The year in cinema so far.....

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#1

This isn’t so much as a list as so much as a review of some of the films I’ve seen this year. I will mention the three best films and the three worst films I’ve seen this year. I will not be including documentaries in this discussion. Suffice it to say the best movie I’ve seen so far this year is “Bill Cunningham’s New York”, which is a doc.

Let me start with the three worst…

Priest

OK, I’ll admit that this movie was a bit of a guilty pleasure to watch. Yeah it’s nowhere near as good as the source material, and yeah the acting in it really sucked, and I can go on for hours with many of the bad aspects of this movie. Much like Underworld, the backstory presented seemed much more interesting, and I place this film in the category of “movies with great concepts poorly executed”. Definitely fun to watch if you treat it as what it is, pure schlock, but fun schlock like an Ed Wood movie. Keith Urban really saves this film from being a complete waste of time, too bad there wasn’t more of him. Final Grade? D-

Sucker Punch

Oh man, where do I begin? First off I really like Zack Snyder as a director. He did great on the Dawn Of The Dead remake, 300 and Watchmen. So now he gets a chance to do an original story he himself wrote. What this movie taught me is one thing, Zack can direct but he sure cannot write to save his life. Visually this movie is amazing, just freakin’ amazing. Hell if I can somehow get Deadmouse to mix me an awesome soundtrack to this that I could play it instead of the dialogue and everything else audible in this film I could watch it on a loop all day. Unfortunately that isn’t happening, and all I have to go with those amazing visuals is one of the most dreadful stories ever committed to film. Really it was awful to hear the dreck the characters spewed out of their mouths. Final Grade? F

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Oh God. This was bad, really bad. It amazes me that this movie made so much money so far. If there was any justice in this world every copy of this film would be collected up and burned for the sake of the human race. Seriously this movie was atrocious. Everything about it, the story, the bad acting, the inane and unbelievable action sequences were dreadful. The only time this movie was passably good were the moments when it was just robot on robot violence with me rooting for both sides to wipe each other out so there wouldn’t be any sequels. Thank God I didn’t pay to see this in 3D or I would have seriously considered finding a way to get a hold of Michael Bay and get my ticket money back in a pound of slowly and painfully extracted flesh. I think a well played game of Rockem’ Sockem’ Robots projected on the screen would have been vastly superior to this complete waste of talent and resources. Seriously, I put this with Battlefield Earth as one of the worst films I have ever seen. Final Grade? Michael Bay dragged to the Hague and place on trial for Crimes Against Humanity.

Now, onto the good ones…

Captain America: The First Avenger

First a confession. I am a recovering comic book geek. I loved comic books as a kid, and Cap was one of my faves. What impressed me most was the level of humanity they gave the character of Captain America/Steve Rodgers, and the sense of lost as an audience member you feel when like Cap, you are suddenly thrust into a world that is completely different than the one you knew, all the people you loved long since gone and forgotten. As far as superhero movies go this is easily the third best I’ve seen, behind Superman The Movie and The Dark Knight. Yeah the story is straight out of The Golden Age of comics, but it is very well done, well acted, and the level of depth you get from Chris Evan as Captain America, just bring it home in spades. Final Grade? B+

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2

Well the end finally came as far as the film adaptations go. As a Swan Song, the film is note perfect. The action is fast paced, well done and excellent. The acting is pretty good as well, and Daniel Radcliffe will most likely have a career after this series. As a film by itself HP8 is a well crafted piece of cinema. It has enough pathos and climaxes perfectly. As the final film in the series, it’s a perfect send off for a series that I must admit seemed a little uneven, with some of the films coming across as the Cliff Notes version of the books (Order of the Phoenix and Goblet Of Fire come to mind here). As a side note, I know much of the Harry Potter fandom thinks Alan Rickman should be nominated for an Oscar. While he did get to expand a bit on a character that was badly cheated in the previous films as far as screen time, I’m sorry folks that wasn’t Oscar worthy, just very excellent for a Harry Potter film. Final Grade? A-

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes

After the disaster that was Tim Burton’s version, Fox decided to reboot the franchise. With many subtle call backs to the 1968 classic, Rise succeeds in it appointed task. Basically a re-imagining of Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes this film provides a well thought out and highly plausible reason for why humans and Apes switch places in this world. The most amazing thing is Andy Serkis’ Oscar Worthy portrayal of Caesar via motion capture. He really deserves a nod for best supporting actor for his work here. It is Caesar who drives the story. It is him that you become sympathetic with. It is really amazing. The story wil suck you in. While watching it in a packed theater, not a single sound could be heard from the audience, not even popcorn munching, they were all enthralled. Definitely sit through the credits, as there is an important coda to the story attached there. Final Grade? A+ This movie BTW is the 2nd best film I’ve seen all year.

#2

I haven’t seen any of your top 3. I’ll have to get on that! I am hoping to do HP7b next Saturday afternoon, but I might, sadly, end up needing to DVD it.

#3

Just avoid Transformers at all costs. Seriously that movie sucked

#4

I don’t like to rate movies, only relate my own personal movie going experience. And then whether or not I think it is worthy of seeing in the theater or saving your money and waiting to see it on Netflix.

Movies are an art form and very subjective to the viewer, plus there are other factors. Your mood going in, your expectations based upon trailers and friends recommendations. Going in with low expectations has often increased my enjoyment of recent films because they exceeded them, and being in a bad mood can ruin a movie experience. The audience and the theater are also a major factor, rude people can sour the experience as well as bad seats, poorly maintained screens or projection equipment. And a good audience believe it or not can salvage a mediocre film, the synergy you feel when in a theater filled with excited fans is unbelievable. One of the reasons I loved going to midnight movie premieres, they were always so much fun.

