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Father Geek's Favorite Films of 2009!!!
My Favorite Films seen for the FIRST time in 2009
NOTE: What follows are MY TOP TWENTY Favorite Films viewed in the
calendar
year 2009...
I am a 64 year old film viewing nutcase. I majored in film & cultural
antropology in the late 1960s. I devour film from all genres, periods,
countries & cultures. I collect 16mm film. The 1st film I can remember
seeing in a theater is Song of the South in 1948 at the Liberty Theatre in
Beaumont, Texas with my mother's brother. The 1st 3-D flick I saw was Bwana
Devil with my dad at San Antonio's Majestic Theatre in 1952. The 1st
regional premiere I saw was The Ten Commandments in 56 with my parents at
the Aztec Theater in San Antonio. The 1st World Premiere I attended was The
Pride and the Passion with my dad in New York City in the summer of 1957.
The 1st Austin, Texas premiere I went to was Batman at the Paramont in 1966.
The 1st Hollywood premiere I experienced was Rush Hour with my son at the
olde Chinese on Hollywood Blvd back in 98. I have been associated
professionally with the film industry in one way or another my entire adult
life.
I'm Not saying these are the best made films of the year, although
many are exactly that. To make this list these pics have to stand up to
repeated viewing by me in theaters. This list was NOT put together by
screenings on my computer, or TV, and many of these have already been viewed
with audiences several times this year. They are numbered as to their
ranking as of this posting. I have seen well over 300 new feature films so
far this year. As time goes by and I see them repeatedly this order
could/will change. The list will expand to 25 films as I finish off the
year. This is off the top of my head. I am not perfect, The list probably
reflects that.
What follows is listed in reverse order, followed by a few runners
up...
21. Men Who Stare at Goats
20. Coraline (3-D)
19. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
18. Invictus
17. Star Trek (IMAX)
16. Solomon Kane
15. Inglourious Basterds
14.Sherlock Holmes
13. Shutter Island
12. Kick Ass
11. District 9
10. The Road
9. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
8. The Hurt Locker
7. Where the Wild Things Are (IMAX)
6. Me and Orson Welles
5. Lovely Bones
4. UP (3-D)
3. MicMacs
2. Thirst
1. Avatar (3-D)
the runners up...
4. Whip It
3. Watchmen (IMAX)
2. Bronson
1. Daybreakers
FatherGeek
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hey jr, give the old man a regular column
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Too many movies listed that aren't out for the general public yet! Gives me something to look forward to.
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obviously some I have not seen but the ones I have lovely.
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and man fathergeek, you've had some cool movie experiences in your life
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...yet you produced the massive bag of loose flesh named Harry Knowles.
Such is life, I suppose.
Doc -
I am surprised. I thought that was supposed to be the film to beat this year?
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Nice picks, Mr. Geek!
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...is a lot like THE TERMINAL. Well shot and sentimental to a fault. It is a good and decent film...but it isn't iconic (or even fantastic for that matter). If it wins the Oscar...the Academy will have lost all credibility.
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cool list. Where's your son's list?
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though I respect Beaks 100 list of the decade. I'm guessing all these wankers will be putting Kick Ass at number 1 some how.
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ORLY?
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Bronson fucking rocked!
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Ultimate Cut is #1 film of the year.
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good to see that someone on earth is giving it some love-
damn i want to see it. -
Dec 15, 2009 10:11:20 PM CST
Always putting films on lists that aren't officially out.
by knowthyself
Hate when you guys do that.
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I just had deja vu to reading this same post in 1999! TEN FUCKING YEARS AGO!!! And by that time I already thought "I think my tastes might be closer to Harry's dad than to Harry."
Christ, I have been reading this site multiple times daily for 13 solid years... TIME FLIES AND I HAVE NO FUCKING LIFE!!! -
...except six of them aren't 2009 releases or at least won't be released anywhere near wide enough for more than a small percentage of users here to have seen in 2009.
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I'm also some 19 year old little shit. But I can already see that Harry's pa has better taste.
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Dec 15, 2009 10:27:13 PM CST
DAYBREAKERS! Dude, please expand your reaction to that movie!
by yackbacker
By "Dude" I mean "Sir"- respectfully. But yeah, DAYBREAKERS is on my list of pics I desperately want to see. Anything extra you could add about that would be very interesting. Thank you.
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I think he has a really interesting perspective and would like to see him post more often.
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Hell YES!... fine choice there, Father Geek. "Thirst" is the type of effort that only a movie geek can fully appreciate, and it should be required viewing for any fan of the horror movie genre.
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deserves more love (or is that from last year? Dunno but I had a fun time watching it!
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It would be in my top ten too. Everyone else I was with thought it was boring and depressing.And there we were, and it was a beautiful day. Well. I just don't understand it.
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who Father Geek was until now. Well done, sir! I mean your post.
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Dec 15, 2009 11:02:39 PM CST
Father Geek can you please do a top 100 of the decade
by miyamoto_musashi
Or at least 20-25, a decent list for this site to be associated with and restore some credibility.
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Thanks for them
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THE ROAD blew me the fuck away. It made me teary-eyed at least three times. Amazing movie, I think it deserves to be higher than UP but of course to each man his own opinion (and to each woman her husband's).
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it felt like 3 different movies melded together. Was really disappointing for me considering I was a big fan of the director's previous work. Enjoyed "Let the Right One In" more.
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number 1 was a strange choice though.
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Dec 15, 2009 11:09:12 PM CST
And "Bring it On" LOL, I think he was just taking the piss
by thewaqman
you all bit the bait.
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oh and I just lost my job, which is why I've commented eight times so far today.
