SO FAR:My Top 15 movies of 2010

I have seen a total of 30 movies with the release date of 2010, I am going to make a quick list of my top 15 and my bottom 5

TOP 15

15- Defendor 3/5

Consensus: None Available

14- MacGruber

Consensus: A Fun, Vulgar comedy. It succeeds in making you laugh. See this movie if you are looking for a good dose of comedy.

13- Prince of Persia: Sands of Time

Consensus: As a veteran to the game I think it is worthy, but not of high honors to the game series. However for people who haven't you will get either one of two things and that is cheesiness that you dislike or cheesiness you embrace and love.

12- Splice

Consensus: Splice is a very haunting thriller. It is politically intact and scientifically intact as well. As far as horror films are concerned, this one is a keeper.

11- The Human Centipede (First Sequence)

Consensus: I'm not going to be the asshole who tells you to see this movie. But it gave me chills, very haunting. The Human Centipede's silly premise is made up by the story not taking itself to seriously and overflowing us with BS stories, instead it is what it is.

10- The Crazies

Consensus: Go see this movie, there are not many great horror films out there today, last year we had the over rated Paranormal Activity and that was about it, horror comedies has been where its at, here we got finally a legit thrilling horror flick, however don't go in expecting another 28 Days Later.

9- Get Him to the Greek

Consensus: Very Funny, and sweet. Get Him to the Greek does everything you want a raunchy comedy to do and more. See this film, probably the funniest movie so far of 2010.

8- The Runaways

Consensus: As a biopic, it has its ups and it has its downs. The Runaways is what it is. I encourage people to see this one, but with an open minded sense.

7- Shutter Island

Consensus: Cinematically beautiful, well-written, acted, and scored. At times Scorsese's Shutter Island has trouble keeping itself in perspective, but the surprises and beauty of the film overshadow its flaws. See it.

6- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Consensus: Not for the faint of heart, or for the person with a small attention span. But this is no doubt one of the best mystery thrillers of all time that I have seen, it is gritty, realistic, and ever so dark. See this movie...if you dare.

5- I Love You Phillip Morris

Consensus: If you love Carey and McGregor and would like to see them act their hearts out, see this. It is also pretty funny, but like I said it is not for everyone, not because it is a homosexual movie, but because the comedy isn't like normal Jim Carrey comedy, it is smarter in my opinon. You be the judge.

4- How to Train Your Dragon

Consensus: Kids, adults, whoever the hell you are, see this movie. Its worth the ticket price and the 3-D price, I wish I could see this in IMAX. This is a heart-warming tale, that will pull you in from beginning to end.

3- Toy Story 3

Consensus: Very funny and Tearjerking, Toy Story 3 wraps up what is considerably one of the greatest trilogies of all time.

2- Greenberg

Consensus: I won't suggest this film to everyone, those who appreciate art and independent film will love it along with those who like this kind of movie, Baumbach's dysfunctional style. This is an amazingly deep movie.

1- Kick-Ass

Consensus: Probably going to see it over and over again if I can. Remarkable, artistic comedy, this and How to Train Your Dragon should be Best Picture contenders this year. But the academy will defintley decide against this.

And now the bottom 5:

5- Valentine's Day

Consensus: Takes every different scenario and outcomes other romantic comedies have already abused and bundles it into a Valentine's gift just to make money. Valentine's Day fails in my book.

4- Shrek: Forever After

Consensus: If you looking to give Shrek another shot after the third one, don't bother. He has failed you again. Please refrain from seeing this film and if the kids are begging and yelling to see it, at least try to avoid the expensive 3D.

3- Cop Out

consensus: NA

2- Jonah Hex

Consensus: Jonah Hex suffers from dull acting, lack of emotion, choppy edits/ cinematography, and serious issue with ambition from the writers/ directors. As a revenge, anti-hero flick and as a movie in general. It fails....big time.

1- Alice in Wonderland

consensus: NA

My Movie Review: The Human Centipede (First Sequence)

My Movie Review: The Human Centipede (First Sequence)

3.5/5

Opening Statement: A deranged mad scientists, kidnaps a couple of young women and forces the to participate in his experiment, which is to attach three humans together to create a human centipede.

