Okay....maybe I was wrong

I know that I said that this would be the year of he animated movie, and I haven't fully backed off that idea yet, but it is beginning to look like it may be a big year for another genre: the intelligent Sci-Fi film. Over the past 15 years or so there have been a slew of big Hollywood science fiction movies that, while fun, were nothing to write home about (Independence Day, Transformers, Men in Black, among many others) with only a handful really standing out as truly great film making (The FIRST Matrix, I, Robot, Wall-E). In the past, films like Alien, Total Recall, and The Thing, among others, showed that just because a movie is about creatures from another planet or futuristic worlds doesn't mean it has to be completely stupid. However, this year has already given us three films that will undoubtedly be at the top of many critics lists at the end of the year: the brilliant rebirth of Star Trek, the low-key Moon (which I STILL haven't seen), and an "alien-invasion" movie that might just be the best alien movie since, well....Aliens!

In newcomer Neill Blomkamps District 9, an alien ship essentially "runs out of gas" above Johannesburg, South Africa. The extra-terrestrials, derogatorily known as "prawns", aboard the ship are extremely malnourished and are put into slums blocked off from any interaction with the outside world. The creatures are heavily monitored and guarded by a group called MNU, headed up by a brilliant, if somewhat naive, desk-worker named Wikus Van De Merwe (played perfectly by relatively unknown actor Sharlto Copley).

I don't want to say much after that because the movie throws so many different turns at you that it is best to be completely surprised. A mix of mockumentary-style interviews and straight-ahead hand-held sci-fi action, you very quickly realize that this movie is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill "aliens=bad; humans=good" summer flick. This is a bold piece of science fiction art that should go down as one of the most original, exciting, breath-taking and down-right great alien movies in film history. BAM! Said it....

Oh, and I also saw Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (which I have nothing to say about whatsoever...except that it is one of the most pointless things I have ever had the displeasure of looking at) and Funny People. The latter, like District 9, is also original and not what you would expect from a Hollywood summer blockbuster. And while it is a funny and interesting look at comedians in show business, it is also kinda long and somewhat monotonous. SO DON'T BE A MORON! GO SEE DISTRICT 9! FUNNY PEOPLE WILL SOON BE A DOLLAR AT REDBOX, PEOPLE!

Called It!

For those of you that remember, in an earlier post I predicted that, as last year was the year of the superhero film, this year would be the year of the animated film...Okay, so Ice Age 3 is far from peeking any sort of interest and Monsters vs. Aliens was child's play; HOWEVER, two of my absolute favorite movies of the year so far were of the cartoonish nature. Coraline is a soon-to-be-Hot-Topic classic, and the other being the absolutely wonderful Up.

It's almost stupid to say anything about this film. It's from Pixar, a studio that's worst movie was Cars...But come on, that's like saying a certain cut of beef is the worst; when it comes down to it, you will still eat it and enjoy it. The legendary Ed Asner is the perfectly lovable old man Carl who decides to save his home by flying it away with the help of millions of helium balloons. But come on, you know that already. In fact, I shouldn't bore you with the details because you've already seen this movie...right? If not, what's wrong with you? Don't be a tool. Skip Transformers and go see Up.

I saw a couple of other movies since I last wrote as well, but I will just give you the cliff notes:

Hannah Montana: The Movie - HEY! Get off my back, I was on cruise and they were showing it for free. And it wasn't that bad...if you're an 11 year old girl, or you're my wife.

The Proposal - HEY! It looked kinda funny, alright?...but it wasn't. It's hard to root for Bullock, who plays a stuck-up wench the entire movie

Year One - Hilarious...but not intentionally. Cera was great, but Jack Black is starting to lose the magic I think.

Away We Go - Really funny, really sweet, very real, and some of the best performances of the year, most notably from the hilarious (though usually terrible) Maggie Gyllenhaal. Go see it.

Favorite 90's Movies!

Ahh, yes! The decade that I grew up in, which of course places it in a special position in my heart. Playing Super Nintendo, listening to Boyz II Men, wearing giant Jnco jeans with the little cartoons on them, walking around quoting Ace Ventura....those were the days.





Here are my favorite movies from that wonderful decade:

10. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999) (Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez) - Three twenty-something film students go into the woods to make a documentary about a witch legend in a small-town. One of the scariest movies ever in my opinion. If you like classy, atmospheric, NON-GORY horror movies, this is a must. Some of the acting is pretty bad, but the idea of making a mockumentary into a horror classic is awesome. OH! And guess what?! This is the first time I have ever put a Razzie winner on my top ten list! (If you don't know what that is, let me know and I will tell you.) FAVORITE SCENE: Nothing can top the ending, but I also love when we find out what happened to their map. CAUTION: R for lots of F-words and some extremely scary scenes...but if you can handle the language, their is no sex or gory violence.

9. FACE/OFF (1997) (John Woo) - A brilliant criminal (Nicholas Cage AND John Travolta) and an about-to-be-retired investigator (Nicholas Cage AND John Travolta) switch faces and lives in order to destroy each others'. Won a technical Oscar. Before you scream, "WHAT?!", let me explain: within the genre of over-the-top, fantastical action movies that are unapologetically stupid, there is none better. I can't wait to find out what you guys have to say about this one. FAVORITE SCENE: When the "criminal" wakes up in the hospital to find out what has happened...and decides to seek revenge. So awesome! CAUTION: R - Lots of violence, some bad language...I think that was it.

