2009: The Year of Death, 3D and Animation

Death, 3D and Animation took over this year, as we saw film profits make over 10 and a half billion dollars. That gross comes courtesy of 3D preniums, perhaps stating that 3D is here to stay.

Death played a big part as well, from Farrah Fawcett to Michael Jackson, the stars that died were tremendous and left their marks on the world forever. I can honestl say that with Michael Jackson, he proves you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

Animation really became the star of the year though. When we saw preety bad live-action films (et tu Couples Retreat and Gentleman Bronco's), animation gave us mature and thoughtful fare like Fantastic Mr. Fox & Up. Even usual kiddie fare made us laugh harder like Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. Toss all of that in with The Princess and The Frog & Coraline and you have one heckuva impressive lineup.

Live-Action got some great stuff, notable the Star Wars of our time that is Avatar. Brilliance like Where The Wild Things Are also played. Stupid comedies were anjoyable as well like Land of The Lost and Paul Blart.

2009 can be summed up as a landmark year for all of us, changing cinema for good and doing away with the old...and in with the new.

Significant Thrills & Puppets

The National Film Registry has put another 25 films into their significant vault. One of them is The Muppet Movie. The other is Thriller, Michael Jackson's music video. I find that a bit unfair, since it's not a movie but a music video. Still, I guess it's a tribute that those guys bended the rules for MJ.

SYS

Film Review: Michael Jackson's This Is It

Michael Jackson is a genuis, but it must be said that this film dosen't give what we the audience nor even the great MJ himself would've wnated. We get to only peek at something...something brilliant. There should've been more to this than what we get.

Unless you've been on Mars for the past 6 months, than you haven't heard of Michael Jackson dying. This was going to be his last concert, but his passing stopped it dead in it's tracks. Now his last few hours are on film for the world to see.

As I said above, this film probably could've been so much more. Yet, it feels like your getting only the whipped cream of a chocolate cake. Cream is fine, but you really want the nice tasty stuff. Don't get me wrong, some of the musical numbers in here like Billie Jean are must see's for anyone. But really, this could've been so much more that it isn't. Wish it could have been so much more that it isn't.

Rating: B- or 6.9 out of 10

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