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Great picks - some I hope to see soon...
Avatar is the numero uno - interesting.
Thanks Father Geek! -
No "A Serious Man"? That was the best film of the year if you ask me. Gosh dang it I need to see "Thirst" and "Avatar" right now!!!!!
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What's the fucking hold up?
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I just saw this and I cant stop raving about it. Friggin great, great flick. If Father Geek likes that enough to put it at number 2, Then AVATAR must be awesome.
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What review is going to make you change your mind at this point? I mean, really. Are you going? Yes or no? Will an AICN review change that? And there has been a review here and there within the BNAT coverage.
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...your asses would get punked right off the site if you threatened and talked shit to Pops Geek the same way you did to Beaks.
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parts of the world. So, the international fan reviews will start showing up soon.
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Love seeing your take on this year in cinema. And, man alive, I have a feeling your life story is pretty amazing. I hope we get to hear more of it in the future.BTW, nice talking with you at BNAT. Thanks for the THX 1138 ear tag!
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Wow.
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...I thought "Men Who Stare At Goats" and "The Lovely Bones" both sucked pretty hard. "The Road" was decent, but some things were lost in the translation. Other than those, great list. Cannot wait to see "Kick-Ass".
And very nice including "Thirst," I loved that movie and was fortunate enough to see it in NY, followed by a Q&A with Park Chan-Wook.
I also got to see "The Hurt Locker" in March in NY and Kathryn Bigelow & Mark Boal did a Q&A afterwards. Overall I thought this was a great year. -
Otherwise, excellent list Papa Geek.
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. . . is like the most beautiful, hilarious, gruesome short film you will ever see. I didn't like the rest of the movie as much, but the ending made it worthwhile.
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He comes across as a very genuine fan of going to the movies and having a great time. Not preaching on about cinematic influences, but what connected with him.
Just found Beaks's list and descriptions at time pretentious and as already been said numerous times full of some real crap at the expense of so many good movies.
But as I have said before at least Beaks put his list up, what is Harry doing ? -
"A list we can believe in"
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...not a bad gig :-)
should unfinished films count? -
Dec 16, 2009 2:25:38 AM CST
there should be a top list for every decade on here
by takingscorpioscalls
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If it's better than Star Trek, then it must be good. Though the 2nd trailer didn't instill much confidence, but I guess Guy R pulled it off.
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is terrible. the effects are amazing sure but that is all it has going for it. the action scenes are boring. the script is shit. the worst film I have seen this year and I was fucking super excited for it but its awful. Embarrassingly bad.
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Looks like I have to see Avatar opening night. But i missed Where The Wild Things Are at my favorite theater, and I have a feeling i missed greatness the way it should be seen. Got to see Thirst too. Inglorious Basterds was my biggest disappointment by far.
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but it's Father Geek! He's a man of respectable taste, so I'll give it to him.
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while I respect the choices of Father Geek I agree with many that here we have a list of great films half of which us lowly proliterate have yet had the privaledge to see. Or maybe its more depressing to think that out of the other 11 months of the year there was only 11 films worthy of mention, But also that maybe the best is yet to come.
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a good handful of films on these end of year lists are ones that haven't had a full release yet. Does the writer really think those films deserve a place in the list or do they just want to demonstrate how they are in the privileged position of getting to these films before the masses...
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Father Geek you are a mensch. And, yes— "Watchmen" should be on that list. Preferably the Director's Cut or the Ultimate Cut.
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Dec 16, 2009 4:00:39 AM CST
Yeah, let us know about that Sherlock Holmes movie
by richard_gere_raped_my_gerbil
Otherwise i'll go and watch it, and if it's shit I'll hate everyone forever. This is how serial killers start, y'know. I hear Jack The Ripper started killing after witnessing a very bad performance of 'Hamlet'.
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Father Geek Is Pretty Awesome.Just check out his myspace page.he has a stroy about getting stoned with a politician.pretty cool shit.this seems like a solid list.star trek for me was the best of all the summer movies.i enjoyed the hell out of it and want it for xmas
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I don't get the from Father Geek, the guy has never indicated that he is at all pretentious or full of himself, he loves good film and pretty much just expressing what he enjoyed (favourite) seeing this year. He is lucky that he has a son who gets quite a lot of VIP passes.
Now Beaks on the other hand, wouldn't be suprised to read in Beak's top 20 list :
"....5. Le viol - I was lucky enough to see this masterpiece which is a recent collaboration between Lars (of course Von Trier) and Roman (before he was imprisoned). What I saw was an early cut of the film, the storyboards to be precise...." -
I hear you man.i missed wtwa at the theater to.i feel like i fucked up by missing that.and totaly agree about inglorious basterds being shite.that was definitely my movie let down of the year along with shutter island being pushed back
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CAnt wait any longer!!!!!!!
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Dec 16, 2009 4:32:23 AM CST
How about putting movies that have actually been released?
by spectrebeeyatch
Sorry but come on? Kick-ass? Most people won't see that till 2010. I get that you guys liked these movies that you saw early but come on!
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haven't been released yet (it's been the same with most of FG's past lists). It's a well-known fact that most of the best movies come out at the end of the year. That's when all the more interesting movies that have been put on standby are quickly gotten out of the way.
FG's a really sweet guy, and his love of film is contagious. Hope you guys have a great Chrismukkah!
And Miyamoto, will you stop tarnishing the name of the most legendary samurai who ever lived (read his Book of the Five Rings and watch the Samurai trilogy starring Toshiro Mifune for further proof) by whining like a baby without his bottle about Beaks' damn list! Move on with your life already. The real Miyamoto Musashi would have tsuifukud your ass somewhere around your 200th post bitching about Beaks and his Top 100. -
Half of them havent even been released yet! Stupid!
