• 18Feb 11

  Delayed Top 10 of 2010!

  Well, here's my favorite films I saw last year. There's a few notable titles that I haven't seen yet, namely Blue Valentine, Never Let Me Go and Get Low, but I figured I better get this list over with before it's 2012.

  1.Black Swan

  

  This film comes as close to perfection as any I've seen this year. Darren Aronofsky's direction is complex and gripping yet succinct, depicting a downward spiral into madness that rivals Roman Polanski's Repulsion in many ways. Natalie Portman gives what I imagine will be the performance of her career, and is supported astonishingly well by Mila Kunis whose acting talent I formerly had little respect for. Top notch cinematography, even when nothing particularly important is occurring on screen it always demands your attention, and it comes to one of the most breathtaking finales I've witnessed. The score beautifully meshes c|assical compositions with Clint Mansell's original work, and raises the films potency that much more. As far as my all time favorite thrillers go, this one ranks high.

  2. Inception

  

  First off, I would like to come right out and state that the "confusing" properties of this film are dramtically overstated. It is a brilliantly crafted heist film at it's core, with alot of plot depth, but it's not confusing or mind-boggling (though the Zero G hallway fight is mind BLOWING). The cast, while not given particularly strenuous work to be done fit their roles wonderfully providing a likable and colorful crew. The film will keep you on your toes with magnificent action sequences and a powerful score from the one and only Hans Zimmer, and is sure to leave you begging for more when the credits start to roll. One of the best science fiction films in years.

  3. True Grit

  

  The Coen Bros never fail to make some of the most outright enjoyable films to sit down to, and True Grit certainly doesn't break that pattern. While it lacks in their trademark mysticism and metaphors, the bulk of the film is distinctly Coen, giving a gritty, biting spin on the Western c|assic. Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld are equally impressive in their roles, with a great supporting cast including the Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper. True Grit is just fun for any movie-goer.

  4. Let Me In

  

  Anybody with the faintest notion of doing a remake should take note; this is how it's done. Improvements to both the depth and flow of the screenplay, superior performances out of the two leads (Chloe Moretz and Kodi Smit-Mcphee really impress) and a much more noteworthy supporting cast, gorgeous cinematography and a haunting score. This has become one of my absolute favorite vampire and horror films, but it is so much more then that. A truly touching tale of a cursed romance. Do not miss this film based on preconceptions about American remakes. I loved the original, but Let Me In has won my heart.

  5. The American

  

  This film released to little critic or audience praise, I would blame in large part to it's terribly misguided advertisement campaign. Don't expect Bourne type action here, but instead a beautifully crafted, slow burning, introspective look at a lonely, tortured assassin. George Clooney does a fantastic job along with the rest of the cast. This film had some of the best dialogue of the year, ocasionally even managing to make me tear up out of nowhere.

  6. Kick-Ass

  

  Fun. That's really the only word I need to describe Kick-Ass. It's loud, raucous and hilarious. Easily one of the best spins on the super hero genre ever with a lovable cast of characters and a great soundtrack to boot. This is a film I expect to revisit on many occasions.

  7. Winter's Bone

  

  One of the more original films of the year thematically. I can't recall many films with a similar subject or tone. It gives you a look into a terribly bleak, harsh lifetsyle, yet all the while remaining hopeful thanks in large part to the terrific performance by Jennifer Lawrence. John Hawkes also delivers a superb supporting performance.

  8. The Kids Are All Right

  

  A witty, well-acted dramedy. Something that's fairly hard to come-by if you ask me. Julianne Moore and Annete Bening steal the show, but the rest of the cast does a great job aswell and are all remarkably beliveable as a family. This film will have you laughing, aswell as tug at your heartstrings a little (provided you have a heart. )

  9. Shutter Island

  

  This was one of my most anticipated films going into 2010, and while it ended up being mildly disappointing, it's effectiveness is undeniable. The great performances (especially Dicaprio, Kingsley and the ever-unsettling Jackie Earle Haley), haunting imagery and booming score will suck you in, the only problem being that you can see the "twist" coming from a mile away which will leave a bit of a bitter taste in your mouth when the credits roll. Not one of Scorsese's best, but an enjoyable thriller in it's own right.

  10. Easy A

  

  This film really came along and took apart my preconceptions of the "teen comedy". An awesome script packed with razor sharp wit delivered perfectly by Emma Stone, with an amusing concept inspired by The Scarlet Letter. This one had me laughing a hell of a lot.

  ____________________________________________

  Next blog will have a ranked list of all 41 films I saw from 2010.

  Thanks for reading (or at least skimming ).

  • Posted Feb 18, 2011 6:38 pm GMT
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• 7Oct 10

  Oh my, it has been a while, hasn't it?

  Since I've felt the urge to blog here. Probably about time to get around to that before I'm forgotten completely.

  It seems I let my 3 year anniversary here on GS slip right by me last month, so that's cool I guess. Rather then naming people individually and in the process forgetting somebody important, I'll just say thanks to everybody who has made this place such an enjoyable, memorable, and often times unpredictable experience. You know who you are.

