Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
2011 in Film: Part I
Well, it took me some time, but I am now over the shock of Doc faking that he was going to leave. Even though it was a joke, it did give me a very big scare. Also, I appreciate Doc's last post as it was a tribute to someone as opposed to random pictures. So, What to post about today? Oh I know...
Dos Presents: 2011 in film: A discussion of all the movies that I saw this year with a superlative attached to each in order of release date
Rango - best opening premise for a film this year
Rango was a bit of a disappointment for me as it did not live up to my own expectations. By the time the movie was over, I was quite happy to leave the world of Rango and never return. However, this was not how I felt through the first few minutes. I love the opening of a character in search of a story. It was very interesting and creatively done. I wish the rest of the movie was like this instead of the good, but not as interesting, western it became.
Paul - the biggest let down of a movie ever
Simon Peg! Whatcha doing to me buddy? I loved Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and selected episodes of Big Train, but this? What the hell is this? A formulaic sci-fi movie where nerds meet a friendly, yet rude alien. Hey, I have seen Alf already. It got old after 3 episodes. This movie got old before it started. For shame Simon Peg, for shame.
Rio - the only movie on the list that is my enemy
No, I never saw Rio. No, I do not want to see Rio. Why is Rio in this list? I'll tell you why! Rio was the only other movie nominated for the academy award for best song beyond the muppets. Since, you were a direct rival to the muppets, you are my direct rival as well. I hate you Rio and you lost because in the United States of America justice will always prevail.
Bridesmaids - the most overrated movie on this list
Look, I laughed during Bridesmaids. There were some funny jokes in there. I like Maya Rudolf and Kristen Wiig, they are funny. However, the bottom line is that this is a par formulaic comedy that everyone loves because it mostly stars women. The feminist lobby thinks this is a big deal. It isn't. Furthermore, it downgrades all of the achievements of women comedians in the past. Gilda Live was a great movie which showed off an amazing female comedian. She also was funny without playing to the lowest denominator by going to the bathroom in a sink. There are more examples of famous funny women comedians. Some of the bridesmaids are famous funny comedians. However, this movie did not do them justice.
Midnight in Paris - the best Woody Allen film in a looooong time
I loved this movie. I love Woody Allen films so it was easy for me to like this one. It had a great message, it was hilarious, Owen Wilson nailed it as a Woody Allen stand in. My girlfriend who hates Woody Allen loved it. What more could I ask for? Meaningful, humorous and thought provoking.
The Tree of Life - best movie about relating the birth of the cosmos to growing up in 1950s suburbia
I wanted to like this movie so badly. Ultimately, it is just OK. However, I do think it should get some bonus points for what it attempted to do. I like more arty films and the goal of this movie is very arty. One is supposed to try to fit the story of a son growing to the story of big bang. It mostly works and one is dwarfed by the latter story and feels engrossed in the story of growing up. I really liked what it was trying to do. The story of a child growing up confused by his two parent's different approaches to child rearing is pitch perfect. Some odd decisions make this movie less than perfect. The dinosaur scene was odd and felt out of place and more importantly, the ending and Sean Penn scenes felt not necessary. Worth seeing just to realize what an amazing movie it could have been.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - the worst harry potter movie to come out this year
Boring. Overrated. Pointless. See Christopher Hitchen's critique of the whole Harry Potter franchise for more information. Let's move on.
Winne the Pooh - the sweetest movie of the year
Jokes about misreading notes? I am in! I loved this movie. I loved the sweet and silly sense of humor. I loved how it reminded me of the originally. Pitch perfect nostalgia for me. I defy anyone who does not like watch children's movies to not smile or laugh at least once while watching this movie.
Captain America - the only movie I could not even finish
Yeah, it sucks that bad.
Another Earth - the worst movie about the coolest thing
Another earth appears in the sky. How did it get there? What does it mean? Is there another you there? If there is, are you exactly like your counterpart? Can you meet yourself? Too bad the writers don't care about these questions and would rather spend time forcing you to watch a teenager who killed a mother and son while drinking and driving torture the father who was the only survivor by posing as a cleaning lady to clean his house. Waste of time.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - best monkey film of the year
A big surprise for me. I thought that I would hate this movie. While I did not love it, I did find it to be a tight thriller that makes me want to see a sequel quite badly. It was a great idea to build on the original franchise and, even though I do not feel a need to see this movie again, am very excited for future installments.
To Be Continued in Part II.
