Here's something you might be interested in.
Someone emailed me a list of film critic Richard Roeper's top 25 movies of the year. Now that Roeper and Ebert are no longer doing the reviews on TV, I'm not familiar with what he's been up to. The column he wrote for one of the Chicago papers was always well written and funny. And, I thought he had better taste in movies than Ebert.
Anyway, here is his list of the top 25 of the year. And my comments after each of his picks.
"Slumdog Millionaire". This movie is highly overrated by the critics, but it's good. And, way better use of musician M.I.A. than Pineapple Express.
"The Dark Knight". I think it's cool that Roeper put this movie so high on the list. It was a very well done super-hero movie. And, I saw something that said the Golden Globes snubbed it in a lot of ways. I'll have to check out the Globe nominations to comment. Bale is a great Batman, and the rest of the supporting cast are perhaps the best in any movie all year (Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Aaron Eackhart, etc.)
"The Wrestler". I'm looking forward to seeing this. Mickey Rourke will definately get a Best Actor Oscar nomination. I get the feeling it won't be half as good as "Requiem For a Heavyweight," about an ex-boxer (and written by Twilight Zone's Rod Serling).
"In Bruges". This movie is good, but also overrated. Part of the problem is it goes from an interesting dark comedy, with two interesting characters (hit men that say interesting/funny things, similar to Travolta/Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction). The end just becomes so ridiculous. And...it has the best midget scenes of any movie of the last five years!
"I've Loved You So Long". I wanted to see this, but didn't get the chance. I loved the actress in English Patient, Horse Whisperer, and a few other things I've seen her in.
"Gran Torino". Clint Eastwood says this is the last movie he'll ever star in. Very strange that someone that old would continue to direct, but not act. I'd think directing is tougher. I haven't seen this, because I don't think it's out yet.
"Milk". Good movie. Overrated by the critics. And the gays. But it's a thousand times better than Brokeback Mountain, which was crap. It's always more enjoyable watching a bio-pic when you don't know much about the characters portrayed. Extra points for them being accurate (I'm looking forward to seeing Cadillac Records, but have already read that they've distorted the facts of some of the musicians on the Chess label).
"The Visitor". I loved this movie. It would be in my Top 10. Some people might think it's slow. Or predictable. I don't think it's either of those things.
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall". I didn't think I'd like this, because it's hard to have sympathy for someone that has a bad break-up, and they can't just move on. And what point do you label them a stalker, or just tell them to get over it and find someone else. But, the character is smart enough, and funny enough, that we do feel bad for him. And we root for him. The conversations with his brother (Bill Hader from Saturday Night Live), are LOL funny.
"Frozen River". An okay movie, but another indie picture that critics feel they have to love. A woman with a dead beat ex-husband and kids she can't buy Christmas gifts for, decides to help an Indian woman smuggle people across the border. It's very slow, and doesn't tug at your heart as much as it should.
"Doubt". I have no idea what this movie is.
"Snow Angels". This movie would be in my Top 10. Very, very dark. But very interesting and entertaining. The actor (can't think of his name), was so amazing in Half-Nelson, and equally good here. I hope the Oscars remember him.
"Frost/Nixon". I'm hit and miss with Ron Howard movies. And, I'm burned out on Nixon movies. I'm going to skip this one.
"The Reader". I have to see this. I mean...it's called THE READER. And, Kate Winslet never lets me down (did anyone see that movie from a few years ago, where she hangs out in the park with other housewives? it was great).
"Seven Pounds". I keep seeing commercials for this. And, I have no clue what it's even about. If it gets good reviews I'll check it out.
"Iron Man". I liked this movie so much more than I expected to. It would make my Top 25, for sure. Am I the only one that didn't think Jeff Bridges would turn out to be a bad guy? And am I the only one that doesn't find Gwyneth Paltrow all that attractive? And, I really can't believe that Robert Downey, Jr. was able to turn his life around. He had so many arrests over the years, I had given up hope.
