This is the next in a series of 12 posts discussing the most memorable films of each year. Not the best or the highest grossing, but the ones that had all the factors that make us still remember them today. Today we focus on 2004.
10. Troy- It helps that Troy is played on many networks a few times a week, so most everyone has seen it. Not the greatest movie of the year, and not the most accurate interpretation of The Iliad, but a very cool film none the less. It helped Brad Pitt transform into an action star, and really put a lot of actors on the map. Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brendan Gleeson, Diane Kruger, Brian Cox, Rose Byrne, James Cosmo, Garrett Hedlund, and Sean Bean all co-starred with Pitt, and all have either become famous or reignited stale careers since Troy.
9. The Incredibles- The original super hero team. Pixar knocked another one out of the park, and The Incredibles holds up very well 8 years later. The voice work in particular is fantastic, and the tongue in cheek humor makes The Incredibles truly incredible.
8. National Treasure- Nicholas Cage has had an interesting career, and showing up in this film from Jerry Bruckheimer billed as a "family" film was a strange choice, however the box office result was incredible, and it is truly a great family film. Not many films can be watched and enjoyed by an 8 year old and equally as much by his or her parents.
7. Ray- Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles, and the performance is breathtaking. The film however is more than just the single performance, and is still memorable and heart breaking.
6. Million Dollar Baby- The Best Picture winner at the Oscars, and a truly amazing film. Clint Eastwood continued his directing and acting hot streak in this film about a female boxer played by Hilary Swank. Morgan Freeman gave an Oscar winning supporting performance as well. What makes MDB so memorable is the complete jaw dropping game changer that happens two-thirds of the way through, ensuring no one will ever forget the movie.
5. Crash- Another Best Picture winner (two films released in the same year can both win best picture at two different ceremonies depending if released in January or February thru December). The film started the trend of several narratives coming together and has a true all star cast. Race is the main subject and while the film was released in the summer, it maintained its momentum all the way until the next Oscar telecast.
4. Spiderman 2- Something about superhero sequels makes them better than the originals and the trilogy finishers. Think Dark Knight, Blade II, X2, and of course, Spiderman 2. Spiderman 2 was able to get past all the origin stuff as it was dealt with already, and it allowed director Sam Raimi to focus on new problems and solutions, along with a greatly acted villain with Alfred Molina playing Dr. Octopus.
3. The Notebook- How many sappy movies based of Nicholas Sparks novels have been released since The Notebook? At least 4 or 5, as well as hundreds of copy cats. However capturing what The Notebook captured would be truly difficult. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling were relative unknowns at the time, and delivered amazingly. Everyone cries at the end of The Notebook, and don't pretend like you didn't.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- Another film that has been copycatted hundreds of times but never replicated. The Jim Carrey/Kate Winslet love story is everything a typical love story is, and so much more. With great supporting performances by Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Kirsten Dunst, the film is truly eternal.
1. Passion of the Christ- Not trying to be controversial here, as I know many did not see the film as they are not religious or believe in a different religion, but what makes Passion so memorable is how polarizing it is. Mel Gibson is remembered mostly for now being kind of crazy, but in 2004 he self financed and made Passion, and the film took in an absolute boatload of money. The film was also controversial and heavily talked about. In addition, whether you view the film as fiction or fact, it is incredibly well done.
Honorable Mentions: Hotel Rwanda, Closer, Collateral, The Aviator, Sideways, Finding Neverland, Team America: World Police, Dodgeball, The Day After Tomorrow, Napoleon Dynamite, The Bourne Supremacy.
-Maximus
Monday, May 28, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The Top Films of 2005
This is the 7th in a series of 12 posts discussing the top films of each year. Not necessarily the most profitable films or the best, but the most memorable.
10. Brick- While the film didn't make a dent at the box office, those who saw it know just how good it is. A noir thriller that is among the best in the genre, except its set in High School. The story of a shy young man trying to figure out who killed the girl he loved, JGL is exceptional.
9. Munich- Steven Spielberg returns to war in this film about a team of agents trying to find and assassinate a terrorist group responsible for bombing the 1972 Olympics. This is the film and performance that won Daniel Craig the role of James Bond, and while the film is not heavy on action, it is brutal when it has to be.
