I couldn't be a critic without adding an obligatory year in review section. I hardly feel like I have a right to; I
don't think I saw more than ten films this year (haha). As such, I can't do a top ten. So I'll break tradition and do a
top five. Sort of. I'll also give you thought on all those other films that I didn't see that came out this year. Speaking
of traditiion, I didn't even want to do a 'top __' list; I just wanted to give you my favorite films and tell you what I thought.
But as Mr. Ebert says about his own ranked list, tradition calls.
1.
'Hot Fuzz'--Ok, so maybe this is a bit biased, probably due to the fact that I have not yet seen it on any critic's top ten
list yet and I feel like this is unjust. But what can I say? It was the only film this year that I saw that got the coveted
A+. It's pitch perfect in every way, devilishly clever and of Ivy League intelligence, and wickedly funny. There are absolutely
no faults here. None. How many other films have I reviewed can claim that?
2,
but also partly tying for first. '3.10 to Yuma'--This is another film that I have not seen on any top film list. This I
cannot believe. If leaving out 'Fuzz' was unjust, this is just blasphemy. There are faults with it, thus it is second, but
it is a very close second. I might even go so far as to tie it with first place. It is deep and complex and beautiful.
I love this film; it's truly amazing. The story is simple but the characters are complex. And the actintg......I'm still
fuming about those Golden Globe noms which completely snubbed 'Yuma'. That was just wrong. Wrong.
3.
'Ratatouille'--A strong third, and even if 'Yuma' ties for first, this is still third. A good solid film, Pixar again does
no wrong. It's smart and cute and funny. Not a favorite, but it still very good. I don't care for animated films, but Pixar
can hold my interests any day.
4. 'Stardust'--One of the funniest
films, this one gets a spot because of the cast. They are fantastic. Everyone is great and in their element here, especially
Robert De Niro. This film is smart, too. Clearly the writers are well learned. And it's funny. There are some parts which
are just brilliant. This one was sadly overlooked.
5. 'Enchanted'--Why
is this one here? Because now I am getting to the moment where I am running out of films to add because I didn't get to see
very many this year. But it's still worthy, a little sappy and sugary, but still solid. Major kudos to the cast; the acting
is superb. A little silly film, but still worth a watch, especially if you're in one of those romantic moods. Much better
than any chick flick you'll see in a long time. A plus on the idea for this story too; something new is always welcome.
Honorable mention: 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End'--Ok, I know. Total
bias. But my honorable mentions tend to be; films that I love and deem worthy yet are not good enough to be ranked. I love
this film, and yes, we know it loves me too. I complain so much about it, but who am I kidding? I love 'Pirates'. All three.
And it wasn't a great film, but it was a good one, and it deserves some recognition. You can't tell me that when the big
fight in the maelstrom started you didn't feel some spark of excitment.
So
what about the others?
As you noticed, every film above is wide release, except for 'Fuzz'. That's because the
independent film theater in town is stupid and the next nearest one is an hour away. So hence the fact that my list is very
different from other critic's; no limited release films here. I know I'm leaving out a lot of films that I know where excellent,
but either I didn't see them because they didn't release in town or I just didn't have time (or, I admit, I didn't want to).
I have heard amazing praises for 'No Country for Old Men', 'Knocked Up', 'Once', and 'Juno' to name a few, but most of the
films which are truly amazing are limited release and you know the problem there. As for the others like 'Knocked Up'? Can
you really see me going to see this film? I didn't think so. Not that I think it's not a good one, I'm sure it is, I just
can't bring myself to completely ruin my innocence. Other films like 'Beowulf' didn't last long enough around town for me
to get a chance to see them (southern Indiana does not care for literary or intelligent films; it enjoys films that insult
people's intelligence).
Still want to see
Want is not need.
There are countless films that I 'need' to see; need as in I have not seen them. But that does not mean I want to see them.
Here are the films that I still want to see from this year:
'Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street'--Tim
Burton is brilliant, and Johnny Depp is awesome beyond all reason. I know, I don't like blood, but I can always hide my eyes.
Oh and get this: this is a wide release film, but it's not playing anywhere in town! This tells you something about southern
Indiana. Pathetic.
'28 Weeks Later'--Because I saw the first one and I loved it.
'Oceans 13'--Because
I saw the other two and want to see how the story ends.
'Hairspray'--Because John Travolta in drag is priceless!
And I heard great things about this film.
'Atonement'--Because....it will be fantastic. I can feel it.
'Persepolis'--I
read the books that this film is based on and they are fantastic. The art in particular is stunning. I can't wait (but I'll
have to because....guess what...this film is in limited release!! :D).
'Once'--Because I like The Frames and I heard
great things about the film.
There are probably more to add to this list, but these are the ones that particularly
stand out to me.
I haven't even mentioned all the dull and pointless
and ridiculous films from the past year. I won't even bother. How sad is it that all the great films are independents, and
all the bad ones are wide releases? Very sad. I wonder what next year will bring? For now it includes more James Bond (eeeeeee!!!!!!),
a J.J. Abrams film that looks slick but has the potential to be very, very disappointing (unless you watch 'Lost', which I
don't), and a Tom Cruise film which contains a mini 'Pirates' reunion! (joys!!! :D) No more 'Pirates', sadly, and no more
Simon and Nick and Edgar (Pegg, Frost, and Wright; guys, come on!). But so it goes; bottom line: this was a depressing year
in movies. Let's bank on next year being better.
