Alternate Takes 01.23.10: Best of 2009, Part 2 of 3
Posted by Shawn S. Lealos on 01.23.2010
From Watchmen to District 9, Alternate Takes continues its countdown of the the best films of 2009 with #24 down to #11!
Welcome to Week 87 of Alternate Takes. I am your host Shawn S. Lealos and you have now entered my world.
This week we are continuing my year end countdown of the best 40 movies of 2009. Before I start, let's look at some comments from my look at the first part of my list.
way to take it to the uptight guy Shawn! Sometimes I get the feeling that half the commenters on this site are trying to do a "CM Punk Straight Edge promo" without realizing they sound like COMPLETE douche bags. Haven't seen everything on your list-- shied away from Adventureland because the cover art looked too "direct to video American Pie" if you know what I mean. Keep up the good work! - Posted By: Madcapunlimited (Guest) - Thanks for the comments. Adventureland is a movie you should give a chance. It has some quality performances and the script and direction are both solid. It is by the same guy who made Superbad, so if you liked that, give it a chance.
I haven't seen it yet but Worlds Greatest Dad should be higher. - Posted By: Propagandhi (Guest) - You should check it out. But there are a lot of movies ahead of it that I think are better.
Anvil! The Story of Anvil was my favorite docu from last year. - Posted By: Q:? (Guest) - I agree. That and Burma VJ were both great movies.
Emma Watson is an awesome actress. Plus she's going to school, loves to read, and doesn't look like she'll be self-destructing like Lohan or some other actresses. And Alan Rickman as Snape kicks ass. Posted By: Zingy (Guest) - Alan Rickman is a God. He can do no wrong. The short time that he and Gary Oldman were in the same movie was Nirvana to me.
I loved Trick 'r Treat, how did this not get released for so many years?? I didn't find it that scary but Sam freaked me the hell out. I slept with the lights on for 2 days after watching it lol - Posted By: paco smith (Guest) - This will be a movie I will watch every Halloween from here out.
This is a joke right.How can you have Up In The Air at #27 and Precious at #29.Here's my top ten. - Posted By: JohnnyPresley21 (Guest) - Both movies were really good, which is why they are on my list. However, I think the films in my Top 25 were better.
Gotta love Shawn calling out the stupid people that always end up on this site. Good list so far too. - Posted By: JM (Guest) - Thanks for reading. I can't imagine that the people who spout off their nonsense would do it in real life. They like to hide behind a computer and talk crap.
Zombieland's my number 1 of the year. I'm curious to see how you placed it. - Posted By: Empire Of Ownage (Guest) - It's not number one but it is good enough to be in Part 3 of this countdown.
Now, let's move onto Part 2 of my Top 40 movies of 2009.
MY LIST SO FAR
40. Paper Heart
39. World's Greatest Dad
38. The Men Who Stare at Goats
37. I Love You, Man
36. Extract
35. Burma VJ
34. 35 Shots of Rum
33. Anvil! The Story of Anvil
32. Adventureland
31. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
30. Trick ‘R Treat
29. Precious
28. A Serious Man
27. Up in the Air
26. Nine
25. Thirst
24. ANTICHRIST
Directed by Lars von Trier
Written by Lars von Trier
Cast: Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg
Are you someone who found the torture scene at the end of Audition to be unsettling? This movie is NOT for you. I will be honest, if I had known what this movie was going to be like before watching it, I never would have watched it. That is not to say it is not worth your time to search out, though. The film opens with one of the most beautiful looking scenes I have ever seen constructed. A couple (Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg) are having sex in stark black and white. Meanwhile, their toddler climbs out of his crib, walks to an open second story window and falls to his death. The movie is then split into chapters (grief, pain and despair). The movie is a strong look at those emotions of guilt as well as a harsh look at the question of whether woman is inherently evil. The final scenes in the movie, with all the graphic and unsettling torture you will ever want to witness (or wish you had never witnessed), are what caused the judges at Cannes to score it a ZERO. That is not fair. The performances are brilliant. This might be Dafoe's career best performance and Gainsbourg was simply amazing. The film is beautifully shot and the story is one that makes you think about what you have seen for days. If you give it a chance, and can get past the brutality and sexual violence, there is a lot here for those who love film as a work of art, just be ready to allow von Trier to torture you.
