At the beginning of the year, I made a few goals for the year, like most people. I got some of them completed, some of those goals were a bit ambitious and didn't get accomplished. A few of those goals were simply not important enough for me to continue working on and were given up on.
One of those goals was to watch 100 movies that I had not seen before, I watched a lot of movies a few times, So I couldn't count those, I watch some movies a few times a year, just because they are good. I have watched a few movies with my wife that she had not seen even though I have. So, I basically looked through different critics sites (Mainly Chris Gore) and watched some of the more popular movies that people out there love. I will have to say that I had a lot of fun with this and experienced movies that I otherwise would have never thought of watching. Netflix Instant play is amazing, I watched tons of these movies through that outlet. Of course the Traditional renting and buying took its fair part in this as well as going out to the theater to catch it, I even did a few Midnight showings. I was even on the local news at the Harry Potter opening this year. I tried to be as ridiculous as possible with my answers so I could be super Nerd, and just to out do my nerdyness, Anne decided to correct me during the interview so that her nerdyness would outshine my own. This of course is Ok because when it comes to Harry Potter Anne's nerdyness and obsession is far beyond my own.
I gave these movies a 1 to 5 rating. 1 terrible do not watch, 2 not very good, 3 watchable you should rent it, 4 rent or buy, 5 buy the collectors edition. Thats pretty simple.
Without further wait here are the 100 movies I watched in 2010. Remember, I had not seen any of these before hand, some of these movies are older and may surprise you that I had not seen them before, but whatever, I am going to continue to do this, watching the weird, popular, and critically acclaimed along with the terrible, stupid, and life changing idiotic movies. I enjoy it. So read this and hopefully you will find a few to check out along the way as well.
The Year started out very rough, I do like my horror films, as does Anne, My friend Justan and his girlfriend Shana. We shared many movies on this list together, but the very first movie on the list was picked by Shana. I had heard very little about it other than it was scary and cheaply made. Shana's choice was.
"Paranormal Activity" (2009)
The movie started out with Justan and I doing the typical making fun of it and saying things like "Oh No the door moved!" as the movie went on the more terrified we became. It was well done it scared me. It scared the lot of us. It may have been our experience with it versus in a theater, we did rent it. I'm not sure, but i had trouble sleeping that night, and occasionally I will hear a noise and there is no sleep for me that night either. Basically with the Horror Genre if it A) makes me laugh B) makes me grimace in disgust or c) Make me toss and turn in fear. It was worth watching. This one is worth watching, It's not a movie I would watch again or buy, but i do give it a rating of 5. Why, well because it scared the crap out of me and despite it's very small budget, it was made really well. The Fire scene didn't fit in, but other than that It was a fabulous start to my list. Good job Shana.
2012 (2009)
This movie directly followed the first. Anne and I both were so scared from the previous movie that we decided to watch this directly after. Shana and Justan left and Anne and I both knew we wouldn't be able to sleep, So we popped this movie on the PS3 and away we went. I thought it would chase the scary thoughts from my head. Little did I know it was just going to scare me more. Not with the story line, Not with the end of the world is coming thing, not even with the government giving up on the majority of the people, What scared me is how bad this movie was. I went into this expecting one the best movies I was going to see all year. I expected good things, I mean John Cusack was in it. I did not get these expectations met. This movie's only saving grace was Woody Harrelson's performance. I gave it a rating of 2. It was a stinker. If you have been looking forward to seeing this I suggest skipping it unless you are a fan of Woody's then skip to his part and stop the movie directly there after, because i saw cooler things cleaning out my refrigerator this year. That weird growth on the goat cheese was psychedelic.
"The Mutant Chronicles" (2008)
This movie was my first random pick. I had heard good things through various blogs. I didn't agree with these things that I heard, I didn't find it "oddly compelling." I think I ended up mopping the floor while it was on. It wasn't that the movie was bad...Oh wait, That's exactly what it was. This movie struck me in that very narrow area. The area in between 'that was ok' and 'that was so bad it was good'. It fell into the 'ok that was so bad'. Most movies like this end up being so poorly made and acted that I ended up liking it, just because it was bad. I can't begin to tell you the amount of terribly awful films I have watched just because they are what they are. This one is not that. It's too serious, and it gets a 1 rating. Don't waste your time watching the trailer.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
This is my first dive into the older movies. I know 1982 wasn't to long ago, but looking at Arnold then and now you get a better perspective of how long ago it was. Taking into consideration that this movie was done in 1982, I go in with the mindset that the effects are also going to be from 1982 and not quite as good as todays. That being said, they weren't that bad to begin with. I liked the story it was epic. I love Arnold, always have, I don't know why, but he just really resonates action film for me. Conan was great, I thought for sure I wouldn't like this, but I was wrong. My first thought of negativity was that it had long streaks of repetitiveness and was a bit to long. There were scenes in the movie that could have been easily cut and if the movie were at todays standards I think they would have been. I loved the staging and custom buildings, It was done so very well. I suggest you watch it if you haven't just so you can say that you have seen it. Some of the effects of course were laughable, but if I watched in 1982 I would be impressed. Well, not me really because I may have even seen it in 1982, but I was still dropping dookie in diapers then, So I don't think I would have remembered it. I give it a rating of 3.
