Often this is something i'm forced to do as i encounter these bits of pop culture rather than what was actually released in the year 2004. however, whenever possible i try to keep it current.
Movies I Enjoyed this Year (In no Particular Order):
The Incredibles - wonderful story and animation (even if it borrows heavily) and THANK GOD no meaningless songs and talking creatures to provide comedy. I like Eddie Murphy, but i could live my whole life and never hear him being a 'funny animal' again. he should start cussing more (again).
Sky Capt. and the World of Tomorrow - I really liked the idea of a female Nick Fury in a prop driven Heli-carrier. Again, it mines from other stuff i like, so maybe that eases its way into my head.
Hero - Beautiful. i need to see his newer movie, house of the flying daggers (is that the name?)
Kill Bill (let's just lump 1 & 2 in together) - Jesus! what a ride. if you saw it you know why someone would like it, even if you didn't. if you didn't see it i really can't do it justice here. i particularly enjoyed the oddball references, particularly the opening with the 'Shaw Brothers' shield (famous HK Kung Fu movie studio) and the use of the AWESOME gordon Liu. one of my favorites.
Fahrenheit 9/11 - How utterly alarming and eye opening. i have seen the movie and the detractor's 'counter' movie with an open mind and the detractors fall remarkably short in putting to rest the issues raised in this movie.
Hellboy - Perfect match for the comic. lots of fun. i want a part 2.
Harry Potter 3 - good, but not as good as the first 2. mostly because the villain kid was made less menacing or threatening. he'd say something mean and another kid would put him in his place over the course of about 15 seconds. end of scene. that's not very good. otherwise, nice movie.
Starsky and Hutch - Hey, i liked it.
Bourne Supremacy - Great follow up. it had everything i liked about the first movie.
Spider-Man 2 - perhaps one of the best adaptations of a comic book character. i did not mind the different take used on the storylines. One thing about Peter Parker is that he's got a troubled 'real' life despite his 'super' life. they played this so well, i was really feeling sorry for the guy as the movie went on. i was shocked at the sympathy the actor and director was able to create. also the villain was MUCh better than the 1st movie and the special effects were wondrous.
Mean Girls - Man, that movie was great! Tina Fey gives us a teen movie for adults. that's really what i thought it was. I liked every bit of it.
City of God - One of the best films of the year. the story was compelling and pretty tough. it has an effect on you to see how different life is in this world. Excellent film!
The Movies I've yet to see but wish i had:
Ray, Hotel Rwanda, I Robot, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Beyond the Sea, Anchorman, The Aviator, DeLovely, Spanglish, Oceans 12, the Life Aquatic, Closer, Alexander, I Heart Huckabees, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Open Water, Million Dollar Baby, Sideways, Friday Night Lights, and the Redone, re-issue of Sam Fuller's The Big Red One. that was supposed to be really good.
Oh yeah. Team America sucked but had one of the best songs of the year: America, F*ck Yeah! it seemed as if penned by our good friend Jas N Smith.
Music I Enjoyed this Year:
Books I Enjoyed this Year:
This was a thin year for me on good, new stuff that i liked. I liked the Jet album and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. oh yeah, and ....
BaadAssss Cinema - Collection of Blackexploitation themesongs and hits.
Charlie Wilson's War (finishing up right now) by George CrileComics of the Year:
Means of Ascent (Vol. 2 Lyndon Johnson Biography) by Robert Caro
Hunter S. Thompson:
*Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail
*Hell's Angels
*Better than Sex (the story of a political junky)
**and about 4 others that i'm leaving off!
The Illustrated Daily Scribble by Charles Pugsley FincherHAPPY NEW YEAR!
This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow
The Sketchbook Diaries by James Kochalka
Conan (the new series) by Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord
The New Frontier by (my favorite artist in comics today) Darwyn Cooke
2 comments:
Did you notice how in a barebones outline kind of way The Incredibles and Sky Captain were the same movie: Hero with various sidekicks takes on evil mastermind villain hiding out on a secret island with plan to take over/destroy world involving rocket ship hidden in fake volcano crater (no wait that's You Only Live Twice Heh heh). But that's o.k. because both films owe so much to those late 30s early 40s serial rolls.
I just felt Sky Captain was a bit too busy visually at times. Just becaiuse CGI allows you to do something doesn't mean you always have to do it. And couldn't Kerry Conran have spent at least 1/1000 of his budget on a script?
Agree on City of God.
Forget Ocean's 12; it's got realy annoying and jerky handheld caemra shit throughout, plus the plot is needlessly complicated just trying to hide that one last secret reveal. Nice cameos for Bruce WIllis and Albert Finney though.
Of your to see list definitely head for Sideways, Friday Night Lights, and The Big Red One. Love here for Kinsey too.
I had to get a stupid account so I could post on yr stupid site.
Yay, Darwyn Cooke!!
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