18 replies to this topic

[St0ph]

What have you seen this year that you liked? For the most part I feel it's been a bit of a weak year but I admittedly have quite a few movies yet to see.

If you asked me right now my favorite movies of the year list would look something like (in no particular order)

Drive
50/50
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Rango
Midnight in Paris
Super 8
XMen: First Class

[momerath]

I'd agree that it's been a bit of a weak year for me as well. Some of my highlights, in no particular order and for differing reasons, include:

Midnight in Paris
Beginners
X-Men First Class
The Descendants
The Muppets
50/50
Contagion
Rango
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2
Shame

I'm still looking forward to checking out Hugo, The Artist, and Tintin. I'm sure there are some that I'm not thinking of right now, but these were off the top of my head.

[dammitmattt]

I liked Hugo and loved a lot of things about the movie (the craft of the movie, some of the shots were breathtaking, the score was fantastic), but overall, it didn't quite connect with me like I hoped it would have. In particular, I felt very little emotional connection to any of the characters. I've seen a number of movies this year but I haven't seen a lot of the independent or awards-bait movies that just came out, so I have a lot of work to do over the next few months to catch up. In particular, I can't wait to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, War Horse, The Descendants, The Adventures of Tintin, Young Adult, and Drive (missed it in the theaters). I do want to see The Tree of Life and The Artist just so I can participate in the conversation, but I'm not exactly excited about either movie.

Out of the more mainstream movies that I have seen, I really loved 50/50, Bridesmaids, Super 8, and X-Men: First Class. I also really enjoyed The Muppets, Crazy Stupid Love, and Harry Potter. I really wanted to love Rango but it just didn't click with me for some reason. I feel like I'm the only nerd who didn't love it.

[momerath]

I'm with you on the Tree of Life sentiment-- I did get around to seeing it, and I'm glad I saw it, but I have to say it's not really my taste.

For me, Rango's appeal was in its constant references to classic westerns, even in small things like certain iconic sound effects and so on. I found myself chuckling often. However, I can definitely say with certainty that this year's crop of animated films is not even close to the quality of last year's. Could be amended a little bit when I see Tintin, but looking at last year's animated films [Toy Story 3, How to Train your Dragon, The Illusionist, Summer Wars, Tangled] I'm not sure one or two good animated films is enough to beat such a good showing last year.

I also just remembered that I need to check out Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy-- heard it's fascinating to watch, if a bit slow.

[St0ph]

Yeah Rango was all about the references to not only Westerns but films like Chinatown, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and a bunch of less obvious stuff.

I do want to see The Tree of Life and The Artist just so I can participate in the conversation, but I'm not exactly excited about either movie

I feel that way about a lot of movies this year. It's why my "movie pile of shame" has gotten so big. Tonight I'm going to watch The Lincoln Lawyer which everybody tells me it's great and I'm sure I'll like it just fine but I'm kinda just forcing myself to watch it just to check it off my list. Hopefully that doesn't impact my enjoyment of the film when it's said and done.

Edited by St0ph, 12 December 2011 - 06:47 PM.

[GrimGamer]

Saw the Muppets last night and pardon the french but....fucking awesome.

[momerath]

Saw the Muppets last night and pardon the french but....fucking awesome.

Agreed! I can't remember the last time I smiled that much during a movie. Its 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes is well deserved.

[richrad]

I see about four movies a year in the theater. Loved The Muppets.

[dammitmattt]

Yeah Rango was all about the references to not only Westerns but films like Chinatown, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and a bunch of less obvious stuff.


I feel that way about a lot of movies this year. It's why my "movie pile of shame" has gotten so big. Tonight I'm going to watch The Lincoln Lawyer which everybody tells me it's great and I'm sure I'll like it just fine but I'm kinda just forcing myself to watch it just to check it off my list. Hopefully that doesn't impact my enjoyment of the film when it's said and done.

I really enjoyed The Lincoln Lawyer. It's not the most original premise or movie, but it's extremely well-executed and Matthew McConaughey is perfect for the role.

[Wenny]

I really enjoyed The Lincoln Lawyer. It's not the most original premise or movie, but it's extremely well-executed and Matthew McConaughey is perfect for the role.

And he's hot as shit to top it off.

[Owozifa]

I really liked Rango, but I didn't get to see everything. That's the only movie so far this year that I've gotten to see that's been a "buy" kind of movie for me, so generally I'm not feeling yet like I want to rewatch any of the others I've seen. I've got hopes for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Dragon Tattoo, and Tintin, though. And I do want to catch Hugo.

[GrimGamer]

I hate what they are doing to Tinker Tailor, 4 theaters in the US? FOUR THEATERS!?!? It's bullshit. And no date for any others right now.

You have to hate and love Focus Features at the same time. They pulled similar crap with Eternal Sunshine and Lost in Translation.

[Wenny]

I hate what they are doing to Tinker Tailor, 4 theaters in the US? FOUR THEATERS!?!? It's bullshit. And no date for any others right now.

You have to hate and love Focus Features at the same time. They pulled similar crap with Eternal Sunshine and Lost in Translation.

That's just to make it eligible for the this years Oscars.

[richrad]

I hate what they are doing to Tinker Tailor, 4 theaters in the US? FOUR THEATERS!?!? It's bullshit. And no date for any others right now.

You have to hate and love Focus Features at the same time. They pulled similar crap with Eternal Sunshine and Lost in Translation.

Lost in Translation (one of my favorite movies!) had a pretty wide release. It was in all the indie and chain theaters here in Kansas City.

[Owozifa]

I really enjoyed The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I suppose the best compliment I can give it is I really didn't notice it was 2 and a half hours.

Unlike Transformers 2 for example...

[momerath]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Oscars this weekend? I'm thinking that we'll definitely see The Artist taking best picture, director, and possibly editing, with Hugo taking some of the other technical awards [cinematography, art direction, sound.]

I'd like to see Harry Potter get some recognition for its visual effects and makeup, but I'm not sure it will...

As for performances: Jean Dujardin for best actor, Viola Davis for best actress. Probably Christopher Plummer for supporting actor. I'd also call Midnight in Paris for best screenplay.

Anyway, those are some of my main predictions... still torn on a bunch of the others. Though I think Rango might end up taking animated film [which was a really disappointing category in general this year, I have to say.]

Anyone else besides me care / have any predictions or thoughts?

[Wenny]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Oscars this weekend?

I have no thoughts on the Oscars. I love films but think the two most popular awards are a complete waste.

[levitynyc]

I've seen 1 new movie this year

[St0ph]

It's hard for me to care about the Academy Awards this year. I still feel like 2011 was just a shit year for movies for the most part. Sure, there are some good movies nominated but none of them get me too excited.

I thought that LA Times article about the members of the Academy was interesting.

Median age of Academy voters: 62
Voters younger than 50: 14%
77% male, 23% female
94% Caucasian

Sure, nothing mind blowing there but when you see it all laid out like that some of their weird decisions make a lot of sense.