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all your qualifications about studying film are worth SHIT since you included the movie with the worst script I have ever seen.
Your lack of detailing the criteria for this list also damages credibility. Next time, tell us about WHY you think a movie is good rather than selling your fucking resume. -
Why not say "my uncle". And what's the point of making a list if you're not going to explain what you loved about each film, especially if that list is made by a movie fan with such a wide breadth of experience...
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fuck.
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Fuck off haters, fuck off and die!
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And Star Trek was pretty much a giant light show with a plot built around it. Which is pretty much what I went in expecting... So I mostly enjoyed it.
The [bad] television-quality cast and screenplay courtesy of the Scriptomatic3000 I could have done without, however. I will say the lens flares were OK and gave the movie a pretty singular style, though. Most of the people bitching about them, as if they're some cinematic cliche used time and time again, are just tripping over each other to repeat the same shit. Admit it, you never even heard of the term "lens flare" before Star Trek was released. At least I hadn't. -
well maybe....
I abuse Beaks, but have still given him credit for being the one to post a list.
If I am still talking about this in several moths time (ala Asimov), don't worry I will know its time to draw my wakizashi and end it all. -
Early on in the year I was sure Watchmen would win hands downn on fanboy rage, how wrong was I.
There is daylight between ST and anything else. If you added all the posts written by AsimovLives and put them together, The Stand by Stephen King may look like a light read in comparrison. -
and great taste! I wish he would contribute to the site more often.
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I would love to read all of his posts on ST, it would maake a very amusing read!
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Contains movies that get released NEXT year ...... old loser.
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You can post your Avatar Review
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Too many American films.
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Do we have to get a load of biographical info from you guys. How about you tell us why you liked the different films.
You should have wrote "My son owns this website so I gonna use reverse nepotism to post my opinion" -
I wasn't flaming FG specifically... it's just that when I read lists by film hacks and they contain disproportionately large numbers of films that haven't been released yet, I can't help but think "wattabunchacunts".
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However, they do provide a great talkback for everyone to discuss what they liked/disliked in 2009.
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I think everyone knew what lens flare was before Star Trek. We are the peoples of the internet, trained in the ancient art of photoshop. Star Trek's lens flare was just one of a dozen ways that JJ Abrams made a movie with dizzying forward momentum. I agree the script was a mess, but it gave the viewer incredibly strong emotional beats, and the characters came to life which is one of the reasons why people like it so much. Credit where credit is due.
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Dec 16, 2009 7:00:52 AM CST
Father Geek's written quite a few pre-release reviews for this s
by seppukudkurosawa
And he was once at least more prolific than Harry is now. Guess he got fed up with us talkbackers or just moved onto greener pastures, 'cause he only comes back about once a year with his Best Of 200_ list. But I'd say he's got as much a right as anyone to post a list.
Anyway, stop complaining- lists are fun. A world without lists would be listless. -
Are they all waiting to see what everyone else says first???
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Will post here later tonight. The lack of reviews here is strange though.
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"high-end hack work", which is exactly what you would expect from Guy Ritchie.
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in the end of year best lists and award ceremonies.
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But it certainly seems a much more reasonable and honest list. Can't we have Father Geek post reviews here, at least one movie on a weekly or semi-weekly basis? I'm with Yack on Daybreakers, and throw in Solomon Kane too.
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I don't remember Father Geek posting reviews in the last few years, but maybe I just missed 'em.
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Dec 16, 2009 7:36:44 AM CST
ONLY MOVIE MISSING FROM THAT LIST IS (500) DAYS OF SUMMER
by bringingsexyback
You must not have seen it yet. Which is fine, just don't forget to put it on next year's list.
But otherwise, great list! -
1. Watchmen the Ultimate Cut
2. Where the wild things are
3. District 9
4. The Hangover
5. The Princess and the Frog -
the worst script you've ever seen filmed, then you haven't seen that many movies. Just saying. P.S.: Notice that I didn't say it was great.
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Same here. Maybe four times. "I will kill anyone who touches you. Because that's my job."
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Suck it, Beaks.
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that was a great movie list. It would be great if you contributed more to this site.
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Technically it was good, very sure shot. But the story was weak and the 10-15 sex scene was annoying.
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When a comedy's best- and only funny- scene is a montage, you know there's something wrong. I like the '60s-style subtext, but that doesn't make it a good movie. Maybe I'm saying this because I went in expecting Big Lebowski 2, but it seemed to have the timing of a Coen Bros movie without the actual jokes.
One of the bigger disappointments of the year for me. -
Someone enjoys Viggo ass too much.
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at the hour mark. It was a very small collection of funny jokes strewn together with no purpose and no message. You could've heard a pin drop when the lights came up, people were bored and pissed. The producers were banking on geeks loving Clooney, Bridges and the wacky CIA stuff, and not focusing on the lack of any coherent script or humor.
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OOOH you saw Shutter Island and Kick-Ass which COME OUT NEXT YEAR SO DON'T PUT IT ON A LIST FOR 2009.
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Thank Allah there is no Up In The Air.
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I mean my top ten of 2009 has movies from 2008 in it. We get it, movie companies are more concered with getting critics to see films rather then the actual public.
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is nowhere on that list and yet when I read FatherGeek's piece up there I can't help but hear it spoken in Hoffman's voice as Max, which is a good thing...otherwise i really wouldn't have found it all that enjoyable.
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Sure feels that way sometimes, doesn't it? And yet here I am.