23. GOMORRAH
Directed by Matteo Garrone
Written by Maurizio Braucci, Ugo Chiti, Gianni Di Gregorio, Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso, Roberto Saviano
Cast: Toni Servillo, Gianfelice Imparato, Maria Nazionale, Salvatore Cantalupo, Gigio Morra, Salvatore Abruzzese, Marco Macor, Ciro Petrone, Carmine Paternoster
I usually am not high on movies openly trying to emulate other movies because they often feel like they wish they were that older, better film. There is a moment in Gomorrah where Marco and Ciro, two out-of-control street punks start to yell "I am Tony Montana" while reenacting scenes from Scarface. The difference here is these two kids, and most of the people in this movie, are not reenacting a movie, they are living the life they learned from the movies. There are your Tony Montanas and Vito Corleones and Henry Hills but in this movie they are real people and they do not have Hollywood endings. The movie is based on the book by Roberto Saviano concerning the Camorrah mafia and the truth of the matter is the facts are so straight, a hit was ordered on Saviano because of his book. The film tells the story of a number of people involved with the mafia and the tragedy that befalls everyone who has entered this group. It is the best movie about the mafia since Goodfellas and the least romantic of them all. I don't think we will ever see kids imitating what they see in this movie in the future. It won the Best European Film award in 2008 as well as the Grand Prix at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. It received its limited U.S. release in February 2009, making it eligible for this list and received a Criterion release last November. It is as good as you have heard and is worth the effort to seek out.
22. IN THE LOOP
Directed by Armando Iannucci
Written by Armando Iannucci, Harold P. Manning, Jesse Armstrong
Cast: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee, James Gandolfini, Chris Addison, Anna Chlumsky, Paul Higgins, Mimi Kennedy
When I finished watching In the Loop, I thought of how similar it is to the television series The Office, but in the world of politics. The Office is humorous because anyone who has worked in the cubicle world can relate to this kind of disturbing behavior. In the Loop, on the other hand, is horrifying because you wonder if this is how important government decisions concerning going to war are carried out, in as much as ridiculous manner as anything you could possibly see on The Office. Yet, despite its horrifying vision of the world, it is one of the funniest movies of 2009. Tom Hollander is a British minister who speaks without thinking and waffles on all his decisions. When he states that U.S. war in the Middle East is unforeseeable, he is brought to the United States. He finds himself in the middle of a political mess where groups vie against each other in effort to make a decision about joining the war in the Middle East. The cast is spectacular, with the supporting characters shining throughout the movie. James Gandolfini is fantastic as a General against the war while David Rasche holds his own as the Assistant Secretary of State ready to go to war. However, the star of the movie is Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker, the Prime Minister's right-hand-man who spews profanity like no one I have seen before. The guy makes F-bombs an art form and steals every scene he is in. The movie snuck up on me and I saw it after it had already become critically acclaimed but it still failed to disappoint me. It's one of the best political movies of the last decade.
21. CORALINE
Directed by Henry Selick
Written by Henry Selick
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Keith David, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ian McShane, Robert Bailey, Jr.
Coraline started the year off as the animated film all others had to measure up to. With films like Up, Monsters vs. Aliens and the third Ice Age movie, kids may have forgotten this one by the end of summer. Adults, on the other hand, should take heed. This is a very interesting, original movie and, despite its animated origins, is well worth your time. I don't know if it will be as widely accepted as Selick's first big hit, Nightmare Before Christmas, but it is a fun story with amazing visuals. In the start of a year that had not produced any awe inspiring movies, Coraline stood heads and shoulders above its competition. If you missed it in theaters, you missed a beautiful 3-D animated film. Even without the beautiful technology at home, you still have a great movie.
20. BRONSON
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Written by Brock Norman Brock and Nicolas Winding Refn
Cast: Tom Hardy, Matt King, James Lance, Amanda Burton, Juliet Oldfield, Hugh Ross, Edward Bennett-Coles, Kelly Adams, Katy Barker, William Darke
Bronson is a movie that shows a man who has found a home in Britain's prison system and will do anything possible to remain there. It is not a movie for the faint at heart. There is a lot of frontal nudity and even more brutally violent fight scenes. Bronson spends little time in this film without a crushed, beaten face. But if that is something you can get beyond, Bronson is an amazing film. It shows the lengths a man will go to prove his dominance in any situation. Charlie Bronson is someone who appears to be secure behind bars and recoils in fear and violence whenever his life is threatened with change. Tom Hardy is amazing in his role as Bronson, eclipsing anything he has done before. He is in negotiations to play Mad Max in the upcoming fourth movie and after seeing him here, I am excited about this prospect for the first time. Bronson is a tour-de-force of filmmaking and will leave an imprint on your mind you won't soon shake.
19. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER
Directed by Marc Webb
Written by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Chloe Moretz, Matthew Gray Gubler, Clark Gregg, Patricia Belcher, Rachel Boston
Marc Webb's directorial debut was good enough to earn him the job as the next Spider-Man director. That might cause a bit of backlash for this film from core comic book fans, but any criticisms will not be justified. (500) Days of Summer is the Indie hit of 2009 but is better than the last few year's darlings (Juno, Little Miss Sunshine) and it not only contains a sweet, wonderful story but also wonderfully quirky direction and pitch perfect performances by the cast. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Tom, a young man who has just been dumped by his girlfriend Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The movie then takes a non-linear approach to telling the story in a brilliant mode of filmmaking that breaks all conventional narratives and tells the story in the same manner that a person's mind works. Tom remembers the good times, reminiscing on what a great relationship they had but eventually a bad moment is added to give contrast to his rose colored views. We see a moment where Summer makes a joke or finds something that Tom did was funny. Later in the film, we see a moment where the same joke is no longer amusing or Tom is now annoying instead of endearing. It is exactly how I think real memories work and the movie creates a giant montage of moments that shows why Tom might be better off without the weight of Summer on his shoulders. Every year there are Indie sensations and this year two of them have earned a lot of attention. I feel Marc Webb's debut trumps Jason Reitman's Up in the Air and is the best Indie of 2009.
18. WATCHMEN
Directed by Zack Snyder
Written by David Hayter and Alex Tse
Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer, Stephen McHattie, Laura Mennell, Robert Wisden, Rob LaBelle, Danny Woodburn
Watchmen is the best comic book ever made. It is often looked at on the lists of best novels, much less comic books novels. When Zack Snyder took on the reins of making this beloved story into a movie, he was just doing what he had built his career on. He remade the classic George Romero zombie classic Dawn of the Dead and ended up with a movie that at least equaled the Romero version. He followed up with pretty much a shot for shot remake of the graphic novel 300 and while that is his worst movie to date, it is still better than most director's best works. Then he took on Watchmen and proved he is as big a fan of the material as the fanboys who eventually nitpicked his movie. The biggest complaint was the changing of the end but I will stand up here and say the movie's end is much, much better than the graphic novel's ending. The giant squids always seemed stupid to me but Doctor Manhattan's sacrifice is the perfect way to end this story. The acting is wonderful, especially Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jackie Earl Haley. There is nothing about this movie to complain about. It stands proudly alongside The Dark Knight, X-Men 2, Iron Man and Spider-Man 2 as an elite comic book adaptation.
17. THE MESSENGER
Directed by Oren Moverman
Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
Cast: Ben Foster, Jena Malone, Woody Harrelson, Steve Buscemi, Samantha Morton, Jeremy Strong
Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster deliver a tour-de-force in The Messenger. For years, Iraq war movies have been released and no one cared. 2009 saw two more of these movies released and the filmmakers involved finally got it right. This is not a movie about a war many people refuse to support. This is a movie about the people back home, people like you and I, who have their hearts torn from their chests when they learn they have lost a loved one. This is a heartbreaking movie that never feels melodramatic and remains tender and moving. Oren Moverman's directorial debut has me excited to see what the man will do next.
16. TAKEN
Directed by Pierre Morel
Written by Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen
Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Xander Berkeley, Katie Cassidy, Olivier Rabourdin, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Holly Valance, Nathan Rippy, Camille Japy, Nicolas Giraud, Gérard Watkins
Watching this movie, I am reminded of an old Roddy Piper line. "I came here to chew bubblegum and kick ass and I just ran out of gum." I knew from the moment I saw the original trailer, which is a scene lifted straight from the movie, what to expect. In lesser hands this would have been a straight-to-DVD rental but Pierre Morel directed such an awesome guy flick and Liam Neeson delivered such a great performance that the movie took U.S. cinemas by storm - when it was finally released here. Maybe it was because of the B-level subject matter (daughter is kidnapped in Europe, dad kicks everyone's ass until he gets her back) but distributors were not very punctual in releasing this movie. With a 2008 release date, the entire world got to see it before the United States. It first hit the director's home country of France in February 2008 before finally making it here eleven months later as a January 2009 release. The studios might also have been shocked when the movie remained in the Top 10 for nine straight weeks, opening at first, and banking a cool $145 million ($223 million worldwide). It is strictly a guy flick but is more fun than anyone ever expected.