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona". I can name 5 Woody Allen movies that would make my Top 50 all-time movie list. But why do people still think he's this cinematic genius? This movie was enjoyable to watch, but it was really crap. The story would've never happened (Javier Barden approaching Scarlett Johanssen and her friend asking if they would be interested in a threesome). Both are married, but Scarlett goes for him. And, their conversations aren't that interesting. I mean, because he cries when he watches a flamenco guitarist, we're supposed to believe that would get a woman in the sack? And for his ex...Penelope Cruz to show up (she'll be nominated for an Oscar for this, and I'm not sure why) and act insane. Why would he even deal with that? The movie is so annoying. I did love seeing Barcelona, though.
"W." I don't see Oliver Stone movies. He's like Michael Moore. He has an agenda, and therefore, doesn't make movies that I bother seeing. AND I'M A DEMOCRAT!
"Henry Poole Is Here" Is this a porno, or a regular film?
"Burn After Reading". This would be in my Top 10 of the year. I saw it three times (although once was at a dollar theatre in Hawaii, with people that hadn't seen it).
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". The commercials look great. And Brad Pitt is really a great actor. I'm sure it will be nominated for make-up Oscars (Pitt is born an old man, and gradually becomes young...taken from, I believe, an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story).
"WALL-E". I don't watch animated movies, unless I'm babysitting kids. And my stepbrother, that loves animated movies, was disappointed with this.
"The Bank Job". On my stepbrothers birthday, a bunch of us went to see this. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I'm guessing it would make my Top 25 of the year. I did cringe when the bad guys were smashing a number of XKE's. Was that really necesary, people?
"Tropic Thunder". I saw this at a Reader premiere. I'm not sure how it can be on anyones list for the best of the year. I laughed enough to say it was worth watching. Robert Downey Jr. is worth the price of admission alone. And the way the movie starts with the fake trailors, is brilliant. And it makes the rapper, who does a video about how much he likes womens breats...even funnier later in the movie when he comes out of the closet.
"Che". Haven't seen it. I heard it's so long, the movie is going to have an intermission. Benico will probably get a nomination for this.
Someone emailed me a list of film critic Richard Roeper's top 25 movies of the year. Now that Roeper and Ebert are no longer doing the reviews on TV, I'm not familiar with what he's been up to. The column he wrote for one of the Chicago papers was always well written and funny. And, I thought he had better taste in movies than Ebert.
Anyway, here is his list of the top 25 of the year. And my comments after each of his picks.
"Slumdog Millionaire". This movie is highly overrated by the critics, but it's good. And, way better use of musician M.I.A. than Pineapple Express.
"The Dark Knight". I think it's cool that Roeper put this movie so high on the list. It was a very well done super-hero movie. And, I saw something that said the Golden Globes snubbed it in a lot of ways. I'll have to check out the Globe nominations to comment. Bale is a great Batman, and the rest of the supporting cast are perhaps the best in any movie all year (Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Aaron Eackhart, etc.)
"The Wrestler". I'm looking forward to seeing this. Mickey Rourke will definately get a Best Actor Oscar nomination. I get the feeling it won't be half as good as "Requiem For a Heavyweight," about an ex-boxer (and written by Twilight Zone's Rod Serling).
"In Bruges". This movie is good, but also overrated. Part of the problem is it goes from an interesting dark comedy, with two interesting characters (hit men that say interesting/funny things, similar to Travolta/Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction). The end just becomes so ridiculous. And...it has the best midget scenes of any movie of the last five years!
"I've Loved You So Long". I wanted to see this, but didn't get the chance. I loved the actress in English Patient, Horse Whisperer, and a few other things I've seen her in.
"Gran Torino". Clint Eastwood says this is the last movie he'll ever star in. Very strange that someone that old would continue to direct, but not act. I'd think directing is tougher. I haven't seen this, because I don't think it's out yet.
"Milk". Good movie. Overrated by the critics. And the gays. But it's a thousand times better than Brokeback Mountain, which was crap. It's always more enjoyable watching a bio-pic when you don't know much about the characters portrayed. Extra points for them being accurate (I'm looking forward to seeing Cadillac Records, but have already read that they've distorted the facts of some of the musicians on the Chess label).