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Dec 16, 2009 8:51:29 AM CST
The Academy has been credibility-free for decades now...
by i am_notreal
Rocky, Chariots of Fire, Shakespeare in Love, and Crash, just to name a few reasons why. My guess is that the populist wing of the voting body will win out and Up In The Air will take the big trophy.
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It didn't looked good from the get go? Nothing about it said that it was going to be anything but shitty.
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SO good!
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Will really be remembered from this year 10 years from now. District 9 and possibly Where The Wild Things Are. Avatar will look cheesy just like T2 and True Lies do, no one will give a shit about Star Trek. And save for a few hanger oner's Watchmen will be sort of a joke. Everything else will be moot. Well maybe Fantastic Mr. Fox/Coraline/Mary and Max. Stop Motion has an ability to stick around. Same with Up and Princess and The Frog, animation has a long shelf life as well. Monsters Vs. Aliens though, no.
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It's a list that appears to be filled with quality films, but 99% of us would never know because we have not been able to see them. Please be fair and base your list on films that have been generally released to the public, not just given special screenings for critics.
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Notreal,
The other films you listed I can see. But Rocky is an American classic deserving all the acclaim it isnt given. -
That should say IS given.
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This is his list for the year, he saw those movies (apparently multiple times in theaters) this year so he gets to include them. Stop bitching and whining in typical internet shit head fashion because you can't see movies that someone in the business gets to see early. Those movies are coming you will get to see them so stop crying.
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...in 2009 nine, now neccessarily the best films of 2009. He also said IN THEATERS. Otherwise, if I were to list the3 best films I saw in 2009, on my list would be High and Low, which I finally got to see. Of course I wonder if he did see some great film of the past screened at a theater. I mean, if he can list a film that hasn't come out yet, but saw in a theater then if he saw another film in 2009 that was released in a different calendar year, like say if he saw Lawrence of Arabia for the first time in a theater this year, then shouldn't that belong on a list? I don't know, I guess I'm getin confusing, but my point is, why do a list that includes films that haven't been released yet, when it would be very difficult for anyone to agree or disagree with you. It just seem like you're rubbing peples noses in the fact that you have already seen certain films.
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If it's a list for 2009 then you do FILMS OF 2009.
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Lists are kind of lame without some explanation why you chose the movie...
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The man has fought in more geek wars than any of us will ever know- he lived through HEAVY METAL, he embraced THE QUESTOR TAPES, he extolled the mythical virtues of FORBIDDEN PLANET to a young Harold Knowles. People, this is the Moses of geeks- he brought down the Commandments! Repent! REPENT!!!!!!!!
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Dec 16, 2009 9:23:33 AM CST
That is a fun fucking list. And I will take Father Geek's...
by flickapoo
...endorsement of AVATAR under advisement.One less grain of salt in my shaker.
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...is the cool old guy from the Dos Equis commercials."I don't make lists often, but when I do, they are relevant and make more sense than Beaks."We love you, Father Geek! Happy Holidays, man!
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... that I saw a few months ago in an art house was Surveillance. I wiksh it had gotten better distribution, but no one I know has even heard of this flick, I kep recommending it on dvd and people love it. Has anybody seen this flick?
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i live in hong kong, used to live in Japan, many times would look at academy awards nomination lists and know that I was still waiting to see some of the movies that didn't have worldwide releases. You just deal with it and look out for when it does come.
Hurt Locker and Up in the Air, are on the list of not released here yet. -
Look, I've gotten over the fact that Rocky beat Taxi Driver and All The President's Men for best picture. There was a time, in my younger and more pompous days, I was resentful about it. No more, however. Rocky is a great fucking film. Period. We would be so lucky to see a movie like that made today by a studio and then pushed for awards consideration. Please, use The Greatest Show on Earth if you're going to cite the Academy's decades-old lack of credibility.
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From the director of Boxing Helena? Starring the squinty eye dude from 3rd Rock From the Sun? A daughter trying to copy her father? No never heard of it.
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Hurt Locker and Up in the Air, may as well be on the not released in America either. Up In The Air comes out on Christmas. Hurt Locker got a minimal release but little promotion so no one saw it in theaters.
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Dec 16, 2009 9:35:18 AM CST
Nice, Cletus Van Damme! "The wor'd most interesting geek!"
by yackbacker
"He once watched a football game, just to see what it felt like."
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Dec 16, 2009 9:42:58 AM CST
...I "watched a football game, just to see what it felt like" to
by flickapoo
...once. Turned out it was that recent Super Bowl where a catcher/runner guy caught a ten mile long pass against his helmet and won the game. Pretty cool.I figured I'd quit while I was ahead.
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Couldn't have said it better.
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Jesus.
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Or two years ago for Father Geek and his son.
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even if it is a rip off of her father's work. She did a great job of copying her father this time as opposed to Boxing Helena. I love the portrayal of police officers in the film. It's pretty much dead on with any encounter I've ever had with the police.
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I was going to say the same thing. We all saw it last year and Harry and his Dad saw it the year before.
Flip, I don't know if you noticed that Synechdoche, NY was on a bunch of best of lists last year. It got some decent recognition. Not bad for a huge mindfuck of a film. -
OK, Greatest Show on Earth. Or Oliver over 2001, for that matter. Look, Rocky is a good film. But BEST PICTURE??? C'mon.
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Because I am fucking skeptical about that one. The trailers are terrible imo, doesn't seem like a Sherlock Holmes movie at all, more lik epirates of the caribbean with a different setting, not to mention guy ritchie hasn't made a good movie in like 6 years, basically since Matthew Vaughn stopped producing and started making his own, truly quality movies. I love all the actors invovled in Sherlock, especially McAdams and Strong, but it just looks...crappy to me. But if Father Geek has it on his list, it must not be terrible, I suppose. Certainly gives me a glimmer of hope it won't be as bad as it looks.
