Hello, my valued, albeit few readers. I am closing www.heritagemoviereviews.blogspot.com and moving over to www.ryanthemoviecritic.com. It will open by Friday. There you can access my current movie reviews, some new features and columns, and hopefully a good deal of my older reviews. See you there.
Ryan Michaels
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The 1st Annual Michaels Awards
Best Picture: The Wrestler
Runner-Ups: Slumdog Millionaire, The Dark Knight, Wall-E, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Worst Picture: The Love Guru
Runners-Up: Camp Rock, The Happening, First Sunday, Seven Pounds
Best Director: Danny Boyle & Loveleen Tandan, Slumdog Millionaire
Runner-Ups: David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Best Movie That Everyone Apparently Hated But I Loved: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Runner-Ups: Cloverfield,
Best Actor: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Runner-Ups: Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road, Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino, Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Wall-E, Wall-E
Worst Actor: Mark Wahlberg, The Happening
Runners-Up: Mike Myers, The Love Guru, Pierce Brosnan, Mamma Mia!, Ice Cube, First Sunday
Best Actress: Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Runners-Up: Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road and The Reader, Meryl Streep, Doubt, Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Worst Actress: Reese Witherspoon, Four Christmases
Runners-Up: Paris Hilton, The Hottie and The Nottie, Carmen Electra, Disaster Movie
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Runners-Up: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt, Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, Doubt
Runners-Up: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Evan Rachel Wood, The Wrestler, Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Really Good Performance In A Really Bad Movie: Justin Timberlake, The Love Guru
Runners-Up: Will Smith, Seven Pounds,
Best Screenplay: Wall-E
Runners-Up: Slumdog Millionaire, Doubt, The Wrestler, Burn After Reading
Best Action Movie: The Dark Knight
Runners-Up: Wanted, Tropic Thunder, Iron Man
Best Comedy: Tropic Thunder
Runners-Up: Burn After Reading, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Step Brothers, Role Models
Best Unintentional Comedy: Speed Racer
Runners-Up: N/A
Best Scene: The Ending, The Wrestler
Runners-Up: The Interrogation, The Dark Knight, The Ending, Slumdog Millionaire, Benjamin's Death, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Musical Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Runners-Up: The Dark Knight, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Wall-E
- RM
Runner-Ups: Slumdog Millionaire, The Dark Knight, Wall-E, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Worst Picture: The Love Guru
Runners-Up: Camp Rock, The Happening, First Sunday, Seven Pounds
Best Director: Danny Boyle & Loveleen Tandan, Slumdog Millionaire
Runner-Ups: David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Best Movie That Everyone Apparently Hated But I Loved: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Runner-Ups: Cloverfield,
Best Actor: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Runner-Ups: Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road, Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino, Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Wall-E, Wall-E
Worst Actor: Mark Wahlberg, The Happening
Runners-Up: Mike Myers, The Love Guru, Pierce Brosnan, Mamma Mia!, Ice Cube, First Sunday
Best Actress: Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Runners-Up: Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road and The Reader, Meryl Streep, Doubt, Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Worst Actress: Reese Witherspoon, Four Christmases
Runners-Up: Paris Hilton, The Hottie and The Nottie, Carmen Electra, Disaster Movie
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Runners-Up: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt, Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis, Doubt
Runners-Up: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Evan Rachel Wood, The Wrestler, Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Really Good Performance In A Really Bad Movie: Justin Timberlake, The Love Guru
Runners-Up: Will Smith, Seven Pounds,
Best Screenplay: Wall-E
Runners-Up: Slumdog Millionaire, Doubt, The Wrestler, Burn After Reading
Best Action Movie: The Dark Knight
Runners-Up: Wanted, Tropic Thunder, Iron Man
Best Comedy: Tropic Thunder
Runners-Up: Burn After Reading, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Step Brothers, Role Models
Best Unintentional Comedy: Speed Racer
Runners-Up: N/A
Best Scene: The Ending, The Wrestler
Runners-Up: The Interrogation, The Dark Knight, The Ending, Slumdog Millionaire, Benjamin's Death, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Musical Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Runners-Up: The Dark Knight, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Wall-E
- RM
Friday, January 23, 2009
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Kevin James goes kiddy-style in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a nice little surprise that struggles to find its way in the first half-hour, but gains a big heart and some cool action in its final hour. It most definitely falls prey to almost every imaginable kids movie cliche in the book.
