Ryan Restivo

Okay. This year’s movie crop has been, let’s just say it, very crappy. Among the movies I’ve seen from 2009 I’d say that it’s a tough competition between Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and He’s Just Not That Into You.

Ghosts was a think tank idea. You can just tell someone said in a meeting, “hey let’s combine ‘A Christmas Carol’ with Matthew McConaughey.” Idiots.

He’s Just Not That Into You, probably a good idea for a book. They sold the movie rights and made this. Which of course has the plot line, would you leave your wife for Scarlett Johansson? Because that is the typical character for her.

Anyway, time to review some of the top films of the last year or so:

No Country For Old Men . This is one of the top films of the decade. Javier Bardem wins Best Supporting Actor in 2008 with this performance of a ruthless killer whose actions continue to captivate the audience. I cannot remember a moment when any of the three main characters appear clearly within the same frame. As you continue to watch the film, every scene builds to an intense audience anticipation I’ve never seen before on screen.

WALL·E Best Animated Film, no doubt about it. From the director of Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton), he presents one of the most original and visionary works we will see in a long time. Pixar is the rare studio that has created hit after hit after hit (9 for 9 so far with Up; 10 for 10). One of the themes that is similar in both films is the difference between the concept of survival and living life.

The Dark Knight How could I not include this one? One of my favorite directors takes the helm and creates another epic film. Even if you think you know what’s going to happen, you can’t help but feel bound to your seat to see what happens next. The continuing theme of this film is escalation and the film escalates to a climax that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Plus the late Heath Ledger gives a great performance.

I expected more from this film

Quantum of Solace Marc Forster’s (Stranger Than Fiction, The Kite Runner) take on the rebooted James Bond series disappointed me a little bit. I understood the overlying tone was about vengence, the pace was quick and the story was interesting but I thought that the third act could have been better. One of the things I truly like is the scenic settings and how they intertwine with some action sequences. They have great meaning, how a horse race is set under the first (on foot) chase scene and one of the most memorable scenes is the Opera scene and the shootout that ensues.

These are some I liked. More on Movies too, coming soon of course.