Previous Movies in 2009...

So now that i've stated a blog, here's a list of the movies i've seen earlier this year with a few words on each of them...

Alias: Season 1 (2008) - (7/10) - Never seen the show and just started watching b/c JJ Abrams is a badass and i love Michael Giacchino's scores so it's always good to catch up on everything he has done before Star Trek comes out this summer

Amelie' (2001) - (10/10) - Everyone needs to see this movie if they haven't already. A stunning use of color and post modern editing, this movie is an existential masterpiece in it's themes of searching for love and the out of body experience one finds helping people be happy.

Apaloosa (Blu Ray) (2008) - (7/10) - Listened to the commentary by director Ed Harris who starred with Viggo Mortenson as, well, badasses. A little slow at times, i still liked it as a new take on the western which examines the stereotypes of cowboys and almost gives you a Open Range type of feel when they're alone. Everything is ruined by annoying, squinty Renee Zellwigger though and saved by Jeremy Irons take as a villian, reminding me of Die Hard 3.

Babylon AD (Blu Ray) (2008) - (6/10) - This movie got a bad rap in theatres and even though it's far from Blade Runner, the director's cut is a little bit better and worth checking out. The opening rap song with Vin Diesel walking in slow mo is badass, and anytime a backflip on a snowmobile can take out a stealth, i'm in.

Back to the Future (1985) - (9/10) - The re-release of this on a new 2 disc edition gave me an excuse to go back and listen to the commentary with Bob Zemeciks and producers. Interesting to learn how ILM used the same technology as Star Wars, this movie was the definition of a underdog blockbuster which, with a little help from Steven Speilberg, became a true classic for sci fi.

Band of Brothers (Blu Ray) (2001) - (10/10) - The best miniseries ever created, there was no chance i wasn't going to rewatch this again on Blu Ray. The way that you get to know each individual and see the interviews with them talking about it today makes the action even more realistic than Saving Private Ryan. An unforgettable war experience of what it was like.

Bangkok Dangerous (Blu Ray) (2008) - (3/10) - Wow, so Nicholas Cage movies have gotten terrible since films like The Rock, Con Air, and Face Off which kinda pisses me off. This movie was laughable in almost every sense from the long haircut to the annoying sidekick chick who was clearly retarded. This movie didn't even have cool kung fu and it was set in Thailand!

Billy Elliot (2000) - (7/10) - After enjoying The Reader in theatres and hearing that Stephen Daldry has never made a film not nominated for an Oscar, I went ahead and watched Billy Elliot which portrays a young Jamie Bell (King Kong/Defiance) learning his passion for Dance School in northern england amidst a work strike at the local mine. Solid enough for the locations and strong theme of family acceptance, this is probably something i won't need to see again.

Burn After Reading (Blu Ray) - (2008) - (8/10) - Some people don't get the dry comedy of the Coen Brothers but I think this movie is hilarious. After winning everything for NCFOM last year, they come back with an star cast of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, John Malkovich, and JK Simmons to parody spy novels where gym workers blackmail a government agent. They're all so stupid that by the end you can't help but laugh when you see them kill eachother over "super secret shit".

Carrie (Blu ray) (1976) - (6/10) - Definitely in need of a remake, this old school Stephen King flick is entertaining enough to make fun of the dated high school slang and psychic revenge plot.

City of Ember (2008) - (7/10) - This movie was better than expected with an original plot of a futuristic underground society that was locked in a cave long ago so they wouldn't destroy the rest of the human race with over population. There are cool, almost Village/Matrix-like ideas of knowing there is another reality out there and showing the creativity needed to solve puzzles on a quest to expose the truth of a corrupt hiearchy who want to enslave our future free will.

Clerks II (Blu ray) (2006) - (7/10) - Clerks II is as dirty and hilarious as i remember, this time watching it w/ the commentary by Kevin Smith/Cast who detail the daily on-set shananagans of putting on the donkey show and how the only "Return" is Return of the Jedi. I think Kevin Smith movies have the dirty dialogue we want but not the people we can identify with like Apatow.

Closing the Ring (2007) -(4/10) - I seriously only watched this movie to see Mischa Barton's breasts.

Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father (2008) - (7/10) - One of the saddest documentaries i've ever seen about a real dude who was killed by his crazy ex girlfriend and then after she harbors the dead guy's baby, goes into an intense legal battle with his grandparents for custody. Even with low budget camera work, this movie showed me how evil people can be.

Death Race (Blu Ray) (2008) - (8/10) - A successful remake! This was the true definition of a"movie for guys who like movies". Sick armored cars with huge tracking gunfight shots, this incorporated live car stunts with special fx to show huge pyrotechnic battles in a race to get out of prison. What more could you ask for! After seeing the original, this one is way better with Jason Statham doing his usual Handsome Rob "and i'll have our shirt" comedy.

Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog (2008) - (9/10) - An internet sensation that was created during the writer's strike by Joss Whedon, it follows Barney himself Neil Patrick Harris as a diabolical supervillian who sings about taking over the world. Nathan Fillion's turn as his nemesis Dr. Hammer though is the highlight, stealing the girl with his "and I mean my penis" line.

The Duchess (2008) - (6/10) - Keira Knightly. In a Corset. She does it better than anyone else, though I liked Atonement better.

Eagle Eye (Blu ray) (2008) - (7/10) - Another movie created in direct response to our current fear of government surveillance, Eagle Eye is a basically a far-fetched chase movie about how our phones and digital technology can be used to spy on us. Shia Labeouf, directed by his Disturbia collaborator DJ Caruso, plays the everyman who is thrown into a cat/mouse game of proving his innocence against an AI system intent on using him to protect the world from ourselves.

Everything is Illuminated (2005) - (7/10) - This movie was weird but in a good way. You follow this weird road trip that Elijah Wood has over to Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather in WWII and meet all these crazy locals with accents who slowly join his quest to uncover the truth. There's some funny slang and people making fun of american culture.

The Express (2008) - (8/10) - Like Remember the Titans, this historical biopic about Ernie Davis being the first black man to win the Heisman has a really great cast, soundtrack and production value to the film that uses the camera to make you feel like you're playing football in the 60s. The racism and obstacles these athletes faced to become heroes is good to remember.

Fearless (2006) (Blu Ray) - (7/10) - A new director's cut of the film was just released on Blu Ray so i decided to check it out. A little long, the fight scenes are great but Jet Li never is emotional enough to connect with and it gets bogged down by the backstory.

Friday the 13th 1-8 (1980s) - (4/6) - I've grouped these together b/c they're basically the same movie over and over again. To get preprared for the new reboot this year, i watched them all and realized how crappy the films look after all this time. At least they know what people like.

Ghost Town (2008) - (7/10) - This movie was hilarious but if you're not a Ricky Gervais fan then you prob won't like this movie. Written by David Koepp who usually works for Speilberg, there is an improv-like honesty about Gervais' comedy as he plays an asshole dentist who helps dead people complete what they forgot to do in their lives while also finding love and fixing his.

Great Escape, The (1963) - (9/10) - A classic war movie about a prison break from a German POW camp, it was nice to revisit this again on a new collectors edition DVD and see the restored print as well as the documentaries of the real life people who survived this incredible story.

Green Mile, The (1999) - (10/10) - Frank Darabont is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors of all time. Adapted from the Stephen King story, this film is almost 3 hours long yet you are so engrossed by the magic onscreen and how the camera moves within it that you can't help but cheer. The commentary I listened to really covered everything from the casting process, the special fx work as well as the underlying themes of redemption and longevity.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Blu Ray) (2008) - (10/10) - As a sequel, this movie succeeds more than any film in recent memory. GDT was able to unleash his inner geek on this and after listening to his commentary, you can really respect the amazing set detail, special fx shots and fight choreography that made this my favorite comic book movie of last year. The troll market scene shows how they use real costumes combined with digital FX to bring out the color and architectural themes that convey the history of these forgotten creatures who fight for survival.

Henry Poole Is Here (Blu Ray) (2008) - (7/10) - An odd little movie w/ Luke Wilson, it follows his destructive path of giving up on life when diagnosed with an incurable disease, only to find new hope when his house has a stain in the shape of jesus. The weird neighbors and strong idea of everything happens for a reason resonates, but there are too many unknowns to be great.