15. DRAG ME TO HELL
Directed by Sam Raimi
Written by Ivan and Sam Raimi
Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Dileep Rao, David Paymer, Adriana Barraza, Chelcie Ross, Reggie Lee, Molly Cheek
Sam Raimi has proven that he knows his audience better then they even know themselves. Time has not changed this man and big blockbusters like Spider-Man have not neutered him. Raimi knows how to work an audience and he proves here to be arguably the greatest showman working in Hollywood today. Like the greatest carnie, he takes us on a thrill ride with Drag Me to Hell, relentless, tugging on our strings and tearing at our nerves. He makes us laugh, jump and grow nauseated all at the same time. Drag Me to Hell is not a great movie but it is some of the most fun I had at the cinema last year.
14. STAR TREK
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Qunito, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Winona Ryder, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Morrison, Rachel Nichols ... Gaila
J.J. Abrams has finally made his successful leap from TV to film. In his sophomore effort he has tackled a franchise that could have killed a lesser man and came out with the greatest Star Trek movie of all time. The cast is spectacular, from Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto to Simon Pegg and Anton Yelchin. Even Tyler Perry is inoffensive in his small role. The direction keeps the story moving at a brisk pace and the score keeps your heart pounding at every beat. As a "Star Wars guy" I came into the movie simply curious at how they would deal with the origin story. I left the theater a fan. Star Trek was the first great movie of the summer and set the bar for a summer full of blockbuster sequels.
13. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Directed by Spike Jonze
Written by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers
Cast: Max Records, Pepita Emmerichs, Catherine Keener, Steve Mouzakis, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, Michael Berry Jr., Chris Cooper, Lauren Ambrose
Where the Wild Things Are is not an easy film to sit through. It is the most Indie looking kid's flick you might ever see. The camera work is handheld, the script forces the viewer to read between the lines and the story is not meant for children but instead for the child within. But if you are a more discerning viewer, this movie has much to offer. The look of the movie is gorgeous and Spike Jonze has created a picture beautiful to behold. The story is complicated, deep and very effecting for those who actually understand what Jonze is saying. It is a movie about growing up, facing your fears and doubts, and coming out on the other side, no longer a Wild Thing. The acting is superb and the movie will reward repeated viewings. This movie is not for everyone but, for those it does connect with, it is one of the best films you might ever see.
12. DISTRICT 9
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
Cast: Sharlto Copley, David James, Eugene Khumbanyiwa, Vanessa Haywood, Jason Cope, Mandla Gaduka, William Allen Young
Neill Blomkamp proves he is a force to be reckoned with. In District 9, he has crafted a smart, stylistic science fiction film trumping every other film in its genre to come out in the last couple of years. The alien design is solid and the weapons and machinery are cool. However, what makes this film so great is the fact it is a smart film containing real world problems, revealing something about ourselves, regardless of how dark and sobering the truth is. The best science fiction holds up a mirror to the world and allows us to see a distorted version of ourselves. It is not a perfect movie but it is fantastic science fiction.
11. THE HANGOVER
Directed by Todd Phillips
Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, Sasha Barrese, Jeffrey Tambor, Ken Jeong, Rachel Harris, Mike Tyson, Mike Epps, Jernard Burks, Rob Riggle, Cleo King
The Hangover takes a funny idea and makes it hilarious. This is Todd Phillips' masterpiece, eclipsing even Old School by a mile. The cast is first rate. Bradley Cooper is going to be a huge star and I hereby proclaim Zach Galifianakis the second coming of John Belushi. The jokes fly by at a mile a minute, whether it is a well played one liner, a gross out sight gag (Galifianakis leaves nothing to the imagination by the time the credits role), or situations which continue to get more and more ridiculous as the movie wears on. Even the small roles, such as Mike Tyson's appearance and Ken Jeong's Asian mobster who thinks Alan being fat is hilarious, are spot on. There is nothing wrong with this movie at all. It is a perfect comedy and has set the bar very high for future comedies to reach.
