List of 2009 movies - quality and money

Well it's that time of year again. The time when everybody creates a top 10 or best of list for 2009. And of course I will throw in my thoughts to the mix.

In terms of movies there isn't a lot to say. Most of the drivel from Hollywood is what we have been getting for quite some time now. Half thought out revisioned remakes of ideas done far better in the past. That goes for the revisioned comic books, movies, television shows and books that all hit the silver screen this year. But, against all odds there were a few movies that were actaully worth the money.

1. Watchmen - How could you not see this film? It was the rare exception of Hollywood taking a great story (from a comic graphic novel) and not revisioning it. The result was a beautiful and shocking twist on the concept of what is a superhero.

2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - the kids are almost all grown up. The film continues the saga of Potter and friends, and it's still an interesting fresh movie several films into the series. The acting continues to improve and the story is modeled well after the books.

3. Angels and Demons - How can you go wrong with Tom Hanks and Ron Howard in a movie based on a Dan Brown book? It wasn't the DaVinci Code, but it sure beat the flood of films this year.

4. Sherlock Holmes - Yes I know it's not out yet. But I'm willing to bet on the acting ability of Robert Downey Jr. In addition his choices of films has been among the best in the industry. movie trailers can lie (and often do) but I'm willing to go with the talent and say this will make the cut.

And those are my top movies of 2009. But if you were wondering, here are the movies that made the most money (which has nothing to do with the quality of the film):

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - a movie only matched in its stupidity by the amount of CGI onscereen at any time. This is proof that hype can overwhelm quality if you throw enough money at a marketing campaign. $402 million

Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince - Number 2 on my list, it brought in $301 million. Proof that quality can make money too.

Up - Parents love to take kids to animated films. This one happened to be worth the time as well. $293 million

The Hangover - the surprise hit of the year. I never saw it, it seemed to sophmopric to me. But it brought in $277 million so there must be something to it. Likely to produce a sequel of some sort next year.

Star Trek - This revisioned make-over of the classic original television series was lauded long before it hit a single screen. But after seeing the film I found it more stilted than Shatner doing poetry. If this is the future of sci-fi I feel really bad for the next generation. $257 million. Revisionist sequel guaranteed.

A couple of other notable film revenues for the year:

Twillight: New Moon - just a question, has anyone over the age of 25 seen this film? No one I know over 25 has. $256 million and another film sure to come.

X-men Origins: Wolverine - Destroyed a great idea and character for big money. The only thing good about this film is the payday it made for Hollywood. But a sequel will happen to continue the pain. $179 million

Fast and Furious - Even Vin Diesel can't save a bad idea. Though it did make enough to guarantee Deisel will continue to star in a few more films. $155 million

GI Joe Rise of Cobra - Hype wins again. An insulting film that makes you want to see Wolverine again. Only exceeded in stupidity and boredom levels by Transformers. Sequel will happen even though anyone above 6 will cringe. $150 million

Angels & Demons - It made a respectable $133 million. Not bad for a sequel, though more was expected.

Terminator Salvation - Not the best continuation of the series. Christian Bale made a good John Connor, but the rest of the film was lazy and as bleak as the future it redises in. But the story ain't over yet. $125 million

Watchmen - Number 1 on my list only made $107 million. Perhaps it was just too much for audiences to take in. Especially compared to the low-brow low-quality films that topped the money list.

Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail - Love or hate Perry 2 things are true. He is the biggest boost to getting Black actors in movies since Sidney Poitier and he makes money. What will Madea do next? $90 million

Michael Jackson's This Is It - The last tribute to the King of Pop. $72 million and it really isn't even a film.

Land of the Lost - People went to see this? $49 million

Notorious - The worst thing about this film is it probably made enough money to spawn equally bad expoitive cash grabs. $36 million and I have to wonder how doing anything (including sleeping) wasn't better than the film.

Pink Panther 2, Old Dogs, Halloween 2 (revisioned remake), SAW VI, Fame (revisioned remake) - I'm just amazed that none of these films, though all bad, did better than Notorious. I really hope that doesn't mean a trend of dead rapper movies.

Well that's my list, what do you think? Did I miss anything?

The movies of 2009 - part 2

Continued from part 1...

But lest you believe every movie in 2009 will only be a sequel, video game, or comic book here are some of the better, and worse, things to look forward to. Some of these I have discussed in more detail previously.

2012 Doomsday
The world will end. And the Mayans knew it thousands of years ago.



And on that theme is Seeking Closure. A very different style of movie, and indie at that.



And then just 2012



Yes there will be a lot of these films in the coming years.

And on that same theme is Know1ng with Nicolas Cage. Kind of like NEXT but on a different level.



And of course I think that The Wave will be interesting on several levels. While technically a remake of a TV movie, I separate it. Based on fact. It could happen again today. Some hope it will



And of course at the bottom of the heap is Notorious. Avoid this glorification of a life wasted. It's just not worth the time. And yet I am sure that it will be in every inner city, and make all it's money back and then some. Shame.

Movie Preview: Notorious

Well the trailer is out. I can see movie theaters in Brooklyn selling out in January. Because the film of B.I.G. will be out to start 2009.



I have some bad news though. The movie is probably crap. I’m not saying this because of my personal belief that gangsta rap music is garbage overall. Nor is it because I think any film glorifying a criminal – drug dealing loser – is a bad idea. I think this movie is bad because it’s coming out January 9th. Movie studios reserve that time of year for what they view as the worst films they have. It’s the equivalent of taking out the trash.