8. THAT THING YOU DO! (1996) (Tom Hanks) - A sixties garage band's rise from small-town group to number-one-on-the-chart superstars. Nominated for musical Oscar. Okay, so this may be a somewhat nostalgic pick, but I could watch this movie everyday. It is so funny, the music is great, the acting is perfectly natural, and Steve Zahn is a comedic genius. If you get the chance, find a video and watch Tom Hanks talk about this film, which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in; he has such a love for the material and it shines through in brilliant harmony on film. FAVORITE SCENE: "There he goes, off to write that hit song, 'Alone in My Principles'." CAUTION: PG for language...nothing real bad.

7. JURASSIC PARK (1993) (Steven Spielberg) - A rich white man finds a way to clone real dinosaurs from mosquito blood, and in turn decides to open a makeshift zoo for people to come see his prehistoric creations...UH-OH! BAD IDEA! 3 technical Oscar nominations. Wow! this must have been the decade to make outrageously dumb ideas into AMAZING movies! You've probably seen this, and if you haven't...well, do! FAVORITE SCENE: I will always love the shot of just the water glass on the dash rippling from the T-Rex steps. CAUTION: PG-13 for scary violence involving fake animals.

6. THE SANDLOT (1993) (David M. Evans) - A story of growing up, being part of a small-town little league baseball team, and the awkwardness of being "the new kid"...and there's a big dog, too. If you haven't seen this since it first came out, you should really check it out again. In some ways it is like Stand By Me on a baseball diamond...and slightly more kid-friendly. A great story that doesn't fit the sports-movie cliche's. FAVORITE SCENE: The giant erector set construction that was supposed to get the ball out of the big dogs backyard. CAUTION: PG for language...and the kids chew tobacco at one point, but it is all but glorified.

5. THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) (Joel Coen) - The story is much too complex to explain in one sentence...but ultimately its about a White-Russian-loving pothead (Jeff Bridges) who wants to get reimbursed for his urine-stained rug. Some of the best one-liners in history. There is a toss-up in my opinion over what is the Coen Brothers best film: this one, No Country, or O Brother. There is definitely some stuff in this film that is unnecessary, but the brilliant relationships between The Dude (Bridge), Walter (John Goodman), and their cohorts and enemies is undeniably perfect. FAVORITE SCENE: When Walter realizes he is clubbing the wrong car. CAUTION: Extreme caution! Strong R for drug use, nudity, sexual innuendos, lots of language, and some violence.

4. TOY STORY (1995) (John Lasseter) - A couple of action figures (Tim Allen, Tom Hanks) with the same "kid" must learn to get along and find their way back home. 3 Oscar nominations, including best original screenplay. The movie that started not only Pixar, but the entire CGI animated genre. But it is an important movie for more reasons than that. Pixar has always said that story is the most important part of a film, and everything else comes second. This idea is apparent throughout this flawless kids film. FAVORITE SCENE: I love the conversation Buzz and Woody have under the car at the gas station. Great deliveries from both Allen and Hanks.

3. A FEW GOOD MEN (1992) (Rob Reiner) - A young JAG lawyer (Tom Cruise) takes on the most difficult case of his life when two guys are charged with the killing of a weaker recruit. Won four Oscars, including best actor (Jack Nicholson) and best picture. I have watched this movie three times in the last six months and have seen something new in it each time. The acting all around, from Nicholson to Cruise (even Kevin Bacon), was impeccable...and I am a sucker for a good courtroom drama...and this is one of the best. FAVORITE SCENE: Cruise's character snatching the book from Bacon's character in court in order to prove a point. CAUTION: R purely for language. Fairly safe for 13 and up.

2. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993) (Steven Spielberg) - The true story of a factory owner (Liam Neeson) who hires Jews during the Holocaust in order to protect them from Auschwitz. 12 Oscar nominations, 7 wins: including best picture, director, adapted screenplay. Crazy long, somewhat depressing...absolutely perfect in every way. From the acting and directing, to the story telling and the mood, I have never been so completely entranced in a film and a character like Schindler. FAVORITE SCENE: It's hard to pick a "favorite" scene from a film like this, but the scene of Schindler breaking down in the street after saving all of his employees. CAUTION: R - very rough and realistic; violent, harsh language, sexuality/nudity.

1. GOODFELLAS (1990) (Martin Scorsese) - The true story (again) of a man (Ray Liotta) and his rise from young Mafia assistant to the head of a Mob crime family. 6 Oscar nominations and one win for Best Supporting Actor for the unforgettable Joe Pesci. Here's a shocker for you guys: I think Goodfellas is better than The Godfather. The pacing is superior and it holds up over time much better. Not to mention it does not in any way glorify the Mafia lifestyle, whereas The Godfather series kind of does...by the way, I think The Godfather is a brilliant film and I own a copy of it. But Goodfellas is entertaining, thought-provoking, and awesome. BOOM! FAVORITE SCENE: Pesci's character doesn't like the new young bartender hackin' on him in front of his buddies...CAUTION: Strong R - Violence and language.

RUNNER'S UP:
A League of Their Own (1992), What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie (1996), Benny and Joon (1993), Ransom (1996)

Also, here are my runner's up in each category...HEY, ten years is a long time! Lots of movies came out! Get off my case!

COMEDY:
Clueless (1995), What About Bob (1991), Office Space (1999), Houseguest (1995), Liar Liar (1997)

ACTION/ADVENTURE:
Fight Club (1999), The Matrix (1999), Total Recall (1990), Air Force One (1997), Twister (1996)

ANIMATION:
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999), Aladdin (1992), A Goofy Movie (1995), The Lion King (1994), The Iron Giant (1999)

DRAMAS:
Man on the Moon (1999), Sling Blade (1996), Good Will Hunting (1998), Quiz Show (1994), The Truman Show (1998)

HORROR:
The Sixth Sense (1999), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Stir of Echoes (1999)