Monday, January 28, 2008
Films of 2007 - The Bad
Today begins a week long review of the films of 2007.
The schedule for the next seven days is as follows:
Today will be the smallest list. Since I am not paid to see films I have no incentive to see films such as I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. If I had to there would be more films for today. As it is, only one of these films was seen in the theater.
Fay Grim - It pains me to put independent films on this list since I can usually find something to like. Hal Hartley is a bit of paradox. I’ll see all of his films but rarely either like them or hate them. When he connects he really hits a home run. He connected with Henry Fool and I thought this sequel would be close. Sadly this film degenerates into a narrative mess that I didn’t care about and even the likeable Parker Posey and Jeff Goldblum could not save. (This was the film seen in the theater.)
Interview - Another independent film that generates quickly into a who cares mess. The opening scene in the restaurant sets up the whole premise. She is a pampered star who wishes she could be taken seriously, he’s a grumpy journalist who finds entertainment so beneath him he can’t even bother to read the press material. Once it moves to her loft it seems contrived and doesn’t give any reason why these two would speak to each other.
The Nanny Diaries - A decent book with edge is reduced to no edge with bad casting and an unnecessary happy ending.
The Reaping - Another bad film with Hilary Swank. A total southern gothic mess that tries to mix horror. God, and Hurricane Katrina with is a C-level version of The Omen.
Smokin' Aces - Remember post 1994 when we all of these Tarantino wannabes thought any movie with referential dialogue, wacky gangsters, and lots of characters that intersect would make a good film. Well most didn’t and this seems worst that most of those.
Since today was a small post with only 5 bad films, I thought I would discuss the two films I saw in theaters last year that were rereleases.
Blade Runner: The Final Cut - I didn’t like Blade Runner on first viewing but have since grown to love it. This new print, thankfully, didn’t add more to the plot, since the last cut, but it looks better than in did in 1982.
Killer of Sheep - Some critics put this in last year’s top 10. Disregarding the discussing of putting a 30 year old film on the list, it probably would only be in my honorable mention. A bit too experimental and a historical document to be truly enjoyed. But it is a powerful film that should be seen by all and I look forward to another viewing on DVD.
Tomorrow... 18 average films of 2007.
Hot Chick Born Today
Barbi Benton, 58, growing up in the 70s her many appearances on TV were only enhanced because she posed in Playboy, it would be years later until I would finally see those shots
The schedule for the next seven days is as follows:
- Monday (today) - The Bad Films. These are either a chore to get through or extremely annoyed me in some way.
- Tuesday - The Average Films. These are decent films that are an acceptable way to spend a couple of hour but were forgotten rather quickly. Probably worth a rental.
- Wednesday - The Above Average Films. Pretty good films that are well worth seeing in the theater but not greatness material.
- Thursday - Honorable Mention. These made the cut in the first draft of possible Top 20 films and some could easily be in the Top 20 if I made the list on another day.
- Friday - The Top 20, films 11 to 20 in alphabetical order.
- Saturday - The Top 10, films 6 to 10 in ranked order.
- Sunday - The Top 10, films 1 to 5 in ranked order.
Today will be the smallest list. Since I am not paid to see films I have no incentive to see films such as I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. If I had to there would be more films for today. As it is, only one of these films was seen in the theater.
Fay Grim - It pains me to put independent films on this list since I can usually find something to like. Hal Hartley is a bit of paradox. I’ll see all of his films but rarely either like them or hate them. When he connects he really hits a home run. He connected with Henry Fool and I thought this sequel would be close. Sadly this film degenerates into a narrative mess that I didn’t care about and even the likeable Parker Posey and Jeff Goldblum could not save. (This was the film seen in the theater.)
Interview - Another independent film that generates quickly into a who cares mess. The opening scene in the restaurant sets up the whole premise. She is a pampered star who wishes she could be taken seriously, he’s a grumpy journalist who finds entertainment so beneath him he can’t even bother to read the press material. Once it moves to her loft it seems contrived and doesn’t give any reason why these two would speak to each other.
The Nanny Diaries - A decent book with edge is reduced to no edge with bad casting and an unnecessary happy ending.
The Reaping - Another bad film with Hilary Swank. A total southern gothic mess that tries to mix horror. God, and Hurricane Katrina with is a C-level version of The Omen.
Smokin' Aces - Remember post 1994 when we all of these Tarantino wannabes thought any movie with referential dialogue, wacky gangsters, and lots of characters that intersect would make a good film. Well most didn’t and this seems worst that most of those.
Since today was a small post with only 5 bad films, I thought I would discuss the two films I saw in theaters last year that were rereleases.
Blade Runner: The Final Cut - I didn’t like Blade Runner on first viewing but have since grown to love it. This new print, thankfully, didn’t add more to the plot, since the last cut, but it looks better than in did in 1982.
Killer of Sheep - Some critics put this in last year’s top 10. Disregarding the discussing of putting a 30 year old film on the list, it probably would only be in my honorable mention. A bit too experimental and a historical document to be truly enjoyed. But it is a powerful film that should be seen by all and I look forward to another viewing on DVD.
Tomorrow... 18 average films of 2007.
Hot Chick Born Today
Barbi Benton, 58, growing up in the 70s her many appearances on TV were only enhanced because she posed in Playboy, it would be years later until I would finally see those shots
Labels: FilmReview
# posted by ChrisR @ 11:00 PM 