I know there will be fans of current rap music that will hate to hear this. I am sure there are fans of this deceased drug dealer that still cherish his memory. I am obviously not one of them.

The fact that an ex-con, that sold death in a crack pipe, was able to become an entertainment star is a credit to the American way of life, and moreso to the ability and determination of music industry executives in promoting base images to the public. This movie, detailing the life of this small time hood, is only being made because of his sudden violent death. A death that occurred because of the most stupid reason I can think of; not over money or women or power, but because one group of drug dealing self-important entertainers thought they were better than another group of drug dealing self-important entertainers. In other words a pissing contest.

Do I think Christopher George Latore Wallace deserves a movie? No. Do I think a life that glorifies the business of killing people with poison for money and a life of degrading African Americans in society is worthy of a movie? No.

I have no doubt that Biggie smalls was loved by those close to him. I have no doubt that his mother cared about him. I have friends, both dead and alive today, that have served time in prison. Several lived lives that were less than stellar in their youth, and most paid the price of death for those lives. But to have a movie made about that, that seemingly highlights those moments of lechery and depraved indifference of life is bewildering to me.

What will this film feature? Christopher Wallace making a choice to sell drugs at 12, dropping out of school at 17 – because he preferred a life of crime, not because he had no other option. It should show him being thrown in jail for his crimes, and several arrests. It will show him performing, and gaining importance in the gangsta rap genre. It might show him attacking autograph seekers in Manhattan, or him beating friends of a concert promoter and robbing them. It will show him getting into a car accident and requiring him to need a cane. And the film will show Wallace being shot to death, and possibly place blame on someone for that shooting.

On balance I expect little to come of this film, except a renewed anger between West Coast and East Coast rappers. There is no beautiful moment to be expressed, no greater statement to be made. Christopher Wallace was not a great man, beyond his size. Biggie smalls did no great deeds. Notorious B.I.G. had no legacy nor made a lasting impact on life on this planet.

The film will make a profit, because this kind of film is cheap to make. How Angela Bassett was attached to this film is beyond me. I suppose she adds credibility to the film, and no doubt was the single greatest cost above or below the line. So it will make a profit, and possible start a trend of films about insignificant popular entertainers with no meaning or benefit other than to reinforce stereotypes and make tons of money for music and Hollywood executives.

It’s guaranteed you’ll hear more about this film soon. And some will try to spin this into a positive like politician’s polispeak about why the bailout will benefit America. But the honest thought is that this film does not deserve an audience, nor to make a profit. If you see it, you deserve to lose the brain cells it will kill and the waste of time it will suck from your life.

The Notorious B.I.G gets a movie - 8.9.2007.1

I’m sure there must be some hip-hop and rap fans that are dancing today. The good news for them is that the life story of Mr. Christopher Wallace is moving closer to the silver screen. If the name is not familiar, you may recognize his stage name, Notorious B.I.G. That’s right, a biopic film is about to be under way, once the titular lead character is found.

“In the typical Hollywood world, no one came to mind outside of Forest Whitaker who could capture that essence genuinely,” stated Mr. Wayne Barrow (a former manager of Mr. Wallace).

No, Mr. Whitaker is not going to be in the film, and he will definitely not be the title character. The ‘honor’ of portraying Mr. Wallace is going to be open to the public. Anyone can audition for the role, with or without acting experience. If this is of interest you can submit audition videos beginning 3 a.m. EDT Sunday to http://www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious or http://www.biggiecasting.com.

Those are the facts, and as I said, fans should be thrilled. Now for my opinion.

Why in the world is this being made? I’m not saying it can’t be, or that it shouldn’t. I just don’t think that Mr. Wallace was big enough to deserve a film of his life. The tragic end he came to was not deserved, as no murder is, but that does not warrant the adoration and almost cult status I have seen so many provide him since his death.

Perhaps it’s just me, but Mr. Wallace was a convicted crack dealer, had been arrested for drug and weapon charges after attaining fame (though I’m hard pressed to think of a gangsta rapper who hasn’t had the same sadly), and was convicted of at least beating (it was alleged he threatened to kill) 2 people looking for autographs. There is a hero.

He was deeply involved in tuning the gangster image that is now rampant in hip-hop and rap music. He was debatably deeply involved in the feud between east coast and west coast rappers, which I always found to be possibly one of the least intelligent squabbles among successful entertainers in music history. I may not have known the man, but his lifestyle and public persona indicate I would never want to, nor that he should be so revered.

What is it about dealing crack that is so much more interesting than New Jack City, or worthy of glamorizing? And a film about his exploits does glamorize what he did, in my eyes. I will give up the point that some found his lyric to be near gospel like in their quality. I don’t agree but that is one opinion. But so have dozens of other rappers, several far better than Mr. Wallace.

There may be something redemptive about his life, but I have not read a single word about that. The movie Ray was redemptive. Mr. Ray Charles had a life that was filled with real challenges that he had to overcome. Mr. Charles was not perfect, and he had flaws we all share, but he did strive to overcome them. His drug use was not a means of income, nor a tool to create his decades of musical entertainment. He did not glorify nor promote violence. His talent was universally understood and has lasted the test of time. What part of these things can honestly be said of Mr. Wallace.

I just don’t see the value or worthiness of a film for someone of the limited stature that is the actual Notorious B.I.G.

This is what I think, what do you think?