2008 is half over; where did all that time go? So far it’s been a bit of letdown after the great releases of 2007 (more on that here), but there are a few movies worth talking about. There have been some good, and some downright tragic, films released so far this year. We’ve had robots, pandas, a man of iron, adaptations, Mixed Martial Arts, Indy’s pedestrian return, Speed’s car wreck, and (of course) some insipid romcoms. We’ll take a look at the first half of 2008, the good, the bad, the overrated, and a few surprises as well. Join us, won’t you…
The Best (so far)
Iron Man – The biggest movie of the early summer could easily have been a disappointment given the level of hype and expectations (like a few others we will get to later in the list) but director Jon Favreau delivered the goods. Speical effects, story, design, and acting (this just in – that Robert Downey Jr. guy can act!) make this one of the few comic book movies to satisfy both fanboys and the general public. (still in theaters; read the full review)
Kung Fu Panda – There are few joys for a critic as wonderful as sitting down for a film with no expectations and leaving completely entertained. If I had one word to describe Kung Fu Panda it would be awesome. This animated film starring Jack Black as a noodle serving Panda who just might be the greatest Kung Fu warrior ever born is one of the most fun films of 2008. (still in theaters; read Ian’s review)
Nanking – Most probably missed this documentary on the Rape of Nanking but it’s out on DVD and worth a look. The documentary mixes b&w footage with actors gathered together to read real accounts of those who lived, and died, through the Japanese occupation of the Chinese capital during WWII. It’s not an easy film to watch, but it’s a story that needs to be told. (available on DVD; read the full review)
WALL-E – The Pixar film about a lonely little robot who journeys to the stars and finds love and so much more, delivers just what you expect from the studio (though the second half does have a decidely Disney slant). At times the film is insanely good, and although the film looses a bit of its magic once the human characters are introduced it still provides one of the sweetest characters and stories of the year. Could the best love story of 2008 be about robots? Maybe. Remember, the best love story from last year was about a man and his love doll! (now in theaters; read Ian’s review)
Young@Heart – This documentary following the Young@Heart chorus preparing for their next live performance is a film the entire family can love. These senior citizens singing their hearts out performing rock and pop hits makes for a funny, moving, and a toe tappin’ good time. Check to see if it might be playing in an art house theater near you! (still playing in select cities; read the full review)
The Pleasant Surprises (so far)
Leatherheads – George Clooney is the man. This screwball comedy from the early days of professional football has style and wit to spare. Quirky ane enjoyable, it may not wow you but it will entertain. (available on DVD September 15th; read the full review)
Redbelt – The idea of David Mamet doing a Mixed Martial Arts film may seem a bit strange, but with his trademark style he produces a thoroughly engrossing tale of an honest man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is forced to make hard decisions about his core beliefs when the most important things in his life are taken away from him. So much more than just a fight film. (available on DVD August 26th; read the full review)
Son of Rambow – I enjoy niche films, movies that have a tale to tell and are brave enough to not bastardize their story to market to a larger audience (in this way Son of Rambow is actually a truer, though not better, film than Pixar’s WALL-E). This tale of unlikely youngsters teaming to make their own Rambo inspired film in an unexpected joy. A fun film older kids and adults can both enjoy together. (still playing in select cities; read the full review)
Stop-Loss – Director Kimberly Price gives us a tale of a soldier (Ryan Phillippe) who must make a tough choice between his own beliefs and his duty to his country after he is stop-lossed instead of discharged and ordered back to Iraq for another tour of duty. Well worth checking out, and a fair bit better than that other, better marketed, film from this year dealing with similar issues. (available on DVD July 8th; read the full review)
Wanted – Although not as good as the comic it was based on, Wanted is a high adrenaline thrill ride which is just really, really cool. The secret world of super assassins may get a bit silly at times (Loom of Fate?), but there’s still plenty here to sit back and enjoy. (now in theaters; read the full review)
The Most Overrated (so far)
*NOTE – I’m not saying these are bad films (in fact none of these actually earned negative reviews). These films received more attention, and made more money, than other more deserving films, received a little too much praise, or failed to live up the hype that surrounded them. I expected more from each of them.
