Top 10 of 2009

A little late I know. However, here finally is my best films of 2009:

10. The Blind Side: This will tick off critics, but I definitely say this film deserves every penny it gets. Cute, funny and inspiring, this film is a wonderful exporation of the type of roles Sandra bullock can portray. And at the end if you ain't crying...wel you have no soul, pure and simple.

9. A Christmas Carol: Another unexpected 'un. This film cuaght me off-guard completley and dazzled me. The UnCanny Valley has completley been washed away. Jim Carrey gives a pitch perfect performance and makes this one of the best adaptations of the classic tale ever.

8. Star Trek: J.J. Abrams has created, along with Avatar, a Star Wars type film that has fun, laughs and action coming through in spades. This film leaves you awe-struck and makes you wish The Enterprise came around much more often. Good job, Kirk for this one.



7. 2012: A modern day Towering Inferno? Mayhaps. This film combines thrilling events (they're gonna crash...into Mount Everest!!) with down-to Earth humans. A tale full of sacrifice and destruction, it's one of those rare films that's a little bit of everything...and is just flat-out perfect.

6. Sherlock Holmes: This choice is elementary, my dear readers. Robert Downy Jr. gives an Oscar winning performance as the grand sleuth and makes Sherlock a hero...but still unlike any version we've seen of him before. It's quite a film and quite a mystery as to why no one else thought Holmes could be an action hero.

5. The Princess and The Frog: Disney was in a rut earlier this decade with Home on The Range and Atlantis. Now, they hit the gold mine of fun, music and depth they were missing. This film may even be on par with films like Dumbo and The Little Mermaid. It's a classic, one that deserves so much more. This is a film that'll stick like glue to future generations and prove Disney is still an animation king.



4. Where The Wild Things Are: A kids movie? As if. Dismemberment, tantrums and betrayl are all an integral part of this polarizing, but brilliant film. It may be a stretch, but I certainly think this film is a modern day E.T.



3. The Fantastic Mr. Fox: Talk about misleading marketing. This film will leave in stitches and awe as Wes Anderson creates a film that leaves you begging for more. George Clooney is stunning as Mr. Fox and leads you to love him like in Michale Clayton and the Ocean's films. Wes has created a picture that will remain essential to any animation viewing.



2. Up: Wow. PIXAR ain't number one. Still, this film is a masterpiece, PIXAR's near best. Carl Fredrickson's sad montage at the beggining is guranteed to leave you in tears. And about Dug...well let's just say he's a great tracker, okay? SQUIRELL!



1. Avatar: James Cameron has created The Godfather of sci-fi. A modern day Star Wars. He has transformed cinema from nice to breathtaking. Every single 3D moment leaves you breathless, wanting to see it again immediatly. Thisi s a film that'll one day be known as a triumph of both storytelling and visual effects. A rare modern day masterpiece.



There you have it. Hope you enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to seee what 2010 brings.

SYS

Update on Tintin

It seems Tintin has just gotten it's 1st rendered images out. That's what I've just happened to stumble upon while maming my usual rounds. It seems Spielberg is pleased and there might be some re-shoots in March/April.

After seeing Avatar and A Christmas Carol, I'll be elated to see more Motion Capture now.

SYS

DVD Reivew: Muppets Christmas Carol

The Muppets have made 6 movies (and a 7th coming in 2010) and this one is the best of them all. Not only is it funny, but it's poignant, becoming one of the best stories of Scrooge & The Ghosts.

The character choices here are quite nicely. Kermit's Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy is his wife and Gonzo is Charles Dickens (Rizzo is with him and brilliantly notes he's "Here for The Food"!) A nice touch is that Fezziewigs has become Fozziwigs! Cute.

Michael Cane really sells old Scrooge here. He has great acting and shines throughout. I felt that he (along with Jim Carrey among others) has one of the best portrayals of Scrooge.

The Muppets have done it again and bring forth one of the best adaptations of A Christmas Carol ever. Funny & sweet, this is one Christmas classic not to be missed.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10 or A-

SYS

DVD Reivew: Mickey's Christmas Carol

Mickey Mouse holds a dear place in my heart. So does this special. This was my first encounter with Charles Dickens classic tale and remains one of my favorite adaptations of the aforementioned tale.

The choice of spirits here are really creative and help the flow of the story indefenitly. Scrooge was a new character here and really does well. Mickey Cratchit is another nice choice and when he goes up to Tiny Tim's grave...your heart melts. The animators just make you flat-out cry. It's breathtaking I kid you not.

Disney really did well here and I can see why it has become a Christmas tradition for many. It's a brilliant portrayl of A CHristmas Carol and I hope many could follow this shows example. Superb.

Rating: A or 9.0 out of 10

SYS

The Blind Side Hits A Touchdown, New Moon Eclipsed, Noboyd's Fine, Armored Rubber, Brothers OK & Up In The Air Great

The Blind Side took 3 weeks to reach number 1, but that was fine. It still made 20 million over the weekend. Plus, it has now made 129.2 million dollars, becoming the 4th biggest Sports film ever. It'll likely be the biggest Sports film ever and be the first to make 200 million by the end of the month.

