I've decided to start a bit early on my New Years Resolutions this year, one of which is to restart a movie blog, and actually continue running it during the new year.
I include all movies seen for the first time in Cinemas this year (thus you'll see a couple of 2007 films, that were only released in South Africa in 2008).
The best way to do that, I feel is to do a round-up of the year's movies, those that I loved, those that I hated and those that I feel could have been so much better than they were. Unfortunately I haven't been able to see any of the Oscar hopefuls (Except for Summer fare such as The Dark Knight and Wall-E), as most of them haven't yet shown here in South Africa, and my budget is very tight at present.
But on to the movies that I have seen this year, I'll try to keep it as chronological as possible:
This first list includes films seen between January and April 2008 - Thus my feelings on most of them will be very general, as I can't remember all that much about each, only my general feeling after I left the theatre...
I am Legend 7
National Treasure 2 7
Highly enjoyable, but flawed movie (some of the shots they gave of Freddie Highmore’s playing didn’t sync with the music played at all. Freddie Highmore impressed me with beautiful acting, he’s impressed me since his role of Charlie in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory and the little we saw of Terrence Howard was brilliant. Keri Russell was quite lovely in her role, although we saw less of her than I’d have hoped for, especially since a lot of the story does revolve around her. Jonathan Rhys Myers was pretty average, and Robin Williams grated terribly (hated his character).
As for the storyline, it was very predictable, but still struck some chords with me, and the musical number at the end was magnificent!
We own the night 6
I thought this film was pretty decent, but I had expected more with the names involved. First thought – Eva Mendez should never act… ever… again… I just cannot stand this woman’s “acting”, it’s as phony and false as can be. Second thought – PRONOUNCE your words! What was with all the mumbling in this movie? You shouldn’t have to think about getting the dvd (whilst in the theatre), so that you’d actually be able to understand everything said by switching on subtitles.
All that aside, I was impressed by Mark Wahlberg in this, somebody that I usually don’t particularly care for, but he was very good for this role. Joaquin was as good as always, as was Robert Duvall. The story itself was quite gripping, if a bit predictable. It dragged a bit in the middle, but had a very good start and end, so that didn’t grate as much as it would have otherwise. Overall thoughts, good but could have been better with some cast changes and if it had been about 10 minutes shorter.
The Bucket List 8
I truly enjoyed this movie. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman rocked, the Screenplay was refreshingly honest and the soundtrack added loads. A charming, touching, refreshing tale of growing old and of preparing for death.
Juno 6
I didn't love this movie nearly as much as some others did. It had good acting, and a fresh outlook on Teen Pregnancy, but as somebody that isn't all that older than the characters in this movie, I can truly attest that the way that these kids spoke was not representative of the society in general. I also felt that the Jason Bateman character was a let-down in the end. I guess I just didn't see the absolute brilliance that others hyped it to be...
The Game Plan 6
I can admit it, I enjoy these types of movies. You know, the type where the acting is just above average, or even a bit below, and where the story-line is something that has been done a thousand times... As long as a movie such as this can still make me smile or laugh, or at least invoke some emotion in me, I tend to enjoy them. So yeah, The Game Plan wasn't the best movie ever made, with the most intellegent script or anything, but it was enjoyable for what it was - A fun family movie that kids and parents can watch together.
Into the Wild 7
Just as with Juno, I was a bit dissapointed in this movie, after all the hype. I can see why some touted it to be the best of 2007, but I felt there were some aspects lacking, especially in the script. There were some amazing parts, I especially loved the last quarter of the film, but overall, it was a bit disappointing after all the hype.
Untraceable 7
Yes, the storyline was about as far-fetched as can come, but I enjoyed this movie a lot. It had the right amount of suspense, gore and fun to keep it just a level above others of it's type.
Jumper 5
There is very little that I remember of this film. I only know that I left the theatre dissapointed, and that I felt it could be quite a bit better than it turned out to be, especially with the calaber of some of the people involved in the project.
