I think it was a pretty good year for movies. No really amazing performance like Daniel Day Lewis in ‘There will Be Blood’, but some good movies none the less. These are my favorites…
1. Tyson. The documentary or art film by Jame Toback is simply riveting for me. Mike Tyson is my favorite athlete of all time, regardless of his fall from grace, and to see him tear himself open like this is amazing. Simply overwhelming. I could not look away.
2. Where the Wild Things Are. This is one of those movies that had SO MUCH to live up to. The book was pivotal for me. I kept my childhood copy all through college, and Jackies son has it now. I immediately went out and got a first edition, and hopefully that will be with me forever. The story of little boy rage is so powerful, and so direct, that I was amazed by it. I think that this movie actually realizes the potential, and surpasses it. And if you do not have that little boy rage, then this movie might ring completely false to you. I hope you have a little bit left.
3. Up. I hate to steal an idea from a friend, but this is one of those movies where you just think Pixar is totally going to fail. Just to miss the mark all toghether, and they do not. They hit the mark, and the whole world is totally enjoyable.
4. Zombieland. I love Woody Harrelson, and I like the curly haired kid. And the cameo by Bill Murray was so awesome. I liked the joy of this whole thing. The senselessness of it all.
5. Sherlock Holmes. My mom and I saw this on Christmas Day. It was swashbuckling. Robert Downey Jr might be our generations most amazing talent. And, I have never, ever cared for Jude Law, in ANYTHING. But, in this he was just fine. Made me laugh even. And Rachel Mcadams is always great.
6. State of Play. This might be a bit of a shock, but it is right there. I dig Crowe, I dig Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck is pretty good as well. The story might be the last movie about the former concept of journalism, versus what journalism is now.
7. Star Trek. Pretty good stuff. Funny enough.
8. Away We Go. The guy from the office, and Mya Rudolph just are great. Maggie Gyllenhaal in her least likeable charecter ever. EVER. And she is in Madison, so that is even funnier.
9. Bad Lieutenant. So, I love Werner Herzog. I adore his work. I absolutely think him to be a visually arresting storyteller, and when he works with an actor like Nic Cage, who can when he wants to take it seriously, he can get a lot out of him. It is awesome. The iguana alone makes it stunning.
10. Moon. Rockwell gives the performance of a lifetime.
Honorable Mentions.
-Sugar. Great baseball movie
-Adventureland…dear kristin stewart…stop sucking, your playing joan jett next, take it seriously. You have talent for days…for a reminder take a look at THE CAKE EATERS, you were in it.
-The Hurt Locker…Thank you Kathryn Bigelow. Thank you to that cast.
Worst Movies…or rather stuff I hated myself for watching
-New Moon
-GI Joe
-Transformers 2…But in all fairness, I just gave up on this dog crap.
-Inglorious Basterds
-The limits of control…seriously JARMUSCH…narrative does not hurt