8. Jarhead- Very few films tackle wars similar to ones we are currently involved in, but Jarhead decided to throw caution to the wind and make a film about the first Gulf war. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a great performance as a soldier who can't find war despite being in the middle of it. You get great supporting performances from Peter Sarsguard and Jamie Foxx.
7. History of Violence- David Croneberg and Viggo Mortensen team up again to a film that is both brutally violent and shockingly sexual. The story of a normal man (Mortensen) who in the act of defending his small town restaurant, becomes a local hero. However that is a problem for him as he used to be an enforcer for his mob boss brother (William Hurt) and had been in hiding for many years. Ed Harris and Maria Bello bring great performances but the real story is Hurt, who was nominated for an Oscar even though he only had about 4 minutes of screen time.
6. Mr. & Mrs. Smith- Most people remember this film as the one that created the tabloid monster Brangelina, and destroyed Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. However past that is a great film, full of terrific action, amazing chemistry, and surprising humor. Doug Liman likes to reinvent the action genre every few years as he did with The Bourne Identity, and he did it again here.
5. The 40 Year Old Virgin- Everyone remembers the chest waxing scene, but its just one of about a 100 that are etched into your memory after the film. The concept is simple, yet the film tells it in a hilarious yet honest way. This film showed everyone Judd Apatow would be a director to contend with in the coming years.
4. V for Vendetta- Most people refer to this as the "movie where Natalie Portman shaved her head" but its so much more. Based off a graphic novel, and more complex than most films can ever hope to become, V is a film that is loved by all who have seen it.
3. Sin City- Another graphic novel based film, this one with an all star cast of Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Clarke Duncan, Elijah Wood, and many more. The film tells three separate yet loosely connected stories of murder, betrayal, and relationships in Sin City. This was another graphic novel many considered not a realistic big screen option, but directors Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, and Frank Miller proved them wrong.
2. Batman Begins- While The Dark Knight gets all the credit, Batman Begins is a perfect film. As a Batman fan, I was skeptical on how the director of Memento would do with the caped crusader, but my doubts were proven quickly wrong. Begins is only #2 on this list because many forget about it when the think of the series due to how perfect The Dark Knight also was, but I caution people to remember this film, as a decade from now we may wonder which is actually better.
1. King Kong- A remake of the beloved films by the director of the Lord of the Rings? No way this lives up to the hype right? It did. King Kong is every bit the accomplishment the LOTR trilogy was in its scope and execution. Perfectly cast and wonderfully made, King Kong was amazing in every sense of the word.
Honorable Mentions- Brokeback Mountain, Walk the Line, Syriana, Kingdom of Heaven, Redeye, Star Wars Episode III, Cinderella Man.
-Maximus
10. Brick- While the film didn't make a dent at the box office, those who saw it know just how good it is. A noir thriller that is among the best in the genre, except its set in High School. The story of a shy young man trying to figure out who killed the girl he loved, JGL is exceptional.
9. Munich- Steven Spielberg returns to war in this film about a team of agents trying to find and assassinate a terrorist group responsible for bombing the 1972 Olympics. This is the film and performance that won Daniel Craig the role of James Bond, and while the film is not heavy on action, it is brutal when it has to be.
8. Jarhead- Very few films tackle wars similar to ones we are currently involved in, but Jarhead decided to throw caution to the wind and make a film about the first Gulf war. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a great performance as a soldier who can't find war despite being in the middle of it. You get great supporting performances from Peter Sarsguard and Jamie Foxx.
7. History of Violence- David Croneberg and Viggo Mortensen team up again to a film that is both brutally violent and shockingly sexual. The story of a normal man (Mortensen) who in the act of defending his small town restaurant, becomes a local hero. However that is a problem for him as he used to be an enforcer for his mob boss brother (William Hurt) and had been in hiding for many years. Ed Harris and Maria Bello bring great performances but the real story is Hurt, who was nominated for an Oscar even though he only had about 4 minutes of screen time.
6. Mr. & Mrs. Smith- Most people remember this film as the one that created the tabloid monster Brangelina, and destroyed Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. However past that is a great film, full of terrific action, amazing chemistry, and surprising humor. Doug Liman likes to reinvent the action genre every few years as he did with The Bourne Identity, and he did it again here.
5. The 40 Year Old Virgin- Everyone remembers the chest waxing scene, but its just one of about a 100 that are etched into your memory after the film. The concept is simple, yet the film tells it in a hilarious yet honest way. This film showed everyone Judd Apatow would be a director to contend with in the coming years.