What's Good: What......the......hell....The silly premise set us up for the weird, the deranged, the sick, the twisted...I would love to use even more synonyms, because the whole time watching this movie, my mind was warped by its bizarre and twisted feel and that is what a twisted movie is suppost to do. With The Human Centipede it is what it is, someone sat down and thought how messed up a human centipede would be, then wrote up a story around that concept. That much is obvious, The Human Centipede's story however doesn't bring us along a BS ride, with sad backgrounds, flashbacks, in fact there is hardly any dialogue at all, and as far as music goes it is kept on a very low key, why is this doctor mad? We don't know, that is not what it is about, it is about "OMFG a Human Centipede" Nothing less and nothing more, it delivers the concept with a very slow, dark pace, that keeps us on the edge of out seats, at the same time we are mindlessly watching this, probably cult classic for big fans of the indie-horror genre.

What's Bad: Truthfully, a lot of things. It barely earns the 3.5 score. First of all, the acting is bad, the antagonist does the best job but he barely acts...he just naturally looks scary. Even when he is not doing anything you are given chills by him. Which isn't a bad thing. For some people the story not explaining itself is a bad thing, for me I was glad they didn't, although in the back of my mind I wonder why all this is happening. Well it is a stupid STUPID premise, however it doesn't take itself to seriously which is good.

Consensus: I'm not going to be the asshole who tells you to see this movie. But it gave me chills, very haunting. The Human Centipede's silly premise is made up by the story not taking itself to seriously and overflowing us with BS stories, instead it is what it is.

My Movie Review: Jonah Hex

My Movie Review: Jonah Hex

1/5

Opening Statement: Jonah Hex is an anti-hero with nothing to lose after his family is murdered by the main villan in this film, haunted with the memory of his screaming family, and filled with negative emotion, once Hex hears the man who took everything from him is still out there, he goes on a mission for vengeance.

What's Good: You can catch it periodically, but some of the effects are pretty nice, the images of the sky, the flashback and dream sequences are very well done, even if they appear as formula tells them to. John Malkovich is probably the best part as our villan, he really is a great actor.

What's Bad: Too much to recommend this to anyone, maybe even fans of the DC comic series. Marvel had an anti-hero out for revenge to, he was called The Punisher, In The Punisher Frank Castle didn't care about a certain save-the-day mission, he just used his wits to out smart and brutally take vengeance on the man who killed his family. That film got this genre right. This one...not so much. First of all the writer/ directors have a serious lack of ambition, this film as a very short run time, and everything seems rushed to the finale which is only kind of enjoyable. The finale really is the only good action scene in this whole thing, everything else is choppily cut and frankly, pretty boring. If you are going to do a 70 minute action film, at least try to avoid boring patches. Also we have Josh Brolin, who is a very talented actor who seems kind of confused in this role, every now and then you see him smile, or attempt to show another emotion besides the grumbling anger, put he holds back as if he was directed otherwise. Then we have Megan Fox, whose acting hasn't been up to par anyways, in this movie for one reason, to look sexy, there is a brief scene towards the beginning where she looks kind of sexy, then thats it. She only makes the screen for like a combined 5 to 10 minutes doing a tough-whore act that I just didn't buy. There is also some humor in Jonah Hex...yeah it doesn't work at all anytime, but at least the attempts at wit try to give this film some blockbuster soul. In some flashbacks there are attempts for us to feel Hex's pain...it doesn't work, a man whose kids and wife are murdered and burned to death, I should feel sympathy, I just felt like someone was trying to scam me. I could go on and on about why Jonah Hex is a bad movie. But I don't want to bore you...if only the writers/ directors thought more like me.

Consensus: Jonah Hex suffers from dull acting, lack of emotion, choppy edits/ cinematography, and serious issue with ambition from the writers/ directors. As a revenge, anti-hero flick and as a movie in general. It fails....big time.

