tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post3228324800891069826..comments2024-01-30T04:32:47.585-05:00Comments on The Cooler: Bests of 2012Jason Bellamyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-21659711708791373562013-02-02T14:52:46.471-05:002013-02-02T14:52:46.471-05:00Holy hell that was a lot of awards.
Ha, the 'b...Holy hell that was a lot of awards.<br />Ha, the 'best disaster' category is quite the oxymoron.<br /><br />I LOVED Moonrise Kingdom. <br /><br />Haven't seen Les Mis yet but I agree with the President in his saying that Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle is the best part The Dark Knight Rises (which I LOVED. Joseph Gorden-Levitt's character was fabulous also). FAVORITE line of her is "why honey? wanna hold my hand?" and then she cartwheels as breaks the prisoner's wrist or hand. PERFECTION. <br /><br />I have the HUGEST girl crush on Jennifer Lawrence and think she had a pretty good year, morphing into a beautiful version of Katniss and really leading the movie. Silver Linnings Playbook was spectacular and I only went to see it because of her. Haven't seen Zero Dark Thirty yet so I can't say which one of the two (JLaw or Jessica Chastain) I think should win. Whatever the case, I think Jennifer is headed in the direction of a whole lot more Oscar noms and wins. <br /><br />Reinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573756036115300827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-65214588487888809802013-01-06T14:49:57.854-05:002013-01-06T14:49:57.854-05:00"Best Soundtrack as Apparently Recommended by..."Best Soundtrack as Apparently Recommended by iTunes Genius: The painfully on-the-nose selections of Flight"<br /><br />So, so true. Less irritating but in the same ballpark: the greatest hits of the '70s soundtrack to ARGO<br /><br />Best fight on top of a train: SKYFALL (admittedly not a lot of competition in this category, but a good fight on top of a train demands recognition)<br /><br />Best pet: Polly the dodo in THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS<br /><br />Most realistic married couple: the parents in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK<br /><br />Worst rally the troops speech: Snow White as Joan of Arc interpreted by Kristen StewartHelenhttp://www.commentarytrack.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-49142660136926927462013-01-03T08:56:10.588-05:002013-01-03T08:56:10.588-05:00Forget who said it, but somebody said that Pattins...Forget who said it, but somebody said that Pattinson was "exploited" effectively. I think that's fairly accurate. Some people don't have to be good actors in certain roles, as long as they're well <i>used</i>.<br /><br /><i>>>Your stupidity categories are MOST pleasing.<<</i> Sounds like something out of COSMOPOLIS. I plan to use that as this year's pickup line!<br />Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01450775188328918558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-31637440625586178212013-01-02T22:22:38.428-05:002013-01-02T22:22:38.428-05:00Thanks, all! At last, some time to respond to thes...Thanks, all! At last, some time to respond to these.<br /><br />* Michael S: I cited the musical staging of ANNA KARENINA. But, you know, no music. Kind of a deal breaker. I've seen part of GIRL WALK // ALL DAY. That's close enough. As for QUIK (more than a "skateboarding video" in my opinion), I'm going to review that one soon, to explain my appreciation.<br /><br />* Kevin: I considered a catch phrase category and thus considered "Pig Fuck" at the top of the list. But I think my enjoyment of that line was dampened a bit by the way it exploded amongst critics before its release. I drank that milkshake long before I saw the movie its opening weekend in DC, so to speak. Please come back with more later!<br /><br />* Hokahey: I love that Theron went all-in. That was a villain worthy of a better movie. As for Hugh Grant: to be clear, I LOVED him as that cannibal. LOVED HIM. It's just absurd for him to have face paint like that. But where you had to grimace your way through some of Hanks' parts, I couldn't stop smiling watching Grant in that role. Probably my favorite part of CLOUD ATLAS (for whatever that's worth). I must admit, HAYWIRE bored me -- even that fight scene, although the end of that scene is superb.<br /><br />* B.C. and Jake: To be clear, 21 JUMP STREET is in my top 10 of 2012. And while some parts are stupid funny and other parts are stupid, it's there because I think most of its humor is incredibly smart, and the acting terrific. Indeed, I didn't write it up. But by the end of February, I promise some sort of post on 21 JUMP STREET.<br /><br />* Steven: Grillo is wonderful in WARRIOR, too, my No. 3 movie of 2011. I like the "Inspire Artists" category! And I'm just back from seeing RUST AND BONE and can second your praise of its effects. As for MOONRISE and Kubrick, I followed that: is the sequence a perfect match, or just very close? Gotta look at that!