon-holed, neatly fit little box that you might imagine it to be.

We're not all automatons here. Well, most of us aren't anyway.

I agree pretty much all those movies I wouldn't watch and wouldn't even consider for the running of best of the year. Luckily I already made a list of my favorite movies of the year. Here they are (somewhat in order of ranking):

The Bourne Ultimatum
Enchanted
Bridge To Terabithia
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Transformers
Ratatouille
Stardust
Meet The Robinsons
Evan Almighty
Ocean's Thirteen

I tend to agree with all of the comments made thus far. There were only two movies on Jeff’s list that I saw. I can only speculate on what makes a movie good for Mr. Vice; as for me, it all boils down to whether or not I was entertained; and to be truly great: whether or not I would be willing to pay to see it again. An excellent movie is one that I want to see again and take someone else to see it with me. It’s rare that Hollywood releases 20 movies in one year that can even make my list. So here is my list (in reverse order):

10. The Ultimate Gift

9. Transformers

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

7. Ratatouille

6. Evan Almighty

5. The Bourne Ultimatum

4. National Treasure: Book of Secrets

3. Dan in Real Life

2. Stardust

1. Freedom Writers

My best of the rest in alphabetical order: August Rush; Enchanted; Martian Child; Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium; No Reservations; Ocean’s Thirteen; Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End; Premonition; The Seeker: The Dark is Rising; Spider-Man 3

As promised, my top 10 films (+ 1) of 2007:

Once
Juno
Enchanted
Into the Wild
There Will Be Blood
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Darjeeling Limited
No Country For Old Men
Atonement
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
+
The Devil Came on Horseback

You missed two great movies, that are entertaining, inspiring and uplifting.

1. Amazing Grace

2. Miss Potter

Have a little heart; Mr. Vice is expanding your horizons. If anyone can go to a blockbuster film and say "wow, that was great!" or "not so much," then we would have a very narrow view of what's available. These other lists include nation-wide releases that anyone can see and form an own opinion about. I'd have no greater insight to my viewing options by looking at the previous two lists. As I've seen all those movies, I have my own opinions as to whether they are worth my time and money.

What Mr. Vice has done with this list is to open your options. Perhaps some of the previous posters have a Netflix queue? Maybe some of you actually attend Sundance, which is right in your back yard? You don't have to like every film you see in order to appreciate it. Some of the best-crafted films I've seen are crap to watch, while some of the lowest budget, raw films are succinct and life-altering. If using Mr. Vice's list as a filter of what-not-to-see, then why bother reading reviews? It sounds like you are going to see what you want to, regardless.

Movies are the best!!!!!

While I don't agree with Jeff Vices' opionion most of the time, I do understand his taste for films. I tend to like alot of the movies he gives terrible reviews for. (I.E. Hostel II and Vacancy I really enjoyed.) But that's my taste. I can usually tell by the preview of the film that I'll like or dislike a movie. Not based on those of critics. I read reviews to get their opinion. I do agree some of the time. Into The Wild is the best film of 2007 if not the 2000's thus far. Jeff isn't saying that everyone will like or dislike a movie that he reviews and people who think that don't understand a job of a critic.

I appreciate critics who are consistent because then I can judge fairly well whether I would enjoy seeing a particular flick based on their reviews.

Just for grins, in no particular order, my favorite movies of 2007 that I felt deserved to be seen in the theater and which I will also likely see again on DVD.

Stardust...one of the most inventive movies in a long time
August Rush...ahh! the music, and a dastardly Robin Williams
The Bourne Ultimatum
Waitress
300...I thought the queen was an amazing towanda
Hairspray...there were a lot of us literally dancing in the aisles :o)
Live Free or Die Hard...actually bought this DVD for its stress relieving properties
Knocked Up
Ratatouille
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Most disappointing movie for me...Premonition

Oh, and my favorite documentary was God Grew Tired of Us

Hrrumph! I want to read Chris Hicks' favorite movies of 1957, dang it! Jeff Vice is a Pabst-swilling heathen!

I also enjoyed God Grew Tired of us. I saw it right after the Sundance Film Festival in 2006.

I'm trying to understand why no one is placing "Rescue Dawn" on their top 10 list...

you, Old Codger! PBR drinkers whole-heartedly receive the distinct honor of being labeled swilling heathens, as you no doubt are as well!

Thanks for bringing the fact that the local paper's movie critic also has good taste in cheap beer (like that was on-topic, moderator).

Back to topic: Wonder why "Superbad" didn't make Jeff's list? Oh, I know, because it would have been one more show for you heathens to string him up the pole for, because it wasn't produced by the folks from "Zarahemla."

Give.Me.A.Break. and pass a PBR this way.

P.S. Not sure, but I don't think Mr. Hicks was reviewing films in '57. May have to fact-check that one, O.C.

My Top 10
1. Into The Wild.
2. Grindhouse.
3. In The Valley Of Elah.
4. Hostel Part II.
5. No Country For Old Men.
6. Rescue Dawn.
7. 28 Weeks Later.
8. Superbad.
9. 30 Days Of Night.
10. The Lookout.
Runners up: Alpha Dog, Death Sentence, Hannibal Rising and Vacancy

2007 unseen possibilities: Gone Baby Gone, P2, Sweeny Todd, Charlie Wilsons War, Juno, Timber Falls

Most Overrated 2007: American Gangster and Eastern Promises

Mr. Vice's opinions seem trendy and following of the lead of other notable critics like Roger Ebert. But, mainstream critics all have the same tastes of little entertainment or escapism value. That must be how they get syndicated.

