Movies52: Weeks 21-24

Weeks 21-24

So, February/March is the time to test new or unproven directors, it seems.  As one is unknown, one is brand new, and one is obscure. Ah, almost a half-year in. Which, yes, feels really bizarre—on one hand it’s “wow, only 24 movies in?” on the other it’s “damn, it’s been almost 6 months already?” But I haven’t missed a week yet, and there is a lot of awesomeness headed our way with the coming summer (THOR! X-MEN! HANGOVER! CAPTAIN FUCKING AMERICA!)

21)      Cedar Rapids

Ed Helms is sort of a surprising guy. He plays straight and narrow, innocent guy all the way, and yet he can still carry a movie well. However, John C. Reilly’s wild character was more of a distraction than a wall for Helms to bounce off of. Helms actually had a better relationship with Anne Heche and Isaiah Washington. It definitely wasn’t the most groundbreaking comedy, but it was still fun. I look forward to seeing what director Miguel Arteta comes out with next.

22)      The Adjustment Bureau

A political action-adventure romance about predestination?  The trailers made this look lackluster, but it was pulled off really well. Damon and Blunt had surprisingly good chemistry together, and the various mad men—I mean angels—were all excellent, each adding more layers as they appeared. And like Arteta, I look forward to seeing more from George Nolfi; I think his skills will develop nicely as he works more.

23)      Rabbit Hole

As a play, I was already impressed by the writing by David Lindsay-Abaire. As a film…it works, but not as well. It felt like the director wasn’t sure where to place the characters. But the performances were great. Eckhart is very underrated, and his performance here was no exception. As good as Kidman was, Eckhart was better. He is going to win an Oscar sooner or later—hopefully sooner.

24)      Paul

For a stoner comedy, Paul has a surprising amount of heart to where it really isn’t a stoner comedy at all. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost always have a great relationship on screen, but they also have great chemistry with the CGI alien—which Seth Rogen voices incredibly. Paul was so wonderfully developed that it never felt like Rogen as an alien. Greg Mottola really brings everything together for a fun, heartfelt comedy.

Comics of the month–February

Okay, new rule. A lot of books are going to start running twice a month, so if that be the case, sometimes I’ll review them together (if they are part of the same story). That way, things like X-Factor can’t have two slots in an increasingly larger reading alone (seriously!). So now, on with it. Also, there were a ton of close calls. Lots of good stuff this month.

Movies52: Weeks 17-20

And now I’m up to my 20^th film. When I look at the list I think “wow, that’s a lot of movies over four months,” but at the same time, it feels like nothing.  And then I look at the next four and think “wow! I can’t believe The Way Back was within the last four films!” And I look at the list and go “Huh, I didn’t realize Unstoppable was earlier on. Could have sworn I watched it after Harry Potter.” This is what is getting fun. It’s all becoming one giant experience. And this week, one of these films have dethroned Hereafter at the bottom of the chain while another almost took down Black Swan.

 

Comics of the month–January 2011

You know what’s rough? Trying to teach, work at a retail store, write weekly for the awesome WCBR, my own creative endeavors, and a growing pile of comics every month with material that refuses to yield to mediocrity (except for Uncanny X-Men…can’t wait for Gillen to take over full time). There’s also the fact that Spider-Man has become amazing (no pun intended…or was it?), but I’ll review the first trade of that for WCBR later on. So, here’s the ones that managed to get to the top of the pile.

Movies52: weeks 13-16

Weeks 13-16

At first I was doing this project to help move on from something, and then I wasn’t even sure why I was doing it. But with week 13, something dawned on me—I’m doing this because I fucking love film! Every time I watch a movie, I feel changed. A bit altered. Even if the movie sucks (and thankfully, none of them have sucked so far…but we are getting into January), I still feel like it’s worth it in some way. I love film. I’m going to watch one in theaters every week for another 34 weeks.

Comics of the month–December

Okay, so it’s like way into January, but it’s been really friggin busy for me, I mean the kind of busy you want to just run into a brick wall just to slow down kind of busy. But I eventually got to read, and though there were a few that didn’t quite make it (X-Men Legacy was on the line), these were the good ones.