James plays Paul Blart, a 10-year mall cop who lives with his mother and daughter. He takes his job very seriously, at one point pulling over an old man in an electric wheelchair for "speeding". But he is a bit lonely, and desires a girlfriend. Subsequently, he falls for a kind saleswoman named Amy. But when a group of thieves take over the mall and hold Blart's daughter and Amy hostage, Blart fights his way through the mall to save them.
The film's best scenes are when it parodies 'Die Hard'. A particularly memorable one is where Blart yowls in pain and lifts up his sleeve. A miniscule cut on his arm. He then applies a Hello Kitty band-aid. This is the general attitude of the film. The first 30 minutes are really bad, if only because the jokes either revolve around his weight or...well, that's practically all the jokes are for the first 30 minutes.
When the mall is taken over, the film really picks up the pace. Seeing James as a childrens-film star is startling, but as an action star is pretty funny. It showcases his talent, and he really hasn't been too funny since 'King of Queens'. It's nothing special, but it's funny, has some cool stunts, and as a kids movie isn't too bad. B-
James plays Paul Blart, a 10-year mall cop who lives with his mother and daughter. He takes his job very seriously, at one point pulling over an old man in an electric wheelchair for "speeding". But he is a bit lonely, and desires a girlfriend. Subsequently, he falls for a kind saleswoman named Amy. But when a group of thieves take over the mall and hold Blart's daughter and Amy hostage, Blart fights his way through the mall to save them.
The film's best scenes are when it parodies 'Die Hard'. A particularly memorable one is where Blart yowls in pain and lifts up his sleeve. A miniscule cut on his arm. He then applies a Hello Kitty band-aid. This is the general attitude of the film. The first 30 minutes are really bad, if only because the jokes either revolve around his weight or...well, that's practically all the jokes are for the first 30 minutes.
When the mall is taken over, the film really picks up the pace. Seeing James as a childrens-film star is startling, but as an action star is pretty funny. It showcases his talent, and he really hasn't been too funny since 'King of Queens'. It's nothing special, but it's funny, has some cool stunts, and as a kids movie isn't too bad. B-
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Best Movies of 2008
2008 has been a fantastic year in film. It was the year that Mickey Rourke, Robert Downey Jr, and Tom Cruise all made comebacks. It was the year that for every major disappointment (Australia, Frost/Nixon), there was a giant surprise (Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler). It was the year that the line between big awards contenders and booming event flicks was blurred, which made for a lot of fantastic movies. Here's my favorite movies of 2008.
1. Mickey Rourke should win the Oscar for The Wrestler, an incredibly emotional film with an ending that punches you in the gut. Although it easily could have succumbed to cliche, it doesn't, which is a minor miracle. The story of a washed-up wrestler, no one could have (or should have) played him other than Rourke. Evan Rachel Wood stands out in 3 scenes as Rourke's daughter. It's not a happy movie, but man is it a good one. So good in fact, that it's the best of the year.
2. A flick I'd barely heard of when it was released, Slumdog Millionaire was funny, suspenseful, somber, beautiful, and resonated with me more than anything else this year. Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are excellent, the script is top-notch, and the direction is stunning. Originally to be direct to DVD, thankfully it wasn't, and now it's taking the world by storm. An incredible achievement.
3. Not just another comic-book movie, The Dark Knight was exceptional in all areas. You want great performances? Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart and above all Heath Ledger will provide that. Giant explosions? Check. A layered, intelligent script? Absolutely. It has more in common with say, Heat or The Godfather than The Incredible Hulk or Superman. The film that action movies will be judged by for the next 20 years.