  

  In gaming news, I picked up Dead Rising 2 on day one and have since completed it twice. The zombie slaughtering is just so addictive that I lose myself in it for hours. It's really cut into my sleep schedule. The new combo system for fusing weapons is brilliant, allowing you to make such devastating devices as boxing gloves with bowie knives taped to them, electric wheel-chairs equipped with machine guns, and drill operated pitchforks. The possibilities are exponential and always satisfying.

  The story is really nothing to write home about (as was the case with the original), but it serves as a decent motivation behind the gory carnage, which is what anyone playing this game is after in the first place. At least it comes to a fulfilling conclusion, and has multiple endings to keep you coming back for more. One mustn't forget the psychos and their well done cutscenes/backstories. Some of them are downright disturbing even to a jaded horror fan like myself. Highly recommend this game to most of you out there. It's just pure fun.

  I also picked up DJ Hero for $40 brand new. It's great fun for the first few hours as most rhythm games are, but the music alone keeps me coming back to it. Some of the mixes are damned good. I figure the controller was worth the $40 alone since they will be releasing the sequel soon, probably at $100. This way I can pick up the standalone software when it is taking up space on clearance shelves later down the road.

  

  On the first I got in to see Let Me In. A remake of the highly-praised 2008 Swedish film "Let the Right One In". Let the Right One In had earned it's seat on my favorite films of all time list the minute the credits rolled. I fell in love with it completely. When I heard they were planning a remake, I was more stunned then disappointed, and when I heard the cast, I anxiously awaited it's arrival. I'm not someone that can't enjoy a remake if I've enjoyed the original. In this instance my open-mindedness payed off beautifully, as this film was better in virtually all regards in my opinion. Cinematography, screenplay, and most especially acting. Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-Mcphee, Richard Jenkins, Elias Koteas... they all knocked it out of the park.

  There were many changes, some subtle, some drastic, and each of them were an improvement (the only thing I will say has taken a hit is the title. Let Me In does not pack the same punch as Let the Right One In. ). Gone was the cheesy cat scene from the original, and added is one of the greatest scenes I've seen in a film in years. I'll just say it involves a car accident, filmed from the inside.

  Purists are still up at arms, believing that the remake must be a failure as it's American, and refuse to see it. It's a bit frustrating to me to think that a genuinely well made, painstakingly crafted film like Let Me In will be passed off as "just another remake" and subsequently forgotten. I urge you to check it out.

  That's about it for me. Hope everyone's doing well.

  • Posted Oct 7, 2010 10:09 am GMT
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• 26Jul 10

  Novio

  Well, this is the second time I've been tagged for this, so I guess there's no getting out of it now. Thanks rocketfox129 and Jazz_Fan.

  1. "Put Your iTunes (or other music player) on Shuffle.
  2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
  3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
  4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
  5. Tag at least 10 friends.
  6. Anyone tagged has to do the same, because fun pointlessness spreads like a virus."

  Here goes.

  1.If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say

  Protest Song '68 - Refused (I guess that's a no. )

  2. How would you describe yourself?

  Seven Nation Army - White Stripes (interesting...)

  3.What do you like in a guy/girl?

  Glass and the Ghost Children - Smashing Pumpkins ()

  4.How do you feel today?

  Paper Gangsta - Lady Gaga

  5.What is your life's purpose?

  Little Lovers So Polite - The Silversun Pickups

  6.What is your motto?

  Could've Gone Mad - Poe

  7.What do your friends think of you?

  Hotwax - Beck ()

  8.What do you think of your parents?

  Gallows - Atreyu ( Nu-uh! I love my parents! )

  9.What do you think about very often?

  There is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

  10.What is 2 + 2?

  Love Like Winter - AFI...

  11.What do you think of your best friend?

  Two as One - From First To Last

  12.What do you think of the person you like?

  The Undertakers Thirst for Revenge is Unquenchable - Chiodos (How romantic)

  13.What is your life story?

  I of the Mourning - Smashing Pumpkins ()

  14.What do you want to be when you grow up?

  Rammstein - Rammstein (Yikes.)

  15.What do you think of when you see the person you like?

  Here Come the Bombs - Ima Robot

  16.What will you dance to at your wedding?

  Devil's Haircut - Beck (Um, no)

  17.What will they play at your funeral?

  These Things - She Wants Revenge (Not very appropriate. )

  18.What is your hobby/interest?

  Helicopter - Bloc Party (Helicopters make me ill...)

  19.What is your biggest fear?

  Janglin' - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

  20.What is your biggest secret?

  Austere - The Joy Formidable (not at all...)

  21.What do you think of your friends?

  Human After All - Daft Punk

  22.What will you put as the title?

  Novio - Moby

  I never tag back, so if you want to do it, consider yourself tagged.

  • Posted Jul 26, 2010 4:27 pm GMT
  • Category: Music
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