Froodee

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The Dark Knight Disappoints

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You all have probably seen The Dark Knight – who hasn’t, right? I just read an article from Popwatch, written by Mike Bruno, which highlights how disappointed the writer was with the movie. Apparently, he only saw the movie over the weekend due to a busy schedule. His main message is this: he thinks that all the hype ruined the movie for him. He writes:
Don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed The Dark Knight, and I was not disappointed in the slightest by Ledger’s freakish, lip-smacking fiend. But at the same time, I was let down given the movie’s gargantuan box office haul, the almost universal critical praise, and the Oscar buzz surrounding it and its fallen star. I could see Ledger taking Supporting Actor, but while I haven’t yet seen all the other Oscar contenders this year, I would be a bit surprised if The Dark Knight took Best Picture.
Mostly, I think this movie was successful –- as well as hugely popular –- because it featured a character that we couldn’t take our eyes off of played by an actor who recently died way too young. Before it appeared on a single screen this summer, the movie was already larger-than-life because of Ledger’s passing, and six months of the hype machine working at full steam had no doubt set my expectations way too high. So maybe this really is an Oscar-worthy movie and I just need to hire a babysitter more often and catch movies earlier and with less context. But if I’m to be honest, I was disappointed with The Dark Knight and hope for more from this year’s other Best Picture contenders.
I have to agree with him that one reason behind the movie’s success was Heath Ledger’s untimely death. In fact, that was one observation I made right after seeing the movie – The Joker overshadowed Batman. However, I do think that the movie deserves an Oscar. How about you?

Best Movies Of 2008

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Year in and year out, when December comes and January is just around the corner, we see all sorts of lists. Countdowns, best games, best songs, best TV shows, and of course, best movies. Naturally, every agency, person, and web site has his own “best list.” Which to believe? I’d say go ahead and make your own best movies of 2008 list!
If you’re too lazy to do that on your own and you need some help, though, here is one very interesting list from a reputable source – CNN International’s list. I wouldn’t be surprised if you find some of your favorite movies of this year on this list.

1. The Dark Knight
2. Slumdog Millionaire
3. Hunger
4. Wall-E
5. Leonera
6. Gomorrah
7. Waltz with Bashir
8. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
9. W.
10. Elite Squad
11. The Good, The Bad, The Weird
12. Il Divo
13. Cloverfield
14. The Wrestler
15. Happy Go Lucky
16. Linha De Passe
17. Man on Wire

I think that the beauty of this list is that it includes more than American movies. Truth be told, a large number of people are limited to what Hollywood churns out year after year. There are, however, countless other excellent films to be seen and experienced, which are created by people from the international scene. Perhaps it is time for you to try and see what they are about; expand your horizons so to speak? This list is a good place to start.

Seven Pounds: Will Smith In A Deeper Light

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Premiere Of Columbia Pictures'

Ever since Will Smith came out in the Men In Black movies, I have always thought of him as a funny guy. I never thought of him as a rapper, truth be told – it just didn’t work out for me. Funny guy, yes.
How about a serious actor? Yeah, he can get away with it. Independence Day. The Pursuit of Happyness. These movies have revealed the serious actor in Will Smith. And with his new movie, Seven Pounds, it seems that his deeper side has come out even more.
Critics have a lot to say about the movie. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle describes the movie:
In fact, the movie is so roundabout and cryptic that it takes half the running time just to figure out the general nature of what’s going on. “Seven Pounds” makes a mystery of its lead character and of what he’s pursuing, and for a very simple reason: If the movie were to announce its subject and story in the usual straightforward way, it would seem so ridiculous, far-fetched and borderline distasteful that no one would want to watch it. It might even seem funny.

Still, he gives the movie, the story, and the actors their due:

Enjoyment of “Seven Pounds” rests entirely in how one reacts to the romance that develops between the austere IRS agent and Emily (Rosario Dawson), a graphic artist suffering from congenital heart failure. Some will cry foul, say it’s too much, that the movie turns maudlin. But for those who find themselves on the film’s wavelength, this is love at the edge of the universe. This is the kind of thing that inspires people to write operas.
The review is enough to spark an interest in me – enough to get me out tonight to see the movie.

Politics on the Silver Screen

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With President-elect Obama Madness in full swing, it’s only appropriate for film buffs to look at the best (and worst) politically-inspired movies to hit the big screen. Check out this excellent review and scrounge together some of the recommended titles for a movie marathon.

So, What’s Your Favorite Halloween Flick?

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With my favorite holiday Halloween just around the corner, I thought I’d open a forum on what are the best spooky holiday flicks.
So, what do you think? What is your favorite Halloween movie? Are you a classic fan & go with the ever-entertaining Michael Meyers? Or are you more of a Jason or Freddy fan.
You tell me.