When I read the newspaper movie reviews I usually want to identify a movie that will entertain me. Just relax a little bit, escape reality for a few hours and just enjoy myself. I don't go to critique the plot or logical flow. If I wanted to really get into the theatrical analysis stuff I'd go back to the "U" and take another Appreciation of Theatre class. I agree with some of you that Jeff's reviews seldom agree with mine after I see the movies. Sure, he needs to give in-depth reviews to satisfy a broad readership. Even though I read the reviews, I've learned from experience that I can't always rely on his perspective as the "final word" on whether a movie is quality or not. There was a letter to the editor the other day that suggested that the Des News create a column that summarizes Viewer Poll results from people who've actually seen the movies, maybe using the same 4-star system. I thought that was a good idea since I think a lot of people out there go to movies for similar reasons. Good idea everyone?

yes, a great idea.

I would tend to agree with most posters here--Jeff Vice is no Chris Hicks, and with Melissa that Miss Potter and Amazing Grace belong on the best of 2007 list. As I've noted before in comments on Mr. Vice's reviews, he doesn't have the love for cinema that every Chris Hicks review exuded. He seems to be pretty jaded, and yes, out of step with his audience. I for one an not interested in the edgy, gritty, underbelly of life. I go to movies to be lifted, inspired, entertained and educated.
By the same token, I can understand why Chris Hicks would want to step aside from the weekly grind of having to view every movie out there. There is only about so much filth one person can take before it starts to drag you down. As much as I love film, I'm not sure I could handle that for very long.
It is refreshin to see Chris Hicks' occasional review that pops up in the DN.

What I find remarkable is that people have decided they don't like a movie without having seen it. Jeff's inclusion of "My Kid Could Paint That" is spot on. How many of you complaining even saw one single documentary last year?

Juno IS uplifting but because there is a pregnant teen it must be trashy to those who have decided it can't be viewed.

Complaining or not, I love to see this discussion come up here. I love the other top 10 lists although including "Transformers" ruins your credibility for me, I still love the list. (The movie was a complete, jumbled mess!)

Finally, folks who see 10 movies a year are absolutely bound to have a different opinion than a critic who sees several flicks a week and many more than 10 a month. Fresh, original films are going to go down better with a critic than the guy who wants to see giant robots from outer space turn into a truck and park in the garage. I dare say Vice knows more about film so yes, his opinion will not be like yours.

Good message board!

I made my own list and by the way, the idea of user voting for stars on a film is great! Somehow I fear "Transformers" will get the Dnews best picture. Anyway, some movies I thought rose above the rest in no order:

No Country For Old Men
Ratatouille
My Kid Could Paint That
The Bourne Ultimatum
3:10 to Yuma
Charlie Wilson's War
Eagle vs. Shark
Juno
American Gangster
the latest Harry Potter flick
Fido
and I sure laughed a lot at the Simpson's Movie and the Beowulf movie in 3D was beautiful.

Movies I left early: Fantastic Four 2, the third Pirates movie

My Top 10 of '07-

1- Zodiac
2- No Country for Old Men
3- 3:10 to Yuma
4- A Mighty Heart
5- The Assasination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford
6- Away From Her
7- Reign Over Me
8- I Am Legend
9- Into the Wild
10- The Bourne Ultimatum

We don't need to put the hate on Jeff. I like his reviews most of the time. I just don't agree with his top 10 list.

I think that he is just guilty of being a movie critic. Movie critics always pick an elitist group of films. I think it's because they are watching so many films, they are no longer entertained by great fun like Transformers or National Treasure. I don't think that he's trying to be a movie snob. I mean, the guy still cares about Star Trek for crying out loud! He can't be a snob!

The only joy from bad movies is trashing them again on a Worst 10 list. Come on, Jeff! Hit them! My worst ten:

1. Epic Movie
2. Hostel II
3. Pathfinder
4. September Dawn
5. Code Name: The Cleaner
6. Blood & Chocolate
7. Aliens vs. Predator- Requiem
8. Primeval
9. Shrek the Third
10. The Hills Have Eyes 2

Best Ten (so far; haven't seen Juno, Into the Wild, etc.)

1. The Lives of Others
2. No Country for Old Men
3. Ratatouille
4. American Gangster
5. Hairspray
6. No End in Sight
7. The Lookout
8. Charlie Wilson's War
9. The Bourne Ultimatum
10. Paprika

Jeff - I just want to say that I agree with a lot of your reviews over the years, although I have also disagreed on many of your favorites. You've helped me many times find great movies in the theater worth seeing. Your 4-Star review of "The Truman Show" was one of your greatest successes ever!!!

To: "Kent", "Rich", and the like: You guys ought to get out more and go see some great movies. (JV does a good job of telling people which movies are worth seeing!) "3:10 To Yuma" was by far this year's best!

Rest of Best:
- Rescue Dawn
- 1408 (extremely riveting & creepy)
- Ratatouille
- I Am Legend
- American Gangster
- Superbad
- Live Free - Or Die Hard
- Harry Potter & Order of Phoenix
- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
- Transformers (my friends and I were laughing uncontrollably the whole time, even with the ridiculous plot)

Just want to tell Jeff Vice that I think he does a pretty good job w/ most of his reviews!

10. American Gangster
9. The Host
8. Rescue Dawn
7. The Darjeeling Limited
6. 3:10 to Yuma
5. Paris Je'Taime
4. Atonement
3. Juno
2. Into The Wild
1. No Country For Old Men