"Hellboy: Blood and Iron" (2007)
If you are keeping count this is movie number 5 of the year. I really like the Hellboy story, Blood and Iron was rather good. I like Vampire stories. This was a particular good one. I really do enjoy the Hellboy character and had seen the live action movies before I had seen this one. I do like Animation, there will be many more on this list, A lot of them comic book related. I like the characters and they way the interact with one another. This one was particularly good because it delved a little into the past of Broom and his escapades against this vampire. The vampire character was how vampires should be, Because I don't believe in those wimpy Vampires that sparkle in the Sun. When Vampires see the sun they should ignite like my eyebrows when I light the grill. I mean real fire not just a sparkler. This woman was evil in a cup, and choked all who dared to take a drink. The monster's of course are Hellboy's strong points and it didn't let down. I give it a rating of 4. If you like Hellboy, you will like this. If you don't know who Hellboy is, wake up and look him up.
Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian. (2009)
Night at the Museum 2 is unmistakably forgettable, which actually hurts how good it actually was. Lets face it the series explored all options of Museum life coming alive in the first one. So, it was just a matter of plot and new characters to liven up the series and make this movie worth watching. That is exactly what was accomplished, they not only creatively took out some of the previous characters so that you don't get distracted with previous characters and lets face it Amy Adams is the next Meryl Streep, she is wonderful, have you seen her other movies, AMAZING! She was the saving grace in this movie, the wonderful crazy scene with the plane in the Smithsonian, was awesome. The plot was lazy. Very lazy. Stiller wasn't in it, I mean he was there, but no effort, but lets face it he hasn't given a good effort since Dodgeball. I do give it a 4 though, I did really like it. You don't pack a movie with that many stars and not have something to offer.... I'm looking at you Be Cool.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
This one is going to surprise a lot of people. First off, No I had not seen it before and watched it by myself for the first time this year. Second, it will be the only time I ever watch this movie. Just because something is creative or quirky doesn't make it good. The Wilson brothers are the only reason to even think about watching this steaming pile of crap. Yes I didn't like it. It was not funny. Period. If you disagree, that's fine, most of america thinks it funny, most of america also like movies like barbershop, I don't. I didn't like it. So what, It's only good parts for me was Luke Wilson. That's it, his part was funny, that's it. It gets a 2, some of my friends love this movie and they are entitled to their opinions on things, I guess I am either not open minded enough or just don't get it, because it was hyped up and many people told me it would be the best movie I see all year, and compared it to the comedic genius of the big lebowski. However, it wasn't even close.
9 (2009)
Another movie watched with Justan and Shana. This one wasn't quite as scary. Not anywhere near as a matter of fact. However, I did like it. It had good action. Great art work throughout the movie, the world that was created around the story was done so remarkably well. However, I do have to point out that the overall story was a little weaker than I normally like. There wasn't a clear story around the world that was created for it. Although represented wonderfully, I can't say it lived up to its high expectations. The large amount of work in the art of the movie did get a 5 out of 5 though. It is definitely a movie that I will own soon, If i don't get it for Christmas.
Comic Books Unbound (2007)
Well this was a documentary on Comic books made into movies and the cross influence on the two areas. It was surprisingly not horrible. It was ok. Not anything you should run out and pick up. It's not for the hardcore comic book fan. (me) however, it is for movie fans who don't read the comics, but like comic book movies. It focuses on the more recent films like the Batman movies of late, Batman Begins playing a huge role in the movie. Hulk plays a role as they poke fun at the graphics. it overall doesn't really dive too deeply into anything comic book, but does give a brief look at the comic books in which inspired the directors of the movies. It wasn't the best but it wasnt the worst. I'll give it a 3.
One Fast move or I'm Gone (2009)
I was turned onto this documentary through the soundtrack in which Justan turned me onto, I bought the soundtrack long before I decided to watch the movie. I didn't know a lot about Jack Kerouac, I do now, because this Documentary got me interested along with the soundtrack. Two things you need to know. Jack's stuff is a little different. and B You need to 100% buy this soundtrack. It's some of the best music that has even been released. Anne and I love this album and probably listened to it 200 times this year. It just went through Kerouac's career and lots of famous people read his poetry as they went through the places and interviewed the people that Kerouac was around when he wrote Big Sur. If you're a Kerouac fan or want to know more about him, you should check this out, The music makes it beautiful. the man makes it epic. it's a 4.
Well, That's the first 10. I will get the next few out over the next few days. I hope you enjoyed It. I cut it down to ten, because I did write a little before getting into the movies. So the next blog will have more movies.
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