I know I said I would do the Movies of '10 list next, but I lied. That'll come next! BUT FIRST:
Best Music Videos of '09
05. The Eric Wareheim Videos
Major Lazer - Pon De Floor
Major Lazer - Keep It Goin' Louder
Depeche Mode - Hole To Feed
Phantom Planet - Dropped
Tommy Sparks - She's Got Me Dancing]
This is the very definition of cheating, but Eric Wareheim did an entire top 5 list on his own. Eric Wareheim, as I described on last years year-end, is the Eric from the comedy duo Tim and Eric. He has been directing music videos for a couple years, and they remain to be some of the most creative uses of the dying music video medium to date.
In every video has has directed so far, and those 5 especially, he does something completely different than what you would see on TV and makes incredibly interesting videos.They are never boring, they keep your interest the whole way through, and they are always masterfully done.
Thank you, Eric for saving us from awful performance videos!
Sorry that the majority of those can't be viewed via embed. That's YouTube being as ass. They are all worth watching though!
Hammer & Tongs are one of the greatest directing pairs ever. Besides their legendary music videos, they did one misguided movie (Hitchhikers Guide), and one of the best movies of 2008 (Son Of Rambow). Now, they are back to directing music videos, and it's just as great of a video as they've ever done. "Cousins" is a fun, upbeat song, and Hammer & Tongs perfectly complement the song with a high-energy/anything goes video.
03. The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Speaking of great returns to the medium that they started out with! The wonderful Jonathan Glazer is back after directing a couple features (see SEXY BEAST, ASAP!!), and this is vintage Glazer. A video where you have to continue watching cause you have no idea what's going on, and the payoff is extraordinary. I hope this isn't a one-off, and he continues to do some videos in his spare time.
02. The Avett Brothers - Slight Figure of Speech
Director: Jody Hill
Jody Hill is the greatest, new directorial talent to come along in 2 years. He has directed/written features such as The Foot Fist Way, Observe and Report, and co-created HBO's Eastbound and Down. This is his first music video, and it doesn't disappoint.
One of the main reasons why it doesn't is due to the wonderful comedic talents of one Andy Daly. Daly, who can be seen in Jody's Eastbound and Down as Principal Terrence Cutler, is one of my very favorite comedians, and he should be playing Jeff Dunham sized arenas instead of that hack Dunham. He is so funny in this video. The video has some slight simularties to Nirvana's In Bloom, but it's a different setting which makes it fresh.
Well done to both Jody and Andy.
01. Charlotte Gainsbourgh feat. Beck - Heaven Can Wait
Director: Keith Schofield
Now, every video i've posted so far is great, and original in its own way. This video trumps them all, though.
A video that is more original than anything airing on MTV in one second. A video that could be freeze-framed at any moment, and it would make a great portrait on your wall. Brimming with comedic absurdity, perfectly matching the song, and it just takes you away to this far-off world where axes can chase people, and a robot can take a girl out to prom. The best music video of the year.
Part 1 of the Movies of '10 up later tonight, and then finally, part 1 of the albums list.
Just Missed:
Clash of the Titans
Robin Hood
Oobermind
Predator
Machete
How To Train Your Dragon
Dinner for Schmucks
32. The American
Release Date: September 1st
Director: Anton Corbijn
Written by Rowan Joffe
Starring George Clooney, Thekla Reuten, Bruce Altman, Violante Placido, Paolo Bonacelli
Anton Corbijn has always been one of my very favorite directors. He has directed amazing music videos for nearly 30 years, and he directed his first feature in 2006 with Control, the life story of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis. A lot of people were surprised at how great it was for being a film by a first-timer, but I wasn't.
Now, he's back with his second feature which stars everyone's favorite moviestar George Clooney. It's a movie about an assassin hiding out in Italy for his last assignment. It's very different from content Anton has done in the past, but I know he can handle it. It's getting a wide release on the first of September, and I feel it'll be worth watching for everyone.
31. Cedar Rapids
Release Date: Fall
Director: Miguel Arteta
Written by Phil Johnston
Starring Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Sigourney Weaver, Anne Heche, Alia Shawkat, Stephen Root
I love Ed Helms. I love John C. Reilly. Put them together in a movie, and I want to see it in a second. Ed Helms' success post-Hangover has been one of my favorite stories of 2009, and this is his first big post-Hangover movie. To show what a talent he is he decided to pick an Alexender Payne-produced movie by a guy who is very talented, but has had his latest film pushed back multiple times (Youth In Revolt). That shows he isn't in it for the money.
I love everyone involved with this movie, and I can't wait to check it out.
30. The Expendables
Release Date: August 20th
Directed and Written by Sylvester Stallone
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Eric Roberts, Steve Austin. Mickey Rourke, David Zayas, Bruce Willis (in cameo), Arnold Schwarzenegger (in cameo)
The only reason why this movie is a bit low is because of the PG-13 rating. What the ****, Stallone? You say you're going to make the big action-star war movie, and you turn it into PG-13? And add comedy in it for no reason? ****. I love both of Stallone's past two features (Rocky Balboa, Rambo), so I know he still has it, and with an insane cast like this I know he has the talent on board to deliver. I just hope the story is there, and he decides to switch to R at the last second. Please, Stallone, Please!!!
29. Due Date
Release Date: November 5th
Director: Todd Phillips
Written by Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, Adam Sztykiel
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, RZA, Alan Arkin, Juliette Lewis, Brody Stevens
If you want to know quickly how big The Hangover was this year the answer is in the cast for Todd Phillips' follow-up. He got Robert Downey Jr.!! Pairing RDJ with the greatest success story of '09 in Zach Galifianakis (Zach's on TMZ now! Holy **** what is going on?!?!) is so off-kilter that I can't wait to see the results of the pairing. Having people like the RZA (so good in Funny People), and Alan Arkin helps as well.
28. The Town
Release Date:September 10th
Director: Ben Affleck
Written by Ben Affleck, Peter Craig
Starring Ben Affleck, Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Chris Cooper
Ben Affleck ended all future Ben Affleck jokes in a second with his directorial debut Gone Baby Gone.
An assured debut that was one of the very best films of the now legendary film year 2007. His follow-up actually stars himself this time as well as one of the finest actors on the planet right now in Jon Hamm (holy ****, that pic! a far way from Don Draper). The cast in general is really wonderful as it includes Vicky Cristina Barcelona standout Rebecca Hall, and Jeremy Renner, fresh off The Hurt Locker. If this movie isn't good, i'll move to the U.S..
27. Cyrus
Release Date: World Premiere at Sundance
Directed and Written by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass
Starring John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, Catherine Keener, Katie Aselton, Matt Walsh
The Duplass Brothers are one of the best directorial talents around today, and this film is a far-cry from their mumblecore beginnings. It's produced by FOX Searchlight, and has a 7 million dollar budget, which is insanely bigger than their previous 600 thousand dollar movies. They've got actual, amazing movie stars in this movie! Some of my very favorites including John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Catherine Keener, Maria Tomei. Not a single bad one in the line. It world premieres at Sundance, and i'll be awaiting to see how well it goes over. Knowing their past track record, I imagine very, very well.
26. Cop Out
Release Date: February 26th
Director: Kevin Smith
Written by Mark Cullen, Robb Cullen
Starring Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, Seann William Scott, Adam Brody, Guillermo Díaz, Ana de la Reguera, Jason Lee, Kevin Pollak, