2009 Favorite Films

It's taken me so long to write a commentary of this film because no words would do it justice. One thing I will say is "How the hell does Pixar do it?" Hollywood churns out mediocrity and meanwhile Pixar continues to create masterpieces. How? Each time I see one of their films I always feel they can never surpass it. I certainly felt that way after seeing Wall-E. I believed that there was no way they could do better. Boy was I wrong. Up was beautiful, magical, tragic, sad, and uplifting. The first 20 minutes of the film, will be the most gripping scenes you will probably watch all year. The characters are never one dimensional. They are layered, complex and complicated. Carl, the old man, is not some grumpy crotchety old man. He is a man who has lost a lot and is trying to hold on to wonderful memories while trying to create new ones. Russell is not just some annoying chubby kid. He is loyal and searching for connections with others who keep pushing him away. There are plenty of things that could've been gimmicky about this film but since it's Pixar it never feels that way. The dogs voices could've gotten tiresome but everytime you hear the menacing Alpha speak you couldn't help but laughing. Dug the dog, reminds me of how exactly a dog would speak if it had a voice "I just met you and I love you". Kevin, a bird that does not exist in real life, could have also been annoying, but ended up being a sweet funny ally in this adventure of theirs. I cannot see Pixar topping this film, but I have been proven wrong before. This is the one that they should finally be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Bring your napkins you will be crying since the short film called Partly Cloudy which is also Pixar's most beautiful and sad short they have ever made.

Hate Romantic Comedy cliches, you pretty much won't find them here. No the girl won't be falling for big theatrical showings of love. No the boy won't change who he is because girl won't love him. No, things won't get solved in clean and neatly. It shows all the sides of love especially the messy, disgusting and excruciatingly painful one. You know the one where you walk outside with your bathrobe just to go to the nearest bodega and buy lots of munchies. Not that I have ever done so, but it shows that one. This is a film that anyone can fall in love with even if our characters won't.

Brilliant, powerful, unique, unexpected and many other buzzwords used for great films such as this. Easily one of the best of the year and even the decade. Easy Oscar contender and in my opinion Up's first true competition.

Let's see. How can I review this without letting inner geek not get so overly excited? Eh, I can't. It was Uh-May- wait for it- ZING!!! There's a reason why J.J. Abrams has such a large following. The man has talent of shaping great characters. (See: Lost, Alias, Felicity, Fringe, etc). Yes, these are characters we've seen before, I know. (Disclaimer: have never been a fan AT ALL of the original and never will be). Some people have compared it to Iron Man and that's the best comparison so far. No, it's not Dark Knight, not by a long shot (there will never BE another Dark Knight). But, just like Iron Man, it's funny, it's got great action scenes and it's just so much fun. Isn't that what you really want to get out of a movie. The big difference is that, while Robert Downey Jr. carried the whole damn movie, everyone in Star Trek is truly likable. Yes, Chris Pine as Captain James Tiberius Kirk may still be a favorite, but Quinto as Spock stole some scenes. So did Karl Urban as McCoy and Simon Pegg as Scotty. Visually, it was unbelievable and probably the first time I've ever considered buying anything in Blue-Ray. Seriously, watch this film in IMAX. One of the things that I like about this film the most visually, is how the lights were reflected on the camera, or wherever. So prepare yourself to see this cool blue line shining every now and then throughout the film. Definitely marks the beginning of the summer blockbuster season. And considering the films that are slated to begin during the rest of the summer, it will probably be the best. No, I don't see Iron Man 2 topping itself from last year. Anyways, trust me when I say that you do not have to be a fan of Star Trek to enjoy this film. And never have a I heard so many people clapping so many times throughout a film.

Update: After watching the movie twice I believe that the reason I love this film so much is because it reminds me of the feelings and the excitement I got watching Indiana Jones and the Star Wars series. Fun, great action, funny characters and witty dialogue. This did what Phantom Menace failed to do, reignite a series instead of killing it.