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. An old-fashioned, technically astounding love story, the normally violent director David Fincher is surprisingly restrained here. Although he normally does more violent fare such as Fight Club, he emulates say, David Lean here. The special effects, makeup, and Pitt's excellent performance come together seamlessly for an unforgettable movie.
5. When animation, science-fiction, romance, comedy, and an adorable title character come together seamlessly, you know you have a special movie. But Wall-E is Pixar's best movie, a huge feat considering they're the best, most consistent studio today. A young robot falling in love with a search probe is risky, original, and in the movie undoubtedly touching. Oh, and after the 20th time you see it, it still doesn't get old.
6. It's hard for a movie to inspire awe. For a documentary, it's almost impossible. But Man on Wire, the story of Philipe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers, does it at the drop of a hat. It maintains the suspense of a heist movie but entertains and enthralls, a huge feat for a documentary.
7. Rachel Getting Married has a great cast, an awesome script, and somehow pulls an Oscar-caliber performance out of Anne Hathaway, as a recovering addict going to her sister's wedding, and the fascinating results.
8. My #8 pick is actually two movies. 2008 was an awesome year for comedies, and I just couldn't leave these off. Burn After Reading and Tropic Thunder are radically different in content and pacing but have one thing in common: they are hilariously funny.
9. Doubt's script needed work, but then again it has four of the best performances of 2008. Meryl Streep is fantastic, I forgive her for Mamma Mia. Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellent, both likable and shady enough to keep us on the edge until the end, which makes you question everything you've just seen. The breakout star is Viola Davis, who is devastating in 7 minutes as a mother whose boy may have been molested by a priest.
10. Vicky Cristina Barcelona doesn't sound like a Woody Allen movie. Set in Barcelona, a deep meditation on love with beautiful locations and cinematography. However, the witty script and fantastic ensemble cast bring together Allen's best film since Manhattan. For the Oscar race watch out for Penelope Cruz as the main's protaganist's suicidal, crazy ex-wife.
Honorable Mentions:
Changeling
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Gran Torino
Happy-Go-Lucky
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Kung Fu Panda
Step Brothers
The Visitor
Wanted
1. Mickey Rourke should win the Oscar for The Wrestler, an incredibly emotional film with an ending that punches you in the gut. Although it easily could have succumbed to cliche, it doesn't, which is a minor miracle. The story of a washed-up wrestler, no one could have (or should have) played him other than Rourke. Evan Rachel Wood stands out in 3 scenes as Rourke's daughter. It's not a happy movie, but man is it a good one. So good in fact, that it's the best of the year.
2. A flick I'd barely heard of when it was released, Slumdog Millionaire was funny, suspenseful, somber, beautiful, and resonated with me more than anything else this year. Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are excellent, the script is top-notch, and the direction is stunning. Originally to be direct to DVD, thankfully it wasn't, and now it's taking the world by storm. An incredible achievement.
3. Not just another comic-book movie, The Dark Knight was exceptional in all areas. You want great performances? Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart and above all Heath Ledger will provide that. Giant explosions? Check. A layered, intelligent script? Absolutely. It has more in common with say, Heat or The Godfather than The Incredible Hulk or Superman. The film that action movies will be judged by for the next 20 years.
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. An old-fashioned, technically astounding love story, the normally violent director David Fincher is surprisingly restrained here. Although he normally does more violent fare such as Fight Club, he emulates say, David Lean here. The special effects, makeup, and Pitt's excellent performance come together seamlessly for an unforgettable movie.
5. When animation, science-fiction, romance, comedy, and an adorable title character come together seamlessly, you know you have a special movie. But Wall-E is Pixar's best movie, a huge feat considering they're the best, most consistent studio today. A young robot falling in love with a search probe is risky, original, and in the movie undoubtedly touching. Oh, and after the 20th time you see it, it still doesn't get old.
6. It's hard for a movie to inspire awe. For a documentary, it's almost impossible. But Man on Wire, the story of Philipe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers, does it at the drop of a hat. It maintains the suspense of a heist movie but entertains and enthralls, a huge feat for a documentary.
