1. Mad Max: Fury Road
The teaser trailer for this film came out in late 2014, and needless to say, I was pumped. The style and look felt completely fresh. And after seeing the film, I was not disappointed. These days, special effects don’t do anything to “wow” you. That is, until George Miller melts your face off with a guitar-strapped masked man chained to a monster truck and shooting fire out the end. Just read that sentence again. This is exactly what action movies should be. Memorable characters, jaw dropping stunts, and no time wasted. Charlize Theron’s Furiosa was praised upon release, and deservedly so. She’s the real hero of the film, with the titular Max (Tom Hardy) playing second fiddle. This is an incredible achievement in film making, one which was rewarded by 6 Oscar wins. You’ll want to watch this one over and over.
2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Star Wars conversation surrounding these new films has been nothing short of hilarious. The routine goes something like this: near universal critical and audience praise upon the film's release, followed by those very same people drastically walking back their initial enthusiasm. The Force Awakens has been endlessly picked apart, and I won't resuscitate any of those arguments here. I have it so high on my 2015 list because JJ Abrams succeeded in bringing back the magic of Star Wars to our lives. I felt it in the theaters in 2015, and I felt it when I re-watched it before The Last Jedi in 2017. This is a movie I will watch over and over. To me, it has a little Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade feel to it. There's nothing new to speak of, but the formula works so well that when it's done correctly, it's joyful. It was a wonderful close to Han Solo's story, and an effective introduction to new characters Finn, Rey, and Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren and Rey, when all is said and done, may be the best two characters in all of Star Wars (gasp!).
3. The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino indulges at every single turn in this 3-hour long western. If you’re not a fan of “Tarantino dialogue”, you will hate this movie. It’s long, deliberate, and slow, but in the very best kind of way. Each conversation builds the tension between ruthless killers and liars, all culminating in a twist filled ending. I watched this movie and The Revenant back to back, and that one felt at least an hour longer despite a shorter run time. Where The Revenant feels labored, Hateful Eight masterfully builds tension and keeps you engaged.
4. Sicario
This film is a great example of the language of film. It’s mood and storytelling is told through its visuals. This is a violent, complicated film about the US border with Mexico. The scenery is striking, with the vast dark of the Mexican desert eliciting dread at every turn. Emily Blunt is amazing in her role as an FBI agent drawn into the thorny politics of the war on drugs and immigration. She plays her role with power and an undercurrent of vulnerability. She’s effectively the only woman amongst an agency of men, and her strength is different and in ways more effective than theirs. It’s the best performance of her career, not to mention the solid work of Benecio Del Toro and Josh Brolin. Director Denis Villeneuve will show up several times in my top tens- and he’s inching towards Fincher and Nolan’s “automatic watch” category.
5. Creed
One Christmas break (back when I had such a thing) my family decided to watch the first five Rocky movies in a row. As I went through the 6 Rocky films, my thoughts went something like this: 1. This is incredible! I love you Rocky! ADDRIAAAAAN!! 2. OK, this one is pretty much exactly the same story as the first one but still good I guess. 3. Why are Rocky and Apollo Creed running shirtless on the beach together? Why is this in slow motion? Wait now they're jumping and hugging?!?! What is this movie?! 4. Is there any part of this movie that isn't montage? I guess it's fun to watch a movie where we beat the Russians? Was this the first movie to talk about PED's? Did they really have to kill off Apollo Creed to get Rocky mad at this Russian? 5. Why is Rocky's kid such a horrible actor? Is he worse than Tommy Gunn? No, Tommy Gunn is worse. Is this the worst Rocky movie ever or just the worst movie ever?. 6. (Doesn't even see it due to scarring from Rocky 5).
What a roller coaster. Despite all this, I still had high hopes for this movie because of the talented director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan (I wanted to yell "WHERE'S WALLACE" at the screen but I didn't). Creed ends up being possibly the best film in the entire series. It's got some great acting, most improbably by Sylvester Stallone, reprising the role that made him famous. It's strange to see such a serious and incredible drama that is technically a sequel to one of the least serious and cheesiest "dramas" of all-time (Rocky 5). Creed has the emotional stakes and intensity that come with any boxing film, with the Creed-Rocky history adding layers to the characters that mean something. Whatever you want to call this reviving of the franchise (Reboot? Soft Reboot? Sea-boot?), it has been a success, and should be a blueprint for others that would like to do so.
6. Inside Out
Pixar did it again- it made an emotionally resonant story out of some computer generated characters. I shouldn't be surprised at this point, they've been doing it since the 90's. Inside Out is a comical and wonderful trip into the mind of a child, in such a way that it rings true with everyone. Physical manifestations of our emotions was a brilliant premise that was executed with all the laughs and all the feels.
7. Spectre
I'm a big fan of the James Bond series (see here and here), and I really liked Spectre. Daniel Craig's Bond films have all felt fresh in one way or another. But this one feels like it's "settling in". Any Bond fan knows that basically every movie for the series first 30 years followed the same simple formula. And we loved them for it! Sometimes you just want to settle in and watch the familiar. But after Skyfall set the bar so high, a drop was bound to happen. It's a solid time, and not much more. Vintage Bond.
8. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
At some point, Tom Cruise is going to be too old to play action heroes. But it's not here. This 5th entry in the franchise hits all the right notes to make a solid action movie. Cruise always makes for an excellent time, he's still as bankable as ever.
9. Spotlight
For the second straight year, the Oscar winner for Best Picture comes in at number 9 on my list. I really loved Spotlight. It's a well-acted, well-directed movie of an important event in American history. However, it doesn’t do anything new. And that may be why it’s been somewhat forgettable in my mind. Solid, but not much more.
10. The Martian
Did Matt Damon make a cameo in Interstellar knowing that he would be in this role and it would confuse everyone? Maybe. But The Martian stands on its own right. It feels less serious than Interstellar, but serious enough to make the last 20 minutes very intense.
Honorable Mention:
Jurassic World
The Intern
The Big Short
Daddy's Home
Spy
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Top 10 of 2014
Since signing up for MoviePass, my love for going to the movies has been rekindled. It had always been there, but now that I can see as many as I want for $9.99 a month, I've found myself seeing just about everything that catches my interest. It has also revived my interest in doing some more writing on this page. My #nerdrage led me to write about the new Star Wars in December, which made me look through my old posts and realize I hadn't done a top 10 list since 2013. So before I started putting together a list for 2017, I decided to go back and fill in the gaps.
Putting together a top 10 list years later is probably the best way to do so, although the interest will likely have waned (I fully expect no one to read this, and a couple of people to read the 2017 list). Bill Simmons once had a half-baked idea to award the Oscars 5 years later. So this year, we'd be handing out the Oscars for movies from 2013. Although no one would watch the ceremony or care, it would be a much more honest way to determine the best movies of the year. Time allows us to re-watch films, sometimes again and again, and let things sink in. I'll give you a couple of examples. The first time I watched Blade Runner, I was a freshman enrolled in Film Lecture at the University of Arkansas. I was expecting a cool Sci-Fi action film with Harrison Ford. Instead, I was confused and bored by the plodding, strange neo-noir with a weird soundtrack. However, I gave it another shot a few years later and absolutely loved it. I was moved by the Roy Batty character, and appreciated the look of the film even more. Another example is the movie Swingers. I had always heard this was a great low-budget comedy that launched Vince Vaughn's career. I watched this one for the first time as a college junior and was bored to tears. After giving it another chance when I'd had a few years out of college, it completely clicked. Swingers is a movie about love and career in the awkward stage right out of college. Until I had experienced that, I couldn't connect with the film at all. Point being, neither of these movies would have made any top 10 list had I ranked them after one viewing, but they are two of my favorites now.
But I digress. Here's my top 10 of 2014. Had I written this in January 2015, it likely would have looked slightly different. These are the films that have stuck with me over the years, and left the strongest impression.
1. Interstellar
Christopher Nolan is batting a perfect 1.000. I've loved every movie he's ever made (save for his independent debut Following, which I've never seen), and Interstellar is another incredible entry to the Nolan canon. Released in the middle of the Matthew McConaussaince, the film is an incredible science fiction and father-daughter tale. The Hans Zimmer score is burned into my brain as one of the best of all time. The acting is top notch, it's not overly science-y when it's explaining things, and has real emotional stakes. This is how you make a science fiction film.
