Thursday, February 19, 2009
If it had made the deadline.....
Gran Torino would have been in my top ten films list for 2008. Clint Eastwood is just fantastic as a director, writer, actor, composer, you name it. Film after film he impresses me, I've only disliked one film he's directed thus far.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bob's Worst Films of 2008
Despite 2008 being a great year for the movies, there were still a few stinkers in the bunch, let me share them with you so you may be sure to avoid them at all costs.
10. The Other Boleyn Girl
A dull period tale with two beautiful actresses, Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, wasted as characters we don't really care about in a story we care about even less. Johansson was in a much better movie in 2008 called Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Rent that instead.
9. Chop Shop
A pair of adolescents living in Queens struggle to find a better life for themselves. While these actors are compelling, the film didn't work for me. Not awful, but not good enough for a thumbs up from yours truly.
8. Shine a Light
Die-hard Rolling Stones fans will love this film, but for those like me who only know their greatest hits, there are too many lulls where you wish you knew the tunes.
7. Shotgun Stories
I wanted to like this movie, but I just couldn't embrace it, it didn't add up to enough for me and was a bit too slow.
6. Snow Angels
A real downer of a movie with characters who do not redeem themselves. What message the filmmaker wanted me to come away with I don't know, but I felt like I needed to play something uplifting afterwards like my old Kids Praise songs or maybe a Veggietales tune.
5. Mamma Mia!
This film had the same problem as Across The Universe: contains great music (buy the original recordings of these songs if you like ABBA), but it doesn't have a good story, just something to connect one tune with the other. Streep is a great actress, but she has no business singing and acting like she's still in her 20s.
4. Superhero Movie
I'm getting really tired of these type of films, the writers don't even try here. I chuckled one time in 90 really long minutes. One time. Go rent Airplane! or Hot Shots! if you want some good spoof films.
3. American Carol
Although I agree with David Zucker's conservative stances and don't mind people criticizing Michael Moore, this comedy has jokes falling flat left and right. For a good serious critique on Michael Moore, rent Michael Moore Hates America.
2. Baby Mama
This movie was just plain boring and had zero laughs, my mom and grandma even agreed. Tina Fey did much better with her Sarah Palin impression on SNL and her work in 30 Rock this year.
1. Prom Night
Just awful. No scares and was completely predictable. I saw this film with my co-workers at a midnight showing. We got in for free, but we still wished we could have asked for a refund.
10. The Other Boleyn Girl
A dull period tale with two beautiful actresses, Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, wasted as characters we don't really care about in a story we care about even less. Johansson was in a much better movie in 2008 called Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Rent that instead.
9. Chop Shop
A pair of adolescents living in Queens struggle to find a better life for themselves. While these actors are compelling, the film didn't work for me. Not awful, but not good enough for a thumbs up from yours truly.
8. Shine a Light
Die-hard Rolling Stones fans will love this film, but for those like me who only know their greatest hits, there are too many lulls where you wish you knew the tunes.
7. Shotgun Stories
I wanted to like this movie, but I just couldn't embrace it, it didn't add up to enough for me and was a bit too slow.
6. Snow Angels
A real downer of a movie with characters who do not redeem themselves. What message the filmmaker wanted me to come away with I don't know, but I felt like I needed to play something uplifting afterwards like my old Kids Praise songs or maybe a Veggietales tune.
5. Mamma Mia!
This film had the same problem as Across The Universe: contains great music (buy the original recordings of these songs if you like ABBA), but it doesn't have a good story, just something to connect one tune with the other. Streep is a great actress, but she has no business singing and acting like she's still in her 20s.
4. Superhero Movie
I'm getting really tired of these type of films, the writers don't even try here. I chuckled one time in 90 really long minutes. One time. Go rent Airplane! or Hot Shots! if you want some good spoof films.
3. American Carol
Although I agree with David Zucker's conservative stances and don't mind people criticizing Michael Moore, this comedy has jokes falling flat left and right. For a good serious critique on Michael Moore, rent Michael Moore Hates America.
2. Baby Mama
This movie was just plain boring and had zero laughs, my mom and grandma even agreed. Tina Fey did much better with her Sarah Palin impression on SNL and her work in 30 Rock this year.
1. Prom Night
Just awful. No scares and was completely predictable. I saw this film with my co-workers at a midnight showing. We got in for free, but we still wished we could have asked for a refund.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Jason's Nine in 09!, being a simple list of the nine movies Jason is most anticipating in this new year.
9. $9.99
It's stop-motion and that is enough for me.
8. Land of the Lost
I know it is going to be horrible but I am a sucker for dinosaurs. Especially when that dinosaur tries to eat Will Ferrell's asshole persona.