Even a film I may not like may have something of value to someone else which is why I try to avoid trashing a film, the only honest thing I can say is whether or not it is for me… I can say what I liked or disliked about a film, but I try to avoid saying whether it is good or not. Because I like to believe all art has some value, maybe not to me but out there, somewhere there may be some one who will enjoy it and draw something from it which will enrich their life in some way.

And I am not afraid to admit that I am not a fan of certain genres and therefore not a good critic of them, or have a fondness towards others and therefore not impartial in that regard either.

Anyways, this is just me rambling…

Have a good day. :slight_smile:

#5

I can respect that view. I am a movie geek by nature and really love cinema, and give every movie an open mind and have never walked out on a film, including the 1988 version of Nightfall and Battlefield Earth. I just look for great stories no matter the genre, why I guess there are certain films like say Wings that is a silent WWI melodrama and the 1931 version of All Quiet On The Western Front that I love, and hate things like Transformer 3 or Star Wars Episode 1. For me genre is irrelevant, it has to be an entertaining story that makes me remember it.

#6

You. Are. Insane. Seriously. Dark of the Moon was fantastic! Better than the first one! Best straight up action flick this year.

#7

I’ve seen better action on an anthill. That movie was horrible, just straight up horrible. I mean why where the humans trying to take out that tower when in the end it’s some robot that does it? Where is the payoff for the human’s story arc in that plot? I can tell you where, in the bottom of Michael Bay’s bird cage. Also could there not be a better reason for the motivation of the main human villain? Seriously that was just lame. Oh and don’t get me started on the Sentinel Prime story arc, that was completely unbelievable, or Sam’s GF? C’mon. Now I can understand that while watching a film there should be a point that I suspend my disbelief and go with it, but at no point did that occur in this film. It was just bad, I didn’t care one iota about any of the characters, and found it dreadfully boring and predictable. Ong Bak 3, Cowboys and Aliens, The Eagle, Rise Of The Planet of The Apes and Hobo With A Shotgun were far better action movies. Seriously someone should just keep Michael Bay away from a camera.

Almost forgot, the best action movie I’ve seen this year is 13 Assassins - go see it seriously it is way better than Transjunker Trios : Dark of My Wallet

#8

didn’t like that movie one bit.

I am surprised X-MEN First Class wasn’t in the list. If viewed just as yet another new origin story for the X-MEN, then it was absolutely amazing. Writing, acting are really top notch for Comic Hero movies. The conflict that movie built between characters are emotionally gripping and plot relevant. The Magneto character is especially well portrayed. Having this version of magneto and xavier origin make every incarnations of X-MEN more interesting, at least for me.

The same can not be said for Transformer 3… Why would the leader of Decepticons who led his group to victory on his own planet of an advanced race and came to earth to search for a way to revive their war torn planet, be fooled by a skinny British model? Even if he is so egotistical, couldn’t he have waited until the moment Sentinel kills Optimus Prime to make his move? And for Optimus Prime who had the power to slice both Sentinel and Megatron to pieces in a couple of seconds, why didn’t he cut himself loose when he got stuck in the wires when flying around? Why get stuck up there for almost 30 minutes before he joins the final battle? Anyway, it felt like the plot was done in the first 30 minutes and then it was just all action and special effects. And when it finally came to the final battle, it was over in seconds…

i watched both of the above, I get why people still find Transformers 3 entertaining, but if someone only had money for one comic super hero movie this summer, i would have told them to watch X-MEN.

I thought the Harry Potter movie was good, but Deathly Hallows Part I was so good, that I felt the finale missed something. I am still not 100% used to Daniel Radcliff’s acting. But I do think Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are wonderful. And i hope Rupert Grint don’t end up deciding acting is not for him, i actually think he grow tremendously as an actor.

#9

Haven’t seen it yet. I’ve heard good stuff, but I think I’ll wait until DVD to catch it.

#10

Saw Transformers - medium ok - enjoyed it all the same.

Cowboys & Aliens - really enjoyed it.

Capt America - Loved it !!!

Rise of the Planet of the Apes – going to see it this week. Can’t wait, looks good.

#11

I really liked this. Definitely in my top handful for 2011.

Like Omra, I don’t really love rating movies as I see them. I often enjoy a movie in the moment and then really dislike it once I do a little reflecting. I am more a fan of listing top movies EVER by genre.

#12

I’m really interested if they touch on the socio-political themes as the original films did. I love the Planet of the Apes film series. I’ve been really looking forward to this film and was very upset with what Franco said about the film. Chuck Heston was in the original film. Chuck frakkin Heston. He stood by the material. Franco treated it like it’s some foolish CGI flick. “It’s a different kind of acting.” He shouldn’t be afraid of being judged for choosing to do this film. He should be conscious of being a dick.

#13

Yes it covers some sociopolitical themes and Franco should keep his mouth shut lol!

#14

I’m seeing it later today.
Would you believe I sat through all 5 of the original Planet of the Apes movies - in a one day marathon at a theatre? Crazy girl - really enjoyed it.

#15

Wow! I’ve only done that at home. Were folks dressed up and stuff?

#16

Even the awful second one??? Wow…I remember when I saw that when I borrowed it from a friend I was angry and was yelling on the phone to them WHAT WAS THAT!!! The rest were amazing!

#17

Nope, just at a neighborhood retro theatre. It started off about half full - ended with about a quarter full. Very funny, people were staggering out in a daze. I ate some much good tasting crap food that day. Loved it!

Yup. ALL of the original 5.

#18

Recommend “The Eagle”
Lose all credibility

Pick 2

#19

The Eagle was damn good. Love all those Tortuga Formations the Roman Legions pulled.