It’s been almost 18 months since my last post, which has to be the low point for this poor site. I’d like to write more, but even the simplest post takes me forever and I don’t have the time. I’m going to try to be better the second half of 2011.
Even though we’re almost halfway through the year, I thought I would post all of the movies I watched in 2010. I did this last year and was very surprised to get a response from the real life son of Robert “Flash of Genius” Kearns about my hastily written one paragraph movie review. So, in hopes of getting a response from Ricky Gervais, here are the movies I watched in 2010 in order. No comment on the movie means I can’t remember it, which I’m chalking up to either life with twins or too much Stone (or both).
- Up – Had a very touching opening, don’t remember much after that.
- Food, Inc. – I loved The Omnivore’s Dilemma and Fast Food Nation, but didn’t find this film to be the ‘call to arms’ I was hoping it would be. I also liked the story about Polyface Farms, but was a little turned off in the film because he was so kooky.
- Ghost Town – I had greater expectations for Gervais. This was amusing, but nothing has matched Liar, Liar in the gimmick comedy genre. That statement will probably forever turn you off on all future reviews.
- Live Free or Die Hard
- American Psycho – The book was so much better, but there is no way you could ever match it. I’m impressed the film-makers even tried.
- The Hangover – Saw this in the theatres, loved it, thought it was hilarious.
- Inglourious Basterds
- The Invention of Lying – Gervais disappoints again.
- The Hurt Locker – Very good, even though my Navy friend refuses to see it and says there’s not much reality in it.
- Love Actually
- Marley & Me – Liked this so much more than I ever expected. Perfectly captured the passage of life with all the ups and downs.
- Lost Boys of Sudan
- The Assassination of Jesse James – Disliked this, found the soft focus and voice-overs too pretentious.
- It Happened One Night – Part of my attempt to see all Oscar Best Picture films.
- For All Mankind – Incredible footage of the Apollo missions.
- Moon – Interesting mind bending film.
- Weeds: Season 5
- Californication: Season 1 – A perfect series in every way. Very strong performances from Duchovny.
- The Blind Side – I passed this up on an airplane, only to watch it later. I was surprised by how much I liked this, but shouldn’t have been because I love everything Michael Lewis puts out.
- The Informant!
- Californication: Season 2 – Possibly even better than season one. I literally cried during one episode because of some of the dialog about life, love, and family.
- When You’re Strange – Liked it; how can one man consume so many drugs in such a short lifespan?
- Precious: Based on the Novel by Sapphire – I thought I hated this, but Netflix says three stars, so now I’m confused.
- Going My Way – Another Oscar Best Picture film.
- The Pillars of the Earth – We loved the book, and this miniseries was very true to it.
- (500) Days of Summer – I liked the non-sequential story line.
- Hot Tub Time Machine – I loved the concept, was expecting to be disappointed by the film, and ended up liking it overall.
- District 9 – I don’t think any movie attempting to show a real depiction of aliens has ever been rated higher than two stars.
- Up in the Air
- Breaking Bad: Season 1 – We both really hated this, which was amazing because of how highly rated this series is. We could never sympathize with any of the characters. And I don’t know if I can ever forgive Cranston for Malcolm in the Middle.
- The Machinist – Very dark and strange
- Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon – Incredible documentary. After watching you’ll listen to the album in a whole new way.
- The September Issue – Interesting, but still have a hard time taking the material seriously.
- Kramer vs. Kramer – The breakfast making scene is something I remember often during “Daddy Daughter Days”.
- Dexter: Season 4 – Lithgow was an awesome addition to this season, which was significantly better than Season 3.
- Waiting for Guffman – I’ve tried Guest’s films a few times, but have never found them better than mildly amusing. Just not my type of humor I guess.
- Beer Wars – Good film overall, was nice to see Stone a few times and really liked the Dogfish Head guys. The caffeinated beer woman was a little sad, especially knowing that a few years down the road “functional alcoholic beverages” would be banned.
- The OH in Ohio – A Laura recommendation, good and went in a direction I didn’t expect with DeVito.
- Coco Before Chanel
- Entourage: Season 6 – More of the same, but I’ll keep watching.