4. V for Vendetta- Most people refer to this as the "movie where Natalie Portman shaved her head" but its so much more. Based off a graphic novel, and more complex than most films can ever hope to become, V is a film that is loved by all who have seen it.
3. Sin City- Another graphic novel based film, this one with an all star cast of Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Clarke Duncan, Elijah Wood, and many more. The film tells three separate yet loosely connected stories of murder, betrayal, and relationships in Sin City. This was another graphic novel many considered not a realistic big screen option, but directors Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, and Frank Miller proved them wrong.
2. Batman Begins- While The Dark Knight gets all the credit, Batman Begins is a perfect film. As a Batman fan, I was skeptical on how the director of Memento would do with the caped crusader, but my doubts were proven quickly wrong. Begins is only #2 on this list because many forget about it when the think of the series due to how perfect The Dark Knight also was, but I caution people to remember this film, as a decade from now we may wonder which is actually better.
1. King Kong- A remake of the beloved films by the director of the Lord of the Rings? No way this lives up to the hype right? It did. King Kong is every bit the accomplishment the LOTR trilogy was in its scope and execution. Perfectly cast and wonderfully made, King Kong was amazing in every sense of the word.
Honorable Mentions- Brokeback Mountain, Walk the Line, Syriana, Kingdom of Heaven, Redeye, Star Wars Episode III, Cinderella Man.
-Maximus
The Top Films of 2006
This is the 6th in a series of 12 posts discussing the 12 top films of each year. These are not necessarily the most profitable or the best, but the ones that will stick with you for years to come. Unlike 2007, 2006 was full of quality films, and the top 6 on this list alone are among my favorite movies.
10. Half Nelson- Ryan Gosling used to only do under the radar Indie films, this was his best. A gripping performance as a good teacher who is also a crack head, he walks the line between caring and strung out with expert precision. The performance was Oscar nominated and was well deserved.
9. The DaVinci Code- Memorable for some for its gripping edge of your seat plot, memorable for others for the amazing Hans Zimmer score, remembered yet by some for Tom Hanks' hair..... It may not have been as good as the book, but Ron Howard made a very good film out of a book that seemed unable to be put to the screen.
8. Apocalypto- Mel Gibson's film about a peaceful tribe of a Mayan like people who are stumbled upon by a larger, and more brutal culture. The film is completely in subtitles, but gripping and strikingly violent. It was not as big as Gibson's first subtitled film (Passion of the Christ) but it still made a huge impact.
7. Borat- Sasha Baren Cohen's first and only successful full length film turning one of his characters into a way to get hilarious reactions out of people. Everything that made Borat great failed in Bruno, but that doesn't take away how truly hilarious Borat is the first time you see it. The amount of people who sued the film later are just a testament to how successful it was.
6. Blood Diamond- Leonardo DiCaprio makes movies in 2's, he won't do one for a few years, then two will come out the next year, and 2006 was one of his double years. Blood Diamond was the more overlooked of the two that year, but DiCaprio's performance is the stuff acting is made of. He nails the South African accent in a way where it is spot on without being stereotypical. The film is brutal and taxing but amazing none the less. Great supporting performances from Jennifer Connelly and Djimou Hounsou.
5. 300- Like the Matrix, 300 spawned a whole new breed of action movies. Stylized and over the top, but epic in every sense of the word. Gerard Butler, Lena Headley, and Michael Fassbender owe their current A list status to this film, and its one that is still amazing 6 years later.
4. The Prestige- Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale go head to head in this nearly perfect film by Christopher Nolan about two rival magicians who cannot put their hatred for each other aside. The film pulls no punches and keeps you guessing right up until its shocking end.
3. The Departed- 2006's Best Picture winner and the film that finally got Martin Scorsese his Oscar. Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, James Badge Dale, Anthony Anderson, Vera Farminga, and Jack Nicholson lead an amazing cast in a more amazing film that shows Scorsese will kill any character, at any time.
2. Casino Royale- A whole website was dedicated to not having a blond Bond, but when the film finally came out, it brought James Bond back as a force to be reckoned with. The series was grounded after the increasing ridiculous films starring Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig showed he was exactly what the franchise needed, and while it kept its signature humor, the new films are more Bourne than Mission Impossible, and focus on human reactions instead of gadgets.