My Movie Review: Valentine's Day

My Movie Review: Valentine's Day

2/5

Opening Statement: Valentine's Day explores the relationship between many different couples in a city, and the surprises and gifts that come with love through hardships and good things as well.

What's Good: It delivers its fair share of surprises, it's strictly to formula most of the time but Valentine's Day picks up half way through with some interesting outcomes in these relationship stories. Some of the morality lessons of love behind Valentines Day are appealing as well. That love in unpredictable, and if you really love someone you go through the hard stuff together, blah blah blah. It can be pretty damn cute. It does itself justice in such manner. I also loved the ensemble behind this film, the actors didn't necessarily do the best they've done, but none the less these are some fine actors/ actresses.

What's Bad: Too much to recommend this film to a general audience, taking your date to see Valentine's Day is like giving her a cheap box of chocolate that has all the normal, unsurprising flavors, and is only there to make money. A lot of this film is a big waste of talent, through the actors (some oscar-nominated),and through the people behind it. It does a good job covering up its sell-outness through its twists and turns, but it doesn't bury it completely. Maybe this film would've done much better if they kept the comedy element out of it, because not a grin, or chuckle came out of me during all these jokes, I didn't get the feeling I was suppost to during the multiple happy-endings. I didn't care about any of the characters, and at times I was very very bored. It is good try for the romantic comedy genre, but it fails on so many levels.

Consensus: Takes every different scenario and outcomes other romantic comedies have already abused and bundles it into a Valentine's gift just to make money. Valentine's Day fails in my book.

My Movie Review: Shutter Island

My Movie Review: Shutter Island

4/5

Opening Statement: Teddy Daniels is a Marshall who is sent with his partner to an institution on an island to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Once he gets to the island he starts experience bizarre hallucinations, and they get worse as he gets closer and closer to discovering a dark conspiracy.

What's Good: This film truly works in the psychological mystery field, more so than the thriller/ horror aspect. Scorsese's use of sound and the imagery in the hallucinations is extraordinarily artistic and creates an atmosphere of suspense that most thrillers aren't at all capable of, reflecting a Hitchcock-esque feeling at times. The adaption of the novel works very well transitioning to the big screen. Shutter Island impacts your mind, and really attaches you to the main character in which it is based around. DiCaprio delivers an expectedly grand performance, I would say oscar-worthy if it was award season, and all around the ensemble works very well together. Even after the plot twist filled finale you still question the outcome. Also would like to point out a fantastic use of movie score.

What's Bad: Ok, a couple of criticisms, when I said it works in the psychological mystery field, that is how and where it works, and it works damn well. The fact is it was trying to pull the thriller/ horror aspect over the eyes of the beautiful mystery. Scorsese keeps it in good perspective, but he every now and then succumbs to the cliche with the occasional made-you-jump sequences. It may have been a struggle to juggle the multi-genre film, and if anyone can pull it off it is Scorsese, but it did come out with a couple of dents, which you can buff out with an anti-critical mind.

Consensus: Cinematically beautiful, well-written, acted, and scored. At times Scorsese's Shutter Island has trouble keeping itself in perspective, but the surprises and beauty of the film overshadow its flaws. See it.

My Movie Review: The Runaways

My Movie Review: The Runaways

3.5/5

Opening Statement: The Runaways is a biopic about the start and downfall of the 70's band with the same name mainly following Joan Jett and Cherrie Currie, lead singer and lead guitarist through drugs, loss, and other hardships.

What's Good: It's not for everyone, but with a biopic like this, a non-fiction story, it is what it is, which is a re-telling through music and cinematography, what The Runaways maintains throughout is a healthy and satisfying screenplay which doesn't censor to make anyone look good, it shows the shit that was involved in these young girls lives. The screenplay does have its faults but I seriously doubt the story could've been written out any better. What really makes this movie stand out is the duo breakout performances which I consider oscar-worthy if it were award season from Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, not to mention an expected great performance from Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley. For ourr two young break out stars this is a turning point to show casting directors what they are truly capable of doing, The Runaways put them to their full potential, and when the story got dull just watching these performances entertained me.