<br /><br />* Craig: Your stupidity categories are MOST pleasing. And your rankings for THE HOBBIT. I'm really kicking myself for not coming up with the cliches one for ARGO. Damn you, Simpson! Oh, and glad I knew nothing about BERNIE. That helped! You and I were opposed in our hot/cold reactions to Soderbergh this year. And I'm not sure I'd call what Pattinson does "Least Acting" so much as "Least To Do." I'd be happy never to see that movie again, but I thought he was very well cast and did a fine job (no sarcasm in that whatsoever).<br /><br />* Keep 'em coming!Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-8591561216070299522013-01-02T21:12:41.697-05:002013-01-02T21:12:41.697-05:00I wrote mine so fast, I forgot to indicate the app...I wrote mine so fast, I forgot to indicate the appropriation of a Kubrick sequence was from "Moonrise Kingdom", in case you couldn't tell already.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05571206086671634525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-67985514576929585722013-01-02T14:03:27.483-05:002013-01-02T14:03:27.483-05:00I'll do this as "Leasts" and "M...I'll do this as "Leasts" and "Mosts":<br /><br />Most acting: Joaquin Phoenix in THE MASTER.<br /><br />Least acting: Robert Pattinson in COSMOPOLIS.<br /><br />Most sex: ON THE ROAD.<br /><br />Most sexy: the motion-capture copulation in HOLY MOTORS.<br /><br />Least sexy: the feral dwarf junk-shot featuring Eva Mendes in a burka in HOLY MOTORS.<br /><br />Least interesting depiction of sex by an intellectual: Soderbergh's MAGIC MIKE.<br /><br />Most interesting depiction of action by an intellectual: Soderbergh's HAYWIRE.<br /><br />Most strained allegory for the Occupy Movement: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.<br /><br />Least strained allegory for the Occupy Movement: COSMOPOLIS.<br /><br />Most impression: Coogan and Bryden doing Michael Caine in THE TRIP.<br /><br />Least impression: Alex Pettyfer doing Ahnold in MAGIC MIKE.<br /><br />Most passion: Rachel Weisz in THE DEEP BLUE SEA.<br /><br />Least passion: Amy Adams offering marital advice in THE MASTER.<br /><br />Most Dignified Exit: Liam Neeson in THE GREY.<br /><br />Most Dignified Exit from an Undignified Character: Frank Grillo in THE GREY.<br /><br />Least Convincing Stupidity: Samantha, the prescient, hyperalert adult guardian in THE KID WITH A BIKE, inexplicably neglecting to buy the kid a combination lock.<br /><br />Most Convincing Stupidity: Blake Lively in SAVAGES.<br /><br />Most Sound: (tie) NEIGHBORING SOUNDS and THE GREY.<br /><br />Least Coherent Scheme: Schultz's plan to buy Broomhilda in DJANGO UNCHAINED.<br /><br />Most Cliches: everything in the airport in ARGO.<br /><br />Most Surprising Act of Violence: the lefty scissors scene in MOONRISE KINGDOM.<br /><br />Least Surprising Act of Violence (Because I'd Unfortunately Read About It): Jack Black in BERNIE.<br /><br />Most: THE HOBBIT.<br /><br />Least: THE HOBBIT.<br /><br />Also, there's plenty of funny stuff in THE AVENGERS. You just hate Joss Whedon like you do silent movies!<br />Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01450775188328918558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-12691201704417919242013-01-01T23:12:25.683-05:002013-01-01T23:12:25.683-05:00You actually managed to pick out the two aspects o...You actually managed to pick out the two aspects of PROMETHEUS that I can still remember. While I liked FLIGHT more than you did, I wish Robert Zemeckis would swap iPods with Jonathan Demme. Here are a few of mine:<br /><br />Best Performance by Actor Who I've Only Recently Discovered: Frank Grillo, The Grey<br /><br />Best Performance by an Actor I Wrote Off Long Ago: (tie) Matthew McConaughey, Killer Joe & Jack Black, Bernie<br /><br />Best All-Around Skeevy-Looking Cast: (tie) Killing Them Softly & Killer Joe<br /><br />Best Movie About Movies: Seven Psychopaths<br /><br />Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master<br /><br />Best Performance by an Actress: Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty<br /><br />Best Performance by an Actor: Joaquin Phoenix, The Master<br /><br />Best Films to Inspire Artists: (tie) Searching for Sugar Man & Al Weiwei: Never Sorry<br /><br />Best Special Effects: Rust & Bone<br /><br />Best Reason to Turn Down the Bass in the Sound Mix: The Dark Knight Rises<br /><br />Best Casting of a Mediocre Actor: Robert Pattinson playing a hollow man in "Cosmopolis"<br /><br />Best Mad-Libs Mashup of "12 Monkeys" and "The Fury" That No One Asked For: Looper<br /><br />Best Editing: Zero Dark Thirty<br /><br />Best Appropriation of a Kubrick Sequence: Sam's fellow scouts marching in line trying to find him with weapons brandished is the same sequence of shots of the armies marching in the field in "Barry Lyndon".<br /><br />Best Reasons for Screenwriters to Cut Half of the Words from their Screenplays: (tie) Cosmopolis & The Dark Knight Rises<br /><br />Best Words of Wisdom from a Film: "Psychopaths get tiring after awhile." Christopher Walken in "Seven Psychopaths"<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05571206086671634525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-14171564207913474792013-01-01T22:14:11.483-05:002013-01-01T22:14:11.483-05:00I love this list, it's fantastic.