New Moon kept falling, showing that this installment was quite front-loaded. It made 15.7 million dollars and has made 255.6 million. It making 300 million is still likely.

Brothers opened up with 9.7 million. It's an okay opening, though it may have trouble recouping it's 26 million budget.

Armored was mediocre at number 6 in the box office, making 6.6 million dollars.

Everybody's Fine, the largest film this weekend, bombed with only 4 million. This makes another bomb for Robert De Niro, one of the greatest actors of all time and the death of Everybody's Fines studio: Miramax who has been on life support for years now.

Among hold-overs, A Christmas Carol fared best with 7.5 million, holding better than Santa Clause 2 and Elf at this point. It has made 115 million and is ahead of The Polar Express by 6 million dollars.

2012 continued it's good plight at the cinema's with 6.6 million, the same as Armored. When the actual box-office results come in later today, it will be seen if 2012 is at number 7 or 6. 2012 has made 666 million worldwide and 148.7 million here in the USA.

Old Dogs plummeted to 6.9 million dollars and has made 33.9 million. It is likely to make 50 million total.



Up In The Air made 1.1 million dollars at 15 theatres, making 79,00 dollars at each cinema.

Transylmania made only 282,000 dollars at number 21 in only 1,007 theatres. It has the horrid honor of being the worst opening film in 1,00 theatres.

Overall, this weekend was the biggest ever for this time of year, making 94 million dollars.

SYS

Box Office: New Moon Falls, Blind Side Hits A Touchdown, Carol Lifts Holiday Spirits, 2012 Stays, Old Dogs Not Quite A Dog, Fox Not So Fantastic

New Moon won, but it was The Blind Side that struck up the news. New Moon made 42.5 million, dropping 70.2% from last weekend, one of the biggest drops of the year. It made 10,515 dollars at each cinema it played at. It has now made 230 million total.

The Blind Side went up 17.6%. This is a rare as the yeti in Hollywood and was the
4th smallest drop at the Box Office ever. It has now made 100.2 million and will soon surpass the Proposal to become Sandra Bullock's biggest film ever.

Old Dogs made 16.6 million. It wasn't quite a flop though thanks to it only costing 35 million to make. The marketing, though, kept it from becoming really big. It has made 24 million right now.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox made 7 million. Like Old Dogs, the film isn' quite a bomb thanks to it's low budget.

2012 stayed at No.3, the same spot it was last weekend. It has now made 138.7 million and is behind The Day After Tomorrow by 14.4 million.

The only other new release was Ninja Assassin. It made 13.1 million and 21 million thus far.

A Christmas Carol made 16 million and made 106 million so far. It's way ahead of The Polar Express and Santa Clause 2 at this point, though behind Elf by 23 million.

The Princess and The Frog made 712,000 at only 2 theatres and had a theatre average of 356,000, the 3rd best ever. It will go wide December 11.

The Road had the best theatre average in the Top 12, with 13,000 pet theatre (The Princess and The Frog was at number 18)

The weekend's total gross was 176 million. This made it the 2nd biggest November weekend ever, behind last week.

We have now ended the biggest november on record. Plus, with this weekend, 2009 became the biggest year ever and by December 2009 will likely make a record: It'll be the first year ever to have sold 10 billion dollars worth of tickets.

SYS

Film Review: Old Dogs

Old Dogs is an odd puppy. By that, I mean it's just plain, flat out strange. I feel like the filmmakers were given a choice: Tone down a new Wild Hog's like film or get out. The makers took the first option and ran with it. What we get is a very jumbled up picture that you sincerely wish had been just better and much funnier.

The film is about Dan (Robin Williams) and Charlie (John Travolta) who learn that Dan's one night wife had kids. So Dan has a big problem, especially when you count that Dan also has a big sports franchise to handle! What will happen next??

I think we all see the end coming 40 miles away. In fact, during the previews you know how this will turn out. But that can be overlooked. After all, we knew how Transformers 2 and Up would turn out. Yet their great films. Why isn't this that great then? BEcause not a soul is really funny here.

Seth Green..Robin Williams..Justing Long...how did this not end up being uproarious. They spoiled everything good in the TV spots, that's why. Unlike, Wild Hogs, surprises are not left unturned. I liked Wild Hogs, but I was bewildered by this obvious cash-in. Too much filthy toilet humour is here, though I did like when John Travolta met the kids and when Seth Green serenades a gorilla.

Stupidity makes money in Hollywood it seems. This isn't the worst film of the year, but it's certainly not very good and one to avoid altogether. See Fox or Christmas Carol or Blind Side instead.

Rating: C- or 5.7 out of 10

SYS

3D Film Review: A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is amazing. It is a terrific film, but before we indulge into that, let me give you a brief summary of the animation used here.