What's Bad: There are probably other band stories that are more biopic worthy than this, but this is definitely a story. My real criticism lies in the first half of the film, the formation of the band was uninteresting really, at times the first half may feel really dull. But hold your head up high because the drug-induced second half shows that The Runaways is not joke. This film probably will fail to impact a grand audience overall, it's hard to say who this might appeal to outside Runaways and Film buffs, or creepers who wanna see Fanning in lingerie. And once the lights come up you may only find yourself talking about this film for a day or two before it completely disappears from your mind.

Consensus: As a biopic, it has its ups and it has its downs. The Runaways is what it is. I encourage people to see this one, but with an open minded sense.

My Movie Review: Toy Story 3

4.5/5

Opening Statement: Woody and the gang are back, this time their owner Andy is all grown up and heading to college. Through a series of mishaps the toys end up donated to what seems to be a paradise daycare called Sunnyside, they soon realize it isn't a paradise at all, and end up on one of the most epic adventures in Pixar history.

What's Good: Pixar wraps its beloved trilogy up well. With such a storyline premise, we are already set up for tears, I was unable to see this film in 3D however I don't think it would change my review in any manner, because Pixar does what it does best and that is true emotion. They use a multi-genre atmosphere, blending elements of comedy, drama, adventure, action, horror, and they keep it so it appeals to, not just kids, but everyone. Each genre reflected here works well, it is very funny and very tender to the hearts of grown ups and kids. I remember being 6 or 7 seeing the first Toy Story in theaters, then 9 or 10 when the second was out, what is amazing to me is its like i've grown up with Andy, and the whole premise of the hardship of giving up a toy that has emotional value truly is depressing, I will be heading to college in about a month, leaving everything including my memories of my hometown. This movie couldn't have picked a better time to come out. If this isn't the end of the trilogy, I don't care if Pixar keeps making Toy Stories I will keep watching them.

What's Bad: It does land as much as a classic as the first Toy Story does, however if I compared every movie to the first Toy Story that be incredibly unfair of me. Like I said Toy Story 3 is faithful to its prequels, beyond faithful, it fits perfectly. Some of the humor in the movie didn't land like it should've and that is my only concern, but it really is not a big deal, this is a borderline 5/5 review.

Consensus: Very funny and Tearjerking, Toy Story 3 wraps up what is considerably one of the greatest trilogies of all time.

My Movie Review: The A-Team

My Movie Review: The A-Team

2.5/5

Opening Statement: Based off the hit 80's Television series. The A-Team is back...with a bang. In an epic action flick starring Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson, and Bradley Cooper. This story fortells the creation of the A-Team and their escape from their individual maximum prisons. To find the men who framed them, and ultimately save the day.

What's Good: Honestly as a summer action flick, it does most things right. There is a story here, there are epic action sequences riddled with CGI. It follows the rules of entertainment pretty well. The action is truly entertaining, and the Bourne-esque "tricked-them-in-the-end" happenings are pretty interesting. Also each actor is spot on. I never watched the 80's TV show but as the characters being acted as this ensemble was suprisingly great.

What's Bad: The main faulties of The A-Team lie in the storyline and the execution of that storyline. It is not the kind of movie that will stay on the brain for long. Forgetful as an action film, no action scene makes this film original in any manner. The story behind the formation of the A-Team is not that interesting of one unfortunately, each time the action stopped and the talking started I found myself ancy for more, it should've stuck to what it really was, a solid summer action film, unfortunately it falls short of such.

Consensus: Looking for fun, great action sequences look no further, well there are a lot of better more fun action films out there, so this actually seems pointless to see.

My Movie Review: Splice

My Movie Review: Splice

3.5/5

Opening Statement: Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley star as scientists researching in a dangerous film, about creating new life. The decide to start a renegade Splice to make Dren who is only half human. In a Frankenstein-esque scenario, Dren slowly adapts to her new world, the more she learns the more the scientist realize she was a mistake.