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Having watched the entire Apes trilogy this summer, I can confirm that this is my favorite of the three. Which is saying a lot, because these Apes movies are so much better than I ever thought they could be. In this film, Caesar is no longer an ape in a lab, but a bona fide military leader. Andy Serkis' motion capture work gives nuance and emotion to a CGI animal that I had no idea could be possible. The titles of these movies make no sense (why is there a Rise before a Dawn?), but they’ve managed to be one of the best trilogies this decade.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
This iteration (somehow) successfully merged the early 2000’s X-Men movies with the new cast of the semi-reboot First Class. This is my favorite movie of the franchise, with the time travel and the 70’s vibes all meshing so well. I had such a bad taste in my mouth after the horrific X-Men 3 that it was really nice to allow that cast to finish up in an actual good movie. But the scene of the film (and maybe of all 2014) was Quicksilver taking out an entire room of bad guys in slow motion. I could watch that over and over.
4. Gone Girl
I love David Fincher. His style is exceptionally unique and effective at telling a story. Gone Girl is probably a lower tier Fincher movie, which tells you how deep his IMDB page is. It’s a twisting drama that was expertly placed on film from the best-selling novel. Ben Affleck was perfect casting because our feelings about his character are basically the same as how we feel about Ben himself: is he a jerk? Is he a smart dumb guy or a dumb smart guy? Do I trust him? And so on. Just perfect.
5. Edge of Tomorrow
The most underrated movie of 2014 was an awesome mix of Groundhog Day and The Terminator. The premise is Tom Cruise essentially living the same moment over and over in order to beat the bad guys. The execution is what’s important here, as director Doug Liman mixes action and comedy perfectly. And even though Emily Blunt is still too young to play Cruise’s love interest, it’s more believable than about half the movies he’s done this decade.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy
I saw this movie at a group outing at the drive-in, fully expecting to be bored to tears. At the time, I was in the middle of a full on Marvel boycott. I had felt that they had become tiresome, predictable, and boring. So to say that this movie caught me by surprise was an understatement. I could be wrong, but it appears to me that it was around this time that Marvel decided to drop any pretense of taking itself seriously, which means two things. One, almost all of these Marvel movies are going to be fun and entertaining. Two, very few are going to be memorable. This one ended up in the memorable category, due to its killer soundtrack and comedy.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
It's a Wes Anderson movie. It's quirky. It's funny. It has memorable characters. What else do you need to know?
8. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The conclusion to the epic, albeit unnecessary, "Hobbit" "trilogy". I put both of those in quotation marks because it's not really a trilogy of movies about JRR Tolkien's classic novel, but an attempt to make prequels to the Lord of the Rings. Which is fine! It's just not what I was hoping for. The Hobbit is my favorite book of all time, and Lord of the Rings are my favorite films of all time. So my anticipation for these movies was great. But when the story would deviate from Bilbo and our main story on to other things, my interest would dip. I can't help but feel like there's an excellent 3.5 hour Hobbit movie buried within this trilogy of movies (I may or may not own a bootleg called "The Tolkien edit"). Battle of the Five Armies is a fine end, with some memorable Bilbo scenes, and some over the top action. My biggest complaint with these movies has nothing to do with the writing or story, but the decision to make the main two Orcs CGI. They proved in Lord of the Rings that good ol' fashioned makeup can make incredible movie monsters. Going back to watch those movies today, 15 years later (!), they are still just as scary and just as believable. But the CGI orcs in The Hobbit just look awkward and way less scary. I'm not sure if it was cost, or Peter Jackson feeling like his vision couldn't be realized, but I was disappointed in the decision.
9. Birdman: or The Unexpected Virture of Ignorance
The Oscar winner for Best Picture comes in at number 9 on my list. Birdman was a thoughtful, well-acted movie with a very unique score and cinematography. But this is a great example of time giving better perspective. I loved this one at the time, but have felt little to no desire to re-watch. This movie is excellent, but not the best movie of the year.
10. Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler is one of my all-time favorite movie theater experiences. The film is incredibly dark, and our lead is Jake Gyllenhaal playing an unhinged wannabe news reporter. He lies, cheats, steals, and assaults his way to the "top" of the breaking news report game. His character is so strange, and so weird, I couldn't help but laugh. My friends were laughing too. But that's where it stopped. The entire theater must have thought we were a band of psychopaths, because the humor was lost on everyone else. My wife constantly nudges me when I'm too loud in movies (which is all the time), and if we had been dating at this point she may have walked out. It was magnificent.
Honorable Mention:
Neighbors
The Lego Movie
The Imitation Game
John Wick
Big Hero 6
Dumb and Dumber To
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Putting together a top 10 list years later is probably the best way to do so, although the interest will likely have waned (I fully expect no one to read this, and a couple of people to read the 2017 list). Bill Simmons once had a half-baked idea to award the Oscars 5 years later. So this year, we'd be handing out the Oscars for movies from 2013. Although no one would watch the ceremony or care, it would be a much more honest way to determine the best movies of the year. Time allows us to re-watch films, sometimes again and again, and let things sink in. I'll give you a couple of examples. The first time I watched Blade Runner, I was a freshman enrolled in Film Lecture at the University of Arkansas. I was expecting a cool Sci-Fi action film with Harrison Ford. Instead, I was confused and bored by the plodding, strange neo-noir with a weird soundtrack. However, I gave it another shot a few years later and absolutely loved it. I was moved by the Roy Batty character, and appreciated the look of the film even more. Another example is the movie Swingers. I had always heard this was a great low-budget comedy that launched Vince Vaughn's career. I watched this one for the first time as a college junior and was bored to tears. After giving it another chance when I'd had a few years out of college, it completely clicked. Swingers is a movie about love and career in the awkward stage right out of college. Until I had experienced that, I couldn't connect with the film at all. Point being, neither of these movies would have made any top 10 list had I ranked them after one viewing, but they are two of my favorites now.
But I digress. Here's my top 10 of 2014. Had I written this in January 2015, it likely would have looked slightly different. These are the films that have stuck with me over the years, and left the strongest impression.
1. Interstellar
Christopher Nolan is batting a perfect 1.000. I've loved every movie he's ever made (save for his independent debut Following, which I've never seen), and Interstellar is another incredible entry to the Nolan canon. Released in the middle of the Matthew McConaussaince, the film is an incredible science fiction and father-daughter tale. The Hans Zimmer score is burned into my brain as one of the best of all time. The acting is top notch, it's not overly science-y when it's explaining things, and has real emotional stakes. This is how you make a science fiction film.
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Having watched the entire Apes trilogy this summer, I can confirm that this is my favorite of the three. Which is saying a lot, because these Apes movies are so much better than I ever thought they could be. In this film, Caesar is no longer an ape in a lab, but a bona fide military leader. Andy Serkis' motion capture work gives nuance and emotion to a CGI animal that I had no idea could be possible. The titles of these movies make no sense (why is there a Rise before a Dawn?), but they’ve managed to be one of the best trilogies this decade.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
This iteration (somehow) successfully merged the early 2000’s X-Men movies with the new cast of the semi-reboot First Class. This is my favorite movie of the franchise, with the time travel and the 70’s vibes all meshing so well. I had such a bad taste in my mouth after the horrific X-Men 3 that it was really nice to allow that cast to finish up in an actual good movie. But the scene of the film (and maybe of all 2014) was Quicksilver taking out an entire room of bad guys in slow motion. I could watch that over and over.
4. Gone Girl
I love David Fincher. His style is exceptionally unique and effective at telling a story. Gone Girl is probably a lower tier Fincher movie, which tells you how deep his IMDB page is. It’s a twisting drama that was expertly placed on film from the best-selling novel. Ben Affleck was perfect casting because our feelings about his character are basically the same as how we feel about Ben himself: is he a jerk? Is he a smart dumb guy or a dumb smart guy? Do I trust him? And so on. Just perfect.