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...ya didnt like RockNRolla? err...
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Most dissapointing films. Felt like a film students first film/script.
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Dec 16, 2009 10:44:16 AM CST
...so many people died this year you could do a top 100....
by flickapoo
...dead celebrities list.
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Another great fucking film. That's a hell of a lineup. Bound for Glory, All The President's Men, Taxi Driver, Network and Rocky. Only Bound for Glory hasn't really had the staying power, but the others are all classics. I can watch any of the other four over and over again. There is absolutely no problem with Rocky winning best picture. Shit, look at the year before: Nashville, Jaws, Barry Lyndon, Cuckoo's Nest, Dog Day Afternoon. My personal preference would probably be for Lyndon or Nashville, but I'm fine with Cuckoo's Nest winning. Nothing wrong with a great movie being rewarded, even if it is at the expense of another classic(s).
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T E R R I B A D.
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Fair enough...I didn't see RocknRolla to be honest...pretty much because of my lost faith in Ritchie. Are you saying its worth a watch? It looked a lot like all his other films, especially that god-awful abomination piece of shit Revolver. I just couldn't bear to waste my time again. RocknRolla does have Idris Elba in it though, so maybe it doesnt suck quite as bad. Anyway, maybe I spoke too harshly. But I still think Ritchie has never even come remotely close to theheights of Snatch or Lock, Stock. Not even in the same ballpark.
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I haven't seen Surveillance. Been meaning too. I was just messing. Its got Ironside, the President and fucking Cheri Oteri? I think it looks like a cool film.
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Its a gangster film....about real estate. Its just fucking boring. I'd watch Revolver before I watch Rockn again. At least Revolver was just odd.
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And Revolver was worse than bizarre. It was insultingly stupid. Just making things up as they went along.
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Right after I woke up.
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Is because we are calling it like it is. Father Geek’s list is actually pretty good. Darn good! It is not a pretentious year-end list that we see from others on this site.
My only quibble is that I would have put The Hurt Locker in the top 1 or 2 (although I have yet to see Avatar). Also, I have to admit I was quite taken by The Blind Side. That movie was a pleasant surprise and I would have put that somewhere in the Top 20, IMHO.
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it's hysterically terrible. I'm sitting here switching between working on studying for finals, watching this ridiculous movie, and browsing these TBs. ANybody else subject themselves to this FarCry movie? I'd love to hear about it.
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...that movie was good, not great like Lock, Stock or Lock, Stock part 2, but I watch it everytime it comes on TV...just the scene of the botched robbery and chase scene is a reason to watch it......it is a gangsta movie bout real estate, but if you dare to complain bout remakes and sequels and reimaginings, then you should not complain bout real estate gangstas...
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It's so heavy-handed, it really gets annoying in parts. I say fuck NETWORK. There. Done.
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But I kind of had fun with RockNRolla. I know I shouldn't and I know it's lame etc. There was something silly about it, I don't know, Maybe it's a guilty pleasure, I don't usually like that kind of movie. Oh well. Forgive me.
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Masquerading as something important. Didn't anyone else notice that NOTHIGN HAPPENED in that movie? It was about a family with no problems, taking a kid in, which caused no problemsin the family, to give him a better life with no problems? There was ZERO drama. Even the perfect husband was just absoluetly fine with taking the kid in immediately. The editing was terrible, the jokes were extremely poorly timed and told, and everything about the movie was sugary nonsense. They even twisted the story to make it seem like Michael had never played football before, when in reality he had been playing football since he was about 7 years old. manipulative, make white people feel good about themselves garbage. Even the kid crashing the car almost killing the little boy...perfectly fine ten minutes later. Why? Because they are rich, and money solves everything. That was the message of that movie. Fatten up America by owning 100 KFCs and taco bells, take in a black kid, and feel good about yourself. Terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible movie. Sandra Bullock getting a GG nom is just evidence of how weak a year it was for women in hollywood, not how good her overthetop southern accent and eric brockovich wannabe performance was. God I'm sick of hearing about this fucking movie. Trite, feelgood nonsense with no actual message and ZERO drama. NOTHING HAPPENED.
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Dec 16, 2009 11:22:17 AM CST
THE BANK JOB IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THOSE ERRATIC 'GANGSTER' MOVIES
by bringingsexyback
It reminded me that Jason Statham can be a real actor if he so wanted.
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Most of us, I notice, take no critical stance to anything we watch. I hear so many people talking about movies they've seen that they lvoed so much, and then openly admit it was first movie theyve seen in 6 months, but that it should win awards. Why? because they saw it. We have some weird thing where we attach ourselves to anthing we've seen, and decide to defend it without erally considreing if its good. True Blood is the most recent phenomenon of this. Every girl I know who watches says, word for word "it is the best show on television" before admitting thye don't want any other television. True Blood is just the best because they watch it, and nothing else, so its the best. I fucking hate that shit. People loved the blind side because they watched it. Nothing more.
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Dec 16, 2009 11:23:27 AM CST
WHITE FAMILY TAKES IN A BLACK KID AND THERE'S NO DRAMA?
by bringingsexyback
Are you shitting me?
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A real heist movie. And Statham was great in it, and that woman, Saophra Burroughs(sp?) was so fucking hot in it...wow. I forgot about that movie a little bit. That was a good heist flick. Nice call SexyBack.
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...dont be ashamed for likin a movie...unless its GI Joe...