The animation in the film is Mo-Cap which is when actors dress in black suits and have their movements recorded on CGI characters. Examples of this are Gollum from Lord of The Rings and Na'avi in the upcoming Avatar.

Robert Zemeckis (the director) has now made 3 films in this format: The Polar Express, Beowulf and now A Christmas Carol, his best since Cast Away.

We all know the tale, so let me get to the point: this film is something to marvel at. There have been god knows how many adaptations of this story, and yet this never feels like it is a retread. On the contrary, this feels like you'll remember this singular tale for Christmas's to come.

Jim Carrey astounds as Scoorge (in all of his ages) and The 3 ghosts that haunt him. He really puts a fine job here and I think it's my favorite performance of him ever. He really seems to be having a lot of fun as these 4 characters. Bob Hoskins is nice as Cratchit and Fezziwig and Colin Firth is delightful as Fred, Scrooge's nephew. Robin Wright Penn is even in here as Scrooge's old girlfriend Blle, though she doesn't get to do much.


I haven't really like Mo-Cap until now. The Polar Express frightened me with it's zombie like humans and Beowulf just seemed out of place with it's actors and characters. Here all of that has been fixed with even the yes looking much better. It feels more genuine than ever before.



Another good thing is that most of this film is straight from the book by Charles Dickens. Scenes that aren't in most adaptations are in here and don't feel tacked on.

I have just noticed now that I have gone on for a while just praising this film to the high heavens, but it really is a grand christmas joy. I say, see this film the holiday season or your Christmas just won't be complete.

Rating: A or 9.4 out of 10

SYS

They Call Me Mellow Yellow (Submarine)

A Yellow Submarine remake is being made by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump and a Christmas Carol). It will be in Motion Capture and there will be auditions!! Go to Jimhillmedia.com for complete info. I couldn't try out. I just can't do Paul well at all.

Speaking of Mo-Cap, I'll be seeing A Christmas Carol today. I will hvae a review up soon.

SYS

New Moon a Boon, 2012 Holds, Blind Side Comes To the Front, Precious as Ever and Disney Caroling to the Bank!!

New Moon made 140 million dollars this weekend, the 3rd biggest weekend ever, beating Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest for that honor. IT also made 36,000,000 dollars at each of it's 4024 theatres. New Moon also holds the not so good honor of the 2nd time that half of the money it made in 3 days came from Friday alone.

Meanwhile, The Blind Side made 34.3 million, a sum no one expected. 2012 held well, with 26 million. It has grossed 108 million now.

Precious made 11 million and went up 120.2%. This is quite a rare thing, so congrats, congrats. Finally, A Christmas Carol has made 79.7 million, on par with The Polar Express at this point.

The weekend overall made 248 million, the 2nd biggest weekend ever.

SYS

Clash of The Titans Trailer

Here is another trailer. I'll be gone for tomorrow. Out of town. But I'll be back soon with Star Trek, Christmas Carol and New Moon reviews.


SYS

A Blog To Follow and What's Coming

As you all know, video's have entered our blogosphere. True, we're only 3 days old, but still this blog is starting to become the most talked about in the area. Tehre will be more video's, I can promise you that. In fact, come tomorrow for a video of the Avatar trailer. You will enjoy that and go see A Christmas Carol to see it in 3D.

Speaking of Christmas Carol, we will have that review up tomorrow. Ice Age 3, Planet 51 and Star Trek reviews will be up over the weekend. Star Trek mania will begin tomorrow with the trailer either tomorrow or Saturday and the review up shortly after that.

Goodness knows I'll be busy. On top of all that, our biggest review ever will be up. That'll be on New Moon. Check back Monday to see if bombed or is the dawn of a new era for the small company called Summit Entertainment.

Finally, check out Blue Sky Disney. They may not update daily, but they have nice news on Disney films and parks.

See you all over the weekend. Check back for tons of reviews.


SYS

Just a Note...

A review for Merry Madagascar is coming!! Do not worry! Expect that tonight. Also, I will have some new reviews like A Christmas Carol and This Is It up over the weekend. Tonight tho, ugh, it is all about Merry Madagascar and some interesting film news.

SYS

Reviews To Come

To ensure no confusion, we will have reviews to come in this section. I will update daily and every month will make a new post to show what reviews are coming. When a review is up, a hyperlink will get you to the review.


On our review calander:

*Up (Blu-Ray)
*Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen
*New Moon
*This Is It
*A Christmas Carol
*Star Trek (Blu-Ray)
*Gone With The Wind (Blu-Ray)
*Harry Potter 6
*Merry Madagascar
*Cars
*The Blind Side
*Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
*2012

*Planet 51
*Forest Gump: Saphire Collection Edition
*G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra
*The Wizard of Oz
*A Charlie Brown Christmas
*Fantastic Mr. Fox
*X-Men Origins: Wolverine
*Land of the Lost
*Old Dogs
*A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
*Classic Holiday Favorites
*Miracle on 34th Street
*Jack Frost

More to come. Keep reading.

SYS (See You Soon)