5. Edge of Tomorrow
The most underrated movie of 2014 was an awesome mix of Groundhog Day and The Terminator. The premise is Tom Cruise essentially living the same moment over and over in order to beat the bad guys. The execution is what’s important here, as director Doug Liman mixes action and comedy perfectly. And even though Emily Blunt is still too young to play Cruise’s love interest, it’s more believable than about half the movies he’s done this decade.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy
I saw this movie at a group outing at the drive-in, fully expecting to be bored to tears. At the time, I was in the middle of a full on Marvel boycott. I had felt that they had become tiresome, predictable, and boring. So to say that this movie caught me by surprise was an understatement. I could be wrong, but it appears to me that it was around this time that Marvel decided to drop any pretense of taking itself seriously, which means two things. One, almost all of these Marvel movies are going to be fun and entertaining. Two, very few are going to be memorable. This one ended up in the memorable category, due to its killer soundtrack and comedy.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel
It's a Wes Anderson movie. It's quirky. It's funny. It has memorable characters. What else do you need to know?
8. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The conclusion to the epic, albeit unnecessary, "Hobbit" "trilogy". I put both of those in quotation marks because it's not really a trilogy of movies about JRR Tolkien's classic novel, but an attempt to make prequels to the Lord of the Rings. Which is fine! It's just not what I was hoping for. The Hobbit is my favorite book of all time, and Lord of the Rings are my favorite films of all time. So my anticipation for these movies was great. But when the story would deviate from Bilbo and our main story on to other things, my interest would dip. I can't help but feel like there's an excellent 3.5 hour Hobbit movie buried within this trilogy of movies (I may or may not own a bootleg called "The Tolkien edit"). Battle of the Five Armies is a fine end, with some memorable Bilbo scenes, and some over the top action. My biggest complaint with these movies has nothing to do with the writing or story, but the decision to make the main two Orcs CGI. They proved in Lord of the Rings that good ol' fashioned makeup can make incredible movie monsters. Going back to watch those movies today, 15 years later (!), they are still just as scary and just as believable. But the CGI orcs in The Hobbit just look awkward and way less scary. I'm not sure if it was cost, or Peter Jackson feeling like his vision couldn't be realized, but I was disappointed in the decision.
9. Birdman: or The Unexpected Virture of Ignorance
The Oscar winner for Best Picture comes in at number 9 on my list. Birdman was a thoughtful, well-acted movie with a very unique score and cinematography. But this is a great example of time giving better perspective. I loved this one at the time, but have felt little to no desire to re-watch. This movie is excellent, but not the best movie of the year.
10. Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler is one of my all-time favorite movie theater experiences. The film is incredibly dark, and our lead is Jake Gyllenhaal playing an unhinged wannabe news reporter. He lies, cheats, steals, and assaults his way to the "top" of the breaking news report game. His character is so strange, and so weird, I couldn't help but laugh. My friends were laughing too. But that's where it stopped. The entire theater must have thought we were a band of psychopaths, because the humor was lost on everyone else. My wife constantly nudges me when I'm too loud in movies (which is all the time), and if we had been dating at this point she may have walked out. It was magnificent.
Honorable Mention:
Neighbors
The Lego Movie
The Imitation Game
John Wick
Big Hero 6
Dumb and Dumber To
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Monday, December 18, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Spoilers)
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, despite near universal critical acclaim and insane box office results, has still had its share of detractors. The conversation on social media over the weekend pointed out quite a few issues fans had with the series: Why didn't Laura Dern just tell Poe her plan? What was the point of Finn's story line? Why didn't Luke actually train Rey? How in the world did Leia float through space like Mary Poppins? I could go on. And while several of these complaints are valid, I found TLJ to be an engrossing Star Wars film that actually had something new to say, a feat that The Force Awakens and Rogue One did not accomplish. There were still the callbacks and nostalgia that comes with the territory of a Star Wars movie in 2017, but I felt that the twists and turns as well as the new additions to the Star Wars mythos elevated my interest level. This time it wasn't like poetry- it did not rhyme (as much anyway).
Some of the new additions to the force mythology included: Leia's ability to return to the ship while being suspended in space, the location of the original Jedi temple, the fact that the Jedi had ancient texts that they self-describe as religious, the ability to project an apparition of yourself, Rey and Kylo's ability to commune using the force, the expansion on the concept of having evil and good at the same time, and more. Here's a list of what The Force Awakens added: umm nothing? Pretty much everything in it regarding the force has been established in previous films. Which was fine for that movie, but if its follow up offered nothing new, the grace we gave the reboot would not have been as kind.
Poe and Finn's story line was kind of stupid, I'll give you that. A lot of their motivations and actions could have been resolved with a quick scene of dialogue between them and Laura Dern. But I applaud director/writer Rian Johnson for where he took these characters as far as their story arcs. Poe was introduced (and to a lesser extent Finn) as the "new Han Solo". Cocky, funny, and quick to make rash decisions. Finn and Poe fail several times in this film, and miserably. It didn't feel good in the moment to learn that Finn and Rose's mission was a failure, or that Poe's decision to attack the ship in the (amazing) opening sequence led to some unnecessary loss of life (quick note on the criticism that you can't drop bombs in space because there's no gravity- there's no fiery explosions in space either because of the lack of oxygen, but Star Wars has had those since the beginning. Star Wars has always been much more fantasy than science fiction). However difficult these moments of failure are, Finn and Poe learn more about their place in the rebellion and why being the "handsome hero" is not always the path that leads to victory. This a different arc than we've really ever had in Star Wars, which is why I think people are initially hesitant to it.
Continued criticism was lobbied at the revealed backstory of two Jedi characters- or in one case, the lack thereof. Rey was revealed to not have any important heritage. Snoke didn't get much of an explanation at all. Director Rian Johnson has explained why he made this choice, and I see his point. Having Snoke and Kylo Ren work together just echoes Return of the Jedi, which is a movie all of us have already seen countless times. Kylo is the much more interesting character and having him kill Snoke but retain his "evil" intentions retains some mystery for his character in Episode IX. We may never know where he came from or who he is, but this trilogy is about Rey and Kylo Ren, not Snoke. In RotJ I didn't necessarily need to know how the emperor rose to power. I just knew he was pure evil and a great villain. The prequels expounded upon this and gave the emperor a backstory but that was pretty extraneous. I didn't walk out wanting to know more about Snoke, but couldn't wait to learn more about Kylo and Rey.
There were some plot holes (see above), cheesy moments (shoe-horning in some class warfare/animal cruelty stuff on the casino world), and awkward dialogue. But my biggest fears were not realized. With Force Awakens being essentially a remake of A New Hope, I was terrified that TLJ would just mirror The Empire Strikes Back. Not the case. Time will tell, but I believe this film will age better than both The Force Awakens and Rogue One because it took some risks. "Epic" and "classic" films achieve that status based upon audience feeling, and reliance upon nostalgia cannot create these feelings- at least the ones that last.
Some of the new additions to the force mythology included: Leia's ability to return to the ship while being suspended in space, the location of the original Jedi temple, the fact that the Jedi had ancient texts that they self-describe as religious, the ability to project an apparition of yourself, Rey and Kylo's ability to commune using the force, the expansion on the concept of having evil and good at the same time, and more. Here's a list of what The Force Awakens added: umm nothing? Pretty much everything in it regarding the force has been established in previous films. Which was fine for that movie, but if its follow up offered nothing new, the grace we gave the reboot would not have been as kind.
Poe and Finn's story line was kind of stupid, I'll give you that. A lot of their motivations and actions could have been resolved with a quick scene of dialogue between them and Laura Dern. But I applaud director/writer Rian Johnson for where he took these characters as far as their story arcs. Poe was introduced (and to a lesser extent Finn) as the "new Han Solo". Cocky, funny, and quick to make rash decisions. Finn and Poe fail several times in this film, and miserably. It didn't feel good in the moment to learn that Finn and Rose's mission was a failure, or that Poe's decision to attack the ship in the (amazing) opening sequence led to some unnecessary loss of life (quick note on the criticism that you can't drop bombs in space because there's no gravity- there's no fiery explosions in space either because of the lack of oxygen, but Star Wars has had those since the beginning. Star Wars has always been much more fantasy than science fiction). However difficult these moments of failure are, Finn and Poe learn more about their place in the rebellion and why being the "handsome hero" is not always the path that leads to victory. This a different arc than we've really ever had in Star Wars, which is why I think people are initially hesitant to it.