House Bunny, The (Blu Ray) (2008) - (6/10) - Anna Farris is pretty dumb but hot most of the time in this movie about a failed playboy bunny taking over a sorority. It's PG-13 so there's nothing you'd want from a visit to the playboy mansion as well as having annoying girls as main characters.

Iron Giant, The (1999) - (9/10) - Director Brad Bird of Pixar's The Incredibles and Ratatouille originally made this excellent animated film about a robot from space that befriends a boy who must hide it from government annhiliation. What makes this movie great is the relationship that develops which teaches both of them the emotions and courage it takes to be human.

James and the Giant Peach (1996) - (7/10) - Henry Selick adapted this Raul Daul story in stop motion animation about a boy who tries to escape his family by meeting weird animals inside a giant peach. I watched this along with all of his films to get ready for Coraline in 3D.

King Kong EE (Blu Ray) (2005) - (10/10) - Peter Jackon's epic masterpiece will not be everyone's cup of tea but it definitely is one of my favorite movies of all time. From the opening scenes of vintage New York to the spectatcular visual fx of kong and the dinosaurs, this movie has it all. The emotional score by James Newton Howard cements this film as a true journey of creativity.

Lakeview Terrace (2008) - (5/10) - Samuel L Jackson plays the same character every time. A racist movie about a white dude hooking up with a black chick in surburbia, Jackson is the police officer who will stop at nothing to ruin their lives all the way up to the gay, predicatble ending.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings EE (2001) - (10/10) - As the first part in the LOTR trilogy, this is considered to be the best by some though i like to think of them all as one film. I went back to this in order to listen to the commentary by Peter Jackson and it really made me love it even more for how this one really created the tone for the rest of the trilogy. The set location of the shire they created to the troll battle and balrog effects, they explain how they use practical on set movement of the actors and then integrate the green screen effects flawlessly.

Lord of the Rings: Two Towers EE (2002) - (10/10) - The second part of the LOTR trilogy, this film showed off the massive effect program of WETA to coordinate orc movement on the battlefield and made the scope even bigger this time around. Once again listening to the commentary, it was cool to hear how they filmed all the movies at once and jumped around within each film shooting out of sequence. The scale models they built of Helm's Deep and matte paintings used for Minias Tirith and the Ents makes you realize that everything comes from drawings first.

Lost: Season 4 (Blu Ray) (2008) - (9/10) - The most complex and rewarding show on television, I rewatched the entire 4th seaon on Blu Ray again with all the commentaries and on set diaries in order to get ready for th premiere for this 5th season of time travel craziness. Best.show.ever.

Mad Max 2 (Blu Ray) (1981) - (6/10) - Mel Gibson's apocalyptic sequel to the Road Warrior finds him surving against bandits who control the streets and kill anyone on sight. Some of the action and stunts are good when the cars are driving fast but when it slows down it stalls.

Madagascar: Esacpe 2 Africa (Blu Ray) (2008) - (6/10) - I thought the first Madagascar was funny enough but this sequel sucked. Putting too much emphasis on moving the plot forward and not enough charcter interaction, even the penguins couldn't save this preachy kids movie.

Masters of the Universe (1987) - (9/10) - After hearing that a remake was underway, i pulled out my old DVD and listened to the commentary track by the director. I LOVED this movie as a kid and of course it's dated but it's freakin He-Man! Frank Langella as skeletor is a great villian and Dolph Lungren as He-Man made it a realistic take on the classic cartoon.

Max Payne (Blu Ray) (2008) - (5/10) - Hoping that they would use a bunch of bullet-time like the video game it's adapted from, this movie is laughably bad with Mark Wahlber doing his best impression of a cop with a stick up his ass trying to avenge his wife's death against the criminal underworld. The editing is horrible, there's no blood at all and has maybe one cool action scene in the entire movie. On top of all that, the plot doesn't even make sense!

Miracle at St. Anna (Blu Ray) (2008) - (6/10) - This movie is as slow as everyone is saying which is kind of a disapointment given we've got Spike Lee behind the camera doing a war movie. The problems lie with the plot not getting started fast enough and though the black actors are strong enough to fight realistically, they do not stand out against one another which creates no sympathy. Weak theme of miracles and stone heads that can make you survive.

