Year in Review: Best Posters of 2011

Another year gone, and what's left is some fine poster work done by Hollywood.  Overall, the whole year took a more minimalistic approach to the design, which I think helped improve the quality.  In addition to my personal best of the year, I am also adding a couple worst of the year as well, so people can see that paid professionals sometimes suck.

10) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

While not an totally official poster released by the studio, Paramount did showcase this one, which was done by Matt Owen, which was specifically designed for the IMAX release.  It's shows the classic Mission Impossible fuse burning, and the on the other end is the Burj Khalifa.  A great way to tease one of the best action scenes in the film.

9) Shame

Since this film was rated NC-17, I was wondering how there were going to show this, despite the graphical nature.  What they came up with was a great image that does a great job saying exactly what the title suggests.  They did not have to rely on star power to get people to come see this.

8) Moneyball

Nothing like a fresh cut baseball field filling the the poster to get you in the mood.  Brad Pitt is barely seen in this, which is interesting since he is a very bankable star.  Since the movie is more about the numbers behind baseball, it's was a good choice to go the simple route and show the baseball diamond.  Green field = green money = what the movie was about. Boom. Lawyered.

7) Bridesmaids

Eye popping pink will attract anyone to this poster, not just girls.  I love the attitude from all the actresses', which is a great way to show the comedic tone of the film.  It's very successful, using the same kind of technique used in The 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up.

6) The Mechanic 

While the movie left something to be desired, the poster debut definitely caught my eye and got my excited to see the film.  Making an image out of smaller images is not unheard of in the poster business, a la Lord of War making Nicolas Cage out of bullets.  I feel like it takes a clever person to make this work properly.

5) Super 8

Perhaps confusing at first, this poster literally flips the normal image on its side.  I don't really know the reasoning behind this, but I like it.  It is something different, and definitely gets your attention.  It is suspenseful and ominous, giving a good first look at the visual style and story elements of the film.

4) Ides of March

I am not a big fan of face-mashups, but this one really made me do a double take.  Oh, sweet, Ryan Gosling is in this.  Oh, wait, that's not his whole face.  OH! George Clooney too! Sweet.  Pretty much my reaction to this poster. Well done.

3) Winnie the Pooh

I knew exactly what this was the second I saw it.  No title necessary.  No big names.  Not even a close up of the characters.  80% of the poster is honey yellow.  But the amazing image of Pooh and the gang floating in a bucket boat stays with you.

2) 50/50

Seth Rogen's face sells this film.  Seeing this poster not only makes you crack up, but it also engages you in trying to find out more about the film.  I hope the DVD is this picture, because it is a classic reaction plenty of us have had.

1) Midnight in Paris

The Vincent van Gogh Starry Night blended with the city of Paris is the best combination to help sell this movie.  Having Owen Wilson walking along the riverfront in thought sets up the film well, giving some insight to the character before you even see the movie. A great blend of artwork and a live picture.

The Worst of 2011

3) Madea's Big Happy Family

This is just a travesty.  If you know me, then you will know Madea stands for all that is evil and unfunny.  The classic Godfather image has been sullied because of this horrendous poster.  Ridiculous.

2) The Devil's Double

I first saw this while working at Blockbuster when it came out on DVD, and it literally blinded me.  Waaaay too much gold.  I mean, I understand why they did the gold theme, since it makes sense for the character.  But that doesn't mean that you do the whole poster in gold.  It is just awful to look, and you can't really tell what is going on in the poster.

1) X-Men: First Class

This one takes the cake.  Probably made by a kid in middle school who just learned Photoshop, the web went nuts after its debut.  Even the silhouette would have been a good idea, but slapping on that face in the crotch makes no sense whatsoever.  Hopefully, whoever made this poster was relieved of their duty.  Forever.

Year in Review: Best Films of 2011

It's that time again, and here is my list of my personal best films I saw in 2011.  Obviously, this list isn't for everyone, and that's okay.  I am trying to list these on the basis that movies are meant to entertain, whether it be on a psychological level or on a twelve year old level, where I just want to see stuff being blown up.  If the movie entertained me, it probably made the list for some reason or another.  Another thing to keep in mind is that I did not see every movie out in 2011, so I'm sure there are some good films I just never got around to see because of  time, school, etc.  If you have any comments, leave them on my Facebook page if you agree or disagree or just wan to talk about the films.  Alright, I'm trying something different this year, starting with #10 instead of #1...

Honorable Mention
15) The Muppets
14) X-Men: First Class
13) Fast Five
12) Source Code
11) 50/50

10) Moneyball 

A film based on a book, which stars Brad Pitt as Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane during the 2002 baseball season, where he tries, along with Jonah Hill as Peter Brand, to re-analyze the way scouts look at prospective players.  One could ague that this is this years "Social Network", but on a smaller scale.  With the screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, the natural charm of Pitt and funnyman Hill take the script  and turn it into something not only baseball fans will enjoy.

9) Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Probably the most controversial movie on the list, due to the fact that it did get critically blasted by all critics.  But you know what? I'm not a movie critic, and from an audience viewpoint, I got exactly what I wanted: aliens blowing up stuff.  I'm not looking for amazing acting here, I'm looking at the fact that Michael Bay totaled the city of Chicago very well.  The technical achievements here are astounding, especially when the skydivers jump out of a VTOL next to the Sears Tower in slow motion.  Pretty slick if you ask me.  Another plus was that is was a lot darker, actually showing residents getting smoked by the Decepticons, and the whole film having the Autobots losing the battle, until the end obviously.  The song montage towards the final act of the film by Linkin Park showing all the destruction didn't hurt either.

8) Thor

This movie came out of nowhere for me.  It purposefully shrugged off trailers because the pictures I saw, of the costumes and sets, looked pretty dumb to me.  Not something that really interested me in the slightest.  Boy, was I wrong.  I don't know where down the line I made up my mind to see it, but I'm glad I did.  Chris Hemsworth as the arrogant Thor quickly won me over, playing the titular god of thunder with ease.  Tom Hiddleston as his villian brother Loki was a great casting choice, and as was the scene stealing Idris Elba as Heimdall.  The visuals of Thor really honed the experience for me, with Asgard and the detail of the city really staying with me.  Clark Gregg as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson had more screen time this Marvel movie, which I appreciated.  Final note: the cameo with Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye sealed the deal for me on this movie.

7) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Being a big fan of the original 2009 film, I've been waiting for this film with bated breath.  As with all sequels to films I love, there is always some nervousness as whether or not it will live up to your expectations.  This one certainly did, with Guy Richie seemingly listening to his fans about what to include in the sequel.  More slow motion though process scenes by the amazing Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes, and his bromantic partner Watson, played perfectly by Jude Law.  The duos back-and-forth dialog is great fun.  The villian, Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris, does a great job as a counter-point to Holmes, as a intellect and as a sinister plotter.  The end "fight" scene between them was well executed, and a good twist.  Finally, some of you may know my dislike for Rachel McAdams, and I was certainly pleased to see her role lessened.

6) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

The Battle for Hogwarts rages, and the thrilling and well crafted final installment in the hugely successful and acclaimed Harry Potter series comes to a close.  David Yates continues his streak of making the Harry Potter series continue to evolve and grow up with its characters and audiences.  The visuals were a great treat, such as Harry and Voldemort squaring off in a duel, as were the plot points hit coming to fruition, with some storylines concluding after starting in the first film.  Yates does a good job translating the book onto the big screen, giving all the characters their due, in a satisfying conclusion.

5) Drive

This masterful crime drama starring Ryan Gosling as a stunt driver for Hollywood by day, and a getaway driver by night.  Gosling shows his acting chops here, with the script limiting his lines.  This is where we get to see Gosling shine, with him using every movement and glance to establish the character being created.  His nuanced performance is great to watch, as his mainly silent character interacts with the world around him.  The whole film feels like being a getaway driver. The first half of the film, it seems, is kind of like a "wait", where if I were waiting for the bank robbers to come out of the bank.  The second part of the film changes tones, much like shifting gears to get away from the cops in pursuit.  This is the times where all the story-lines come together in a satisfying way.  This film just oozes cool.  Just be patient with it and it will be worth it.
Side note: Drive being the title of the film, I just wish it had a little more driving.  But maybe that's not the point.  Drive could not be just about the car, but what drives the character to do what he does.

4) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

I had high hopes for this one from the beginning.  With Brad Bird attached, who directed the stellar Pixar film The Incredibles, I felt like he could inject that same action and comedy into this film franchise, kind of the like the same way J.J. Abrams did with the third installment.  What I didn't expect, though, was how good this movie would be.  The fourth film is easily my favorite of the series, which is a tough feat following what Abrams did with the amazing MI:3.  Bird directs the frenetic action sequences with meticulous detail, showcasing Tom Cruise's talents at stuntwork.  Seeing him hang on the outside of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was literally making my hands sweat.  The gadgets need to be mentioned as well, since these are some of the best I've ever seen.  One stand out in particular, where a giant projector screen is used to make it look like a hallway is empty, as the team moves through it.  The comedy is well balanced too, done by the pitch perfect Simon Pegg, whose character has now become a full field agent.  Hopefully, this will not be the last time we see Ethan Hunt in action.