Thank you ...I love this list, it's fantastic. <br /><br />Thank you for mentioning "Bernie," which seemed like Most Weirdly Overlooked winner to me. It made my top 10 this year. <br /><br />But I gotta ask...did you seriously like "21 Jumpstreet?" I can't tell from your 'nominations' whether or not you're giving it genuine praise or just poking fun at it. <br /><br />I'm all for the occasional dumb comedy (ala "Bridesmaids" or "Knocked Up" or "Ted" or whatever), but I thought this one was just so far below bad that I really, really struggled to stay in my seat. It just seemed to be pandering so hard to the college frat boy crowd. The jokes were so predictable and disposable...<br /><br />What gives? I checked to see if you ever reviewed it and it looks like you didn't. <br /><br />Just your flavor of dumb comedy? <br /><br />Either way, can't wait to read your next review, keep it up!jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377590117374193997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-86150117724607079132013-01-01T21:40:17.550-05:002013-01-01T21:40:17.550-05:00Dig the love for 21 Jump Street, by far the funnie...Dig the love for 21 Jump Street, by far the funniest flick of the year, and as you say, the best commentary on cinema - this was a great read all in all, nicely done, sirRoderick Allmansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00602761271741237589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-1718863209540542472013-01-01T20:58:00.120-05:002013-01-01T20:58:00.120-05:00Part 2.
I would have no problem with Michelle Wil...Part 2.<br /><br />I would have no problem with Michelle Williams as Best Actress - even if I hadn't seen <i>Take This Waltz</i> - though I did finally get to see it.<br /><br />Best Comedic Action - all of <i>The Avengers</i> was pretty comedic.<br /><br />Agreed on the miscasting of Hugh Grant. In my opinion, he's going to be miscast in any movie because they don't make those witty Brit rom-coms anymore.<br /><br />Love the exchange of letters in the enchanting <i>Moonrise Kingdom</i>. Also for this one, Best Use of Bob Balaban.<br /><br />The <i>Haywire</i> fight is pretty intense. The walls in that hotel must be super-soundproofed. <br /><br />Also for <i>Haywire</i>: Best Surprise Roadkill<br /><br />Great pick for Best Picture.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-64055797075097763652013-01-01T20:51:19.263-05:002013-01-01T20:51:19.263-05:00Well done! You have a great memory for a year'...Well done! You have a great memory for a year's best moments, and I like how you have multiple imaginative ways of categorizing a best (or worst) moment - like Best Absurd Image in an Absurd Movie.<br /><br />I agree on a lot of your picks here. <br /><br />Love Fassbender's impersonation of O'Toole's Lawrence.<br /><br />Funny you should mention Tom Hardy's voice of Bane. With nothing better to do a couple of days before school got out for Christmas, a bunch of senior guys were trying to imitate that voice using a tube. One of them said he had nailed it, but I told him it needed work.<br /><br />Speaking of voices, I like your pick of Ravenna for Best Villain. I was having tea with a former student of mine, majoring in theater, and we were imitating Theron's, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall," as an example of how some actors need to be directed to pronounce words more roundly. Theron's delivery of that line is my favorite movie line of the year.<br /><br />Also for <i>Snow White and the Huntsman</i>: Most Awkward Costume: Kristen Stewart in Armor <br /><br />Yes, it was Channing Tatum's year.<br /><br />Phoenix is amazing.<br /><br />As much as I find Gandolfini irritating, I have to say he was wonderful in the excellent, underrated <i>Killing Them Softly</i>.<br /><br />Contd.<br />Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-64769318015057236622013-01-01T16:18:30.111-05:002013-01-01T16:18:30.111-05:00I was hoping for a "Pig Fuck!" mention w...I was hoping for a "Pig Fuck!" mention when you were going over Best Lines. I always look forward to your year-end lists which is easily my favorite kind of list to read at this time of the year.<br /><br />I'll have to think about what some of the bests are. Two that we're in total agreement on: the unseen effects of the shootout in <i>Looper</i> and Neeson's threat to the dude wanting to lift a wallet off of a dead man. Perfection. <br /><br />Back with more later...Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-61999319546164350292013-01-01T15:12:59.411-05:002013-01-01T15:12:59.411-05:00In a year with Girl Walk // All Day, Anna Karenina...In a year with Girl Walk // All Day, Anna Karenina, and Step Up Revolution, while all are not "traditional" examples of the genre, there is no way Les Miserables is the only musical of the year.<br /><br />The Minogue/Stevens segments of Holy Motors and Damsels in Distress on their own are worth putting above Hooper's thing, and then there's also music videos if you really want to look for the dancing/singing combination.<br /><br />I saw you praise that skateboarding video, which I really can't understand the appreciation for, but if that deserves attention, then MVs like Shinee's Dance Version of Sherlock and Infinite's The Chaser, to name just two, while similarly not pieces of "cinema," possess part of the extraordinary pleasure of the musical.Michael Snoreply@blogger.com