Continued criticism was lobbied at the revealed backstory of two Jedi characters- or in one case, the lack thereof. Rey was revealed to not have any important heritage. Snoke didn't get much of an explanation at all. Director Rian Johnson has explained why he made this choice, and I see his point. Having Snoke and Kylo Ren work together just echoes Return of the Jedi, which is a movie all of us have already seen countless times. Kylo is the much more interesting character and having him kill Snoke but retain his "evil" intentions retains some mystery for his character in Episode IX. We may never know where he came from or who he is, but this trilogy is about Rey and Kylo Ren, not Snoke. In RotJ I didn't necessarily need to know how the emperor rose to power. I just knew he was pure evil and a great villain. The prequels expounded upon this and gave the emperor a backstory but that was pretty extraneous. I didn't walk out wanting to know more about Snoke, but couldn't wait to learn more about Kylo and Rey.
There were some plot holes (see above), cheesy moments (shoe-horning in some class warfare/animal cruelty stuff on the casino world), and awkward dialogue. But my biggest fears were not realized. With Force Awakens being essentially a remake of A New Hope, I was terrified that TLJ would just mirror The Empire Strikes Back. Not the case. Time will tell, but I believe this film will age better than both The Force Awakens and Rogue One because it took some risks. "Epic" and "classic" films achieve that status based upon audience feeling, and reliance upon nostalgia cannot create these feelings- at least the ones that last.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Top 20 Video Games of All Time
I am an unashamed Nintendo fanboy. I grew up on Mario, Kirby, and Smash Brothers, and my current interests still look like much of the same. It's not that I didn't "evolve" with the times, or that I didn't give the new wave of high definition popular games a chance. I played more than my fair share of Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Halo, and NCAA Football in college. The issue was that despite the technical achievements, none of these games could match the accessibility and simplicity of a quality Nintendo title. "Easy to learn and difficult to master" should describe every single video game made. The hyper-realistic, hyper-violent, bloated games that are so popular on next generation consoles do not appeal to me all that much.
So take this list with a mountain of salt. Only 3 of these games were not published by Nintendo. But I can guarantee you that every single one of them is a blast to play:
1. Metroid Prime (GCN)
It sounds strange that the addition of a green dinosaur for Mario to ride would make a game that much better. But it does. This game is simply a joy to play. Mario games are just the best.
My best Christmas ever was when I received the double pack of The World is Not Enough on VHS, and GoldenEye. GoldenEye was different because of the missions during the single player campaign. It combined traditional first person shooter action with actual spy elements, all made better with the James Bond license. The multiplayer was incredibly fun. Using a grenade launcher became art, bouncing grenades off the walls to kill Oddjob in his hiding spot.
Dunkey's review of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 perfectly encapsulates why this game is great. Simple, quick to learn, difficult to master, pure fun.
The amount of hours I've sunk into these games is staggering. I'm not a fan of traditional fighting games, but Smash Bros doesn't function like one. This game is why local multiplayer will always beat online multiplayer. There is nothing better than trash talking your friends in person. Or in my case, letting my friends pressure me into choking a victory away. I'll never really buy in to online gaming because it pales in comparison to local multiplayer.
The graphics in this game are nothing short of stunning, and I am glad they went with the cel shaded style. I think there's a few unfair judgments against this game. Some say that the sailing was mundane and the islands were too stretched out. I found the sailing to be relaxing, and there was plenty to discover along the way. The other main complaint is the "fetch quest" at the end of the game. I never understood this. Collecting pieces of the triforce came with a different challenge at each location. It was just a part of the game that let you explore the games overworld, something that Zelda is all about.
14. Super Metroid (SNES)
I distinctly remember being in college and playing this for the first time. There would be social obligations that I would actively avoid in order to play this game. Super Metroid is probably the best Alien video game, complete with the eerie mood and female protagonist.
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15. Banjo Kazooie (N64)
This game is just straight up platforming goodness. Super Mario 64 never got a sequel on the N64, but Banjo Kazooie is the closest thing there was. The sequel suffered a bit from being expansive. The worlds were too big, and the objectives too remote. But Banjo Kazooie had worlds that were fun to explore, but not too big. Oh, and the music is insanely good too.
The first Animal Crossing game was the first gaming experience that I played mostly for relaxation. Finding fossils, fishing, and decorating a home doesn't sound like fun, but it absolutely is.
The GoldenEye sequel we never got, this game is everything GoldenEye was but better. The laptop gun is one of the best video game weapons ever conceived, and was a major part of every multiplayer battle. Plus with bots, my friends and I would frequently battle the four of us vs. four bots, and it was amazing.
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This is another Mario game that is just pure fun. Nintendo totally nailed the 3D platformer on their first try, and games still struggle with doing it right to this day.
19. Metroid Fusion (GBA)
Metroid knows how to do great science fiction. Metroid Fusion is an extension of Super Metroid, and is another incredible adventure.
20. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
The final star in Super Mario Galaxy 2 is one of my greatest video game achievements. It's an incredibly hard level that took me close to 50 tries. But once I finally beat it, I felt a level of elation rarely reached in my video game history.
HONORABLE MENTION
Resident Evil (GCN)
Super Mario Bros. (NES)
Donkey Kong Country 2-3 (SNES)
Techmo Super Bowl (NES)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Dreamcast)
NBA Jam (Wii)
So take this list with a mountain of salt. Only 3 of these games were not published by Nintendo. But I can guarantee you that every single one of them is a blast to play:
1. Metroid Prime (GCN)
Metroid Prime is the ultimate example of how to innovate and also stick to what makes a franchise great. I will never forget entering Phendrana Drifts for the first time. The music, the graphics, it was a transcendent experience. This is one of the few games that I have gone back to and beat on every difficulty and completed it 100%. To make matters better, the Metroid Prime collection allowed you to play the game with the great Wii controls.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
Superlatives do not do Ocarina of Time justice. Upon release, this was hailed as the greatest game of all time, garnering countless perfect reviews. I dare you to not love this game. Just thinking about playing through and exploring the sprawling Hyrule gives me chills. One thing that Zelda gets right is the size of the world it inhabits. There are diminishing returns when it comes to an open world game. Ocarina of Time has plenty to explore, but never feels overwhelming. Meanwhile, a game like GTA: IV just seems exhausting. It's way too big and way too complicated. Give me the sheer joy of Kakariko Village and Lon Lon Ranch any day.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)
Majora's Mask is the Pinkerton of video games. It was a wildly anticipated follow up to a massively successful product (The Blue Album/Ocarina), that was misunderstood upon release. Now, Majora is considered a bonafide classic. I was sucked in by the mood and the overworld almost immediately. I loved how dark and strange it was. But what is odd about Majora is that it's not really the main story that sets it apart, although that is amazing. It's the side quests that center upon various residents of Termina. I love all of them. This is a game that makes collecting fun and worthwhile.
4. R.B.I. Baseball (NES)
Vince Coleman. Dave Righetti. Burt Blylevyn. These are marginal players in the footnotes of baseball history, but absolute titans to anyone that has played RBI. This game is so simple, and yet so challenging when playing against another skilled player. The amount of 1-0 games that I have lost to my dad is utterly infuriating. He will throw a 1 hit shutout with 20 k's, dancing the baseball across the plate. And all it takes is one mistake to him and it's over. These are my absolute best video game memories. Working so hard to beat my dad, and loving every single second of it. RBI 3 comes close, but there's not really any other baseball games that got it as right as this one.
5. Kirby's Adventure (NES)
I love challenge in games, but if you're looking for that, Kirby is not really your game. It's an effortless game that is just plain fun. The mechanics, the controls, the graphics, the world. Just fun. You can probably beat the game in an hour, but who cares? You'll beat it over and over again only to get the UFO power up one more time.
6. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
Take everything I said about Kirby and add in challenge, and that's Super Mario 3. 2D platforming is a bit of a lost art- I'm not sure that even Nintendo is all that great these days. But man, if you were a kid during any point in the 90's SMB3 was one of the most mind blowing experiences in your life.
7. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (Wii)
Resident Evil 4 on GameCube and PS2 was insanely good. Great action, great atmosphere, and a successful reinvention of what was the a stake franchise. But man oh man did the Wii version completely blow off the roof. The pinpoint control of the Wii remote was perfect for this game. Looking back it's pretty sad how few games utilized its functionality so well. I played through this one over and over and didn't really get tired of it.
8. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
This was another mind blowing experience for every 90's kid. I had never seen graphics that looked remotely that good. The soundtrack is absolutely stunning as well, but it's the fluid controls and level design that elevates this game from a mere technical achievement.
4. R.B.I. Baseball (NES)
Vince Coleman. Dave Righetti. Burt Blylevyn. These are marginal players in the footnotes of baseball history, but absolute titans to anyone that has played RBI. This game is so simple, and yet so challenging when playing against another skilled player. The amount of 1-0 games that I have lost to my dad is utterly infuriating. He will throw a 1 hit shutout with 20 k's, dancing the baseball across the plate. And all it takes is one mistake to him and it's over. These are my absolute best video game memories. Working so hard to beat my dad, and loving every single second of it. RBI 3 comes close, but there's not really any other baseball games that got it as right as this one.
5. Kirby's Adventure (NES)
I love challenge in games, but if you're looking for that, Kirby is not really your game. It's an effortless game that is just plain fun. The mechanics, the controls, the graphics, the world. Just fun. You can probably beat the game in an hour, but who cares? You'll beat it over and over again only to get the UFO power up one more time.
6. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
Take everything I said about Kirby and add in challenge, and that's Super Mario 3. 2D platforming is a bit of a lost art- I'm not sure that even Nintendo is all that great these days. But man, if you were a kid during any point in the 90's SMB3 was one of the most mind blowing experiences in your life.
7. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (Wii)
Resident Evil 4 on GameCube and PS2 was insanely good. Great action, great atmosphere, and a successful reinvention of what was the a stake franchise. But man oh man did the Wii version completely blow off the roof. The pinpoint control of the Wii remote was perfect for this game. Looking back it's pretty sad how few games utilized its functionality so well. I played through this one over and over and didn't really get tired of it.
8. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
This was another mind blowing experience for every 90's kid. I had never seen graphics that looked remotely that good. The soundtrack is absolutely stunning as well, but it's the fluid controls and level design that elevates this game from a mere technical achievement.
It sounds strange that the addition of a green dinosaur for Mario to ride would make a game that much better. But it does. This game is simply a joy to play. Mario games are just the best.
My best Christmas ever was when I received the double pack of The World is Not Enough on VHS, and GoldenEye. GoldenEye was different because of the missions during the single player campaign. It combined traditional first person shooter action with actual spy elements, all made better with the James Bond license. The multiplayer was incredibly fun. Using a grenade launcher became art, bouncing grenades off the walls to kill Oddjob in his hiding spot.
Dunkey's review of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 perfectly encapsulates why this game is great. Simple, quick to learn, difficult to master, pure fun.
The amount of hours I've sunk into these games is staggering. I'm not a fan of traditional fighting games, but Smash Bros doesn't function like one. This game is why local multiplayer will always beat online multiplayer. There is nothing better than trash talking your friends in person. Or in my case, letting my friends pressure me into choking a victory away. I'll never really buy in to online gaming because it pales in comparison to local multiplayer.
The graphics in this game are nothing short of stunning, and I am glad they went with the cel shaded style. I think there's a few unfair judgments against this game. Some say that the sailing was mundane and the islands were too stretched out. I found the sailing to be relaxing, and there was plenty to discover along the way. The other main complaint is the "fetch quest" at the end of the game. I never understood this. Collecting pieces of the triforce came with a different challenge at each location. It was just a part of the game that let you explore the games overworld, something that Zelda is all about.
14. Super Metroid (SNES)
I distinctly remember being in college and playing this for the first time. There would be social obligations that I would actively avoid in order to play this game. Super Metroid is probably the best Alien video game, complete with the eerie mood and female protagonist.
15. Banjo Kazooie (N64)
This game is just straight up platforming goodness. Super Mario 64 never got a sequel on the N64, but Banjo Kazooie is the closest thing there was. The sequel suffered a bit from being expansive. The worlds were too big, and the objectives too remote. But Banjo Kazooie had worlds that were fun to explore, but not too big. Oh, and the music is insanely good too.
The first Animal Crossing game was the first gaming experience that I played mostly for relaxation. Finding fossils, fishing, and decorating a home doesn't sound like fun, but it absolutely is.
The GoldenEye sequel we never got, this game is everything GoldenEye was but better. The laptop gun is one of the best video game weapons ever conceived, and was a major part of every multiplayer battle. Plus with bots, my friends and I would frequently battle the four of us vs. four bots, and it was amazing.
This is another Mario game that is just pure fun. Nintendo totally nailed the 3D platformer on their first try, and games still struggle with doing it right to this day.
19. Metroid Fusion (GBA)
Metroid knows how to do great science fiction. Metroid Fusion is an extension of Super Metroid, and is another incredible adventure.
20. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
The final star in Super Mario Galaxy 2 is one of my greatest video game achievements. It's an incredibly hard level that took me close to 50 tries. But once I finally beat it, I felt a level of elation rarely reached in my video game history.
HONORABLE MENTION
Resident Evil (GCN)
Super Mario Bros. (NES)
Donkey Kong Country 2-3 (SNES)
Techmo Super Bowl (NES)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Dreamcast)
NBA Jam (Wii)
Sunday, December 18, 2016
It's a Wonderful Life, Communism, and Community
It's a Wonderful Life is not only the greatest Christmas movie ever made, but one of the best movies ever made. It's warm, funny, and delightful. My family and I have made it a Christmas tradition to watch it each year, and every time I feel uplifted, and get more than a little misty eyed at many different parts. It's a Wonderful Life is the story of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a small town man that continually puts others in front of himself. When he is discouraged to the point of contemplating ending his life, and angel named Clarence visits him and shows him what life would be like without him being born. George realizes his impact he has had, and "no man is a failure who has friends."
I watched this movie for years and years and walked away feeling uplifted by the ending, and without much thought for the rest of the film. But a couple of views ago I started picking up on an interesting dichotomy of economic philosophies. George, president of the Bailey Building & Loan, and Henry Potter, president of the bank and just about everything else, are constantly at odds. George's philosophy is that people should be able to live in a decent home even if they need a few extra days to pay their bills. Potter's philosophy is that people get what they deserve (his other philosophies involve being a cantankerous old man), and that a home is earned and not given.
It's easy to draw a communism vs. capitalism view of these two philosophies. George famously reminds the panicked Bedford Falls town-folk that "the money isn't here, it's in Joe's house... and in the Kennedy house, and Mrs. Macklin's house, and a hundred others. Why, you're lending them the money to build, and then, they're going to pay it back to you as best they can." (Side note. The Simpsons absolutely killed it with their parody of this scene). A community that puts in money so that all may have the same is a socialist dream and a conservative nightmare. However, after my most recent viewing of the film, I don't think that's what's going on here. The ethic of It's a Wonderful Life, isn't communism, it's authentic Christian community.
The early church in the book of Acts were instructed to live together in unity. "And all who believed were together had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need" (Acts 2:45-46). This is the way George lives for his town of Bedford Falls, and the way town lives for each other. Director Frank Capra consistently highlights the true servant nature of the town. Cab driver Ernie and policeman Bert sing to George and his wife Mary for their impromptu honeymoon. George and Mary help to christen a new home for local barkeep Mr. Martini. Sam Wainwright promises to put people back to work by bringing industry back to town. But the climax of the film is when the town raises money to help George after his Uncle Billy misplaces $8,000 (a deed for which George takes the blame). This scene is incredibly heartwarming, but it's easy to forget what takes place just moments before in the movie's timeline. The film opens with George's family and friends praying to God that they help George in his time of need. And after their prayers, God sends and angel to help George, and the impetus to help their friend. And isn't this what the Bible calls believers to do? To pray for one another and give in time of need?
