My 5 Favorite Scenes of the Year

Film is about story, sure, but sometimes all it takes is just one scene to get the thrill, laugh, emotion, or epiphany from the viewer. There were a lot of solid films this year and I'll get to those later. In the meantime, I simply want to share with you what my 5 favorite scenes of the year were. (So you know, compiling this list was almost instantaneous. These scenes jumped out at me right away and I wrote them down without hesitation. That's how much of an impact they made.)

Evan sings "These Eyes" in SUPERBAD
I've included the video, although it's not quite the same out-of-context. This is not only the hardest I laughed in the theater all year...it may be the hardest I've laughed in the theater in ten years. Everyone knows by now but I'll reiterate it anyway: Michael Cera is not the next genius of comedy; he's the current genius of comedy.



Try It Before You Buy It in ONCE
The duet between Glen Hasnard (the guy) and Marketa Irglova (the girl) in the music shop is one of the most hauntingly romantic experiences you'll ever witness. He takes the guitar and she uses the piano for sale. As they play, a chemistry they can't acknowledge starts to simmer. And the song--the song! Melodic and beautiful and perfectly placed. You can't beat it.

Those handcuffs won't stop him in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Javier Bardem's portrayal of Chigurh is some of the most intense terror I've seen brought to the big screen and he scares the crap out of you in the first five minutes. When Chigurh craftily strangles the deputy on the station floor, Bardem's large eyes seem to pop out. He seems both deeply focused and deeply proud of his work. The shot, later, of Chigurh's and the deputy's shoes' scuff marks all over the floor tells you all you need to know about a struggle against this madman.

Cars? Bullets? There's no difference in LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD
John McClane always has a back-up plan. I guess I just didn't realize his Plan B is one a-freakin'-mazing stunt. Proving that when the wrong--or right--person is behind the wheel of car, it really does become a weapon, McClane takes out a helicopter using a car and AP physics. One of the only times I actually shouted out a "Woo Hoo!" in the theater this year.

Steve Carrell sings his heart out in DAN IN REAL LIFE
Nothing comes close as far as the award for "Scene that Made Me Cry Like a Baby." Carrell delivers brilliantly as the widowed father is able to say through song what he hasn't been allowed to in conversation. And he almost breaks down doing it. (This is the third scene involving singing; am I just a sucker for a well-placed singing performance?) It's a great moment for the character, a great moment for Carrell, and a tearjerker for anyone in the audience. Plus, bonus points for making Dane Cook not only tolerable, but slightly likeable.

Now what were your favorite scenes of the year?