7. Astro-boy
I saw the trailer and immedietely wanted to dance. Dance the running man. But on a serious note, I loved Tezuka's Astro-boy stories and am exciteted to see what the filmmakers do with the character.
6. Where the Wild Things Are
The guy who made the Buddy Holly and Sabotage music videos, two of my favorites, is adapting one of my favorite children's books. I'm there.
5. Inglorious Basterds
I wanted to put a different movie here but my mind keeps coming back. A black hole it is. A voilent nazi killing...Can Tarrantino be called Tarintinoesque? Can the originator imitate his style to the point where his imitation is as good as his genuine effort?
4. Up
There is something to be said for honest joy and whimsy.
3. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Wouldn't it be cool if Grimlock showed up. THAT WOULD BE SO COOL! And speaking of cool, did you ever see that episode of GI Joe where Sci-fi was watching Transformers.
2. Mystery Team
Could Encyclopedia Brown solve a double homicide. Sure but what about the cheap knock offs?
1. Watchmen!!!!!
Words fail me, but not Shakespeare. That guy wrote a lot of plays.
Love
Jason
It's stop-motion and that is enough for me.
8. Land of the Lost
I know it is going to be horrible but I am a sucker for dinosaurs. Especially when that dinosaur tries to eat Will Ferrell's asshole persona.
7. Astro-boy
I saw the trailer and immedietely wanted to dance. Dance the running man. But on a serious note, I loved Tezuka's Astro-boy stories and am exciteted to see what the filmmakers do with the character.
6. Where the Wild Things Are
The guy who made the Buddy Holly and Sabotage music videos, two of my favorites, is adapting one of my favorite children's books. I'm there.
5. Inglorious Basterds
I wanted to put a different movie here but my mind keeps coming back. A black hole it is. A voilent nazi killing...Can Tarrantino be called Tarintinoesque? Can the originator imitate his style to the point where his imitation is as good as his genuine effort?
4. Up
There is something to be said for honest joy and whimsy.
3. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Wouldn't it be cool if Grimlock showed up. THAT WOULD BE SO COOL! And speaking of cool, did you ever see that episode of GI Joe where Sci-fi was watching Transformers.
2. Mystery Team
Could Encyclopedia Brown solve a double homicide. Sure but what about the cheap knock offs?
1. Watchmen!!!!!
Words fail me, but not Shakespeare. That guy wrote a lot of plays.
Love
Jason
Jason's Worst Films of 2008
10. Baby Momma
What do you say to your wife when she asks if the movie you just sat through, and never laughed once I might add, was funny?
9. Indianna Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
If you removed every scene done by computer special effects you'd have a nice short film. Maybe where Indy loses something like his hat, wallet, or car keys.
8. The Hottie and the Nottie
I would of put Teeth here but for some reason the way they handled a dog eating a penis made me laugh.
7. Strange Wilderness
When did meanness become comedy?
6. Semi-pro
A perfectly good drama was ruined by Will Farrell. Was there any reason for him to be in this film. Though him wrestling a bear was funny.
5. The Love Guru
Just dissapointing. Just dissapointing.
4. Hancock
WTF!
3. Cloverfield
This movie would of worked if I actually cared about the protagonists. They were just so stupid. Their decisions made no sense to me at all.
2. In the Name of the King
Even worse than Hancock.
1. Disaster Movie
Oh look at me, I am just a series of refrences to every movie in the past six months and television show. Wait, reference is too kind. Lets just take one line from every movie and string them together into a nonsensical narrative which only thirteen year olds would have the time to understand.
Love
Jason
What do you say to your wife when she asks if the movie you just sat through, and never laughed once I might add, was funny?
9. Indianna Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
If you removed every scene done by computer special effects you'd have a nice short film. Maybe where Indy loses something like his hat, wallet, or car keys.
8. The Hottie and the Nottie
I would of put Teeth here but for some reason the way they handled a dog eating a penis made me laugh.
7. Strange Wilderness
When did meanness become comedy?
6. Semi-pro
A perfectly good drama was ruined by Will Farrell. Was there any reason for him to be in this film. Though him wrestling a bear was funny.
5. The Love Guru
Just dissapointing. Just dissapointing.
4. Hancock
WTF!
3. Cloverfield
This movie would of worked if I actually cared about the protagonists. They were just so stupid. Their decisions made no sense to me at all.
2. In the Name of the King
Even worse than Hancock.
1. Disaster Movie
Oh look at me, I am just a series of refrences to every movie in the past six months and television show. Wait, reference is too kind. Lets just take one line from every movie and string them together into a nonsensical narrative which only thirteen year olds would have the time to understand.