3) Super 8

A love letter if I ever saw one, J.J. Abrams pays homage to the great Steven Spielberg, with this E.T. / Goonies mash-up.  This movie is great because of one thing: the kids.  Abrams perfectly captures how kids act when around each other, calling names and hanging out together.  Watching them make their movie brought me back to middle school with my friends and I running around town filming stuff.  The traditional Abrams style is there as well, lens flares included.  He is one of the best new directors out there, and reminds me of a young Spielberg.  The film also does a good job with suspense, hiding the monster until close to the final act.  This film is quite funny as well, with the kids' interactions with each other and how they view the events happening around them.

2) Midnight in Paris

Directed by the fantastic Woody Allen, this heartwarming comedy about Owen Wilson as a writer in Paris was a perfect fit.  Wilson, playing a writer who romanticizes about the 1920's era of Paris, is in a perfect role, pining and longing for a chance to meet the famous writers and painters of the past.  He gets that chance, and every midnight converses with the past due to a time-slip.  Seeing him deal with the past, and bringing what he learned to the future cause plenty of funny moments, including him trying to one-up a know-it-all friend of his fiance, Rachel McAdams (who, again, I don't like).

1) Take Shelter

Like a brewing storm on the horizon, darkening clouds in the sky, Take Shelter has the right kind of slow-burning suspense.  Others may be put off at some of the slow parts, but it all pays off in the end.  Michael Shannon plays a construction worker who starts to have nightmares of an impending storm.  The films expertly deals with how he reacts to these dreams initially, shaking them off until they become more vivid.  His family starts to become alienated because he spends all day building a storm shelter, waiting for the day to come.  This psychological torment is draining both him and his family.  He knows mental disorders run in his family, including his mom who lives in an assisted living home.  He cannot shake this feeling, however, and his strange behavior starts to affect the whole town, who believe he is going crazy.  Shannon, in an Oscar caliber performance, shows a wide range of emotions and does a great job with the material.  The sense of fear and dread throughout the whole movie is prevalent.  I won't spoil the ending, but it was one of the best I've ever seen.

They're Coming

Ok, maybe not zombies.

As the spring semester kicks off here in Nebraska, a New Year's Resolution of mine has been to work on this site more.  I've been absent since September, and that's inexcusable.  So, coming up:

Best of 2011 Films

Best of 2011 Movie Posters

Music of Last Year

Stay Tuned

How Can We Change Video Game Label?

Movie vs. Film

As a gamer, I feel especially nerdy asking my girlfriend or parents for the latest video game to come out.  Why? Because it makes me feel like a child again, asking for a toy.  Do I see video games as a toy? Of course not, but this is what comes to mind.  As a 23 year old in graduate school, I feel compelled to come up with a new label for video games.  Just like how movies can be called "films" or "cinema", why doesn't video games have another title?  Sure, movies that are labeled "movies" can be dumb flicks that are released to negative reviews, but when you call a movie a "film", that implies a sort of indie or art-house style.  Better "pinky out" like Spongebob if you're going to a "film".

Everyone pictured can die because of you.  Even yourself.

Anyways, the gaming industry has evolved over time, and it caters to the young and the old, male and female.  While a majority of gamers are under 18, I find myself in my mid-twenties still calling them video games. Because I don't know what else to call them.  They are more than just games you play on your television nowadays.  Some games even rival movie productions released by major studios.  Uncharted 2, for example, gives you a cinematic experience that is uncommon in gaming, though that trend is starting to change.  I feel gaming, while interactive, is starting to drift into psychological aspects, like making your own decisions that can save or condemn people, like in Mass Effect 2.  The game is built on choices, and then you live with the consequences.  People live, or they can die, based on what you decide.  I think that is more than a video game.  That transcends into something far greater.

Like i mentioned earlier, movies can be called "films", which brings up connotations of an art-house or an indie.  I am not saying we need a fancier word to call video games, all I am asking is that we treat the experience we have with gaming with a little more respect, since it too is growing with us.  As I get older, I want to be able to label my gaming experience with something other than "video games", because to me, it is so much more than that.  This is in no way finished, mainly because there probably are some other topics to cover under this, but this thought has been on my mind lately and wanted to see if anyone agreed with me.

Movie Review - Thor

Thor proves that Norse mythology can be pretty friggin' sweet.

To be perfectly honest with you, I didn't not care one bit for Thor when I first heard about it during development.  I thought the costumes were hokey and I didn't think the whole premise was very interesting.  So I stayed away from each screenshot that surfaced and each trailer that premiered.  After awhile though, avoiding it altogether was near impossible.  I finally caught a trailer at the theater, and it blew me away.  WHAT!? The special effects kick-ass!? WHAT!? It takes place on Earth?! WHAT!? Natalie Portman is in it?!  After that trailer I was hooked.  My girlfriend actually enjoyed the movie, much more than Fast Five, where I constantly saw her roll her eyes as Vin Diesel acting.  This was different though.  These characters were much more real.  I haven't seen an origin story this good since Batman Begins and Iron Man.

