At the start of this, I was thinking... I'll be lucky if I even saw 10 movies this year because we did not see that many.
I went through all of my blog posts this year and through the Word doc where I'm actually tracking all the movies I see... yeah, I'm kinda nuts...
Ultimately, I saw 28 movies this year... 8 of them involved going out to a theater to see them...
I don't know if this is just me being lazy (since we no longer have a movie theater down the block from the house) or lack of interest in movies in general... but it's pretty sad. Makes me wonder sometimes why I'm still maintaining this blog. But I try to add to it whenever applicable.
So theater movies first... I guess I can do them backwards from 8 to 1 about which I liked least to the ones I loved most. Mind you, I don't remember what I scored every movie and this isn't about the BEST movie of the year from a technical standpoint. If this were figure skating, I'd be dealing more from the artistic/emotional components score.
8. Fantastic Beasts- The Crimes of Grindewald
I'm still hurting over this one... I'd never been disappointed by any Harry Potter movie. Even with the Order of the Phoenix, where they cut A LOT out from the book, they had at least had an entertaining, cohesive movie that had a point. Heck, all of the Harry Potter series, each movie could stand alone and they were fine as is. Same with the books. But it felt like with Grindewald, they really dropped the ball by dropping a lot of hints about what's coming, but it left you with even more questions than it answered.
Like I said in the actual review, every other time there's been a movie in the middle of a series, it had its own storyline that could stand alone from the others in the series. There were cliffhangers, yes, but the movie is solid otherwise.
Whether I think this movie was worse than Mockingjay part 1... that's a tough call... because I really didn't like Mockingjay as a book. I didn't like having to sit through two separate sessions to see it on the big screen. And there wasn't much to part 1- Katniss makes propaganda videos, we learn about the people in District 13 and they rescue Peeta and Johanna from the Capitol... I'd call it a virtual tie.
7. Solo- A Star Wars Story
I'm not going to be one of those people who hates on this movie so much that I don't think they should make any more Star Wars side projects... although I do agree since Skywalker Ranch reopened (it's a metaphor, not actually talking about the actual place) the market has become quickly oversaturated with Star Wars stuff. But I guess that's what happens when Disney's behind it... they've done the same thing with Marvel, ironically, over the last decade. Ever since the original Iron-Man. But with Star Wars, it was almost like that they did it in half the time.
Anyway, I thought the movie was brilliantly cast and well acted. And it had a good story. But somewhere along the line, it lost all of us. Without giving too much away, the last half hour is full of betrayal, lack of honor among thieves and you don't know who is whom. It was like they got 3/4 through the movie and realized they didn't know how to end it. And crucial details like how Han got the Millennium Falcon or did the Kessel run in fewer than 20 parsecs, the stuff of Star Ware lore, they were just thrown into the script haphazardly and I don't think a lot of fanboys appreciated it.
6. Fifty Shades Freed
My feelings about this series will forever be complicated. The movies definitely have more revisitability (if that's not a word, it should be- just saying...) than the books because they trim a lot of the fat and things got much more cohesive.
I'll admit, I was tempted to rank this one a little higher, but I just couldn't justify it. With "Fifty Shades Darker," it was a lot easier because I enjoyed that movie a lot more than the first one. And by enjoyed, I don't mean in that way, although the sex scenes were easier to watch because they weren't as graphic or belligerent (no joke- I'd never used this word before, but it came to mind randomly and I googled it to make sure I a) spelled it right and b) used it correctly... I don't have to look up spelling that often, but that's a fun phenomenon when it comes up, using random words I hadn't before).
Anyway, over the last two movies in the series, it felt like the movies settled into a good pocket. Where they kinda know the writing's bad, but they make due with it and don't take themselves too seriously. I will say that "Freed" had one of the better story arcs because it involved even more of Anastasia standing up for hers. Heck, the kidnapping plot ripped off from "Twilight" was the most compelling part of the whole series, I think. It took us away from Christian and showed Anastasia being more than just another damsel in distress. But for Christian Grey, it wasn't his finest hour. I'm not still sure if I like him less in this movie or the first one...
5. Christopher Robin
This movie was in the middle of the pack for me... it's not terrible, but it's not exceptional. It did a lot of things right, but other things could have been done better. Casting Ewan McGregor was a great move just because I don't feel like I see him often enough. And also great to see Hayley Atwell step away from Agent Carter and do a different role. It had a lot of the same heart that the A.A. Milne stories and the corresponding Disney cartoons had. Not all of the characterizations were perfect (but it was also hard to do some characters justice because their voice actors had since passed away) and there were parts of it that were a bit depressing. But it's important to note that it got things right where they mattered most.
Also- I didn't know much my sister enjoyed the movie, even though it was her idea to see it (and I was right behind cuz I loved the trailers and the idea of it)... she didn't seem as enthused coming out of it at the end. But the fact she asked for the movie for Christmas says that it did its job ;)
...and this is where the rankings get a little trickier...
4. Avengers: Infinity War
This was the easiest to rank next... just because of that ending... WHAT A DOWNER... a lot of us are still not quite over it. (Again, I'll say as much as I am ready for RDJ to hang up the suit, I didn't want to see him go out like that and I would have been upset if he had).