Posted By: Vampiro56 (Guest) on January 22, 2010 at 11:47 PM
taken was awesome
Posted By: wylun (Guest) on January 22, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Trick 'R Treat sucked and The Hangover is RIDICULOUSLY overrated.
Posted By: Jerk Sausage (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 12:10 AM
I'm betting that the top 10 is, in no particular order.
Inglorious Basterds
Zombieland
The Hurt Locker
Up
Avatar
Crazy Heart
A Single Man
Invictus
The Princess and the Frog
and some other shit.
Also if you really want to see powerful docs that came out this year, check out Tyson, Afghan Star, and Sugar.
The latter isn't really a documentary, but it's still damn good.
Posted By: Blode (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 12:21 AM
It's nice to see Taken on the list, great movie. Hangover was friggin' funny but for me I still prefer Old School over it.
Posted By: paco smith (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 12:48 AM
Just have to say that Sin City should also be included in the elite comic adaptations.
Posted By: JP (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 01:07 AM
I better see "Jennifer's Body" in the top 3.
Posted By: Guest#8122 (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 01:35 AM
Great, now Zack will die of a drug overdose. Thanks alot.
Posted By: Guest#7224 (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Really a great list so far. I'd have probably put Watchmen a little higher, and probably would have left The Hangover off (not a bad flick, but not "year's best" material, either. That's just a nitpicky opinion, though. Kudos on a good list so far!
Posted By: Moviepoopshootdotcom (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 02:32 AM
If Hangover is 11 then no other comedies shall be named. I'd tie it with Tropic Thunder as comedy of the decade. No contest.
Posted By: Sam Cro (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 03:30 AM
Let me guess: you're a fat nerd. Comic book guy from the Simpson's perhaps?
Posted By: AJ (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 03:40 AM
Taken and Star Trek: All style, no substance. Both were fun popcorn films, but the plot-less drivel that ensued should have it lower on the list than where it stands. Either that, or 2009 was just a shitty movie year.
Posted By: Joe (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 04:14 AM
>Implying District 9 wasn't one of the top ten best films of the year
Posted By: Alex Ewing (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 04:37 AM
Watchmen sucks, any film that isolates the viewers into one group liking it because they read the comic while the other group who did not read the comic absolutely hating it. That is not a trait the greatest comic book movie should have. A truly fantastic film is able to bring in new fans without knowing anything and have them enjoy the film (see: star trek). Also can the writers ever get off Sam Raimi's balls, this man is all style no substance and you praise every work like its gospel.
Where the wild things are was so off the mark I think the producers are going to kill themselves, yet hey look its that fatboy slim guy and he made a film, lets look cool and say the movie ruled.
Quit trying to act like all things indy and against the grain are amazing, some are, but most fail miserably like where the wild things are.
Good job with Taken and Hangover though
Posted By: junk (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 06:22 AM
You have Watchmen and Drag Me to Hell in the top 20. Is that a joke?
Posted By: Guest#7349 (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 08:23 AM
I never saw the big deal about Watchmen and The Hangover. For me Watchmen made no sense and bored me to tears 3/4 of the way through, and The Hangover was just your average buddy comedy.
To say Watchmen is the best comic book movie is blasphemy. Sin City is the best IMO.
Posted By: Olympic Hero (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 08:45 AM
Ok, first off I totally agree on The Watchmen. The movie ending, for me, made WAY more sense than the book. And it was quite fitting and poignant for Dr. Manhattan at the end. It made it so he can't go back, even if he wanted to. Though what could they really do to him? It really raises a whole bunch more philosophical questions that the book actually doesn't, when you think about it. It was just more logical. I loved this movie and watch it every chance I get. Dr. Manhattan is one of my favorite graphic novel/comic book characters ever.
As for Taken, and Anti-Christ, Where The Wild Things Are, and The Hangover. Those are all movies I want to see.
District 9 was really depressing in the beginning but tries to redeem itself by the end with some good old fashioned action. And who knew the lead guy could be such a bad-ass? After all he's playing Murdoch in The A-Team movie.
Posted By: the dude (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Drag Me To Hell over Watchmen OUCH you guys are nutty that movie sucked.
