For my 100th column here, I’m going to mention the ten movies released within the Ground Zero Decade that I can’t do without. That’s right: I’ve taken to calling the years between 2000 and 2009 “the Ground Zero Decade.” No one’s come up with a better name so far, and while there’s a lot … Continue reading
The following is a fairly thorough run-down of everything else that was annoying, infuriating, or brilliant about movies in 2009. I’m pretty sure that the majority of entries on this list address ideas or issues which haven’t been said or resaid by hundreds of writers already, because I have a unique perspective on movies: … Continue reading
…But first, my top five documentaries! This was a great year for movies I liked, great enough that I can make a second list for documentaries. As usual, I didn’t see nearly enough of those, but my favorites are below. And after that, we’ll get to the main event – my personal Top Ten … Continue reading
Sure would seem like a good year to be South Africa, cinematically speaking. First they send us the thoroughly awesome District 9, and then the legendary Clint Eastwood comes to town to recreate one of their prouder moments. Obviously Invictus and District 9 have little in common besides geography; District 9 is the more … Continue reading
Avatar is like nothing you’ve ever seen before, even though you’ve absolutely seen this story many times before. Is that a coy contradiction? Is it a negative statement? I hope not. I think you can love something while still seeing and understanding its flaws. Bottom line up top: I loved watching Avatar and … Continue reading
I’ve been sitting on my thoughts about A Serious Man for over a month. Deliberation? Procrastination? Does it matter? That last question is more meaningful to what I’m about to write than it may initially read. Honestly, I feel pretty much the same when I think about A Serious Man now as I … Continue reading
Continuing with my effort to write about some under-recognized nuggets of cinematic goodness from the past year, I come to World’s Greatest Dad. This movie is one of the most daring comedies of the year, and it is conclusive proof that you can never entirely write off anyone. World’s Greatest Dad was written … Continue reading
With 2010 looming, Empire, the best movie magazine in the world, has just released their Icons Of The Decade issue. This is a list of the ten movie characters that have loomed largest in the consciousness of film fans since the year 2000. Empire also included the next ten runner-up characters in their feature. … Continue reading
It’s November, which means that the attack has begun. Christmas movies and Oscar-baiting movies and oppressive advertising, straight on until February. As always, a healthy handful of cool movies will inevitably be lost in the shuffle – but not here. CHUD.com is kind enough to allow me the space to talk movies, so what … Continue reading
In recommending Black Dynamite, the temptation is to get caught up in the spirit and get silly. Let me go another way, keep it relatively serious, and promise that this is the funniest movie currently playing in any movie theater – that is, unless you’re heading to the multiplex this weekend to make fun … Continue reading