1. Pans Labyrinth- A Foreign Language film directed by the amazing Guillermo Del Toro about a young girl who enters a dream land to escape her Nazi stepfather. Whether or not its actually a dream land though is the bigger question. The film is part horror, part war, part drama, part fantasy, part children's, but all amazing.
Honorable Mentions- Mission Impossible 3, Once, Miami Vice.
-Maximus
10. Half Nelson- Ryan Gosling used to only do under the radar Indie films, this was his best. A gripping performance as a good teacher who is also a crack head, he walks the line between caring and strung out with expert precision. The performance was Oscar nominated and was well deserved.
9. The DaVinci Code- Memorable for some for its gripping edge of your seat plot, memorable for others for the amazing Hans Zimmer score, remembered yet by some for Tom Hanks' hair..... It may not have been as good as the book, but Ron Howard made a very good film out of a book that seemed unable to be put to the screen.
8. Apocalypto- Mel Gibson's film about a peaceful tribe of a Mayan like people who are stumbled upon by a larger, and more brutal culture. The film is completely in subtitles, but gripping and strikingly violent. It was not as big as Gibson's first subtitled film (Passion of the Christ) but it still made a huge impact.
7. Borat- Sasha Baren Cohen's first and only successful full length film turning one of his characters into a way to get hilarious reactions out of people. Everything that made Borat great failed in Bruno, but that doesn't take away how truly hilarious Borat is the first time you see it. The amount of people who sued the film later are just a testament to how successful it was.
6. Blood Diamond- Leonardo DiCaprio makes movies in 2's, he won't do one for a few years, then two will come out the next year, and 2006 was one of his double years. Blood Diamond was the more overlooked of the two that year, but DiCaprio's performance is the stuff acting is made of. He nails the South African accent in a way where it is spot on without being stereotypical. The film is brutal and taxing but amazing none the less. Great supporting performances from Jennifer Connelly and Djimou Hounsou.
5. 300- Like the Matrix, 300 spawned a whole new breed of action movies. Stylized and over the top, but epic in every sense of the word. Gerard Butler, Lena Headley, and Michael Fassbender owe their current A list status to this film, and its one that is still amazing 6 years later.
4. The Prestige- Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale go head to head in this nearly perfect film by Christopher Nolan about two rival magicians who cannot put their hatred for each other aside. The film pulls no punches and keeps you guessing right up until its shocking end.
3. The Departed- 2006's Best Picture winner and the film that finally got Martin Scorsese his Oscar. Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, James Badge Dale, Anthony Anderson, Vera Farminga, and Jack Nicholson lead an amazing cast in a more amazing film that shows Scorsese will kill any character, at any time.
2. Casino Royale- A whole website was dedicated to not having a blond Bond, but when the film finally came out, it brought James Bond back as a force to be reckoned with. The series was grounded after the increasing ridiculous films starring Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig showed he was exactly what the franchise needed, and while it kept its signature humor, the new films are more Bourne than Mission Impossible, and focus on human reactions instead of gadgets.
1. Pans Labyrinth- A Foreign Language film directed by the amazing Guillermo Del Toro about a young girl who enters a dream land to escape her Nazi stepfather. Whether or not its actually a dream land though is the bigger question. The film is part horror, part war, part drama, part fantasy, part children's, but all amazing.
Honorable Mentions- Mission Impossible 3, Once, Miami Vice.
-Maximus
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Top Films of 2007
This is the 5th in a series of 12 posts discussing the most memorable movies of each year. This year we focus on a very weak year in 2007. Remember, these are not necessarily the best films or the most profitable films, but the most memorable.
10. Michael Clayton- The film and it's star George Clooney racked up a ton of award nominations for Michael Clayton, but the true greatness of the film lies in its supporting performances from Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson. The film also brought back the business thriller genre, which has been dormant for a long time.
9. Into the Wild- Sean Penn has quietly become a very good director despite not being known for it. The terrific Into the Wild was a story that sticks with you, about a young man who gave up everything to find himself, and its based off a true story. The film stays with you long after you finish it. Great supporting performances from Hal Holbrook and Vince Vaughn.
8. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter star in this musical based off the stage play. Sasha Baron Cohen also pops up in a supporting role. The film turned the musical genre on its head with dark visuals and graphic violence, but all of it somehow works well together.