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The other four contenders were some serious cinematic materpieces and evenly split the voting bloc for that type of picture. ROCKY was the lone "crowd-pleaser" with the happy ending. In hindsight, I should have put a buttload of money on ROCKY to win, it was a slam dunk. Instead, I held out hope for NETWORK to prevail.
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There were two racist people in that whole movie. The family lvoed the kid immediately, within 5 minutes had ZERO issues with taking him permanently. Stupid. The racist guy in the bleachers and the racist football players were empty charicatures because the movie was too scared to actually confrotn ANYTHING negative in the entire movie. Sandra Bullocks white friend were only "racist on the outside" because she stood up and showed them wahts what. How convenient. Movie was fucking manipulative, Hallmark garbage. There was no drama. We all knew everything would work out and no one would ever be mad at michael or even make a mistake. When he disappeared at the end of the movie..who didn't know it would be okay 5 seconds later. Bullshit.
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... it makes me wonder if incoherant writing might be hereditary...
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I hope your woman didn't drag you to it. Did you see My Sister's Keeper? Overall, I'm glad I saw it but admittedly it was THE MOST emotionally manipulative movie in recent memory. I cried like a bitch. There were no black people in it if I remember correctly.
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Doesn't mean it's a good flick. Lovely Bones is utter shite.
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For leaving that one scene on the cutting room floor. If you didn't watch the deleated scenes, sucks for you.
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I understand that NETWORK is not everyone's cup o' tea. But it's hard to diss a film that basically nailed it on where televison "news" programming was heading down the line.
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...This man is living the dream. Very impressive.
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This TB needs an enema! I actually like NETWORK quite a bit, but you know how someone says "I fucking hate kittens" and people lose it. Yeah, that's me today.
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Thanks! Haven't even seen GI Joe. Don't even want my kids to see it.
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so i watched the extras on the blu-ray and discovered that the lens flares were dont by shining flashlights into the camera. that caught me off guard because i thought it was just done by having the set lights positioned a certain way or moving the camera or hell maybe even post effects. but to find out how they did it, kinda makes me understand those whining about them. they dont bother me but to know it was some dude with a flashlight, kinda takes something away from it.
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Fire everything!!!!!!
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Don't listen to him, you gotta have a stick up your ass if you didn't enjoy GI Joe.
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I'm not attacking you with my posts, I'm sorry if it seems that way at all, just saying that. However, I'm interested in the fact that you, as you said, cried like a bitch. Because I didn't feel anything. And I'm not a tough guy. I cry at movies. Things get to me, easily, when they earn it. I'm an emotional person. But The Blind Side...I literally felt nothing the entire time. Not sad, or happy, I didn't laugh or cry, I just...was. Maybe because I noticed all the manipulation and trite garbage so explicity it wasn't able to get to me. I just didn't get wrapped up in it, so it coulnd't hit me. But yes, my woman did drag me to see it, she wanted to see it a lot. And you know what? She didn't feel anything either. Which I coulnd't believe, ebcause honestly, we don't agree on ANYTHING when it comes to movies most of the time. But we both agreed it was manipulative, unfunny, poorly directed and edited nonsense. I don't know in what scenes you would have cried during. To me, everything seemed flat. Because nothing ever went wrong, there was no emotion. I just saw a white woman (I'm white, in case that matters, but not racist in any way shape or form. Totally honest) caring for a black kid, and that was meant to make me feel something, just automatically or something. The film was AFRAID to confront any real issues of racism or even really where he came from. It seemed like a cowardly film to be honest. And then on the comedy side, every joke was poorly timed, stupid, and everything Bullock did that was supposed to show off her "can-do" character was just an erin brockovich knock-off but made less sense. Calling a coach on the sideline of a game, and he not only has his cell phone on him, with his ringer on, and he answers it? That's a Hallmark movie. Not an award winner. I'm not saying don't enjoy it. But what could have possibly made you cry?
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And she IS indeed very fucking hot. Professional.
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Movie is seriously underrated. dang haters!
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I was talking about My Sister's Keeper ...
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Did you SEE the deleated scene?
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Sorry for misunderstanding. My rant on the blindside seems pretty stupid now. But I haven't seen My Sisters Keeper. In any case, I'm sure its not as bad as the blind side. im sure id at least feel something.
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Now I know its Saffron, but I think I tried to spell it Saphron, and my fingers slipped and I didn't proofread, because Saophora was not what I intended.
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But be forewarned, it's a Hallmark movie to the 3rd power. But Jason Patric puts in an excellent performance in my opinion ...
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As in that colour that Donovan's "just mad about" in that Mellow Yellow song.
I'd be mad about her too if she actually ate something once in a while. And I'm usually attracted to the waif types...but she's really got that foetus look going on. -
Is the son of the priest from the Exorcist? And that guy is dead, but Max von Sydow is still making like 3 movies a year?
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...no stick up my ass, but the reason i truly despise that movie (besides bein a terrible movie wit a terrible, surfboard of a actor) is that AICN swear this movie is good and that TF2 is terrible...
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didn't make Pop's list. After Whip It made an almost ran. Really? Whip It? Must have a crush on Drew Barrymore and her lopsided mouth.
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And Whip it wasn't much better
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not sure if that means 2009 films sucked that much or father is just looking forward to what isnt out yet and basing his best movies on trailers..
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Well you shouldn't judge a movie based on who's paying Harry that week.
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Also has the squinty guy from 3rd Rock. Its not T E R R I B A D like Gerbil said, but you'll forget you ever watched it by the next day. Not as bad as The Chaos Experiment. The absolute worst time waster I've seen. Only saving grace is watching Val Kilmer stick another pin into his once fine acting career.BTW did anyone see Ferguson's 1000th show last night? Done all puppet style. Well Craig, not the guests. And Jason Segel's Dracula! One of the funniest and surreal things I've seen on network television.