It's always bothered me that in George's desperation prayer he says "dear Father in Heaven... I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there, show me the way." I always hated that he questioned whether or not that God was there. But I don't think this indicates that George doesn't have faith. He's in a time of doubt and needs prayer and encouragement. And not only does God answer his prayer, he answers prayers of so many others that care for him. It's a Wonderful Life is a distinctly Christian film, and I think that it is even more powerful to watch it as such.
PS- the film would be much less Christian with the SNL alternate ending, although it would be much funnier.
Friday, May 16, 2014
5 Totally Overrated Movies
Have you ever been talking with someone who holds a movie/book/show in high regard, only for you to tell them that you think it stinks? It's a hard situation, because most of the time the person is deeply offended by your hatred for the object of their affection. Look, I don't have anything against you personally, it's just that I disagree with your taste. And with the following movies, that awkward conversation rears its ugly head time and time again.
Inglorious Basterds
I really wish that I loved this movie; it would make life a lot easier. I love Tarantino. I quote Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs just as much as the next guy. But Inglorious Basterds as an entire film, is overrated. I even watched this movie multiple times to try and figure out what I was missing. Every part with Brad Pitt's crew is amazing- but they're only on screen for like 45 minutes. The rest of the time we get Tarantino-esque conversations between characters that are not near as interesting as "The Bear Jew" or "Aldo the Apache". I know that some of these dialogue scenes are vintage Tarantino, but I just felt like he was a bit overindulgent, which he has been known to do (does anyone like Death Proof?). It's not Tarantino's worst movie (ahem, Death Proof), but it's not in the same league as his classics.
Love, Actually
Love, Actually is one of the few movies that actually left me close to physical illness after seeing it. It is also always mentioned in "best romantic comedies" lists, which is mystifying. The amount of syrupy sweet story lines about love and relationships is nauseating. Admittedly romantic comedies are not my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the good ones from the bad. There are several that I've liked, a fact I don't mind admitting. But Love, Actually just has so much unnecessary over-the-top romance that I can't handle it. The one that especially irked me was the 10 year old kid who was "in love" with his classmate. Puppy love can be cute when done the right way (see Moonrise Kingdom), but here it is just the worst. This 10 year old would basically sell his soul to be with this girl, and performs one insane romantic gesture after another. It wasn't cute to me at all. Having extensive experience around kids through my times at church and working at a summer camp, I can tell you that not one ten year old boy cares at all about romance. They might "like" a girl, but this is usually manifested in putting a worm in her hair or pushing her down on the playground. You're telling me this kid is going to do a Ross-in-Friends-style stop her at the airport thing? Give me a break.The rest of the stories are boring to annoying, and I found myself wanting Love, Actually to be over as soon as it started. Problem is, IT'S 2 AND A HALF HOURS LONG! I'm calling way overrated on this one.
Crash
Most "movie people" already know that this film is the biggest stink-bomb to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but I still run into individuals who hold Crash in high regard. The only reason it even won was because most voters thought, "it's a little TOO edgy to choose Brokeback Mountain, so I'll just go with the movie that says racism is bad." The filmmakers bludgeon viewers over the head with the overly simplified message of, "EVERYONE IS RACIST ON THE INSIDE". Nothing is nuanced, it's all convenient, and it's just too much to handle.
Bridesmaids
This one gets me in trouble the most. And for the sake of not making that any worse, I'm going to be short. I just didn't think it was that funny. I think that the people in it are funny (Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph), it just wasn't a great movie. There. Am I the worst person in the world?
There Will Be Blood
I've already written some thoughts on this movie, but allow me to reiterate: There Will Be Blood is boring and terrible. Here's what I have previously stated, and I stand by every word:
'There Will Be Blood, released in 2007, had all the hype in the world. A critically acclaimed director, Hollywood acting great Daniel Day-Lewis as the lead, and the promise of an engrossing tale of oil prospecting at the turn of the century. Needless to say I was very excited to see this movie in the theater. The opening scene was extremely promising. Daniel Day-Lewis, struggling in an oil well, in an amazing one man scene with no dialogue. After that is when things started to turn south. For what seemed like the next 9 hours (in reality it was only two and a half), absolutely NOTHING happened. Seriously, there is nothing that happens. I understand that not all movies are moved along by a traditional plot, and that there are other types of films. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a good example of a film that is a character study. We see Benjamin from his birth to his death. But in between there is growth, action, and love. In There Will Be Blood, there is none of that. Day-Lewis' character is an evil curmudgeon in the last scene, the exact same as he is in the first. There's no plot to speak of, just some events, and then it ends. Was I supposed to be invested in any of the characters? Was I supposed to care when anything happened?
About halfway through the movie I started to realize that my expectations had gone horribly wrong. After the movie my friends and I all had sheepish looks, none of us daring to be the first to say they hated it. Someone finally piped up with a "that was kind of boring" comment, finally giving the rest of us the ability to tell of how bored we all were during the movie. A group behind me in the theater loudly exclaimed, "this is boring crap!" and actually left the theater with an hour left. True story. I wish I had been as bold as them. It most certainly was boring crap. It was almost as if I could hear Anderson behind me in the theater screaming, "THIS IS ART! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LIKE THIS!" I understand that I'm supposed to, the problem is that I don't, not even in the slightest. Maybe I was confusing that with Day-Lewis horribly overacted performance. It was as if Anderson told him,"OK, if you yell and strain your face, it conveys emotion! Do this EVERY time!" Yelling is not great acting, and that is the gist of Day-Lewis' performance. He overacts like Calculon from Futurama.'
Inglorious Basterds
I really wish that I loved this movie; it would make life a lot easier. I love Tarantino. I quote Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs just as much as the next guy. But Inglorious Basterds as an entire film, is overrated. I even watched this movie multiple times to try and figure out what I was missing. Every part with Brad Pitt's crew is amazing- but they're only on screen for like 45 minutes. The rest of the time we get Tarantino-esque conversations between characters that are not near as interesting as "The Bear Jew" or "Aldo the Apache". I know that some of these dialogue scenes are vintage Tarantino, but I just felt like he was a bit overindulgent, which he has been known to do (does anyone like Death Proof?). It's not Tarantino's worst movie (ahem, Death Proof), but it's not in the same league as his classics.
Love, Actually
Love, Actually is one of the few movies that actually left me close to physical illness after seeing it. It is also always mentioned in "best romantic comedies" lists, which is mystifying. The amount of syrupy sweet story lines about love and relationships is nauseating. Admittedly romantic comedies are not my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the good ones from the bad. There are several that I've liked, a fact I don't mind admitting. But Love, Actually just has so much unnecessary over-the-top romance that I can't handle it. The one that especially irked me was the 10 year old kid who was "in love" with his classmate. Puppy love can be cute when done the right way (see Moonrise Kingdom), but here it is just the worst. This 10 year old would basically sell his soul to be with this girl, and performs one insane romantic gesture after another. It wasn't cute to me at all. Having extensive experience around kids through my times at church and working at a summer camp, I can tell you that not one ten year old boy cares at all about romance. They might "like" a girl, but this is usually manifested in putting a worm in her hair or pushing her down on the playground. You're telling me this kid is going to do a Ross-in-Friends-style stop her at the airport thing? Give me a break.The rest of the stories are boring to annoying, and I found myself wanting Love, Actually to be over as soon as it started. Problem is, IT'S 2 AND A HALF HOURS LONG! I'm calling way overrated on this one.
Crash
Most "movie people" already know that this film is the biggest stink-bomb to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but I still run into individuals who hold Crash in high regard. The only reason it even won was because most voters thought, "it's a little TOO edgy to choose Brokeback Mountain, so I'll just go with the movie that says racism is bad." The filmmakers bludgeon viewers over the head with the overly simplified message of, "EVERYONE IS RACIST ON THE INSIDE". Nothing is nuanced, it's all convenient, and it's just too much to handle.