7. Zodiac- David Fincher has been a mainstay on this list, and two years before I discussed the comeback of Robert Downey Jr in Iron Man and Tropic Thunder, he teamed up with Jake Gyllenhaal for this story of the Zodiac killer. How do you make a serial killer movie about a true story where the killer was never caught? Simple, you do the investigation yourself and based off that, you hint at who the killer actually was. The film is very long but every moment is tense and gripping, and what could have been cheap horror, became terrific fun.
6. Enchanted- A live action film combined with the world of cartoons? Why not. In this we get the first big performance from Amy Adams as a princess from the animated Disney like world, but when she is thrust into our world, along with dragons, animals, and a bumbling prince (James Mardsen) you get a ridiculously fun, charming film.
5. Gone Baby Gone- Ben Affleck's first film as a director, and he smartly let himself focus on only that by casting his brother Casey along side Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Amy Ryan, and an amazingly underrated performance by Ed Harris. One of the most gripping films of the year, and one that you never forget as your hero goes the ethical route, instead of the one a less honest movie would have used.
4. American Gangster- Russell Crowe and Josh Brolin give great performances, but the real story is Denzel Washington, cast against type as the villain. He is a sympathetic villain but a bad dude none the less. And the meeting of the powerhouses leaves the viewer thinking about the film for a long time.
3. Juno- The "trendy" movie of the year, pair some very different people with a quirky story line, and boom, you get a bona fide hit. Ellen Page, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, and JK Simmons all give funny and touching performances in what became the best comedy of the year.
2. No Country for Old Men- The film received many props for the performances of its stars, Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin, but is also remembered for its graphic violence and Coen brothers focused plot. The film fails miserably at the 3/4 mark but for 75%, is a great ride.
1. Eastern Promises- The mixture of Viggo Mortensen with director David Cronenberg has given us some spectacular films, but none as good as this. Not as many people saw the film as others on this list, but those who did will never forget it, right up until the final, graphic fight scene, and the final twist. In a weak year for film, Easter Promises runs away with the memories.
-Maximus
10. Michael Clayton- The film and it's star George Clooney racked up a ton of award nominations for Michael Clayton, but the true greatness of the film lies in its supporting performances from Tilda Swinton and Tom Wilkinson. The film also brought back the business thriller genre, which has been dormant for a long time.
9. Into the Wild- Sean Penn has quietly become a very good director despite not being known for it. The terrific Into the Wild was a story that sticks with you, about a young man who gave up everything to find himself, and its based off a true story. The film stays with you long after you finish it. Great supporting performances from Hal Holbrook and Vince Vaughn.
8. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter star in this musical based off the stage play. Sasha Baron Cohen also pops up in a supporting role. The film turned the musical genre on its head with dark visuals and graphic violence, but all of it somehow works well together.
7. Zodiac- David Fincher has been a mainstay on this list, and two years before I discussed the comeback of Robert Downey Jr in Iron Man and Tropic Thunder, he teamed up with Jake Gyllenhaal for this story of the Zodiac killer. How do you make a serial killer movie about a true story where the killer was never caught? Simple, you do the investigation yourself and based off that, you hint at who the killer actually was. The film is very long but every moment is tense and gripping, and what could have been cheap horror, became terrific fun.
6. Enchanted- A live action film combined with the world of cartoons? Why not. In this we get the first big performance from Amy Adams as a princess from the animated Disney like world, but when she is thrust into our world, along with dragons, animals, and a bumbling prince (James Mardsen) you get a ridiculously fun, charming film.
5. Gone Baby Gone- Ben Affleck's first film as a director, and he smartly let himself focus on only that by casting his brother Casey along side Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Amy Ryan, and an amazingly underrated performance by Ed Harris. One of the most gripping films of the year, and one that you never forget as your hero goes the ethical route, instead of the one a less honest movie would have used.
4. American Gangster- Russell Crowe and Josh Brolin give great performances, but the real story is Denzel Washington, cast against type as the villain. He is a sympathetic villain but a bad dude none the less. And the meeting of the powerhouses leaves the viewer thinking about the film for a long time.
3. Juno- The "trendy" movie of the year, pair some very different people with a quirky story line, and boom, you get a bona fide hit. Ellen Page, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, and JK Simmons all give funny and touching performances in what became the best comedy of the year.
