Pics: Crazy4Cult (07/09/10)
Here are several pictures from last night’s Crazy4Cult art show. You can see the rest of my photos on my flickr page:
My Top 10 Films of 2009
2009 has been an interesting year for film. This year we saw one of the lowest budget films, Paranormal Activity, make millions at the box office. Thus, showing that you don’t need 300 million dollars to create a money making film. On the other hand, we saw James Cameron’s newest 3-D, CGI, film Avatar. One of the most expensive films ever created make millions of dollars in just a couple of weeks. What interesting things will 2010 bring for films? Only time will tell and without further a due, I present my 10 favorite films of 2009:
10. Star Trek
Even though the story has some major problems Star Trek is just too much fun. The score is great, CGI is amazing, and the cast is perfect. This is one film that I will watch, on Blu-Ray, over and over again.
9. District 9
In a few years, District 9 will be looked at as a sci-fi classic. The film contains a powerful story and acting. There are many different layers to this film, which makes it worth re-watching.
8. Sugar
One of the most underrated films from this past year. There is more to this film that just the sport of baseball. It’s tells a dominant story about the illusion of the American dream, and what believing in that dream can, and will, do to an individual.
7. Precious
Who knew that Monique and Mariah Carey could act? This just goes to show you that if you have a great script, editor, and director that they can make anyone into a great actor.
Many critics poo-pooped on this film because it wasn’t a “kids film”. Well, those critics don’t understand what Jonze was trying to accomplish. Jonze creates a film that takes adults back to their childhood, which Jonze 100% succeeds in.
This is the best film that is set in the Iraq war. Doesn’t try to make a solid statement about the war, but rather gives its effect on the people involved in war. Has some of the most intense scenes I have seen this year.
This might be a little of my fanboy side coming out, but I really did love The Brothers Bloom. I’m a huge fan of Rian Johnson’s other film, Brick, and I couldn’t wait to see this film when it was released. The Brothers Bloom contains a great story, acting, and music. If this film doesn’t make you smile, laugh, and cry then you have no soul.
3. UP
It’s Pixar. Enough said.
The best romantic comedy I have ever seen. This is one romcom that any guy can take his lady to go see and enjoy it as much as she will, maybe even more. Very funny film and any movie that has a Hall & Oats dance number is going to make my list.
Up in the Air is a film of our times. This particular film touches on many different themes (love, work, family, and technology) and touches on them well. The film doesn’t give the audience the answers, on any particular theme, because it wants to make the viewer think. If I would have seen this film before I created my top 10 films of the decade list, then this film would have been on it. Such an amazing film, and there is a punch-in-the-stomach moment that still replays in my head. The main character, Ryan Bingham, (played by George Clooney) is someone I can totally relate to at this moment in my life. Up in the Air is an instant classic, and will surely be up for an Oscar, come 2010.
The Karate Kid Remake Looks Horrible
The original Karate Kid is a film that I go back to from time to time so I can remember my childhood, but it looks like Hollywood has decided to take a huge dump on one of my favorite childhood films. If you are so inclined, take a look at the trailer for the remake, but it looks terrible.
Films that Made an Impact on Me
There have been a couple of handfull of films that have had an impacted on my life. Just because these films have made an impacted on my life does not make them my favorite films of all time, which some are, but these are films that have stuck with me throughout my life, so far:
-I remember my cousins forcing me to watch this film because they wanted me scare me, and after I saw this film I did not sleep for 24 hours. Every time I watch Nightmare on Elm St. I still get a bit spooked out before going to bed.
-Even though the third one was not all that great I still find myself thinking of these films throughout my day. Back to the Future made me a fan of sci-fi, and it taught me that you are the one in control in your life, and you can change the way you are at any time. Back to the Future made me seek out another trilogy, which you might have heard of, called Star Wars.
-This was the first film I cried in. I did not see Bambi until I was a teen, and I cried in that too, but Land Before Time scared me as a child. I still love this film, but I know if I ever watch it again that I will start to ball.
-Akira was the first anime film that I watched and I still remember the day I saw it. My grandmother was taking care of me one day, and she took me over to Blockbuster to rent a film. I picked Akira and as we started to watch it she fell asleep. This is when it gets interesting because right after she fell asleep is when a rape scene comes into play and massive violence starts to take place. I turned to see if my grandmother was watching, which she was not, and I turned down the volume and sat right in front of the television, so if she did wake-up she could not see the screen. I have seen the film numerous times since, and I have to claim that it is the best anime film that I have seen.
-This is not Mel Brooks’ best film but I still have a ball watching it. I use to watch this film all the time, and I find myself quoting from the film. Every time I watch Star Wars I always think of Spaceballs.
-I never saw film as an art form until I saw Citizen Kane. I saw this film in a film class, while attending city college, and after watching the film I was blown away. To this day, Citizen Kane is my favorite film of all time, because of how astonishing it is. If you are a fan of film, and have not seen Citizen Kane, then you are doing yourself an injustice.