What's Good: The overall premise is very interesting. It is horrific, haunting, political, scientific and deep down it is a love story. Splice is very well crafted, and very beautifully cinematic. And with all the bad horror films recently this decade is starting to look up with films like this and Crazies out there. This film is really nitemareish and really dark....it will always be on your mind for awhile after you see it.

What's Bad: They don't take the fantastic premise as far as they should sometimes, there are dragging moments, and there are moments when things move to fast, I think overall your opinon of this film really comes down to your preconception. If you expect Frightening Jumpy scariness you will dislike it more, if you expect haunting weirdness look no further.

Consensus: Splice is a very haunting thriller. It is politically intact and scientifically intact as well. As far as horror films are concerned, this one is a keeper.

My Movie Review: Get Him to the Greek

My Movie Review: Get Him to the Greek

4/5

Opening Statement: A spin-off to the excellent comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which follows a supporting character from that movie, that is Aldous Snow. The film takes place years after FSM where we have Jonah Hill's character who has to take him to the Greek theater for an anniversary show through all the drugs and partying Snow is addicted to, it becomes one hell of a "trip".

What's Good: This is my kind of comedy, hard hitting raunchy material involving drugs, sex, rock n roll. But deep DEEP down the film has a heart, and that is what truly makes this film great. Of course, it is not perfect, the way you weigh a comedy like this is on a scale, which measures the actual hilarity of it, which this had plenty, not the hardest i've ever laughed, but still great. Also there is a certain soul that needs weighed. Now you can't make the soul of the comedy hit to hard and over shadow everything, and this one doesn't do this. It is a film about the world of rock n roll and all the drug and sex in between. I also want to point out that I didn't have much faith in Hill and Brand acting-wise, I was wrong. For Brand this was the role he was born to play, he needs to stop the comedian shit and become a full time actor, he does great in this, and so does Hill, I was thoroughly impressed.

What's Bad: Don't expect on Original Song nominee from this one, the original music in this film while inspired, falls short of anything in particular and they try to show it off a couple of times. And perhaps this film won't stay on the brain as long as other Apatow-esque productions, but after so many comedies recently falling short, this is simply a breath of fresh air.

Consensus: Very Funny, and sweet. Get Him to the Greek does everything you want a raunchy comedy to do and more. See this film, probably the funniest movie so far of 2010.

My Movie Review: Survival of the Dead

My Movie Review: Survival of the Dead

2.5/5

Opening Statement: The King of the Zombie genre is back George Romero with Survival of the Dead, which attacks a sort of political outlook in the zombie universe. In this film we follow a couple of army troops struggling to survive when they head to an island and find themselves in the midsts of a family feud. Yes a family feud, where it is the people who believe zombies should be kept alive until a cure is found vs. the people who are trigger happy.

What's Good: In ways this is original (not many ways). The idea of not necessarily the apocalyptic world behind zombies but what comes after, how do we adapt. Will there be a cure? Survival of the Dead shows the characters who asks these questions and everyone has a different solution, so they fight each other. I love the established Man on Man fighting in here, its not all about zombie killing in this one, its about the honest dispute between these families. Also where Diary of the Dead failed this one brings back the scares, the zombies look haunting, and there are some funny, cartoony gore sequences that are enjoyable and give you the shock value you want from a good zombie flick.

What's Bad: Probably won't stay on the brain too long, but it is fun. Fun jumps, fun scares, fun gore. Nothing much more to this film though, which kind of makes me sad because we all know what Romero is capable of. Romero created the zombie genre, but now it seems other people are able to do his genre better than him, for expample earlier this year, The Crazies which was remaking a film of his was much better than this. I also didn't care for the finally of this film. Every zombie film as a specific "last stand" toward the end, where our heroes fight off forces, and many characters die. There is a last stand here as well, but with a name like "Survival of the Dead" there should be more Death and more action.

Consensus: Survival of the Dead gets its political point across early on, there is nothing new beyond that. Survival of the Dead is fun for a zombie flick, but there are so many better ones out there it is kind of pointless to see this one.