Iron Man: This is the start to a great line of movies from Marvel Studios. Comic book geeks and film geeks are going to get a lot of good stuff in the next few years. Robert Downey Jr. was the perfect fit for Tony Stark, and I couldn't be happier with the news of a sequel. Hats off to Favs!
Cloverfield: I was blown away by how cool this movie was. Screw motion sickness, this was the film equivalent of a roller coaster. It was great to see this in a theater full of people enjoying it as much as I did. Great modern monster flick.
Hellboy II: The studio let Guillermo Del Toro run wild with this one, and the result was a movie above and beyond its predecessor. Now, don't get me wrong, I loved the first one, but this one just felt more natural. Better character development, better story, better effects, better all around. And Seth MacFarlane kicks ass.
Wanted: An action flick with a brain. I thoroughly enjoyed the dark sense of humor this film had, and the fact that it told such a ridiculous and implausible story with such seriousness. I'm even more impressed that they pulled it off. A comic adaptation better than the source material.
Tropic Thunder: Probably ranked as my third favorite movie of the year. I just watched it again, and I still laughed my butt off throughout the entire movie. Once again, Robert Downey Jr. steals the show here, but there is so much more to love in this movie. God bless the R rated comedy!
Quantum of Solace: I say this loud and proud: screw the critics! This direct sequel to Casino Royale is every bit as good, and Daniel Craig is still in top form playing the best Bond ever put on film. Some of the most memorable action sequences of the series are contained here, with special mention to the rooftop chase scene in the beginning. I was literally gasping for air. Definitely in my top five of the year.
The Incredible Hulk: See Iron Man above. This is another great stepping stone for the Marvel Universe. Edward Norton is great as Bruce Banner, and this much needed re-invention of the Hulk franchise was a great showcase for him. Having such good actors in these comic book movies is a good sign of things to come, and shows us that these stories are awesome and can be tackled by good A-list actors.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Beautifully shot, elegantly acted, and superbly engaging movie. Almost great, but not quite there. However, if you don't feel something at the end, you have no heart.
Four Christmases: Cute and ultimately forgettable Christmas movie. I got exactly what I expected, and that was fine with me. Even though Vince Vaughan plays the same character in every movie he's in, I still love Vince Vaughan.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Yes, I watched it again. Yes, it still sucks. Yes, I still believe my childhood is tainted from this mess of a franchise ruiner. I think the thing that bugs me the most (and my wife, cause she's the one that brought this up) is that from the very beginning, we knew aliens were involved. Yet throughout the painful two hours none of the characters seem to realize it's aliens they're dealing with. What, does interaction with the skull make you completely stupid? AHA! That explains why George Lucas turned down Frank Darabont's script! Those damn crystal skulls...
Step Brothers: Sorta funny, but a little too odd for my tastes.
Kung Fu Panda: Some great action sequences, but a little too standard of an animated movie.
Hancock: A nice departure from your typical superhero movie. Kudos to the studio for trying something different. Please, don't make a sequel!
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Awesome, just as good as the first one. Here's hoping that some other production house picks up the rest, cause I want to see more!
The Dark Knight: What can I possibly say that has not been said before? It's Scorsese meets comic books, and it's glorious beyond words. My number two movie of the year. WHAT?? What could possibly be better than this?
The Happening: HAH! Just kidding. This was a steaming pile of dog crap. No, I take that back. It's an insult to dog crap.
WALL-E: The best movie of the year, no questions. I have viewed this and The Dark Knight many times now (both in GLORIOUS Blu-Ray) and this is the better movie. A flawless love story, an homage to the physical comedy of silent era actors Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, a thought provoking message presented in an ingenious and funny way, and the most endearing and likable Pixar character ever imagined for our titular hero. I will sing this movies praises to no end, and I will cry every time I watch it (I have so far). This is the kind of film that will be remembered in 50 years, and one of those movies I hope to be watching with my grandkids.
MAN, that's a lot! Got a few gaps to fill in with some movies I haven't seen yet (Pineapple Express, Gran Torino), but they will come in due time. Enjoy and comment please!
5 comments:
You cry at too many movies. Being a dad has turned you into a softie! I hope the same thing doesn't happen to me.
I think TDK is a better film than WALL-E, but both movies are outstanding. Get Smart was amusing, but I have no desire to see it again or own it. Other than that, I really don't disagree with anything.
I have to agree with Colin, TDK is a better film than Wall-e. I watched Wall-e and I love Pixar films, but there was something missing from the movie. I thought at first it was the environmental message, but that was incorporated well into the story (if you want to see a movie do it wrong and Sledgehammer you with it, see Happy Feet). The characters were well done and the settings/animation were top notch, but something with this film never quite gelled with me the way other Pixar films have. I had the same kind of 'meh' reaction to Cars as well. Maybe I am getting too jaded.
TDK on the other hand was something that I would have never expected from a "Superhero" movie, it was well drawn out, well fleshed out and well acted (Heath Ledger, you will be missed). It was probably the movie I enjoyed the most this year, and that says alot since I loved loved LOVED Iron Man.
I am surprised you didn't mention Zack and Miri in your top movies. It was a departure for Kevin Smith from his usual movies (and not a Jersey Girl departure). I thought it was well acted and funny as hell (Justin Long's part, really funny, Mewes is also hysterical). Would be interested in your thoughts on this one.
Erich,
I did not see Zack and Miri, which I am upset about cause I really wanted to. Colin wasn't all that crazy about it, but that won't stop me from getting my Kevin Smith fix.
I TOTALLY agree with you about Happy Feet. What a weird and unpleasant movie! You're right, they beat you up with that meassage.
I think both TDK and Wall-e set new standards in their respective genres. TDK was more important in that aspect, but I still think Wall-e was the better movie. That's the joy of opinions; we have different ones, even those of us who share such similar tastes in movies.
I don't understand why so many people liked Happy Feet, the movie sucked ass!
Also, I wasn't crazy about "Zack and Miri." If you look at a similar list on my blog, I called it one of the year's biggest disappointments. I was expecting a lot more. But Justin Long was really funny.
I'll check out your list too. I don't have the ambition to do a blog myself, but commenting, that is easy... :) Yeah, Happy Feet had a little promise but really fell off the rails quick which was strange since between Happy Feet and Surf's Up, the two animated penguin movies that year, I would have thought that Surf's Up would have been the stinker. Quite the opposite. Surf's Up was a suprisingly well written and funny movie, I am sure you have seen it, but if not... check it out.
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