It was really cool to have the All-Stars, all of these characters across the galaxy coming together. It was kinda like the original Avengers, but 10x greater of a nerdgasm... although maybe not quite as satisfying because there were so many characters.
I think I need to see this one a couple more times just to take everything in. But Sherlock meeting Sherlock was still the best part, I think... RDJ and Benedict Cumberbatch. Also the tension between Star-Lord and Thor, it (i.e. Chris Pratt) was kinda stupid, but it was pretty hilarious.
...now it's getting harder... but when all else fails, you gotta go with your favorites... and #1 will certainly be that. It should be noted, though, that none of these movies are 100% perfect, but they were extremely enjoyable and their vision was achieved very well.
3. Mary Poppins Returns
It would have been so easy to put this at #1 just because it was the most recent of the movies.
This movie has some amazing effects and visuals. The characters were lovable and memorable. It was very entertaining. The one catch that might separate it from the other two is that the songs probably won't stand the test of time. Or at least they won't be songs I'll be singing along to years from now like it's second nature. Aside from the lead role, the one thing that will always stand out more about the original Mary Poppins is the songs. I don't know all the words to any of them, but if you asked me to do a few bars, I'd be able to. And I hadn't seen that movie more than maybe 5 times in its entirety in my whole life.
2. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
If this movie and Mary Poppins get into fisticuffs over Oscars for Best Art Direction and Visual Effects, I hope Nutcracker sweeps because I thought those visuals were exceptional. It'd been some thing since I'd marveled (haha) at the visual effects of a movie. You see enough sci-fi/super hero movies and they start to become less impressive over time because you get used to this. This was a cinematic experience that I felt needed to be seen on a big screen so you can truly appreciate every nuance.
The story itself, as far back as it goes, is ulimately about escaping into a fantasy and being enchanted by it from start to finish. This version also had some added heart at its core. That it's ultimately about the importance of family. Mary Poppins had a lot of that too, which is why both movies were so close.
Adding to the Oscar discussion, the Nutcracker needs to win for Best Makeup. For Costume Design, the nomination would be nice, but i don't know for sure if it'll win.
It'd be funny the joke was ultimately on me and that Steve Carell "Marwen" movie sweeps the artistic awards :P my dad read an article saying it was the worst Steve Carell movie ever because it didn't earn back even a 10th of the money that went into making it. But I think it has a really good story and a cool concept. Plus, it's inspired by a true story. What's not to like? (Of course I'm talking about a movie I haven't even seen yet... but I love the quirky look of it)
1. A Star is Born
Anyone who knows me certainly wouldn't be surprised by this :P
The one thing about this movie that's a drawback is the length. It felt after a while it was starting to overstay its welcome. Which makes it a little harder to rewatch multiple times. But there's definitely room to revisit. I just got the soundtrack for Christmas and I'll have to give that a listen soon. I didn't even realize until looking at the back how many songs it had.
The funny thing about this list... I'm looking at it now... there weren't a lot of movies I saw this year that had a lot of big names. If they were lucky, they had one or two.
Fantastic Beasts had Johnny Depp and he was the bad guy.
Christopher Robin had Ewan McGregor
Mary Poppins had Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda
The Nutcracker had Keira Knightly, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren and they were secondary characters, not the protagonist.
Avengers was the only other one on the list that had a lot of star power to it.
Which ultimately (gotta stop using that word, lol) means that what's bringing me the movies now isn't the stars, but the story... or whether or not it was part of a franchise we'd already invested a lot of time and money in.
I just thought it was an interesting observation.
Anyway... what more can I say about "A Star is Born" that I hadn't?
Bradley Cooper should win an Oscar for Best Director, but maybe not Best Actor... although it was another of those great roles where he just disappeared- he does that so well, it's crazy.
Gaga NEEDS to win an Oscar for this... cuz I don't think that opportunity is going to come again. I'm still a little livid that her song for the "Hunting Ground" documentary lost to a Bond theme. Sam Smith's vocal on it is chill-inducing, but there have been better Bond themes. "Goldfinger" set the standard, but in recent history, I still think "Skyfall" is the best and probably won't be topped anytime soon. I'm not the biggest Adele fan (the radio plays her songs WAY too much), but that's an amazing song and she does it spectacularly.
The music is really good, lots of great songs and the on-screen chemistry was magnetic.
...
Now for some of the other movie highlights for the year...
Girl Trip
This was so much fun. I think this was the movie that kinda put Tiffany Haddish on the map because she'd been literally everywhere since. Not complaining, she's hilarious. Loved her in this movie. And after hating (well, loving to hate) her as the villain in "Gotham," it was fun seeing Jada Pickett Smith is a different role that goes against her strong personality.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Sure, the ending is a little anticlimatic and disappointing. But it was a fascinating watch. Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell definitely deserved those Oscars.