Bridesmaids
This one gets me in trouble the most. And for the sake of not making that any worse, I'm going to be short. I just didn't think it was that funny. I think that the people in it are funny (Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph), it just wasn't a great movie. There. Am I the worst person in the world?
There Will Be Blood
I've already written some thoughts on this movie, but allow me to reiterate: There Will Be Blood is boring and terrible. Here's what I have previously stated, and I stand by every word:
'There Will Be Blood, released in 2007, had all the hype in the world. A critically acclaimed director, Hollywood acting great Daniel Day-Lewis as the lead, and the promise of an engrossing tale of oil prospecting at the turn of the century. Needless to say I was very excited to see this movie in the theater. The opening scene was extremely promising. Daniel Day-Lewis, struggling in an oil well, in an amazing one man scene with no dialogue. After that is when things started to turn south. For what seemed like the next 9 hours (in reality it was only two and a half), absolutely NOTHING happened. Seriously, there is nothing that happens. I understand that not all movies are moved along by a traditional plot, and that there are other types of films. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a good example of a film that is a character study. We see Benjamin from his birth to his death. But in between there is growth, action, and love. In There Will Be Blood, there is none of that. Day-Lewis' character is an evil curmudgeon in the last scene, the exact same as he is in the first. There's no plot to speak of, just some events, and then it ends. Was I supposed to be invested in any of the characters? Was I supposed to care when anything happened?
About halfway through the movie I started to realize that my expectations had gone horribly wrong. After the movie my friends and I all had sheepish looks, none of us daring to be the first to say they hated it. Someone finally piped up with a "that was kind of boring" comment, finally giving the rest of us the ability to tell of how bored we all were during the movie. A group behind me in the theater loudly exclaimed, "this is boring crap!" and actually left the theater with an hour left. True story. I wish I had been as bold as them. It most certainly was boring crap. It was almost as if I could hear Anderson behind me in the theater screaming, "THIS IS ART! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LIKE THIS!" I understand that I'm supposed to, the problem is that I don't, not even in the slightest. Maybe I was confusing that with Day-Lewis horribly overacted performance. It was as if Anderson told him,"OK, if you yell and strain your face, it conveys emotion! Do this EVERY time!" Yelling is not great acting, and that is the gist of Day-Lewis' performance. He overacts like Calculon from Futurama.'
Friday, May 9, 2014
Top 10 Albums
I remember as a kid going to a music store and buying a new CD. I would hear a song on the radio, like it, then take a chance on the rest of the album. Sometimes you'd get lucky and find something great, other times you'd buy Astro Lounge by Smash Mouth. It was just a different time (cue old man voice). Now, people buy single songs, listen to them on YouTube or Spotify, and make playlists of their favorite songs. But I've always liked listening to an entire album and really getting a feel of the artist's work.
When thinking about making this, nostalgia plays a big part. A few of these albums I attach to fond memories from childhood and adolescence. And I don't think that is a bad thing. Music is powerful because it attaches to your life in snapshots from the past. I'll always remember traveling to Dallas with my parents to the Cotton Bowl while listening to Morning View by Incubus. I'll always think about mowing lawns while listening to Weezer (The Blue Album) in the summers. And I'll always embarrassingly look back on my teenage angst while listening to early John Mayer songs. I love these 10 albums for so many different reasons, but the main one being that the music is really good.
1. Jesus Freak by dc Talk
This one HAD to be number one. It was the first tape I ever bought, and the first CD I ever bought. The three vocalists in dc Talk, Kevin Max Smith, Michael Tait, and Toby Mac, combine for perfect harmonies throughout this album. If I said that I've listened to this album 1,000 times, that might be an underestimation. I can sing along with the gospel outro to "What Have We Become", the hilarious "Jesus Freak (Reprise)", and every raspy word of "Mrs. Morgan". Each listen reveals something greater to every song. The lyrics are beautifully faith affirming. They are honest expressions of the Christian life. Jesus Freak will always center me towards Christ in times of doubts/hardships/emptiness. On top of all of that, the catchy melodies grab me every time. I've seen a lot of concerts in my life, but a reunited dc Talk show is unequivocally number 1 on my wishlist.
2. The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles
The Beatles basically introduced me into really liking music, not just radio pop. My older cousins were way into The Beatles, so of course I had to be. If you think that the "Greatest Band Ever" moniker that gets attached to them is overblown, well, you're wrong. The White Album is a sprawling opus, 30 songs of pop, hard rock, psychedelic, and downright bizarre, happy songs. "Happiness is a Warm Gun" is generally my answer to the "favorite Beatles song" question. This album meanders in terms of tempo, song structure and subject matter, but it's scope is what draws me in. I love the simple beauty of "Blackbird", the hilarity of "Piggies", and the bombastic "Helter Skelter". There's a reason that I still wear my Sgt. Pepper's t-shirt I got in 9th grade. The Beatles are the best of all time.
3. Morning View by Incubus
After Jesus Freak, this was the next album I bought as a kid, and my choice was sound. I went through a phase in 9th grade where I was OBSESSED with this band. I bought every album, EP, watched every DVD and every band interview. There are so many great melodies and "chill out" songs on this album that I go back to it monthly. And "Wish You Were Here" was my go to song for when I had a crush on a girl but was terrified to talk to her as a 13 year old. I finally saw Incubus in concert in 2012, and it was a culmination of many years of love for the band.
4. Whatever & Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five
From the time I was 5 until 12, my parents forced me to take piano lessons. For whatever reason, I just couldn't stand it. Practice time on my own was essentially 30 minutes of torture. At 12, I finally convinced my parents to let me quit in favor of football. After playing for 7 years and only walking away with a couple of creaky knees, I clearly made the wrong choice. Playing piano is AWESOME, and part of the reason this is true is Ben Folds. The dude is an animal on the keys. I know that Elton John pretty well invented "piano rock", but Ben Folds Five brought it back. Whatever & Ever Amen is their best, not only because it had their biggest hit, "Brick", but because the pop rock melodies on every song are terrific. Folds is a master lyricist, with the ability to be poignant, ironic, and funny from song to song. When I discovered this album my freshman year of college, I didn't even bother playing anything else on my iPod. Ben Folds, in whatever he does, is the man.
5. In Rainbows by Radiohead
I legally paid 0 dollars for this album. When it was released, Radiohead let people pay what they wanted through their website to download. As a broke college student, I decided to have it for free, but it was worth so much more. Probably the best album as an introduction to Radiohead, this album combines everything from the band's catalog into 10 songs. Tom Yorke goes major falsetto on "Reckoner", "Jigsaw Falling Into Place", and pretty much every other song, and it works each time.
6. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Not only does this album not have a single skip, but I like every song equally, a rare feat for an album. Deep cuts like "Emit Remmus" and "Right On Time" are just as good as mega hits like "Californication" and "Otherside". I played so much Nintendo Gamecube while listening to this album it's unreal. Californication is the perfect summer album, and even at the mention of the word I think of sunshine and swimming poools and wiffle ball.
7. Pinkerton by Weezer
If I had two words to describe Pinkerton, it would be "embarrassingly honest." Rivers Cuomo's lyrics on this album are a raw look at the inner torment he faced after the explosion of his band's first album, Weezer (The Blue Album). He writes of loneliness on "Across the Sea" in a personal way he probably almost regrets, but I sure don't. I appreciate the honesty that breathes on every song, not to mention the lovely hooks that Weezer is known for. Originally panned by fans and critics alike upon release, Pinkerton is now seen as a classic by most in the music media, and I must wholeheartedly agree.
8. Continuum by John Mayer
John Mayer is exceptionally talented, and it is no more evident than on Continuum, a bluesy pop album that is easily my favorite he's ever made. The lyrics are soulful, and the guitar work is masterful. I love "Stop This Train" a song about growing up (subject matter that will always and forever be relate-able). I love "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room", a blues song about a dying relationship. John might be a big weirdo creep that's trying to be too much like Bob Dylan these days, but on Continuum, he was perfect.