The Spiderwick Chronicles 7
I have a confession to make, I very much enjoyed the first Step Up. I liked the dancing, the storyline at least kept my attention, and in general I thought it was entertaining as heck - If I remember correctly I rated it 7. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the sequel. The acting was a bit sub-par, the dance moves not nearly as entertaining as in the first, and the storyline felt like a rehash of many plots, previously done better. Dissapointing...
Drillbit Taylor 6
I enjoyed this little movie. I had no idea what it was about going in, but it had a charm to it, that I liked. Sure it was a bit juvenile and I've basically forgotten everything that had happened in it, but I do know that I left the theatre with a smile on my face.
Prom Night 4
I've never seen the original Prom Night, but I doubt it could be worse than this remake/re-imagining. The acting was, for the most part, at most average, the story-line was cliched, and the villian not scary in the least. With plot holes the size of mountains, and "jump-scares" that failed even in it's most basic of tasks, this movie was most definitely one of the worst of the year.
The Forbidden Kingdom 4
I had high hopes going into this movie, which may have affected my rating of it, and was extremely dissapointed. The entire storyline was boring, and a rehash of so many adventure films that have preceded it. I felt absolutely no chemistry between the characters and even Jet Li and Jackie Chan dissapointed. It just felt like a mish-mash of scenes that never worked individually or as a whole.
I include all movies seen for the first time in Cinemas this year (thus you'll see a couple of 2007 films, that were only released in South Africa in 2008).
The best way to do that, I feel is to do a round-up of the year's movies, those that I loved, those that I hated and those that I feel could have been so much better than they were. Unfortunately I haven't been able to see any of the Oscar hopefuls (Except for Summer fare such as The Dark Knight and Wall-E), as most of them haven't yet shown here in South Africa, and my budget is very tight at present.
But on to the movies that I have seen this year, I'll try to keep it as chronological as possible:
This first list includes films seen between January and April 2008 - Thus my feelings on most of them will be very general, as I can't remember all that much about each, only my general feeling after I left the theatre...
I am Legend 7
Pretty damn good movie. The suspense was good throughout (although the end felt a bit flat). Will Smith did great in his role (one of his bests) and all the other acting was pretty much top notch as well. I’m glad I haven’t yet read the book it’s based on (I am planning to do that as soon as possible), as these types of adaptations never seem to live up to the source material. Only really negative thing I have to say about this movie is the fact that the “monsters” looked very weird and not as scary as I think they were meant to look.
National Treasure 2 7
This movie was quite a bit better than the first for me. The cast really gelled, and it had a real Indiana Jones feel to it (don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t nearly as good as IJ, but it had that feeling). It really was fun entertainment all round. Solid acting (with special kudo’s going to Hellen Mirren and Ed Harris, loved these cast additions), and the story line, although far-fetched was handled well, with some very funny moments in-between
August Rush 6.
August Rush 6.
Highly enjoyable, but flawed movie (some of the shots they gave of Freddie Highmore’s playing didn’t sync with the music played at all. Freddie Highmore impressed me with beautiful acting, he’s impressed me since his role of Charlie in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory and the little we saw of Terrence Howard was brilliant. Keri Russell was quite lovely in her role, although we saw less of her than I’d have hoped for, especially since a lot of the story does revolve around her. Jonathan Rhys Myers was pretty average, and Robin Williams grated terribly (hated his character).
As for the storyline, it was very predictable, but still struck some chords with me, and the musical number at the end was magnificent!
We own the night 6
I thought this film was pretty decent, but I had expected more with the names involved. First thought – Eva Mendez should never act… ever… again… I just cannot stand this woman’s “acting”, it’s as phony and false as can be. Second thought – PRONOUNCE your words! What was with all the mumbling in this movie? You shouldn’t have to think about getting the dvd (whilst in the theatre), so that you’d actually be able to understand everything said by switching on subtitles.
