Shortly you will be knee deep in the best top ten in the business (from the “New Ebert”) but first it’s time for a “mea culpa” because I didn’t make it to every movie. What did I miss? Here’s the laundry list.
Notes on a Scandal: It looks really bad though. I bet it wouldn’t have made the list regardless.
Sherrybaby: Maggie’s performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination but I’ve heard in some corners that it’s really depressing.
Blood Diamond: Brad keeps raving about it, to the point where I sometimes have to ask him to settle down. It looked like a fairly typical action to me which is why I’ve skipped it so far. If it gets an Oscar nomination I’ll have to reconsider.
Borat: In my defense the buzz on this is really strange. It basically only has a chance at a symbolic nomination and I’ve watched enough of the Ali G. to call myself satiated.
Kinky Boots: Mostly I didn’t see this because no one did, no one anywhere in the world.
Happy Feet: I just heard it gets strangely political at the end. That’s the final nail in the “I’ll pass” coffin.
The Painted Veil: I was set to go see it before reality set in. Only like a dozen people care, and only 18 have even heard of it. Skipalicious.
United 93: I took my bullet for World Trade Center (which I liked). I can only stand so many horrifically sad movies in a year.
Lady in the Water: I have a sneaking suspicion this will make Brad’s list, that’s good because it gives me an out on all the films I love that no one else does.
Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction: Ha! Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
How about the films that were almost good enough to crack the top ten? What will happen to those sad carcasses? They will get a mention, but it won’t be numbered, and you may be asleep by now. Honorable Mention or bust!
Casino Royale: If they would have lost the love angle they had me.
The Last Kiss: It was a down year for romantic comedies but this was a good one.
Children of Men: I can’t slobber it as much as B-Luv but it was taut and interesting.
The Good Shepherd: I love long movies but I’ll admit I’m punishing it for the long running time. It’s hard for me to fully tout because if you hate it I owe you three hours.
A Good Woman: Why didn’t more people like this? A cute little story with S-Jo that the world passed on.
Scoop: See Above.
Over the Hedge: A very good animation, cool music by Ben Folds too.
Inside Man: In some strange way this was what Miami Vice was trying to be, a cool feeling keep ya guessing effort.
Little Miss Sunshine: My only knock is that in hindsight it feels very aware of it’s own irony.
Trust the Man: It turned into a sketch comedy instead of a fully fleshed out movie but I like all the sketches.
We are Marshall: The best sports movie of the year. Really the only sports movie even worth talking about.