Mirrors (Blu Ray) (2008) - (6/10) - A pretty boring horror movie where Kiefer Sutherland plays a secruity guard in an old department store where mirrors stay clean and contain these crazy spirits or demon whatever that makes you kill yourself. You get some good gore of a chin ripped off but the final scene and explanation is so ridiculous that you don't even feel sorry for them.

Monty Python's Meaning of Life (1983) - (7/10) - One of the better Monty Python films, it just doesn't seem as funny compared to the more realistic situations of Superbad or Pineapple Express nowadays. Plus I always like The Holy Grail better.

My Best Friends Girls (2008) - (5/10) - Dane Cook should stick to standup b/c he just comes off as cocky and annoying when he plays this guy who is such an ass he drives the girls he dates back to their ex boyfriends for cash. This movie has a couple laughs but is a completely formulaic romantic comedy that is embarrasing for everyone involved.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (Blu Ray) (2008) - (8/10) - Some indie films have a hard time finding an audience but this didn't with Michael Cera playing the same cool guy as always in this funny but realistic romp around the New York club scene as friends try to find a secret band. We've all been there dealing with the drunk chick, losing someone who's cell phone died, or meeting up with your ex in the crazy stuper of blackouts which makes you reflect. The star of this movie though is the soundtrack which brings just enough emotion to believe that two ordinary people can be brought together by the most extraordinary circumstances.

One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest (Blu Ray) (1975) - (9/10) - I wanted to check the Blu Ray transfer and commentary on this classic re-release and even though it's dated, it really has some awesome acting by Jack Nicholson who reminds us why he's so good. The ideas of rebelling within a psych ward and showing the fruits of life to those who have never experiences it is sad and hilarious all at once when you see the true friendships that result.

Pineapple Express (Blu Ray) (2008) - (10/10) - THE ultimate stoner movie of our generation, there are so many gut-busting scenes in this that you just have to see it to believe it. From the opening B/W interrogation to the cross joint and car chase, this movie directed by David Gordon Green combines the buddy comedy and action films like 48hrs and let's you experience it through too stoners who are so out of their element they have to discuss every decision they make. Plus it's Danny McBride's cat's birthday!

Planet of the Apes (Blu Ray) (1968) - (7/10) - I hadn't seen this in a while so i figured now that it was on Blu Ray i would see it in it's best form. You know, it's alright as a sci-fi film and social allegory for the hierarcy of race back then but it doesn't have enough action to compare to today's standards. The commentary i listened to reveals some tidbits that they left the surprise statue of liberty ending out of the script as well as getting Charleton Heston to do his own stunts.

Rear Window (1954) - (8/10) - One of Hitchcock's best films, this paranoia based thriller starring Jimmy Stewart is effective enough because it doesn't try to change locations but rather keeps you looking for clues in everything around you. After breaking a leg, he starts monitoring his neighbors through binoculars only to think he sees someone kill their wife. Just when you think he is imagining things, the paranoia turns real into a great character study through editing and sound.

RockNRolla (Blu Ray) (2008) - (7/10) - Guy Ritchie's return to form with this gangster drama set in the criminal underworld of England is a movie that has some cool editing and characters but ultimately doesn't come together as a whole like Snatch. The painting which is stolen is never shown almost as a McGuffin but the slang and action is entirely british so it really is almost too complicated for it's own good.

Sand Pebbles, The (Blu Ray) (1966) - (6/10) - An old war movie i wanted to check out after seeing Steve McQueen in The Great Escape, this one is much longer at 3 hrs and slower following a battleship crew who get into trouble in international waters. Not as good as i'd hoped.

Sharkwater (2006) - (8/10) - A fascinating documentary on the sharkfin trade around Costa Rica follows a die-hard diving enthusiast as he interviews and uncovers the conspiracy of governments allowing these companies to exploit this expensive commodity. Some of the footage shows the actual cutting of the fins which might be hard for some to watch but it was good to know what is really going on. I believe now they might have outlawed it which means this film worked.