10) New Avengers 7 (Brian Michael Bendis)
This comic had no action in it. At all. It had no real drama in it either. It was just the New Avengers goofing around and talking shop–and it was excellent! It just leaves a warm feeling at the end. Comics can still be fun. Thank god. Oh, and Wolverine tapped Squirrel Girl’s tail. Wow.

Movies52: Weeks 9-12

Weeks 9-12

The last four movies of 2010! Two freakishly awesome films, one really awesome film. And one decent one. Oh, and Jeff Bridges is the man!

9)      127 Hours

I was expecting a bit more, but it was still a good film. As good as Franco was, I don’t  think he’ll be getting an Oscar for his role…there was just something missing from it. Same with Danny Boyle’s directing. It was interesting, but lacking something. The sentimentality was a little over-the-top, but really, besides showing him cut off his own arm, what else were they going to do for a 90 minute film about a guy stuck in a hole for 5 days?

10)      Black Swan

Once again, I am reminded why Aronofsky is one of my top five directors. This film was simply incredible. And Natalie Portman—wow was she amazing. Her, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel were all great. The story was also fantastic; a beautiful imagining of the classic Swan Lake. Black Swan better bring in a few Oscars. Portman is a no-brainer for best actress and Aronofsky has a great chance at getting best Director.

11)      Tron: Legacy

Despite its flaws, Legacy is actually a very fun movie. In fact, the flaws help with the magic. A lot of the dialogue has an 80’s sentimentality; for those who are nostalgic, it will help recapture you. For others…it’s just good fun. Jeff Bridges is awesome, of course. It’s actually amazing to see him reprise such an old role. Olivia Wilde will be the rising star out of this. As for Garrett Hedlund…he was good, but I don’t see him sharing the ranks of Pine or Evans. And then there’s the amazing effects and 3D. Yes, the 3D is worth every penny.

12)      True Grit

It’s not often that we get a true Western, but the Coen Brothers managed to do it. Even down to the Bible hymns. This is definitely one of the Coen Brothers’ best films. It seems that they’re goal is to make a movie in every genre—they should make Iron Fist. They could do a kung fu and superhero film at the same time! Okay, back to the brief review. Matt Damon is okay, and Josh Brolin…was there for like ten seconds. But the film belongs to two people. The first: Hailee Steinfeld, who might be a young Oscar winner (but if nominated for best actress, will lose it to Portman). And the man, Jeff Bridges. Hell, I would love to see Bridges win an Oscar 2 years in a row. Jesse Eisenberg and James Franco might be great young actors—but Bridges is the man.

 

Current Ranking:

1)      Black Swan

2)      The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

3)      True Grit

4)      It’s Kind of a Funny Story

5)      The Town

6)      Tron: Legacy

7)      Harry Potter and the Death Hallows Part 1

8)      Social Network

9)      Unstoppable

10)   Red

11)   127 Hours

12)   Hereafter

 

Comics of the Month–November

 

This might be the first time in months that I thoroughly enjoyed every issue I read. The writers and (most of) the artists at Marvel did an amazing job. Picking 10 was not so easy. Some of the close calls included Thunderbolts 150, X-Men 5, Secret Avengers 7, Daken: Dark Wolverine 3, Uncanny X-Men 530, and Osborn 1. But from the stuff I read, there were no losers. Just best of the bests. And here they are.

Movies52: Weeks 5-8

Into the second block of movies in my movie-watching madness of Movies52. Still can’t believe it’s only been 8 weeks since this started. But it’s helping…

Hereafter

Not Eastwood’s best film, though some scenes were remarkable for their subtlety; especially the food tasting scene between Matt Damon and Bryce Dallas Howard. This is the third film I’ve seen in a row that was about change. Although, in Hereafter, it’s more about changing as a person after a loss, or struggling to change despite what you are and have no choice to be.

Comics of the Month–October

Seems like my time just keeps slipping away–and so much has happened in October that it’s hard to even keep the days straight. But you know what else happened? A fuckton of good comics. And alas, there is a first in this top ten…X-Factor didn’t make it. It was still good, but sadly, not as good as the rest.