Mini Reviews + Best of 2009 (So Far)

First, here are two very, very, very short reviews. I have discovered that you don't really need a lot of words when talking about awful movies.

Year One - All of the funniest parts are in the trailer. Michael Cera is funny. The movie is boring.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - My momma always told me, "If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all."


Now, since it's already July, I decided to make a top ten list of the best movies of 2009 so far. Then I realized that there are not ten movies to put on the list. So, I cut it down to five. And, still, I only really feel happy about one of these movies. 2009 has been a really terrible year for movies so far. I mean, my top five includes a horror film, two comedies, an action movie and an animated Pixar movie. Anyone who knows me, knows these are not necessarily my favorite types of movies. Then I tried to do a small list of the best actors and actresses of the year and I couldn't come up with anyone! However, I did come up with a supporting actress (Monica Potter - Last House on the Left who is so emotionally devastating) and supporting actor (Jackie Earle Haley - Watchmen who is literally the only good thing about that movie). So here it is - my very pathetic Top Five List.

05. Adventureland - Greg Mottola's follow up to Superbad isn't quite as laugh out loud hilarious as its predecessor but it is a charmingly sweet and often funny look at falling in love for the first time and growing up and making friends. Martin Starr is hysterical but who can really expect less from the man who created Bill Haverchuck.

04. The Hangover - The funniest movie of the year, for sure. (NOTE: Have yet to see Funny People, which I have huge hopes for). A very simple movie about a group of friends and the crazy shenanigans they get into in Las Vegas. The movie is just simply funny. Plus, technically, it's a whole lot better than it needs to be.

03. Up - Not quite as good as last year's Wall-E but still charming and sweet and funny. It's well written and well executed. I did find it a little on the depressing side but that doesn't mean I think any less of it as a very good film.

02. Star Trek - For someone who has never seen a Star Trek TV show or movie in their life, I quite enjoyed the new movie. Chalk it up to great writing or a great, likeable cast. I don't know but it had a lot of funny parts and a lot of action packed parts. Plus, it had Chris Pine shirtless and I would sincerely like to thank JJ Abrams for that.

01. The Last House on the Left - Simply amazing. It's the kind of movie that just sticks in your head no matter how hard you try to get it out of there. Sure, it's tough to watch but there is so much beauty mixed in with the horror and the terror. The directing is so far and away above anything in the "horror" genre lately that it's truly inspiring. The performances are all top notch. It's one of those rare remakes that are actually better than the original. Like I said, I think Hollywood can only correctly remake Wes Craven movies so here's hoping the Nightmare on Elm Street remake is up to par.

Coming soon - Anticipating the second half of 2009, review of Public Enemies.