"The Visitor". I loved this movie. It would be in my Top 10. Some people might think it's slow. Or predictable. I don't think it's either of those things.
"Forgetting Sarah Marshall". I didn't think I'd like this, because it's hard to have sympathy for someone that has a bad break-up, and they can't just move on. And what point do you label them a stalker, or just tell them to get over it and find someone else. But, the character is smart enough, and funny enough, that we do feel bad for him. And we root for him. The conversations with his brother (Bill Hader from Saturday Night Live), are LOL funny.
"Frozen River". An okay movie, but another indie picture that critics feel they have to love. A woman with a dead beat ex-husband and kids she can't buy Christmas gifts for, decides to help an Indian woman smuggle people across the border. It's very slow, and doesn't tug at your heart as much as it should.
"Doubt". I have no idea what this movie is.
"Snow Angels". This movie would be in my Top 10. Very, very dark. But very interesting and entertaining. The actor (can't think of his name), was so amazing in Half-Nelson, and equally good here. I hope the Oscars remember him.
"Frost/Nixon". I'm hit and miss with Ron Howard movies. And, I'm burned out on Nixon movies. I'm going to skip this one.
"The Reader". I have to see this. I mean...it's called THE READER. And, Kate Winslet never lets me down (did anyone see that movie from a few years ago, where she hangs out in the park with other housewives? it was great).
"Seven Pounds". I keep seeing commercials for this. And, I have no clue what it's even about. If it gets good reviews I'll check it out.
"Iron Man". I liked this movie so much more than I expected to. It would make my Top 25, for sure. Am I the only one that didn't think Jeff Bridges would turn out to be a bad guy? And am I the only one that doesn't find Gwyneth Paltrow all that attractive? And, I really can't believe that Robert Downey, Jr. was able to turn his life around. He had so many arrests over the years, I had given up hope.
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona". I can name 5 Woody Allen movies that would make my Top 50 all-time movie list. But why do people still think he's this cinematic genius? This movie was enjoyable to watch, but it was really crap. The story would've never happened (Javier Barden approaching Scarlett Johanssen and her friend asking if they would be interested in a threesome). Both are married, but Scarlett goes for him. And, their conversations aren't that interesting. I mean, because he cries when he watches a flamenco guitarist, we're supposed to believe that would get a woman in the sack? And for his ex...Penelope Cruz to show up (she'll be nominated for an Oscar for this, and I'm not sure why) and act insane. Why would he even deal with that? The movie is so annoying. I did love seeing Barcelona, though.
"W." I don't see Oliver Stone movies. He's like Michael Moore. He has an agenda, and therefore, doesn't make movies that I bother seeing. AND I'M A DEMOCRAT!
"Henry Poole Is Here" Is this a porno, or a regular film?
"Burn After Reading". This would be in my Top 10 of the year. I saw it three times (although once was at a dollar theatre in Hawaii, with people that hadn't seen it).
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". The commercials look great. And Brad Pitt is really a great actor. I'm sure it will be nominated for make-up Oscars (Pitt is born an old man, and gradually becomes young...taken from, I believe, an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story).
"WALL-E". I don't watch animated movies, unless I'm babysitting kids. And my stepbrother, that loves animated movies, was disappointed with this.
"The Bank Job". On my stepbrothers birthday, a bunch of us went to see this. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I'm guessing it would make my Top 25 of the year. I did cringe when the bad guys were smashing a number of XKE's. Was that really necesary, people?
"Tropic Thunder". I saw this at a Reader premiere. I'm not sure how it can be on anyones list for the best of the year. I laughed enough to say it was worth watching. Robert Downey Jr. is worth the price of admission alone. And the way the movie starts with the fake trailors, is brilliant. And it makes the rapper, who does a video about how much he likes womens breats...even funnier later in the movie when he comes out of the closet.
"Che". Haven't seen it. I heard it's so long, the movie is going to have an intermission. Benico will probably get a nomination for this.