7. Rachel Getting Married has a great cast, an awesome script, and somehow pulls an Oscar-caliber performance out of Anne Hathaway, as a recovering addict going to her sister's wedding, and the fascinating results.
8. My #8 pick is actually two movies. 2008 was an awesome year for comedies, and I just couldn't leave these off. Burn After Reading and Tropic Thunder are radically different in content and pacing but have one thing in common: they are hilariously funny.
9. Doubt's script needed work, but then again it has four of the best performances of 2008. Meryl Streep is fantastic, I forgive her for Mamma Mia. Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellent, both likable and shady enough to keep us on the edge until the end, which makes you question everything you've just seen. The breakout star is Viola Davis, who is devastating in 7 minutes as a mother whose boy may have been molested by a priest.
10. Vicky Cristina Barcelona doesn't sound like a Woody Allen movie. Set in Barcelona, a deep meditation on love with beautiful locations and cinematography. However, the witty script and fantastic ensemble cast bring together Allen's best film since Manhattan. For the Oscar race watch out for Penelope Cruz as the main's protaganist's suicidal, crazy ex-wife.
Honorable Mentions:
Changeling
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Gran Torino
Happy-Go-Lucky
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Kung Fu Panda
Step Brothers
The Visitor
Wanted
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood became known to us first as The Man With No Name in Sergio Leone's "Dollars Trilogy". There's irony to the fact that he hardly spoke in the role and yet became so iconic. Which makes it really fitting that his final film role should be Walt Kowalski, an outspoken, racist, grouchy, rifle-toting old man. It's exactly that performance that makes Gran Torino a must-see movie, despite its evident flaws.
Eastwood has become one of the best, most consistent directors in the film industry, and continues to evolve even at 78. He is actually quite versatile. He can do Westerns, war flicks, boxing movies, period dramas, literally anything. But what Gran Torino goes to show is that the man can still act, perhaps better than he can direct. It's one of the best performances of 2008.
Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a Korean War vet/recent widower whose Detroit neighborhood is dominated by Hmongs and gangs. The local gangs pressure a young Hmong boy into attempting to steal Walt's '72 Gran Torino. When Walt retaliates, he takes the boy under his wing and protects his family from the gangs.
The script is top-notch. It may sound like a violent, somber movie, but it's actually quite funny. The problem, which is actually quite big, are the Hmong actors. Reportedly cast on the scene, they truly are not that good.
The young Hmong boy, who carries a large chunk of the film's emotional core, is simply not up to the plate. He talks too fast, mostly stares at the ground, and delivers half the lines in an odd tone. He gets some good jokes in, but it's a mediocre performance that needed to be great.
Gran Torino could be Clint Eastwood's last film as an actor, although he'll likely continue directing. Gran Torino ranks among his best performances, and despite mediocre performances otherwise, the script is excellent and the film will remain in your memory for a long time. A-
Eastwood has become one of the best, most consistent directors in the film industry, and continues to evolve even at 78. He is actually quite versatile. He can do Westerns, war flicks, boxing movies, period dramas, literally anything. But what Gran Torino goes to show is that the man can still act, perhaps better than he can direct. It's one of the best performances of 2008.
Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a Korean War vet/recent widower whose Detroit neighborhood is dominated by Hmongs and gangs. The local gangs pressure a young Hmong boy into attempting to steal Walt's '72 Gran Torino. When Walt retaliates, he takes the boy under his wing and protects his family from the gangs.
The script is top-notch. It may sound like a violent, somber movie, but it's actually quite funny. The problem, which is actually quite big, are the Hmong actors. Reportedly cast on the scene, they truly are not that good.
The young Hmong boy, who carries a large chunk of the film's emotional core, is simply not up to the plate. He talks too fast, mostly stares at the ground, and delivers half the lines in an odd tone. He gets some good jokes in, but it's a mediocre performance that needed to be great.
Gran Torino could be Clint Eastwood's last film as an actor, although he'll likely continue directing. Gran Torino ranks among his best performances, and despite mediocre performances otherwise, the script is excellent and the film will remain in your memory for a long time. A-
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