9. Tourist History by Two Door Cinema Club
I'm a sucker for a catchy pop-rock song, and Tourist History is basically 10 songs of exactly that. Each song is short, effortless, and will stick in your head for days. "Undercover Martyn", "I Can Talk", and "This is the Life" are incredible highlights from this one. Any time I'm not really sure what I feel like listening to, I will put on Tourist History, because no matter my mood it always satisfies.
10.The Head and the Heart by The Head and the Heart
Another album that heavily features piano, and another 10 catchy pop-rock songs. The trio of singers that lead this band create some of the prettiest harmonies in music, and they are just dripping with them in every song. "Rivers and Roads" might be one of the most fun road trip songs every written. So many times have I sung the lyrics at the top of my lungs with every other person in the car on an interstate. Just like Tourist History, this album is right up my alley because it is pure catchy pop-rock. Unlike others, however, I never get tired of The Head and the Heart.
Honorable Mention:
Brothers by The Black Keys
Kid A by Radiohead
Is This It? by The Strokes
Youth and Young Manhood by Kings of Leon
Funeral by Arcade Fire
Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers
OK Computer by Radiohead
Weezer (The Blue Album) by Weezer
Third Eye Blind by Third Eye Blind
Only By the Night by Kings of Leon
Aim And Ignite by fun.
Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner by Ben Folds Five
A Crow Left of the Murder... by Incubus
Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Graduation by Kanye West
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
Abbey Road by The Beatles
Cease to Begin by Band of Horses
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon
Parachutes by Coldplay
When thinking about making this, nostalgia plays a big part. A few of these albums I attach to fond memories from childhood and adolescence. And I don't think that is a bad thing. Music is powerful because it attaches to your life in snapshots from the past. I'll always remember traveling to Dallas with my parents to the Cotton Bowl while listening to Morning View by Incubus. I'll always think about mowing lawns while listening to Weezer (The Blue Album) in the summers. And I'll always embarrassingly look back on my teenage angst while listening to early John Mayer songs. I love these 10 albums for so many different reasons, but the main one being that the music is really good.
1. Jesus Freak by dc Talk
This one HAD to be number one. It was the first tape I ever bought, and the first CD I ever bought. The three vocalists in dc Talk, Kevin Max Smith, Michael Tait, and Toby Mac, combine for perfect harmonies throughout this album. If I said that I've listened to this album 1,000 times, that might be an underestimation. I can sing along with the gospel outro to "What Have We Become", the hilarious "Jesus Freak (Reprise)", and every raspy word of "Mrs. Morgan". Each listen reveals something greater to every song. The lyrics are beautifully faith affirming. They are honest expressions of the Christian life. Jesus Freak will always center me towards Christ in times of doubts/hardships/emptiness. On top of all of that, the catchy melodies grab me every time. I've seen a lot of concerts in my life, but a reunited dc Talk show is unequivocally number 1 on my wishlist.
2. The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles
The Beatles basically introduced me into really liking music, not just radio pop. My older cousins were way into The Beatles, so of course I had to be. If you think that the "Greatest Band Ever" moniker that gets attached to them is overblown, well, you're wrong. The White Album is a sprawling opus, 30 songs of pop, hard rock, psychedelic, and downright bizarre, happy songs. "Happiness is a Warm Gun" is generally my answer to the "favorite Beatles song" question. This album meanders in terms of tempo, song structure and subject matter, but it's scope is what draws me in. I love the simple beauty of "Blackbird", the hilarity of "Piggies", and the bombastic "Helter Skelter". There's a reason that I still wear my Sgt. Pepper's t-shirt I got in 9th grade. The Beatles are the best of all time.
3. Morning View by Incubus
After Jesus Freak, this was the next album I bought as a kid, and my choice was sound. I went through a phase in 9th grade where I was OBSESSED with this band. I bought every album, EP, watched every DVD and every band interview. There are so many great melodies and "chill out" songs on this album that I go back to it monthly. And "Wish You Were Here" was my go to song for when I had a crush on a girl but was terrified to talk to her as a 13 year old. I finally saw Incubus in concert in 2012, and it was a culmination of many years of love for the band.
4. Whatever & Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five
From the time I was 5 until 12, my parents forced me to take piano lessons. For whatever reason, I just couldn't stand it. Practice time on my own was essentially 30 minutes of torture. At 12, I finally convinced my parents to let me quit in favor of football. After playing for 7 years and only walking away with a couple of creaky knees, I clearly made the wrong choice. Playing piano is AWESOME, and part of the reason this is true is Ben Folds. The dude is an animal on the keys. I know that Elton John pretty well invented "piano rock", but Ben Folds Five brought it back. Whatever & Ever Amen is their best, not only because it had their biggest hit, "Brick", but because the pop rock melodies on every song are terrific. Folds is a master lyricist, with the ability to be poignant, ironic, and funny from song to song. When I discovered this album my freshman year of college, I didn't even bother playing anything else on my iPod. Ben Folds, in whatever he does, is the man.
5. In Rainbows by Radiohead
I legally paid 0 dollars for this album. When it was released, Radiohead let people pay what they wanted through their website to download. As a broke college student, I decided to have it for free, but it was worth so much more. Probably the best album as an introduction to Radiohead, this album combines everything from the band's catalog into 10 songs. Tom Yorke goes major falsetto on "Reckoner", "Jigsaw Falling Into Place", and pretty much every other song, and it works each time.
6. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Not only does this album not have a single skip, but I like every song equally, a rare feat for an album. Deep cuts like "Emit Remmus" and "Right On Time" are just as good as mega hits like "Californication" and "Otherside". I played so much Nintendo Gamecube while listening to this album it's unreal. Californication is the perfect summer album, and even at the mention of the word I think of sunshine and swimming poools and wiffle ball.
7. Pinkerton by Weezer
If I had two words to describe Pinkerton, it would be "embarrassingly honest." Rivers Cuomo's lyrics on this album are a raw look at the inner torment he faced after the explosion of his band's first album, Weezer (The Blue Album). He writes of loneliness on "Across the Sea" in a personal way he probably almost regrets, but I sure don't. I appreciate the honesty that breathes on every song, not to mention the lovely hooks that Weezer is known for. Originally panned by fans and critics alike upon release, Pinkerton is now seen as a classic by most in the music media, and I must wholeheartedly agree.
8. Continuum by John Mayer
John Mayer is exceptionally talented, and it is no more evident than on Continuum, a bluesy pop album that is easily my favorite he's ever made. The lyrics are soulful, and the guitar work is masterful. I love "Stop This Train" a song about growing up (subject matter that will always and forever be relate-able). I love "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room", a blues song about a dying relationship. John might be a big weirdo creep that's trying to be too much like Bob Dylan these days, but on Continuum, he was perfect.
9. Tourist History by Two Door Cinema Club
I'm a sucker for a catchy pop-rock song, and Tourist History is basically 10 songs of exactly that. Each song is short, effortless, and will stick in your head for days. "Undercover Martyn", "I Can Talk", and "This is the Life" are incredible highlights from this one. Any time I'm not really sure what I feel like listening to, I will put on Tourist History, because no matter my mood it always satisfies.
10.The Head and the Heart by The Head and the Heart
Another album that heavily features piano, and another 10 catchy pop-rock songs. The trio of singers that lead this band create some of the prettiest harmonies in music, and they are just dripping with them in every song. "Rivers and Roads" might be one of the most fun road trip songs every written. So many times have I sung the lyrics at the top of my lungs with every other person in the car on an interstate. Just like Tourist History, this album is right up my alley because it is pure catchy pop-rock. Unlike others, however, I never get tired of The Head and the Heart.
Honorable Mention:
Brothers by The Black Keys
Kid A by Radiohead
Is This It? by The Strokes
Youth and Young Manhood by Kings of Leon
Funeral by Arcade Fire
Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers
OK Computer by Radiohead
Weezer (The Blue Album) by Weezer
Third Eye Blind by Third Eye Blind
Only By the Night by Kings of Leon
Aim And Ignite by fun.
Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner by Ben Folds Five
A Crow Left of the Murder... by Incubus
Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Graduation by Kanye West
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
Abbey Road by The Beatles
Cease to Begin by Band of Horses
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon
Parachutes by Coldplay
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