2. No Country for Old Men- The film received many props for the performances of its stars, Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin, but is also remembered for its graphic violence and Coen brothers focused plot. The film fails miserably at the 3/4 mark but for 75%, is a great ride.
1. Eastern Promises- The mixture of Viggo Mortensen with director David Cronenberg has given us some spectacular films, but none as good as this. Not as many people saw the film as others on this list, but those who did will never forget it, right up until the final, graphic fight scene, and the final twist. In a weak year for film, Easter Promises runs away with the memories.
-Maximus
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Top Films of 2008
This is the 4th in a series of 12 posts discussing the top films of the year. Remember these are not the most profitable films, or necessarily the best, but the ones we will be unlikely to forget.
10. Tropic Thunder- The resurgence of Tom Cruise is due to this film, and considering he has about 5 minutes of screen time and dons a fat suit, that is amazing. But its just a small reason why Tropic Thunder was so successful. With Ben Stiller and Jack Black leading the way, it would take a lot to upstage them, but it happened. Robert Downey Jr playing a method actor who became black for the role, Steve Coogan being the uptight director, and the aforementioned Tom Cruise stole the show. Along with Iron Man, this also brought Downey Jr back from purgatory.
9. Iron Man- Speaking of Downey Jr..... In addition to bringing RDJ back, it really helped establish the Marvel Universe, and really set up the upcoming Avengers film.
8. Wall-E- A film where words aren't necessary is a long shot, but Wall-E makes you forget words are how we speak. Another Pixar sensation, and the political commentary on where this country is headed is shockingly accurate.
7. The Hurt Locker- The Best Picture winner at the Oscars the following year, and a gripping, suspenseful drama. Would be higher on this list except it made nothing in theaters, and isn't quite as relevant as would be expected. However star making performances from Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie will at least keep the film in conversations.
6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall- The rash of male frontal nudity lately? Blame this film. Star Jason Segel became famous for this film and baring it all, and now is a top film draw. In addition this film confirmed that Russell Brand can be great, in moderation. No film has used him this well since.
5. Taken- Liam Neeson, action star? Seems easy to think of now, but 6 years ago most would laugh at you. The older, lanky actor took it to his doubters with Taken and showed why he is on the A list. Taken is up there with Die Hard as action movies that will be watched and loved 25 years after they are released.
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Critically and financially, the film did amazing. Some people weren't as thrilled due to its 3 hour run time, but overall the film stuck with people and is still a top rental film, even 4 years later.
3. Slumdog Millionaire- The film came from nowhere to win the 2008 Oscars biggest prize. And justifiably so as it is just as memorable now as it was when I saw it first 4 years ago.
2. Gran Torino- The last onscreen performance of one of the all time greats in Clint Eastwood. And while it flew a bit under the radar, this is the most recent example of Eastwood's greatness both in front of the camera and behind it.
1. The Dark Knight- Was there any other choice this year? No. The Dark Knight showed that comic book films could be amazing, not just great, but amazing. Heath Ledger's final and award winning performance is just a small part of the grandeur of The Dark Knight. With the conclusion to the trilogy due out in 2012, we will see if Christopher Nolan can keep his hot streak going.
Honorable Mentions- Doubt, Revolutionary Road, Changeling.
-Maximus
10. Tropic Thunder- The resurgence of Tom Cruise is due to this film, and considering he has about 5 minutes of screen time and dons a fat suit, that is amazing. But its just a small reason why Tropic Thunder was so successful. With Ben Stiller and Jack Black leading the way, it would take a lot to upstage them, but it happened. Robert Downey Jr playing a method actor who became black for the role, Steve Coogan being the uptight director, and the aforementioned Tom Cruise stole the show. Along with Iron Man, this also brought Downey Jr back from purgatory.
9. Iron Man- Speaking of Downey Jr..... In addition to bringing RDJ back, it really helped establish the Marvel Universe, and really set up the upcoming Avengers film.
8. Wall-E- A film where words aren't necessary is a long shot, but Wall-E makes you forget words are how we speak. Another Pixar sensation, and the political commentary on where this country is headed is shockingly accurate.
7. The Hurt Locker- The Best Picture winner at the Oscars the following year, and a gripping, suspenseful drama. Would be higher on this list except it made nothing in theaters, and isn't quite as relevant as would be expected. However star making performances from Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie will at least keep the film in conversations.