Chris Hemsworth as Thor

Chris Hemsworth does a great job as Thor, bringing the cocky attitude along with the heartfelt for his new friends on Earth.  He does a good job showing the range and transition of Thor, from being a over-confident jerk to brave, caring hero.  Idris Elba should also be praised for his portrayal of Heimdall.  He just reeks of coolness.  Interesting use of words.  Moving on.  The rest of the cast is pretty well put together too, such as the great Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Stellan Skarsgard as scientist Erik Selvig.  Natalie Portman does a good job too, initially confused on Thor's actions, but ultimately falls for him.  Kat Dennings, who is probably best known for Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, doesn't really have anything to do in the movie besides comment on Thor acting weird and talking like he is still in Asgard.

Asgard. Thor's homeworld.  Shiny and full of metal.

Speaking of Asgard, Thor's homeworld, boy is it a sight to behold.  It is full of interesting architecture and color.  What was the coolest though was the Bifrost bridge that connects our world to Asgard.  It is pretty much a giant cannon that shoots people out of it as lightning bolts.  How sweet is that?  Plus, the effects are also top-notch, really bringing this alien world to life.  The sound effects are also pretty good, especially when people are transported via the Bifrost bridge.

In the end, Marvel Studios has another winner on it's hands.  With a star-studded cast, great effects and a good screenplay, director Kenneth Branagh  really does a good job bringing the tale to life  Not only is Thor great entertainment, he is also a welcome addition to the Avengers movie coming out.  Also, how great was it to see Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye?  I literally got goosebumps.

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Movie Review - Fast Five

Holy crap, the Fast and Furious franchise actually has a movie at 79% on Rotten Tomatoes!

Everyone is sweating in this movie, especially the Rock.  No seriously.

Looking back at what I just typed, I can't believe what I just said.  I mean, it scored a percent higher than Thor!  Ratings aside, director Justin Lin helms his third Fast film to date, and with every installment, he seems to learn more and more.  His latest, and loudest, Fast Five explodes with a great start to the summer movie lineup.  This time, the movie actually has a pretty good plot, focusing on each of the series regulars' strengths as drivers whilst trying to evade the law.  Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, as well as fan favorites from every Fast movie to date, such as Han from Tokyo Drift and Tyrese from 2 Fast.  Yes, Tyrese still has stupid one liners, but that's what I expected from his character.  All in all, the acting isn't the best, mainly because when Vin tries to act (whether as a bad-ass or being sentimental) it's just awkward.  Oh man, AWKWARD.  Bringing in Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was a stroke of genius, giving the film some fresh blood and also some bigger star power.  It was also great to see Vin and The Rock fight each other in a giant steroid brawl.

I hope to see Justin Lin return for the 6th installment ( I mean, come on, if you stayed until after the credits, you'd have been treated to a crazy twist that pretty much null and voids the 4th movie completely.)  Lin expertly chose to have more practical effects that CGI, which is commendable, especially if you take into account how many crazy stunts were in this movie.  Cars flying off bridges, cars exploding, cars crashing, cars driving around with giant bank vaults attached to the back.  You name it, Lin does it.  It all looks great too, and I'd love to see a special features section the DVD on how they achieve some of the stunts.

Red Bull drinking "bros" cheer as Vin and Paul get ready to bail.

After seeing this movie a couple weeks ago, I ran to my car and sat there wondering if I should peel off into the night.  It wasn't an Oscar-caliber movie by any means, with it's corny acting and goofy characters.  It was, however, entertaining as hell.  That's how the Fast franchise works.  If you leave that theater and want to re-create every car chase sequence from the film, you know it worked.  It has never been about the people in the films; its about the cars.  As soon as you realize this, you will start to enjoy these movies a heck of a lot more.

4 out of 5 Stars

Let's Try This Again

Alright it's about 12:22 as I begin typing this.  I pretty much thought I would probably not come back to this blog, and I almost didn't.  I kept thinking about things to write about, and I want to just talk to the internet, even if it doesn't talk back.  People don't have to like my opinions, but I want them to have the chance to at least hear them.  There's a steady drizzle on the window in good old Nebraska.  A lot has happened since my last post, mainly my graduation from college and getting a fancy new degree.  Now on to grad school.  While the next two years go by, I hopefully will keep updating this thing.  Anyways, time to catch up with some movie reviews.  They are a little late, but are still in theaters, so it's not too big of a deal.  Read them if you want.  Also, I will probably start updating about random stuff I do throughout the summer, like weddings I am attending or me trying to launch a rocket.  We will see.  Hopefully I will get around to uploading some architectural things I did during the school year, and some summer projects as well.