DECADES EDITION PART III

Happy New Year's Eve!

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NEW REVIEWS:

UP IN THE AIR (IN THEATERS)
George Clooney is finally taking the right kind of roles after a very shaky film start. Jason Reitman is an immensely talented filmmaker. He made THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, a fine if not great satire, JUNO, an out and out winner that blended Diablo Cody's ultra hip script with great performances and casting, and now comes this new one. For the first 30 minutes I thought I was in for a real treat. Then the story started. It wasn't about the fact that George Clooney was a guy hired to go around to different companies and fire people while traveling - I kind of loved that. And I loved the opening narration where Clooney explains his job. But then the movie starts, and the job is over and he's stuck with some young actress who's all over the place and by the time this thing is at midway point, I just wanted it to be over. I would've preferred a movie that was about what Clonney did for a living and its affect on him - instead it became about Clooney's need for love. Blech. This coulda been a contender. I know it's getting accolades everywhere, but I just don't get it. Great opening, though. And well directed, it's the story that let me down.
Grade: C +


THIS IS IT (DVD)
Whatever you thought of Michael Jackson, this is a fascinating documentary about his last weeks getting ready for what was to be his final curtain call of concerts in London. I'm sure he would've performed more but it was a great commercial hook to call these the last live shows, and he certainly was prepping them to be a fitting send off. After all the drug use, allegations and rumors and horrifying documentaries, it was sort of cathartic to finally see him just do what he's best at - creating pop music, singing, dancing, working with the crew (those were actually my favorite parts of the movie) when Jackson had fits over the direction here and there - though he always ends every small tirade by saying "that is said with L-O-V-E."" (I realize - what he really might have been best at is keeping the cops at bay - but that's another blog.)

No matter what you thought of Jackson, there is no disputing what a uniquely talented artist he was, and this film not only helps you remember that but is a great glimpse into his creative soul and the performer we lost. A much better film than I was expecting somehow. The funny thing is - I hate those kind of huge spectacle shows. I realize a lot of people get off on the spectacle, but for me, it was more interesting to see him put it all together than to actually experience the show. For my money, I would've paid good money to see Jackson come out with a guitarist and just acoustically run through his biggest hits. And here, in rehearsal, you not only get quite a bit of that, but you realize just what a great singer this man really was.
Grade: B +


BAD LT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS (IN THEATERS)
I really liked, if not loved, the 2003 Harvey Keitel version. Reportedly, when Ed Pressman sold the remake rights to Warner Herzog, Abel Ferrar, the director behind the original BAD LT., as well as THE KING OF NY and many other low life classics, said "I hope he burns in hell." Well, Herzog did not burn in hell, instead with Nicholas Cage, he has crafted a new movie related only to that earlier version in very broad plot threads, that is really the sparkplug of the winter movie season.

These films that dwell on subjects like these, murder, drugs, madness...they're not exactly big money makers. So when they do slip through the cracks and actually get made - it's usually a labor of love.

Cage plays a cop who, in the midst of Katrina, nearly breaks his back trying to free a trapped prisoner from drowning. This has left him with a chronic back pain that Vicoden can't really quell - and his quest to score drugs is one of the nasty fun parts of the movie. Also terrific is Eva Mendes as his hooker girlfriend and Val Kilmer is surprisingly subdued in his role as Cage's ex partner. He actually doesn't even look like himself anymore - it's kind of weird.

The first movie was much more spiritual and about deeper issues of the spirit and religion, this is a bit more straight forward and frankly - while I admire the hell out of the original, this is a lot more fun and Cage works hard to keep us liking this utterly corrupted and very complicated guy.

And to see Nic Cage, mr. movie star as of late, crack smoking his way through his role as a crazy corrupt cop in the Big Easy with supporting performance crackling all around him - this is very hard to resist. No spoilers here because I just suggest you see it, but this was one of the more exciting signs of life this movie season.
Grade: A


THE HISTORY OF HOWARD STERN (ACT 3) (Sirius Radio)
Every Holiday season Howard releases a 14 part (or so) radio documentary on his rise to the top. This new one covers the time from the mid to about 2002 (something like that.) For me, what's so great about these are that in my own radio worship of Stern, these were the things I remembered most, when he first got out LA radio and these bits are music to my ears, bringing up a lot of great memories of hilarity. These are also exceedingly well produced and edited and really gave the subscribers a lot of bang for the buck in Howard and Co's absence. There is talk of this being Stern's last year. I don't believe it. I think he's good for another 5, but either way - this is the beginning of the end of the greatest era of radio ever. Go the store, buy the radio, have it installed. It's 15 bucks a month for the funniest radio you'll ever hear. It actually makes your day better and there will be days you won't leave your car because what's going on over the air is too compelling to leave.
Grade: A +


TOUGH LOVE II (VH1)
Just started going through these on my DVR. Love it.

SEX ADDICT REHAB w/Dr. Drew (VH1)
Another winner, though the "celebs" were barely recognizable. Is there ANY addiction left for Amber Smith to have?

DECADES CONTINUED:

Okay, tomorrow is a new year and clearly I have not seen all the new movies yet, but I will continue to review them. In the meantime, here are my final picks - based solely on what I've seen - as the 10 best movies of 2009.

These are all in the A to A+ category.

10 BEST OF 2009:

TWO FILMS TIE FOR FIRST PLACE:

INGLORIUS BASTERDS
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Both spectacular out of the box creations.

2.) THE BAD LT. PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS

3.) PRECIOUS

4.)TYSON

5.) GOMORRAH

6.) I LOVE YOU, MAN

7.) FUNNY PEOPLE (Despite the wonkiest 3rd act ever, the first 90 minutes were so great I forgive the last act. But not to include this film doesn't work for me.)

8.) THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE

9.) DISTRICT 9

10) TWO LOVERS


BEST & WORST OF DECADES

Moving on, while I certainly can't pick the top 10 for 10 years - I have been going through the decades. Here are some more best and most memorable stinkers from the last few years. I will stop when I get to 2000.

BEST & WORST OF 2006 (in no particular order)

HOSTEL: B +
BIG MOMMAS HOUSE 2: F
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (remake): F
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING: B
INSIDE MAN: B
BASIC INSTINCT 2: RISK ADDIDCTION : A for unintentional hilarity, F for everything else
UNITED 93: A
ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL: C
THE BREAK UP: D
THE LAKE HOUSE: C +
NACHO LIBRE: D
SUPERMAN RETURNS: D
YOU, ME & DUPREE: C -
CLERKS II: C
TALLEDEGA NIGHTS: A
MIAMI VICE (unwatchable)
CRANK: B +
THE DEPARTED: B + (sorry - great storytelling but not the classic it wants to be)
THE PRESTIGE: B
BABEL: B -
SAW III: F
BORAT: A
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: C - (A rare misstep in the Chris Guest mock dock area)
HAPPY FEET: B -
TENACIOUS D: PICK OF DESTINY: C - (sorry - not nearly as sharp as the series of shorts)
APOCOLYPTO: B (take that, sugar tits)
BLOOD DIAMOND: B +
DREAMGIRLS: A
ROCKY BALBOA: A +
WE ARE MARSHAL: C
NOTES ON A SCANDAL: B
FIND ME GUILTY: B
LAST KING OF SCOTLAND: B +
THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE: C
STRANGERS WITH CANDY: C -
WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR: B +

Will be back for more reviews in the new year.
Drive safe, drink responsibly, easy on the weed and don't OD on X.

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