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SAFFRON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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It's all on film, I swear! He's immortal, like Abe Vigoda.
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...so I can be more specific about what's fucking bad about it. Only movie I saw all year that made me angry at the movie for existing and myself for sitting through it.It wasn't even spectacularly bad, just... pre-chewed and spat out lukewarm tapiocca. Or maybe that white liquid they put in drip bags for old people.
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= the best metaphor of the day.
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Can't stand Fergoson's monoglogs, and he has the longest of any of the late shows. I like his interviews though.
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Glad to hear those two make it into the top movies of the year. I've been looking forward to both more than any other film this year, but from early whispering I was worried they both might not be that good.
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I'm curious... did you see Transformers 2? I haven't seen GI Joe, cuz it looks horrible, but there's no way it could have been worse than Transformers 2. That film pissed me off on so many levels.
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... and Me and Orson Welles actually came out in 2008 :o\
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My film of the year.
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...no, I haven't seen it. I mostly get to see movies at home recently unless it's something I'm really desperate to see.Needless to say, TRANSFORMERS 2 didn't inspire feelings of desperate desire...
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just kind of lingered like a broccoli fart on the screen. Snooze. Where the Wild Things Are was the best movie of the year. Inglorious Basterds was a close second. District 9 is third. Boner.
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Gaarrrr!
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It was more like asparagus pee.
No, I actually liked it. I just wanted to bring up more green veggy toilet comments. -
Thirst so high on the list, excellent film, but Avatar # 1 i have yet to see it but i doubt it will make my top ten for this year.
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Download it if you feel like being mad at the world for a few days. I thought the first one was good, stupid fun, but 2 was just plain offensive, hyperactive and yet boring at the same time. And don't even get me started on the swinging robot balls, constant fart gags, or the bucktoothed, big-eared, illiterate robots who talk like stereotypical black characters from the 80s.
See, just talking about it gets me pissed off all over again... -
...being put in a small room and strapped to a chair with you head immobilized as person after person came by and laid broccoli farts in your face as they peed asparagus pees in the toilet at your feet. And even that might be too much praise.
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Just got around to this last night. I've never been a huge Tarantino fan; i love "Reservoir Dogs," really enjoy "Jackie Brown," and will give him credit for giving my main man Kurt Russell a starring turn in an otherwise terrible "Death Proof." After the disappointing casting and the rushed production, I didn't have high expectations for Basterds and therefore skipped it in theatres. but shit, I loved it. first and foremost, you cannot comment on that movie without starting with one man, and one man only: Christoph Waltz. tour-de-fucking-force. an Oscar winner in 4 different languages. and maybe the best villain turn I've seen in over a decade. I'm also in the camp that really enjoys Brad Pitt's more eccentric roles, like Aldo. Diane Kruger is gorgeous, Robert Richardson's cinematography of the French landscapes are equally so, and the typical well-placed Tarantino musical licks(like "The Green Leaves of Summer") really add to a great movie experience. not my favorite film of '09, but it has to crack the top 10.
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nice list. i will give kudos to anyone who puts "Thirst" so high.
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Besides your asian girl fantasy?
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that I've seen on that list. What puzzles me is the lack of love for Moon? Sam Rockwell's performance alone should arguably, have secured it a slot.
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They probably saw Moon a couple of years ago. Harry's if the first tag line in the trailer yet I never saw him review it on this site?
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i'm a sucker for the finer things of Korean cinema, and Chan Wook Park is undoubtedly a leading proprietor of the goods over there. he's got such a firm command with all of his films, knowing just when to show restraint and just when to really lay it on thick. his movies tend to have an affect on me where I lose track of the fact that I'm actually watching the movie and just become immersed in the experience, and thats something that is really rare for me. so with "Thirst," i got one of my favorite directors throwing an unconventional pitch at conventional vampire lore, and thats money in the bank for me.
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Its just Cameron's tin ear for dialogue I'm afraid of hearing. Doesn't someone (I think the sargeant) in the trailer actually say, "You have to decide what side you're playing on."? Who speaks in movie cliches like that?
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Don't get me wrong I liked Thirst, but its indulgent at times which threw me off. I just didn't think it was up to par with his other work.
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More shit for your buck.I guess this was your daddy's Star Trek, after all.
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But I have seen Men Who Stare At Goats and it wasn't good at all.
Glad to see a ranking of Sherlock Holmes, but despite awesome casting, the previews look very fake, modern and terrible to me. I don't think Guy Ritchie is a good director. -
...was, without a doubt, and with no attempt at exaggeration from me at all, the most BORING movie I have EVER SEEN. Personally, I don't understand it, either. Everyone seems to have loved this film, and I have defended EVERY Tarantino flick, even DEATH PROOF, for their long-winded dialogues. Somehow, with this film, I feel like Tarantino didn't know when you've used TOO MUCH of a good thing. The bar scene went on and on and on and on and on with them discussing everything from film to the "guess who" game to that one soldier's family to drinks and food and--what the FUCK?! When does the MOVIE actually happen?! Dialogue is a BEAUTIFUL thing, but when it's nothing more than conversation, well, I might as well be watching two people talk on a park bench. The only film I've ever walked out on was BATMAN & ROBIN, but I came SO close to walking out on IG. No kidding. It was excruciating for me. Anyways...we're all just floating.
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Was a great film, can't see Sherlock Holmes topping it, but we shall see i guess, bring on Kick Ass!!!!
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.....you dirty fuckers.