Posted By: Wisecracker (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Watchmen was not one of the best superhero movies ever made no where near it the things he left out of the movie were perplexing to say the least. Like when Rorschach kills the child killer. In the book "SPOILER* he chains the guys arm up and gives the guy a saw, then sets the place on fire and stands outside watching it burn which imo is FAR more effective and interesting than the scene they shot in the film. Also I hate whining about the changing of the ending but cmon it is not the same and people have tried explaining to me that it is the same in principle or more logical but no it is not. Besides *SPOILER* in the book with the what 6-8 pages of millions of dead bodies lying in New York is such a powerful piece of art I can only imagine how powerful the images would have been in a live action film which would have given the audience a huge sense of dread and despair which the scene in the movie does nowhere being able to convey. It was like oh ok damn, moving on. There was no time to let it sink in how terrible a thing just happened.
Posted By: Guest#1 (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Watchmen, The Hangover and Star Trek should have all been in the top 10, with Star Trek as number one. It's sad to think of the pretty but vastly inferior Avatar being voted over these movies and it will be impossible to take the list seriously if the most overrated movie of last year is placed in the top spot.
Posted By: Guest#2247 (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 02:28 PM
Hang over is funny but not funnier than old school old school is the foundation for every raunchy comedy this decade and star trek should be higher and inglourious bastards one
Posted By: Beez (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 02:48 PM
Pff...district 9 sucked
That is all
Posted By: Guest#5663 (Guest) on January 23, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Taken should be #1
Posted By: Guest#4540 (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 03:41 AM
By Old School I hope you meant Animal House
Posted By: Guest#9740 (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 03:42 AM
For most of the list, we have some differences of opinion (From the ones that I saw), things would be shifted, but I can see your reasoning. The only real thing we seem to clash on is Where the Wild things Are.. which I just really didn't think was successful at it was trying to do at all. Though, it did have really neat blend of traditional and CGI.
Posted By: Torvald (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 03:42 AM
Watchmen sucked, hell Fast and Furious dominated that movie at the box office. That speaks volumes.
Posted By: MattKnight (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 04:45 AM
I usually don't nitpick top whatever lists because everyone's opinion is valid and no list is perfect. But putting Where the Wild Things Are that high up, ahead of Watchmen, District 9, is ridiculous.
This is coming from someone who grew up with and loved the book, and also appreciates a good family movie. I didn't think the different approach to the cinematography added anything to the story and seemed unnecessary if not distracting. It also seemed to stay vague on purpose, which would have been fine on its own, but the screenplay toyed around with a few ideas and then dropped them as soon as they were set up. Ok I'm done ranting, I was just really disappointed with it.
Posted By: James (Registered) (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 05:21 AM
Watchmen was pretty damn good, but I don't know if I'd say the best comic book movie ever. Dark Knight anyone?....
Just saw the Hangover and it was pretty funny.
The stuff before that sonded you like were trying for that arthouse crowd.
Posted By: lilwayne1 (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 11:11 AM
District 9 sucked ass!!!!!
Posted By: Randy (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Antichrist is garbage. It has the illusion of being deep, but in reality comes off like a 19-year old film student's attempt at being being deep.
Oh wow, the characters are called "He" and "She" and they go to a place called Eden. Wow, how deep! Lars throws so much at the viewer that seems deep and symbolic, that the viewer is tricked into thinking there is some depth. In fact, it was nothing more than a ridiculously shallow premise and an excuse for gore.
I am so sick of everyone thinking he is a great director because he says he is a great director. A high school student could make the trash he makes.
Posted By: Guest#7229 (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 09:06 PM
"The giant squids always seemed stupid to me but Doctor Manhattan's sacrifice is the perfect way to end this story"
Facepalm
Posted By: Guest#8444 (Guest) on January 24, 2010 at 09:20 PM
Gotta love Shawn calling out the stupid people that always end up on this site. Good list so far too. - Posted By: JM (Guest) - Thanks for reading. I can't imagine that the people who spout off their nonsense would do it in real life. They like to hide behind a computer and talk crap.
I also doubt you would stand up to anyone and call anyone out in real life.
You also benefit from being behind a computer.
Posted By: Guest#2466 (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 09:05 AM
Glad to see Hangover, District 9 and Watchmen here...
to everyone crying and complaining because they didn't like those movies, PLEASE KEEP COMPLAINING-- because your crying about other peoples opinions is hillarious (not a compliment)
Posted By: Guest#0409 (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 04:11 PM
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