Dos Presents: 2011 in film: A discussion of all the movies that I saw this year with a superlative attached to each in order of release date
Rango - best opening premise for a film this year
Rango was a bit of a disappointment for me as it did not live up to my own expectations. By the time the movie was over, I was quite happy to leave the world of Rango and never return. However, this was not how I felt through the first few minutes. I love the opening of a character in search of a story. It was very interesting and creatively done. I wish the rest of the movie was like this instead of the good, but not as interesting, western it became.
Paul - the biggest let down of a movie ever
Simon Peg! Whatcha doing to me buddy? I loved Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and selected episodes of Big Train, but this? What the hell is this? A formulaic sci-fi movie where nerds meet a friendly, yet rude alien. Hey, I have seen Alf already. It got old after 3 episodes. This movie got old before it started. For shame Simon Peg, for shame.
Rio - the only movie on the list that is my enemy
No, I never saw Rio. No, I do not want to see Rio. Why is Rio in this list? I'll tell you why! Rio was the only other movie nominated for the academy award for best song beyond the muppets. Since, you were a direct rival to the muppets, you are my direct rival as well. I hate you Rio and you lost because in the United States of America justice will always prevail.
Bridesmaids - the most overrated movie on this list
Look, I laughed during Bridesmaids. There were some funny jokes in there. I like Maya Rudolf and Kristen Wiig, they are funny. However, the bottom line is that this is a par formulaic comedy that everyone loves because it mostly stars women. The feminist lobby thinks this is a big deal. It isn't. Furthermore, it downgrades all of the achievements of women comedians in the past. Gilda Live was a great movie which showed off an amazing female comedian. She also was funny without playing to the lowest denominator by going to the bathroom in a sink. There are more examples of famous funny women comedians. Some of the bridesmaids are famous funny comedians. However, this movie did not do them justice.
Midnight in Paris - the best Woody Allen film in a looooong time
I loved this movie. I love Woody Allen films so it was easy for me to like this one. It had a great message, it was hilarious, Owen Wilson nailed it as a Woody Allen stand in. My girlfriend who hates Woody Allen loved it. What more could I ask for? Meaningful, humorous and thought provoking.
The Tree of Life - best movie about relating the birth of the cosmos to growing up in 1950s suburbia
I wanted to like this movie so badly. Ultimately, it is just OK. However, I do think it should get some bonus points for what it attempted to do. I like more arty films and the goal of this movie is very arty. One is supposed to try to fit the story of a son growing to the story of big bang. It mostly works and one is dwarfed by the latter story and feels engrossed in the story of growing up. I really liked what it was trying to do. The story of a child growing up confused by his two parent's different approaches to child rearing is pitch perfect. Some odd decisions make this movie less than perfect. The dinosaur scene was odd and felt out of place and more importantly, the ending and Sean Penn scenes felt not necessary. Worth seeing just to realize what an amazing movie it could have been.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - the worst harry potter movie to come out this year
Boring. Overrated. Pointless. See Christopher Hitchen's critique of the whole Harry Potter franchise for more information. Let's move on.
Winne the Pooh - the sweetest movie of the year
Jokes about misreading notes? I am in! I loved this movie. I loved the sweet and silly sense of humor. I loved how it reminded me of the originally. Pitch perfect nostalgia for me. I defy anyone who does not like watch children's movies to not smile or laugh at least once while watching this movie.
Captain America - the only movie I could not even finish
Yeah, it sucks that bad.
Another Earth - the worst movie about the coolest thing
Another earth appears in the sky. How did it get there? What does it mean? Is there another you there? If there is, are you exactly like your counterpart? Can you meet yourself? Too bad the writers don't care about these questions and would rather spend time forcing you to watch a teenager who killed a mother and son while drinking and driving torture the father who was the only survivor by posing as a cleaning lady to clean his house. Waste of time.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - best monkey film of the year
A big surprise for me. I thought that I would hate this movie. While I did not love it, I did find it to be a tight thriller that makes me want to see a sequel quite badly. It was a great idea to build on the original franchise and, even though I do not feel a need to see this movie again, am very excited for future installments.
To Be Continued in Part II.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Docs Pic of the Week
Well, since Dos has been MIA this week (he is currently at Muppet Fantasy Camp, which I hope he will tell us about upon his return) I will go ahead and do another post in his absence. I think it is fitting to throw up some pictures from Ralph McQuarrie, who passed away this weekend at the age of 82. He is responsible for bringing the Star Wars script to life in the form of production art pieces while George Lucas was trying to convince to studios to invest in his project. Some of his art is below.
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