Hey FOOLS! Each year we bring you what our favourite films are for the entire year, which can actually be quite exhausting because it's hard to remember everything you've seen sometimes. So we thought we'd give you a Mid Year Review of our three favourite films, our most disliked film and our three most anticipated film for the second half of 2010. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
1- Ironman 2- Damn fun and a worthy follow up from the original. It managed to keep the same tone and spark even when it went into darker territory
2- Shutter Island- even though we all knew the ending when it got to it this was a movie that was definitely not about the destination but the journey. The scene with Dicaprio in the water with his kids is a scene that will stay with me for a long time
3- Animal Kingdom- This is an Australian film that lived up to its hype. The first time this has happened in a long time. Whilst Beneath Hill 60 was a surprise, this was a an Aussie film that I actually agreed with the praises. Claustrophobic, on edge and downright scary this is Australian drama at its best.
Worst-Twilight: Eclipse My worst film for the year is Twilight Eclipse. I know it hasn’t come out yet and I know that as a reviewer I should go into movies without bias but this goes beyond that. I wanted to like this series but the creators don’t want anyone else apart from 13 year old hormonal girls to like it. A shame, because I love vampire and werewolves stuff.
But if I have to be correct and give you a film, I have to say I enjoyed the movies I have watched this year at the cinema. I did watch The Mutant Chronicles on DVD and it was excruciating like watching Georgia rules and Sex and the city 1 and 2 with a car alarm going off in my ear.
I hate doing Top-5s (or 3s) 'cause it looks like I didn't appreciate some great nmovies that I had to leave out... Anyway, the 3 I enjoyed the most would be:
#3- Harry Brown - Incredibly well written revenge flick with a Michael Caine in absolute control of his movie and performance.
#2- From Paris with Love - I strongly feel this one was unfairly judged and completely underrapreciated; it's an adrenaline rush of cool non-stop action unlike constant American rehashes, and it made me like Travolta again - no small endeavor! Just plain fun, enjoyed it a lot.
#1- Kick-Ass - it just really does. Aaron Johnson is gonna be huge, mark my words!
As for the year's worse so far, there's been plenty of sh*tty ones to choose from but when your expectations are low, the film doesn't seem all THAT bad. the biggest disappointment though, because I did have high expectations and it excruciatingly failed to meet them, is Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. How to kill a 5-movie franchise with the first instalment.
1- Toy Story 3
I can't stop thinking about this film. I toyed with the whole 'is it the best Toy Story? and if not not where would it rank?' but then I realised this is a Toy Story film. Each one is special in its own way and part 3 had all the elements that made Toy Story and Toy Story 2 so beloved. Also the film felt like it had so much more emotion and humour than the previous two. It's a worthy addition to the Toy Story franchise and to the Pixar catalogue. I have to say Mr. Tortilla head has been one of the funniest things i've seen in a long time.
2- Kick-Ass
I got to see this as a work print and its soundtrack was totally different featuring themes from Superman, Spiderman, and Batman. Almost like a greatest hits of Superhero films. Whilst the second viewing of the film didn't feel as good as that first print, the soundtrack had totally blown me away, it's still a film I completely loved. Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz kicked, punched and sliced their way into the big leagues and finally I got to see Nicholas Cage in a role where I remembered why I loved him so much. It was a great film and I will no doubt buy it upon its release.
3- How to Train Your Dragon
HTTYD totally blew me away. It had such a Disney heart to the film and yet it was Dreamworks visually. It's probably the closest thing to a Disney/Dreamworks Animation collaboration you'll ever see. It was such a leap forward, in terms of character and storyline development, for a Dreamworks Animation film and I actually end up seeing three times. I loved it.
Honourable Mentions
Shutter Island for being grippingly beautiful, Iron Man 2 for keeping comic films real and The A-Team for just being a heck of a lot of fun.
Worst film for Jan-Jun 2010
Nine my wife and I went to see this film based on the cast and the fact that Chicago is watched often in our house. Sadly Nine was no where near as polished as Chicago and ended up being a jumbled film with less than memorable songs and a great cast that just couldn't make Nine work.
Prester John's Most Anticipated
1-The Last Airbender- I loved the trailers. The looks and concept really drew me in. I am watching the TV series and I am now even more excited to see where M takes it. This can be so good but then again M will have to return to form. I hope he does.
2-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 1- One of the best movie franchises ever and I have never read any of the books. This to me is the perfect example how to not only adapt a novel but to make the franchise accessible to everyone. Twilight franchise take note.
3- Inception-Christopher Nolan teaming up with my favorite actor Leonardo Dicaprio in a mind screwing sci-fi film. This film could easily be this generation’s Bladerunner or Matrix.
Fleetwood's Most Anticipated
-Inception - Joseph Gordon Levitt, Christopher Nolan, and an original sci-fi concept; what more can you ask for?
-Scott Pilgrim - Huge fan of the comic books, can't see anyone better than Edgar Wright to adapt them. Michael Cera doesn't really light me on fire, but the trailers make it look insanely fun.
-The Adjustment Bureau - Blade Runner meets Dark City, that's the feeling I get from the trailer. Based on a story from Philip K. Dick and starring Matt Damon, just can't wait.
biggeoff's Most Anticipated
1- Inception
I just love Christopher Nolan's work and this looks like it will mess with minds. Throw Leo and Joseph Gordon Levitt into the mix and this is one hell of a film.
2- The Social Network
David Fincher's work is so meticulous and I know that his film based on the story of the creation of Facebook will be amazing.
3- The Legend of the Guardians: The Owl's Of Ga'Hoole
Zack Snyder making an animated film about battling owls. What more can you want, watch the trailer it looks stunning.