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Sums up his mediocrity. I always mentally lump him in with Joss Whedon as producers of crapulance.
I guess Star Trek had some good points tho it moved at some MTV/warp speed pace. Some of us do have attention spans beyond the length of a Pepsi commercial. -
Holy god, fucking insane. Audience clapped at the end. The 3D and performance capture are incredible, never seen anything like it. Quite overwhelming experience.
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most seemed to be pretty pumped after watching. One day until I see it. Can't wait.
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It's incredible. The action sequences at the end are something else, and I was surprised at how moving it was. JJ Abrams, Bay and mcG are effectively out of a job. Cameron just pwned them all.
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It's incredible. The action sequences at the end are something else, and I was surprised at how moving it was. JJ Abrams, Bay and mcG are effectively out of a job. Cameron just pwned them all.
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Loved the history before it too.
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It's been a complete shit year for flicks.
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a good Tarantino movie. I wish he would just go alittle more back into his roots.
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Dec 16, 2009 10:54:14 PM CST
Avatars' shit story, acting, and dialogue ...
by trannyformers_apologist
are MIND-BLOWING!
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I've been coming here for 8 years now, and I always enjoy reading what FG has to say about film.
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'partner' named his cock MIND. So when he says MIND-BLOWING, he means it literally!
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Dec 17, 2009 12:34:56 AM CST
How much did it cost Millar to buy AICN reviews for KickAss?
by criticalbliss
Just wondering.
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Or does he use both, or are they 2 different folks.
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Where the Wild Things Are is overrated. Where's the appeal? The kid was a jerk and the monsters were unlikable. I usually like Spike Jonze's work too. It did nothing for me.
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the opening 5 minutes was great though.
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said that Spike Jones was really talking about his upbringing. Max is Spike Jonze and his mother in the movie was based on jones mother
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but like wall-e. I didnt like the rest of the movie.
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Seems like less and less the Black Boxers participate in these discussions. Not all of us are negative manchildren.
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He is a really great guy and loves what he loves. Why the hate on him for seeing some films you have not? I mean...they'll be out eventually, and you might find yourself liking them just as much as he did, or not. Bitchin' because you've not seen it, and telling him what he should put where (order-wise) is just stupid. Make your own damn list. Post it here in the TB or over your refrigerator... I don't care.
I've seen a fair amount of footage of Parnassus when I saw Gilliam this past summer...and yes, I am envious that he's seen the whole thing, but I am not going call call him names and act like I am 7 years old. Boys... grow a pair.
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"NOT eligible for a 2009 list" I like how you think there are some legal guidelines for making a list. I do agree with you on one point though, you aren't bitching like a 7 year old, I would say it is most like an extrememly mentally ill 4 year old who throws a violent, pointless fit when everything doesn't occur exactly they way they want.
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Watched Avatar last night and it truly was the best film of the year, and glad to see some Bronson recognision here too, Hardy deserves to be nominated for an oscar, but then i would say that, the cunts my cousin!
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is that like, your job? you'd have to spend ~8 hours in the theater every day
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One of my favorites of 2009
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The Korean one didn't look so great. Is it another case of an okay movie getting boosted to seem like it's amazingly good just because it's a foreign film, re: let the right one in?
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Go through and read the first two sentences of FatherGeek's post again. These are merely his 20-25 favorite movies that he saw, for the first time, in 2009.
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And so is your list.
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I'd put Inglourious a bit higher (like #1), but that's just me. Have yet to see Avatar or Holmes of course, but I have high expectations for both.
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Dec 17, 2009 8:14:39 PM CST
PHANTOM MENACE REVIEW!!!WATCH THIS RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!!
by tehcreepythinman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxKtZmQgxrI
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...just because you posted it in 19 talkbacks.
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the first ten minutes of "Precious" are pulsatting and unforgetable, "Goats" blew donkey balls
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... don't agree with some of the things on there (Thirst didn't click for me) and am intrigued about the stuff thats on there that I haven't seen/hasn't come out yet (really looking forward to Kick ass).. anyway good job on the article.
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I'd put WATCHMEN on the main list long before I'd ever consider having DISTRICT 9 on any but the 'Worst Of' lists. I am surprised CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY didn't make it, though.
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1. The Hurt Locker
2. Shutter Island
3. The Road
4. Star Trek
5. Taken
6. State of Play
7. Inglourious Basterds
7. The Informant!
8. Where the Wild Things Are
9. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
10. Bright Star
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Honorable Mention: Avatar for its
amazing special effects. It's a glorious CGI reel with very little story and mediocre acting.
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ignore the numbering just go down sequentially... anyways... those are my films.
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1. The Hurt Locker
2. Shutter Island
3. The Road
4. Star Trek
5. Taken
6. State of Play
7. Inglourious Basterds
9. The Informant!
9. Where the Wild Things Are
10. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
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* Honorable mentions: Bright Star... and Avatar for its amazing special effects. It's a glorious CGI reel with very little story and mediocre acting.
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Hunger, Inglourious Basterds and Adventureland are my top 3. I posted my Best of the Decade here: http://tinyurl.com/yh8ysut
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Seriously, I was so let down by this movie. The most obvious plot problem being first, that the "bad guy" wasn't even necessary, and second the dude should have been over 100 years old by the time they arrived on the plateau. And should I mention the depressing downer of an opening act for this film? Or about how they go to all the trouble to establish that the kid's dad basically ignores his son, but at one time didn't. And then never even shows up at any point in the movie. What was that all about? Pointless. Wow I'm not to bitter about this film, am I?
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And in your crazy backwards land, was Whiteout a good movie?
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moZMCx AlgcIjb
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