This is Quarantino at his most outrageous, fun and crazy side. And that's saying a lot. I dare you to see this film and not have fun. The film ends with a tongue in cheek comment about an event being their masterpiece. Well, this may very well Tarantino's. Wonderfull performances by Pitt and someone who will soon be big in Hollywood: Waltz as Colonel Landa who's performance has inducted him in the infamous list of the greatest villains along with Vader, Lecter, Chigurh, The Joker, etc.

Probably the best film made based on the Iraq War. Jeremy Renner is a revelation here. At least to those who may not know of him. I have seen plenty of his work to know he is a terrific actor. It explores how war can become addictive to some and how some may never adjust to normal life. The scenes when these men encounter the bombs are intense and you will be seating at the edge of your seat while listening to your own heartbeat get louder and louder. The explosion scenes are beautiful yet terrifying. If this film is playing anywhere near you, you must watch this film.

Spectacular and magical. The visuals are stunning and the overall movement of the characters around this world is jaw-dropping. The attention to details in this film was meticulous. The plot is very entertaining and also very dark. At times I did think that it may be too dark for children but come on, we were raised with films like Neverending Story, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth to name a few. What I found also very surprising is how wonderful the music was and how it fit seamlessly with the film. Especially loved the song Coraline sung by The Other Father which is still playing in my head. The vocal talent was great, yes, including Teri Hatcher. And was surprised to learn that the geniuses of French and Saunders would be featured in the film. Seriously a must see in the theaters. DO NOT wait until DVD. And trust me, you WANT to shell out for the 3D if it's available in your are.

When I saw the trailer of this film I thought it would be stupid and not remotely funny. How wrong I was? The first reason I loved this film is that these weren't your typical good looking guys up to no good in Vegas. They were losers with a somewhat sucky life who needed at least one night like the one they had. The way the film moves along is great because it doesn't go on flashbacks to what they find out what happened the night before. It all stays a mystery. The tooth thing never gets old. The baby never gets old. The feminine Chinese man never gets old. I also loved how this was a funny film with a mystery that needed to be solved. Of course stay until the end for the montage. You won't regret it.

If you liked films like Shaun of the Dead and Severance, then you will love this. Loved this film since the first 5 minutes of the film. Why? Because right away you could tell that it would be different than most comedies or horror films out there. Expect an amazing cameo from one of the best actors out there which will have you laughing out loud and the climax was really well done. Great film and a lot of fun.

Is it the scariest film of all time like it has been claimed? No! Is it creepy? It sure as hell is. See, the thing about this film is that it is unlike most American horror films in which things come at you quickly. Instead things happen slowly and creepily, more in the vein of Japanese horror films. Also, this is the film that Blair Witch Project wanted to be. Why? Because things actually HAPPEN and these actors are really good. Tell me that you have not met someone exactly like Micah. Hell, I'm probably someone like Micah. Now despite this film not being as scary as many proclaim, still the after effects of trying to go to sleep after seeing this are FANTASTIC. And by fantastic I mean terrible.

Finally Paul Rudd is getting the damn recognition that he deserves. The movie was hilarious and sweet and worth every penny.

Sam Rockwell can win two Oscars and he will still be an underrated actor. As always he is brilliant here especially since he plays two version of the same character. David Jones, David Bowie's son (yes, it had to be mentioned), does terrific work here as a first time director. The film's special effects are not grandiose but they are seamless and beautiful and most importantly not distracting.

Definitely surpassed my expectations. I felt this film would have great performances but the story would fall short. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how captivated I was. Granted, there is nothing truly unique about the story. We have seen plenty of films of outlaws that are admired by the general public. However, between the performances from great actors and Michael Mann's amazing direction (easily a shoe in for nomination for cinematography), made this an overall enjoyable film. Marion Cotillard was beautiful and likable, Christian Bale was tortured but determined, Billy Crudup has one of the best voices for a film of this period, and Johnny Depp, well, what can you say about this man. He plays this character in such a cool and charming way that having so many people follow him and sacrifice their life for him is more than believable, you WANT to be part of his crew.

Pretty great 3D animation. Outside of that I don't feel the film is that special or that funny. It's entertaining and the 3D is really amazing. And get ready cuz this is just the beginning.