The Shape of Water
Definitely not your typical Oscar winning film... I had to see this just because I got curious and it was another fascinating watch. The one ick factor for me was that it was a little too R-rated for my liking. The relationship between the creature and the mute woman is beautiful and could teach us a lot about humanity. But did it have to turn sexual? I didn't really think so... Also it was kinda cool seeing Octavia Spencer in this. She's good in everything she does, but I love her in the side-kick role. Especially when a dry sense of humor is involved. The ending is both predictable and unpredictable, so I won't say much. I will say that I got choked up when the credits started rolling-- dammit, it was a beautiful ending tied up in the prettiest bow. I was literally a wreck for 5 minutes afterwards and I'm getting teary just thinking about it.
Chef
I'd wanted to see this movie for years because it's another RDJ movie credit... he's only in it for maybe 5 minutes, but whatever... I can at least check it off my list.
I know this movie had been around a few years, but I'm glad to finally have the opportunity. I thought it was a really cool concept. Where a chef wants to make the food he wants to so he quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck. And it becomes a hit via social media. It's about food as much as it is about family. And it was kinda cool to see Sofia Vergara in a different role, a little more grounded, as his ex-wife.
Love, Simon
I heard about this movie because of its groundbreaking plot- about a gay teen who strikes up a friendship/relationship with someone who came out on a popular social media site. Between this and "Everything, Everything," I'd been seeing a lot of Nick Robinson this year. Funny thing is that I'm not seeking him out, but he's randomly appearing in these movies. I'm not attracted to him or anything (which typically happens with guys I follow from movie to movie) but I don't have anything to dislike about him. Except maybe how he was in the Jurassic World movie where he was the obnoxious older brother. But he did this role really well. And it was written where this wasn't just your typical gay teenager movie... I felt like it could become a classic teen movie that could stand up to John Hughes' heyday. It could certainly compete with Ferris Bueller and Sixteen Candles. Breakfast Club- if you're familiar with my blog, you know my particular affinity for that movie.
Ready Player One
Another fascinating watch... cuz this one makes you think a bit about social media and virtual reality. I don't know how old the book is or how close it is to the movie (or vice-versa), but I knew from the trailers that this was an experience to be had. Maybe one I should have taken up in the theater. The visuals were so cool and I loved the intriguing plot and how it relates back to our world.
The only negative is that I felt like it ran a little long. I'm at the point now where I feel like 2 hours is a lot of time to commit to a movie and if it's not a well-spent 2 hours of movie time, I half wonder if I shouldn't be off doing something else. Life is only so short, right? It seems like Steven Speilberg, it's just impossible for him to do any movie that's shorter than 2 hours. Other than the time, it was really cool and I'll have to watch it a couple more times.
Crazy Rich Asians
We just saw this the other week... it lived up to the hype. My mom got it for dad for Christmas because it takes place in Singapore and he'd been there a bunch of times for business. They were watching it and recognizing all of the sites.
It takes social media to another level and it's the darker side of it. Basically, this young man is dating a guy who's from a rich family and when his fans find out they're together, they trash her all over social media... it's really cutthroat stuff.
Her friend, played by one of this year's break-out stars, Awkwafina, was a major scene-stealler. I'm just glad that her antics didn't cause any issues between the two lovers.
What I didn't like about the movie was that they drove a wedge between the couple with brand new information the rich family dug out... it just felt very contrived and thrown in just for the sake of more drama.
But it's definitely an experience worth repeating over and over. A lot of flash and glamor and a lot of great actors in this all-Asian cast.
Ok, that's it...
oh, we just watched Spiderman- Homecoming...it's a lot to process, a lot going on. Michael Keaton was a great villain. Still trying to get a handle on this new Spider-Man. I'm still partial to Tobey (in fact, we watched the original Spider-Man a few days ago). There wasn't enough RDJ in this movie for me, but whatever. I think part of me was just watching the clock and how much of the night I'm losing just to one movie...
here's hoping for 2019 to be a better year.
Also, R.I.P.
1) Stan Lee-- heck, I should probably thank him for this blog because Iron-Man gave RDJ a second lease on his acting career and RDJ was the one who got me really into movies, but I know he's meant so much to all the comic fanboys of the world
2) Aretha Franklin- enough said
3) Avicii- I'm not a fan of "Wake Me Up" (arguably his best known hit) but "Sky Full of Stars" owes its production to him... actually, I looked up the song and Coldplay not only collaborated with him on it, Avicii actually played the keyboards on that song... that is my favorite Coldplay- simply magical
4) Burt Reynolds- definitely one of those Hollywood sex symbols we'll never forget
5) Stephen Hillenburg- he gave us Spongebob... I know the show's gotten really played out over the last several years, but it was a huge phenomenon when it came out. I didn't know until after he passed that he was a marine biologist. Considering that was my major in college, I'm just really impressed with him and I'm sorry I didn't know that sooner
6) Verne Troyer- you will always be our Mini-Me
7) Margot Kidder- forever our Lois Lane
8) John Mahoney- my sister became a huge Frasier fan about five years ago because she liked Eddie, but she also really likes Kelsey Grammar (might be the reason why she'd become a huge Simpsons fan later on too)... anyway, his passing was kinda sad for us cuz he gave a lot of great dry humor moments on Frasier.
No comments:
Post a Comment