All that aside, I was impressed by Mark Wahlberg in this, somebody that I usually don’t particularly care for, but he was very good for this role. Joaquin was as good as always, as was Robert Duvall. The story itself was quite gripping, if a bit predictable. It dragged a bit in the middle, but had a very good start and end, so that didn’t grate as much as it would have otherwise. Overall thoughts, good but could have been better with some cast changes and if it had been about 10 minutes shorter.
The Bucket List 8
I truly enjoyed this movie. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman rocked, the Screenplay was refreshingly honest and the soundtrack added loads. A charming, touching, refreshing tale of growing old and of preparing for death.
Juno 6
I didn't love this movie nearly as much as some others did. It had good acting, and a fresh outlook on Teen Pregnancy, but as somebody that isn't all that older than the characters in this movie, I can truly attest that the way that these kids spoke was not representative of the society in general. I also felt that the Jason Bateman character was a let-down in the end. I guess I just didn't see the absolute brilliance that others hyped it to be...
The Game Plan 6
I can admit it, I enjoy these types of movies. You know, the type where the acting is just above average, or even a bit below, and where the story-line is something that has been done a thousand times... As long as a movie such as this can still make me smile or laugh, or at least invoke some emotion in me, I tend to enjoy them. So yeah, The Game Plan wasn't the best movie ever made, with the most intellegent script or anything, but it was enjoyable for what it was - A fun family movie that kids and parents can watch together.
Into the Wild 7
Just as with Juno, I was a bit dissapointed in this movie, after all the hype. I can see why some touted it to be the best of 2007, but I felt there were some aspects lacking, especially in the script. There were some amazing parts, I especially loved the last quarter of the film, but overall, it was a bit disappointing after all the hype.
Untraceable 7
Yes, the storyline was about as far-fetched as can come, but I enjoyed this movie a lot. It had the right amount of suspense, gore and fun to keep it just a level above others of it's type.
Jumper 5
There is very little that I remember of this film. I only know that I left the theatre dissapointed, and that I felt it could be quite a bit better than it turned out to be, especially with the calaber of some of the people involved in the project.
The Spiderwick Chronicles 7
I feel much the same about this movie as I do The Game Plan. The acting in general was at least above Par, and the storyline kept me captivated till the end, so it did what it set out to do. It may not be in the same caliber as Chronicles of Narnia or Harry Potter, but with the budget it had, I felt it did a very adequate job. It was enjoyable for old and young.
Step Up 2 The Streets 5
Step Up 2 The Streets 5
I have a confession to make, I very much enjoyed the first Step Up. I liked the dancing, the storyline at least kept my attention, and in general I thought it was entertaining as heck - If I remember correctly I rated it 7. Unfortunately the same can't be said for the sequel. The acting was a bit sub-par, the dance moves not nearly as entertaining as in the first, and the storyline felt like a rehash of many plots, previously done better. Dissapointing...
Drillbit Taylor 6
I enjoyed this little movie. I had no idea what it was about going in, but it had a charm to it, that I liked. Sure it was a bit juvenile and I've basically forgotten everything that had happened in it, but I do know that I left the theatre with a smile on my face.
Prom Night 4
I've never seen the original Prom Night, but I doubt it could be worse than this remake/re-imagining. The acting was, for the most part, at most average, the story-line was cliched, and the villian not scary in the least. With plot holes the size of mountains, and "jump-scares" that failed even in it's most basic of tasks, this movie was most definitely one of the worst of the year.
The Forbidden Kingdom 4
I had high hopes going into this movie, which may have affected my rating of it, and was extremely dissapointed. The entire storyline was boring, and a rehash of so many adventure films that have preceded it. I felt absolutely no chemistry between the characters and even Jet Li and Jackie Chan dissapointed. It just felt like a mish-mash of scenes that never worked individually or as a whole.
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