Movies
Michael Bay is notorious for his superficial approach to filmmaking -- it is all about looks. Give him a World War II epic, a catastrophic event, or a terrorist plot for destruction and he just skims the surface of the human condition. Give him jacked up, directionless, simple-minded body builders, and he gives you characters you can't help but be invested in.
Although not ground breaking, trail blazing, or genre building, Oblivion is still an original work. They say Hollywood is out of ideas, but Joseph Kosinski clearly begs to differ. Modern times, especially in the sci-fi genre, force feeds us sequal after prequel after adaptation after reboot. It is nice to see that there are those that want to tell new stories.
I knew this day would come soon. It always comes eventually. Legendary American Film critic Roger Ebert passed away April 4, 2013 after over a decade long battle with cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands. I'm obligated to write something in his honour. Not because I was asked to. Because I want to. But I really do have to. I have to. I must.
It's easy to tell what kind of movie you are walking into when it's full A-listers, multiple Academy Award winners/nominees, and practically zero promotion leading up to its release.
Okay... Before we hit the list, I should clarify: Numbers ten through six are listed in numerical order merely to keep with the articles format. #9 might actually be slightly better than #7, give or take. However, the Top Five are listed in the correct numerical order. Number one is undoubtedly my favorite. Sigh.
This past year in cinema was a significant step up compared to recent years. So many great films in 2012, but only ten spots. Let me preface for you, the reader, before you start scrolling down on my movie rankings: I was not able to get out and watch every acclaimed film in 2012, but for the most part I liked what I did see.
As I watched Oz the Great and Powerful, I came to a stunning conclusion: Sam Raimi's intentions are always met. What I mean by this is that when he wants you to laugh, you will laugh. When he wants you to scare you, you will feel fear. When he wants to build tension, you will be on the edge of your seat.
The Oscars are a funny breed. Trying desperately every year to be hip and every year ever so slightly missing the mark. On paper, they should be huge: Hollywood is a multi-billion dollar industry filled with globally recognizable employees.
2013 Oscars: Live tweeting during the telecast, links to our lead-up coverage, and a complete list of winners after the show
Posted by: Showbiz Monkeys • February 24, 2013 @ 5:35pm
85th Annual Academy Awards Coverage:
- Oscar Talk: Argo Annointed Hollywood's Best
- Oscar Talk: Can Big Ben Get It Done?
- Critical Perspectives: Thoughts on America in Lincoln and Zero Dark Thirty
- Critical Perspectives: Am I the Only Person on Earth who thought Silver Linings Playbook Sucked?!
- Critical Perspectives: Django Unchained and the Post-Modern Question
My Favourite Movie
A few weeks ago, a girl asked me what my favourite movie of all time was.
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