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.

Mini Reviews...

I Love You, Man - Often very, very funny and only sometimes grating, I Love You, Man is definitely a fun movie. The plot doesn't exactly make a lot of sense - Paul Rudd is a newly engaged man who has no guy friends so he goes on the hunt for a best friend / best man (eventhough he has a brother who could easily fill the job). He goes on a series of hilarious man dates and eventually meets Sidney, played by the hilarious Jason Segel (who, I'm gonna go out on a limb here, is the funniest man alive). This movie would be a total bust if it wasn't for Rudd and Segel.
Grade: B-

Duplicity - Julia Roberts and Clive Owen have some amazing chemistry, that's for sure. Director Tony Gilroy follows up Michael Clayton with Duplicity which is about a hundred times more fun that his previous effort. However, the movie may be too smart for it's own good and it has probably too many twists and turns. But, damn, if it isn't fun.
Grade: C+

Knowing - You know what? I absolutely loved Knowing... up until about the last twenty minutes when it just turned ridiculous. Up until then, however, Nicolas Cage's latest effort to remind us that he used to be a good actor (and isn't anymore) was engaging enough and entertaining enough and it wasn't nearly as stupid as I'd imagined it would be. The last twenty minutes is just flat out ridiculous though. Although, the "+" is for the fact that they actually stuck to their guns.
Grade: D+

Adventureland - The only person that might give Jason Segel a run for his money on the "funniest man alive" thing is Martin Starr. How I love Martin Starr!!! Without Martin Starr Adventureland would be a cute coming of age tale. With Martin Starr it becomes a hilariously witty and sardonic comedy.
Grade: B

Fast & Furious - Something that's been bothering me - Why isn't Jordana Brewster a bigger star? She's hot enough. She isn't a terrible actress. She's done all the right kinds of movies (teen horror, iconic slasher series, huge action movie). Then I discovered that she's only 28 which means she should be getting all of Megan Fox's roles because she's hotter than Megan Fox, for sure, and she's not any less talented than Fox. They are both at the same level of "hot girl who can kinda act" (as opposed to Jessica Alba who is at the "hot girl who can't act her way out of a paper bag" level). Anyway, the long awaited sequel is fun. The action is great. It's not going to save the world or anything but it's entertaining.
Grade: C

Timecrimes - Probably the best movie I've seen in a very long time. It's a crazy time travel film. Foreign. Subtitles. But so, so, so brilliant with lots of "OMG" moments. I highly recommend everyone Netflix this movie RIGHT NOW!
Grade: A-

I know I've been neglecting this blog but I vow to stop! Movies lately have been so boring. I have nothing really exciting to say. Television, on the other hand, is great right now. I am currently addicted to Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad, which are the two best shows on TV. Period.
I'm also addicted to Twitter.