This list is in no particular order..read away
-Cloverfield-
New York yuppies get together to give Rob a going away party. He is in love with his best friend Lily but can not commit to her now that he is leaving. Meanwhile, A monster emerges from the depths of the ocean to destroy anything and anyone it see's. Our party goer's enter the streets of Manhattan in a shaky cam fight for survival. I loved the the first person view of the Camera. Although some people experienced motion sickness, I was able to follow it pretty well. Also I loved the grim ending Cool fact: The very last scene with the characters at Coney island, you see something fall from the sky and land in the water.
-Iron Man-
The superhero film that put Robert Downey Jr. back in the spotlight. Tony Stark is a weapons manufacturer and technical genius. After surviving an IED attack in Afghanistan, He returns home with a new sense of purpose and an electro-magnet in his chest that keeps him alive. The cast of the movie is great. The effects are awesome. There is plenty of humor, action and drama to keep you involved. The one thing I still do not like is the music. The score is bland and generic. I sure hope they get a better composer for the sequel.
-Wall-E-
By far one of my favorite Pixar films. It's funny because my other favorite is Finding Nemo and it was directed by the same person, Andrew Stanton. Wall-e is the last "clean-up" robot left on Earth. He is driven by function but has somehow grown a personality. He's longs for a connection with another being. This is a simple and sweet love story set against the devolution of human beings. There is a message about blatant consumerism and our current wasteful culture. However what holds me in this movie is the sincerity of the characters and the overall feeling that we are nothing without love. The animation is amazing!
-The Dark Knight-
I am a fan of Director Christopher Nolan. His films never cease to amaze me. Insomnia, Memento, and The Prestige are all top notch films. So when he tackled Batman Begins he really reinvented the character for today's audience. His Batman is tough, brooding, challenging and just plain cool.
So does the Dark Knight live up to the hype? Yes. There was a guy in our audience tonight who stood up during the credits and decided to share his opinion with his group of friends. He said "a lot of cool sequences but it doesn't live up to the hype." It actually made me a little angry only because I don't think he gave the film a chance to show him its worth. Should you go in blindly and not take the reviews to heart? Yes!. Even my mini review. This is a great film with great performances. So many things that I wasn't expecting. Amazing action, tense drama and some awesome thrills.
Hands down, Heath Ledger is amazing. He has taken a character that sometimes people dismiss because of his appearance and made him truly frightening. Don't get me wrong, I love Nicholson's Joker. I always will. This Joker is a disgusting son of a bitch. He is what you most fear, a man with nothing to lose. His performance will stun you while making you snicker. I am sorry Heath is gone. I would have loved to see him continue this role.
The rest of the cast is great. Bale owns Batman. Michael Caine is perfect as Alfred. Gary Oldman does very well. Another standout for me was Aaron Eckhart. He is amazing as Harvey Dent/Two Face. Very strong performance. I won't spoil the movie anymore. Go into this movie, sit down and let it take you, you will not be disappointed. I must admit some parts really annoyed me. Sorry Maggie you were hot in the Secretary but you've got nothing on Katie Holmes.
It saddens me to think that this 'real-world' Gotham Nolan created may not see the crazy villains of Batman's Universe. I would love to see Catwoman get another chance, or the Riddler or the Penguin for that matter. But we'll see. All the actors are signed for a third film, so lets hope it comes out great.
-The Fall-
Director Tarsem takes you on a very emotional and wondrous journey into the imagination of a young girl. The movie is filled with amazing visuals and costumes. The story has a such sweet sadness. Lee Pace is a great actor. He definitely needs more work. (see Soldiers Girl)
-Doubt-
Meryl Streep will surely be nominated for best actress this year. Her performance as Sister Aloysius was gripping. A pungent, evil woman who justifies her methods by believing she is doing the right thing. Amy Adams has a great supporting role as the young optimistic nun. Philip Seymour Hoffman turns in another strong performance. The movie plays very much like a stage play but I think it makes it work. The locations are slim because all that matters is what is going on in that Catholic School.
-Hellboy 2: The Golden Army-
Guillermo del Toro brings a fantastical world to life. I enjoyed this movie immensely because of the visuals, music, and story. Reality is killing fantasy and imagination. I'm glad this point was being made in the movie. Overall very entertaining and much better than the first film.
-Vicky Christina Barcelona-
This has become my favorite Woody Allen film since Bullets Over Broadway. The story is simple and so engaging. Vicky and Christina are spending the summer in Barcelona. They meet a charismatic Spanish man played by Javier Bardem. His passionate ex-wife is played by Penelope Cruz. Buy a bottle of your favorite wine and watch this movie. The atmosphere in the movie is so warm and makes you long for another life in a European country.
-Quarantine-
I don't know how many people saw this but I loved it! Its another first person camera kind of directing, like Cloverfield or the less succesful Diary of the Dead. The first 10 minutes is slow but when shit goes down, its awesome! The best part is that you're not entirely aware of whats around you or whats happening. This made me very uneasy. Great horror flick.
-Milk-
A moving bio-pic about Harvey Milk. Sean Penn will certainly be nominated for best actor. I enjoyed him in the movie more than I ever have before. The supporting cast is excellent. The politics of the movie mirror life today in a very sad and upsetting way.
Guilty Pleasures of 2008
Twilight - What can i says I love Vampires!
Mamma Mia! - What Can I say I love Vampires..I mean musicals :P
Worst Movies of 2008
The Women - How could anyone screw this classic up? Try uninspired casting and bullshit modern movie cliche's. Insulting to the audience it was meant for. Please see the original.
Mad Money- OMG talk about unwatchable. Queen Latifah is this movies saving grace. Katie Holmes is chewing scenery and Diane Keaton is a one note. Bad pacing, lame gags, and a flat story make this a real a stinker!
The Happening- Wow this movie was such crap! After the first 5 minutes it became the worst movie of the year. So So So Bad. Don't believe me, rent it! I dare you to watch for more than 20 mins max!
2008 Movies I have yet to see:
Slumdog Millionaire; Revolutionary Road; Curious Case of Benjamin Button;
Frost/Nixon; The Wrestler; The Reader; Valkyrie
Movies I'm looking forward to in 2009:
Coraline
Watchmen
X-men Origins: Wolverine
Up
Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince
Terminator Salvation
Star Trek
2012
Where the Wild Things Are
New Moon
The Princess and the Frog
ya Cheers thanks a lot!
Rich
Sunday, January 4, 2009
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