Love
Jason
Jason's Favorite Films of 2008
10. Be Kind Rewind
9. Speed Racer
8. 27 Dresses
6. Iron Man
7. Kung-fu Panda
5. Lakeview Terrace
4. Forgeting Sarah Marshall
3. Son of Rambow
2. Tale of Despereaux
1. Wall-E
Love
Jason
9. Speed Racer
8. 27 Dresses
6. Iron Man
7. Kung-fu Panda
5. Lakeview Terrace
4. Forgeting Sarah Marshall
3. Son of Rambow
2. Tale of Despereaux
1. Wall-E
Love
Jason
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Bob's Nine in 09!
Ok, here are the films I'm most looking forward to for 2009. Ironically, these films rarely end up on my top ten list because most films I end up loving I don't know very much about in advance. Trailers often give away important plot points that are supposed to be hidden, so I tend to avoid them whenever possible. Nevertheless, here are nine films I definitely know I want to see:
1). Star Trek- I have been a Trekkie for a good 16 years now, so I will be at this film on its very first showing. This film could be really bad for the Star Trek universe or a rebirth which will string a new batch of sequels.
2). X-Men Origins: Wolverine- I'd love even more to see an X-Men 4 film, but a prequel will suffice and backstories can be really cool movies if made well.
3). The Three Stooges- I remember watching a lot of reruns of this show as a youngster. Not many people liked Shemp, but he was one of my favorites. Let's see how the movie version turns out.
4). Where The Wild Things Are- Loved the book as a kid, with great drawings. I remember seeing this book featured on the program Reading Rainbow. This one had been in preproduction for a long while, I'm curious to see what they've done with it.
5). State of Play- Russell Crowe is about due for another brilliant performance. Could this film be another shining moment for him?
6). The International- Clive Owen has two good looking movies coming out. Here's the first one, and with Naomi Watts on board, you can bet at least a three star rating for this film.
7). Duplicity- I'm kind of getting tired of Julia Roberts, but maybe she will rebound in this movie. Tom Wilkinson is one of my favorite actors currently working, so I'll love to see what he brings to his part as well.
8). Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the first one, and that is enough for me to check out the sequel. If it's a hit, the franchise will continue, if not, this will be the last one.
9). Friday The 13th- I have seen all the Friday The 13th films, most of them bad, but a few like the 1980 original and Freddy vs. Jason were good popcorn horror films. I'll probably be sorry I saw this one, but I can't help but give it a shot.
1). Star Trek- I have been a Trekkie for a good 16 years now, so I will be at this film on its very first showing. This film could be really bad for the Star Trek universe or a rebirth which will string a new batch of sequels.
2). X-Men Origins: Wolverine- I'd love even more to see an X-Men 4 film, but a prequel will suffice and backstories can be really cool movies if made well.
3). The Three Stooges- I remember watching a lot of reruns of this show as a youngster. Not many people liked Shemp, but he was one of my favorites. Let's see how the movie version turns out.
4). Where The Wild Things Are- Loved the book as a kid, with great drawings. I remember seeing this book featured on the program Reading Rainbow. This one had been in preproduction for a long while, I'm curious to see what they've done with it.
5). State of Play- Russell Crowe is about due for another brilliant performance. Could this film be another shining moment for him?
6). The International- Clive Owen has two good looking movies coming out. Here's the first one, and with Naomi Watts on board, you can bet at least a three star rating for this film.
7). Duplicity- I'm kind of getting tired of Julia Roberts, but maybe she will rebound in this movie. Tom Wilkinson is one of my favorite actors currently working, so I'll love to see what he brings to his part as well.
8). Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the first one, and that is enough for me to check out the sequel. If it's a hit, the franchise will continue, if not, this will be the last one.
9). Friday The 13th- I have seen all the Friday The 13th films, most of them bad, but a few like the 1980 original and Freddy vs. Jason were good popcorn horror films. I'll probably be sorry I saw this one, but I can't help but give it a shot.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Bob's Top Ten Films of 2008- so far
Once again, this year was a tough process in deciding what would make the cut for my best of 2008 list. First of all, it was another great year for the movies, so many good films didn't make it simply because there were so many great movies to choose from. Second, I am making this list having not yet seen some films which may have made the cut, including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, The Wrestler, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Frozen River, Happy Go Lucky, and Gran Torino. Having said that, all the choices on my list are excellent films and I recommend you rent all of them asap.
1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. The Dark Knight
3. Burn After Reading
4. Young@Heart
5. The Band's Visit
6. Wall-E
7. The Visitor
8. Doubt
9. Transsiberian
10. Revolutionary Road
1. Slumdog Millionaire
2. The Dark Knight
3. Burn After Reading
4. Young@Heart
5. The Band's Visit
6. Wall-E
7. The Visitor
8. Doubt
9. Transsiberian
10. Revolutionary Road
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