6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall- The rash of male frontal nudity lately? Blame this film. Star Jason Segel became famous for this film and baring it all, and now is a top film draw. In addition this film confirmed that Russell Brand can be great, in moderation. No film has used him this well since.
5. Taken- Liam Neeson, action star? Seems easy to think of now, but 6 years ago most would laugh at you. The older, lanky actor took it to his doubters with Taken and showed why he is on the A list. Taken is up there with Die Hard as action movies that will be watched and loved 25 years after they are released.
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Critically and financially, the film did amazing. Some people weren't as thrilled due to its 3 hour run time, but overall the film stuck with people and is still a top rental film, even 4 years later.
3. Slumdog Millionaire- The film came from nowhere to win the 2008 Oscars biggest prize. And justifiably so as it is just as memorable now as it was when I saw it first 4 years ago.
2. Gran Torino- The last onscreen performance of one of the all time greats in Clint Eastwood. And while it flew a bit under the radar, this is the most recent example of Eastwood's greatness both in front of the camera and behind it.
1. The Dark Knight- Was there any other choice this year? No. The Dark Knight showed that comic book films could be amazing, not just great, but amazing. Heath Ledger's final and award winning performance is just a small part of the grandeur of The Dark Knight. With the conclusion to the trilogy due out in 2012, we will see if Christopher Nolan can keep his hot streak going.
Honorable Mentions- Doubt, Revolutionary Road, Changeling.
-Maximus
The Top Movies of 2009
This is the 3rd in a series of 12 posts discussing the top movies of each year. Today we focus on 2009. Remember, these are not necessarily the best movies of the year or the most profitable, but the ones that will still make an impact in 2025.
10. Moon- Smaller movie that wasn't seen by many, but extremely loved by those who did. More importantly, it might have revealed the next great filmmaker in Duncan Jones, who since Moon has already succeeded with Source Code.
9. Watchmen- Considered a moderate flop as it didn't make the crazy cash that most comic book films do, but if you expected this to be like most comic book films....you didn't read the graphic novel. Watchmen is a very unique and incredible novel, and the film backed it up. Director Zack Snyder showed you could stay eerily true to the source material while still making necessary changes.
8. (500) Days of Summer- A personal favorite, and the movie that made people realize just how good Joseph Gordon-Levitt was going to be post 3rd Rock from the Sun (if only more people had seen Brick....). In addition the film was so well respected it made Zooey Deschanel into an it girl, and also got the director (Marc Webb) who was previously unknown, the coveted Spiderman reboot gig. Very few films can have a random break into song scene and still be effective, but this one did.
7. Up- First film that made me cry in a long time, and the first ever that got to me in the first ten minutes Pixar has had a lot of success, but this film was a colossal achievement for them, and is still quoted 3 years later.
6. Star Trek- Lets be honest, when people debate Star Wars vs. Star Trek, very few Trekkies ever win that fight, but thanks to this amazing reboot/prequel/sequel(?), Trek fans now have a real case to make. JJ Abrams brought his A game and perfectly cast the crew of the Enterprise. The film made a star out of Chris Pine, and really pushed Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, and Simon Pegg into the A list. Abrams made the controversial decision to use an alternate reality instead of rebooting the whole franchise, and while the plot is more confusing, its that respect for the source material that showed how much Abrams loves it.
5. District 9- Marketed like a found footage alien drama, District 9 instead became the coolest and most unique action film in a long time. Shockingly violent, and surprisingly political, no one got what they expected with District 9, and in this case, that's a good thing.
4. Sherlock Holmes- Another reboot of classic material, and to cast American Robert Downey Jr as Holmes....shocking. Yet director Guy Ritchie came back in a big way and made one of the coolest films of the decade. With action that redefined the genre similar to how The Matrix reinvented gun fights, Sherlock Holmes is a film we are still talking about 3 years later.
3. Avatar- Highest box office ever (not counting inflation..), game changing special effects, and critical success, and yet its only number 3? Reason for this is because it doesn't seem like Avatar is on people's conscious as much as some other films on this list. People are still talking about what might be in the sequel, but it just doesn't seem like Avatar will hold up enough to be the modern day Star Wars. None the less, the impact it made on movie making cannot be ignored, and while 3 is low, its still very high when you consider how many movies came out since then.