Shawshank Redemption, The (Blu Ray) (1994) - (10/10) - #1 on IMDBs most popular movies of all time, this is Frank Darabont's masterpiece which follows Tim Robbins as a wrongly convicted man who befriends Morgan Freeman's "Red" in a high security prison. I watched the new Blu Ray release with the commentary as well and it is highly recommended to get a feel of why certain scenes were shown vs. hidden and the themes of never losing your faith in freedom.

Shotgun Stories (2007) - (7/10) - A smaller flick about a couple of redneck brothers who get caught up in a fight with locals ends up as a character study of what truly is worth revenging when you might lose your entire family. Michael Shannon is great as the lead brother.

Spartacus (1960) - (6/10) - For some reason i thought this movie was more epic than it is but Stanley Kubrick gives weight to Kirk Douglas as a slave who must overcome cage battles and beatings to ultimately gain his freedom. Starz is doing the remake as an original series.

Speed Racer (Blu ray) (2008) - (10/10) - Rice crispy balls anyone? This movie demands respect in an almost religious aspect for not only bringing faith back in the Wachowski brothers but creating a trippy rollercoaster ride through a world that has never been seen before. Michael Giacchino's score and Emile Hirsh as Speed are essential to making this movie epic.

Substitute, The (2007) - (5/10) - A weird story about an alien virus that takes over a teacher's body and then tries to brainwash her kids into going to some farm to be taken back into space. Part horror movie, part comedy, the subtititles really add to the effect, an almost Faculty feel.

Taking of Pelham 123, The (1974) - (6/10) - The only reason i watched this was to get an understanding of what they were going for with the new remake by Tony Scott coming out. In this older action flick, Walter Matthau plays a train controller who has to negotiate with Robert Shaw as a terrorist who has taken over the Pelham 123 train. Predictable and dated, wait for new one.

Towelhead (2007) - (7/10) - A definite product of a post American Beauty world, this film follows the troubles an Arab-American girl has learning about sexuality and growing up in a suburbia town. There are some interesting ideas of tolerance and how we view outsiders in today's culture but it was just weird when she gets raped and bleeds by the dude next door.

Unforgiven (Blu Ray) (1992) - (9/10) - Clint Eastwood won best director and picture for this western morality tale of an aged gunslinger who must once again go back out for hire on men who beat on whores in a small town. Morgan Freeman as his partner brings great respect and calmness to this movie which takes advantage of western themes and landscapes to convey the history of these two guys and what it took to survive back then.

Very Long Engagement, A (2004) - (9/10) - Not knowing exactly what this was about going in, this movie stuck a chord with me with it's crazy flashback sequences of a woman struggling to find her lover lost at war. There are some really cool battle scenes transposed with the clues picked up across the way of where he ended up that makes this better than people know.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Blu ray) (2008) - (7/10) - Woody Allen's newest film is cool b/c we get Penelope Cruz and Scarlet Johannson kissing but the true standout in this film is Javier Bardem as a painter who seduces everything he touches. I wish i was as smooth as he is in this and it made me realize you kinda got to play the life's short card by taking advantage of every waking minute.

Wackness, The (Blu ray) (2008) - (8/10) - A curious coming of age drama about a weed dealer in the 90s who trades the green for psychotherapy from Ben Kingsley. With a hard rap soundtrack that kind of motives our characters within the scene, it nontheless has an appealing laid back feel of not giving a shit about the important stuff and just being who you are.

Zach and Miri Make A Porno (Blu Ray) (2008) - (9/10) - Kevin Smith's latest is also my favorite film of his about a pair of slackers who can't pay their electric bill so they decide to make a porno. Seth Rogen is the same as always but it's Justin Long as a gay porn star who steals the show. The use of raunchy dilaogue and porn parody really elevates this above other comedies because we get the happy ending as well as the most outrageous sex stunts i've seen on film in a while.

Zodiac (Blu Ray) (2007) - (10/10) - The best procedural serial killer movie i've ever seen, David Fincher uses his dark shadows and eery undertones of san francisco to bring to life the true story of the Zodiac Killer. At a huge 2 hrs and 40 min, this movie is epic in not just the amount of detail they give us on the case, but the way we see each character change and become more obsessed as time goes by. The use of digital work also enhances the reality of the backgrounds by recreating the exact feel and look of the times. Between this, Se7en, and Fight Club, DF is the man!