1. Vicky Christina Barcelona
Woody Allen is one of my favorite directors. It's hard not to love Annie Hall or Manhattan, and Match Point is one of my favorites of the last few years. So I was excited when I saw that he was making a movie with Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem. If you aren't fascinated by the exploration of one of the key questions of existence (should we choose a life of safety and boredom or one of excitement and pain?) then you should at least enjoy the Scarlett/Penelope makeout scene.
2. The Visitor
The story of a man who is wasting his life bitter and alone until he becomes friends with an immigrant couple that are staying in his NYC apartment. It starts out slow, but finishes powerfully.
3. Let the Right One In
I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but it was really good. Very few special effects, great acting from a couple of kids, and a bonus shot of a 12 year old's pubes. What more can you ask for from a sweedish vampire film?
4. The Dark Knight
I liked Batman Begins, and this was even better.
5. Quantum of Solace
Casino Royale was great but overrated. Quantum is better in almost every way. One of my favorite Bond movies.
6. Burn After Reading
A film about stupid people.
7. Slumdog Millionaire
An epic story of orphans in the slums of Mumbai. Reminded me a little of the excellent City of God.
8. Ghost Town
Similar in theme to the visitor, but substitute humor for power.
9. Religulous
Maher and his audience on Real Time piss me off sometimes, but this movie is a hilarious look at religious nuts around the world.
10. Role Models
I expected a standard, formulaic "comedy." It was that, but it was also very funny. I think this is the movie I had the most fun watching this year.
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I only saw entries 4, 5, and 6, but I heartily agree with those.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I got some dvds to rent.
Over the weekend, I saw Goodfellas for the first time. And I all I have to say, Jerry, for missing Stepbrothers is, "Now go get your fucking shine box."