My childhood was a lie. I was brought up on movies with a firm expectation that at least by the year 2010 we'd know of other life beyond our world. Perhaps they'd be our friends, or we their masters. Or perhaps they would rule us -after all they did travel millions of lightyears through heavy meteor showers, temperature shifts, gravity jumps, and Rosche Limits (for all of you extradimensional enthusiasts) just to visit us- with the simple thought of a new home to find us inhabiting that new home like a bunch of natives who still haven't figured out that Hydrogen, when infused with Zinc and ionized to the second particle, can in fact create a sustainable warp drive for any nonchalant space voyage to the local Ralph's, thus forcing us to take cover as a resistance sect with a promised squad of fighters hidden just behind the sun to save us in the nick of time........ but I digress.
I guess all I can really talk about right now is 2010 as it has been. And what it has been is... well, reality. I don't think I knew reality before this year. I've been known to oversimplify and idealize things. This year I found myself actually working. And still managing to do what I love to do when I'm allowed to do it, because it's damn hard to get an acting gig but when they come along you gotta catch 'em. I'm an actor. It's nice to know that is still progressing. I've only lived my whole life with that intention, so I think 2011 will be an interesting year.
But back to 2010. The focus here is movies... and where were the good alien movies this year? Hm? Anyway, I'm gonna make a list... or rather three lists: Favorites, Honorable Mentions, and Most Disappointing. I'll start with the later.
Most Disappointing Films of 2010:
The Tempest
It hurt my heart so bad to hate... hate's too strong... to meh this movie. Nothing happens. It's not the Tempest I know nor is it interesting. I was sadly ashamed to be in that theatre by the end.
Machete
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't memorable either. When I walk into a Robert Rodriguez film I expect to enjoy the hell out of that thing, and instead I found myself nodding off... which I never ever do when a movie's on.
Splice
Why did I have expectations for this? All of the trailers looked awful. So how did the reviews sway me into stepping foot into that theatre? And how were all of those reviewers so confused into saying it was worthy of my time? That is the true mystery.
Alice In Wonderland
Because this movie just sucked. Would it have been so hard to adapt the story we know and love into a big budget extravaganza? Shame on you Tim Burton.
Robin Hood
See above (Replace Tim Burton with Ridley Scott).
The Last Airbender
This was a wonderful TV show that needed only to be copied and pasted to the big screen... but instead we got M. Night... Thanks.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Could've been fun. Wasn't.
The Other Guys
It didn't suck, but it's not rewatchable.
Okay, on to the good.
Honorable Mentions:
Favorite Documentary: Waiting For Superman
Favorite Adaptation-Of-A-Favorite Film: Let Me In
Favorite Kid's-Flick-That'll-Scare-A-Kid: The Legend Of The Guardians
Favorite 3D: Piranha
Favorite Old-Guy-Takes-Out-The-Trash Film: Harry Brown
Favorite Films of 2010 (in some strange order):
8. The Social Network
Because Aaron Sorkin can do no wrong (ignore police records).
2. The King’s Speech
Colin Firth... and so much more.
7. Inception
Basically exactly how I feel about The Dark Knight. Totally rewatchable despite its flaws.
10. Buried
Surprisingly entertaining. How did they make this a movie??
1. Black Swan
A film I will have both Fantasies and Nightmares about. Now that's amazing.
4. 127 Hours
So... Awesome... I still can't believe how much this movie took out of me, in a good way.
6. How To Train Your Dragon
Because it had the balls to be good. And it's the first time I've ever seen Dreamworks attempt to make something of quality. Weird.
5. True Grit
I still love the Coen Bros. This movie moved so well and was tonally right on target. I prefer it to the original, minus the Saving Private Ryan ending. But c'est la vie.
9. Tangled
Took me from my seat and placed me back into my childhood. Made me feel emotions I haven't felt since I first tasted a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Yum.
3. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
For me, the most entertaining movie of the year, without any doubt. I loved the whole ride.
Thanks for reading and have an awesome New Years!
(2003)
(2003)
(2003)
(1996)
(1993)
(1992)
(1992)
(1990)
(1988)
(1983)
(1947)
(1946)
, you know what I hoped to walk into as the lights went down and the storm settled in. But... I was strenuously bored. I've never actually felt that bored during a Shakespeare production of any kind. Maybe it was the poor use of some actors (Russell Brand, Djimon Hounsou)... or the utter lack of use of others (Alan Cumming, Chris Cooper, David Strathairn). Or maybe it was just the mismatch of plot with imagery. In fact, I'd go so far as to say there was never any intention to tell the full story of The Tempest here, rather Julie Taymor one day decided it'd be cool to do a film with magic on an island... oh, there's already a play like that?? I'm sorry. But with the failures in the press of Spidey on Broadway and this latest feet, you have to earn my trust back Julie. Or go back to your roots in opera where they could obviously still use your talents. Or maybe take a break all together. Yeah, do that last one. Stop telling stories until you actually have another story you have to tell.
, 
. And Geoffrey Rush was brilliant as well. So we have a movie where the two leads shine as well as the director as well as the supporting cast as well as the camera operator as well as the set designer. Everything just seems to work here. And that stutter... How?! Pitch perfect. I love this film. Maybe you will too.
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