2. Inglorious Basterds- Box office and critical success is what made Basterds so memorable to the masses, however its the two lead performances that make it memorable to movie fans. Brad Pitt redefined an entire career to play Lt. Aldo Raine, and he came with a performance that is still being quoted today. We also received an Oscar winning and career defining performance from relative newcomer Christoph Waltz. Quentin Tarantino reminded us just why he is considered a top filmmaker after falling off with the Kill Bill films.
1. The Hangover- Yes, I know. A comedy at number 1? Silly right? But think about it, what other film has been talked about more? What other film is still quoted on a daily basis? Made tons of money? Spawned a blockbuster (if lackluster) sequel? And was loved by everyone..everywhere? In addition, notice the streak of R rated comedies that have been pouring out lately? Judd Apatow had a lot to do with that, but it was The Hangover who pushed the industry to the boiling point.
Honorable Mentions- An Education, Up in the Air.
-Maximus
10. Moon- Smaller movie that wasn't seen by many, but extremely loved by those who did. More importantly, it might have revealed the next great filmmaker in Duncan Jones, who since Moon has already succeeded with Source Code.
9. Watchmen- Considered a moderate flop as it didn't make the crazy cash that most comic book films do, but if you expected this to be like most comic book films....you didn't read the graphic novel. Watchmen is a very unique and incredible novel, and the film backed it up. Director Zack Snyder showed you could stay eerily true to the source material while still making necessary changes.
8. (500) Days of Summer- A personal favorite, and the movie that made people realize just how good Joseph Gordon-Levitt was going to be post 3rd Rock from the Sun (if only more people had seen Brick....). In addition the film was so well respected it made Zooey Deschanel into an it girl, and also got the director (Marc Webb) who was previously unknown, the coveted Spiderman reboot gig. Very few films can have a random break into song scene and still be effective, but this one did.
7. Up- First film that made me cry in a long time, and the first ever that got to me in the first ten minutes Pixar has had a lot of success, but this film was a colossal achievement for them, and is still quoted 3 years later.
6. Star Trek- Lets be honest, when people debate Star Wars vs. Star Trek, very few Trekkies ever win that fight, but thanks to this amazing reboot/prequel/sequel(?), Trek fans now have a real case to make. JJ Abrams brought his A game and perfectly cast the crew of the Enterprise. The film made a star out of Chris Pine, and really pushed Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, and Simon Pegg into the A list. Abrams made the controversial decision to use an alternate reality instead of rebooting the whole franchise, and while the plot is more confusing, its that respect for the source material that showed how much Abrams loves it.
5. District 9- Marketed like a found footage alien drama, District 9 instead became the coolest and most unique action film in a long time. Shockingly violent, and surprisingly political, no one got what they expected with District 9, and in this case, that's a good thing.
4. Sherlock Holmes- Another reboot of classic material, and to cast American Robert Downey Jr as Holmes....shocking. Yet director Guy Ritchie came back in a big way and made one of the coolest films of the decade. With action that redefined the genre similar to how The Matrix reinvented gun fights, Sherlock Holmes is a film we are still talking about 3 years later.
3. Avatar- Highest box office ever (not counting inflation..), game changing special effects, and critical success, and yet its only number 3? Reason for this is because it doesn't seem like Avatar is on people's conscious as much as some other films on this list. People are still talking about what might be in the sequel, but it just doesn't seem like Avatar will hold up enough to be the modern day Star Wars. None the less, the impact it made on movie making cannot be ignored, and while 3 is low, its still very high when you consider how many movies came out since then.
2. Inglorious Basterds- Box office and critical success is what made Basterds so memorable to the masses, however its the two lead performances that make it memorable to movie fans. Brad Pitt redefined an entire career to play Lt. Aldo Raine, and he came with a performance that is still being quoted today. We also received an Oscar winning and career defining performance from relative newcomer Christoph Waltz. Quentin Tarantino reminded us just why he is considered a top filmmaker after falling off with the Kill Bill films.
1. The Hangover- Yes, I know. A comedy at number 1? Silly right? But think about it, what other film has been talked about more? What other film is still quoted on a daily basis? Made tons of money? Spawned a blockbuster (if lackluster) sequel? And was loved by everyone..everywhere? In addition, notice the streak of R rated comedies that have been pouring out lately? Judd Apatow had a lot to do with that, but it was The Hangover who pushed the industry to the boiling point.
Honorable Mentions- An Education, Up in the Air.
-Maximus
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