21 – The film is based off the true experiences of MIT students who counted cards under the toutlage of their professor (Kevin Spacey). 21 isn’t a bad film, in fact I enjoyed many parts of it and would watch it again if I found it on TV, but it’s one of those flicks which is constanly nagging at you that it should be better. It turns out watching people play blackjack just isn’t as fun as watching Matt Damon play Texas Hold “Em. (available on DVD July 22nd; read the full review)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Here’s the classic example of an okay film which got way too much hype. Although I liked the three main leads (Jason Segel, Kristin Bell, Mila Kunis) I found everyone else one-joke characters (many of which weren’t that funny). Yeah, it’s okay, but in the hands of a better director, or had Segel given a more polished screenwriter a chance to help out the script, maybe the film would feel more complete and not so hit and miss. (available on DVD September 30th; read Ian’s review)
Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – Although many critics (including our pals over at Scene Stealers) gave this one a pass, I was not impressed. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Skull is the second best Tomb Raider film ever made (though sadly the fourth best Indy flick). You know you are in trouble when this could be the title – Indiana Jones Episode IV: The Return of the Dimension Shifting Ghosts of the Magnetic Crystal Aliens. Yeah, we still get Indy, and Marion’s back, but other than riding a wave of nostalgia and good feelings from the previous entries, and having a little fun with time period, the film is little more than an excuse to enjoy pieces of the Raiders of the Lost Ark score one more time. (still in theaters; read the full review)
Run Fatboy Run – Lazy. That’s the main problem with the film’s main character and with the film itself. It just feels like a film directed by a one former sitcom star and co-written by a another former sitcom star. And what’s up with casting a non-fat guy (co-writer Simon Pegg) in role where everyone makes fun of him being fat? (available on Region 2 DVD, no date set for Region 1 release; read the full review)
The Spiderwick Chronicles – The popular children’s books make for a lackluster film. A family finds itself in a new home and suddenly aware of magical creatures including fairies, ogres, and brownies. That’s sounds like it should be exciting, doesn’t it? Spiderwick isn’t bad, but it lacks the magic of any of the Harry Potter films, or even that of Eragon. (now available on DVD; read the full review)
The Most Disappointing (so far)
10,000 B.C. – Bad dreadlocks aren’t the only thing this movie has in common with Battlefield Earth. Writer/director Roland Emmerich has made Stargate, The Day After Tomorrow, and The Patriot. He’s also responsible for 1998’s Godzilla. 10,000 B.C. is an epically bad big budget disaster – funny when it’s should be serious, boring when it should be exciting, and impossible to be taken seriously. Insane story, bad acting, and more silliness than a Laurel & Hardy double feature, had Emmerich set out to purposely make an Ed Wood film he couldn’t have done any better. (now on DVD and Blu-ray; read Ian’s review)
Get Smart – Here’s what happens when you take an idea that worked for a half-hour on televison four decades ago and try to set it in the present and stretch it into a feature film. Although the stars do their best the film is derailed by a lack of anything resembling a plot. (still in theaters; read the full review)
The Other Boleyn Girl – In the mood for a 16th Century soap opera. Yeah, me neither. So melodramatic in places The Other Boleyn Girl is impossible to take seriously, and although both Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johannson look great we are given little reason to care whether their characters live or die (or simply disappear from the story for stretches at a time). (now available on DVD; read the full review)
Smart People – Dennis Quaid, Ellen Page, Thomas Hadden Chruch, and Sarah Jessica Parker, and this is all there is? Smart People comes off as a re-tread of countless movies without anything new to add, or worth remembering. (available on DVD August 12th; read the full review)
Speed Racer – Even though our pal Eric dug it, the rest of us were less than impressed. Is this live action version of the cartoon pretty to look at? Are the races kinda cool (and make regular Nascar look oh so lame)? Sure, but although it gives you a treat for the eyes there’s nothing lasting about the experience. It’s like sucking on the same piece of candy for two hours. Is it tasty, well sure, but it never changes and sooner or later you’ll get bored enough to spit it out and go looking for something more satisfying. (still showing in select cities; read Ian’s review)
The Worst (so far)
27 Dresses – The entire film is all prologue to set-up a final visual that cannot make up for what you had to watch to get there. Katherine Heigel plays a nice woman who is always a bridesmaid, maybe it’s because she has such a lousy taste in men. Her two suitors here are a boss who takes advantage of her and doesn’t know she’s crushing on him, and a reporter who uses her story to turn her life into a joke and earn a raise. It’s not exactly Snow White; it’s not even Sydney White. (now available on DVD; read the full review)
Made of Honor – Speaking of idiot romcoms, here’s My Best Friend’s Wedding (without any of the charm) with the roles reversed. McDreamy tries to win his best friend’s (Michelle Monaghan) heart from her new beau (Kevin McKidd). Predictable, tired, and cliché. (available on DVD August 26th; read the full review)
Never Back Down – Earlier on the list I praised a MMA flick, here I blast one. This Karate Kid wannabe starring Sean Farris and Amber Heard’s breasts steals from too many movies to list here and has nothing of its own to add, except tons of groans and unintentional laughter from those brave enough to watch. (available on DVD on July 29th; read the review)
Over Her Dead Body – Without doubt or pause I can say this is one of the worst films ever made. The film “stars” Eva Longoria as a ghost, Paul Rudd as a widower, Lake Bell as a psychic, and Jason Biggs as a gay best friend. None of them are interesting as they are put through the painful motions of this brain-dead script. The film was made for $10,000,000 which it seems wasn’t enough to buy a single funny joke. (now available on DVD; read the full review)
Untraceable – I can only assume Diane Lane is paying pennace for past sins by starring in this ridiculous thriller as an FBI agent tracking down a serial killer who uses hits on his magically unstoppable Internet page (which can’t be taken down, tracked, or stopped?) to kill people. Laughably bad (think the tech expertise of Firewall except death by Internet instead of robbery by Flash Drive) for anyone who has any knowledge of computers.(now available on DVD; read the full review)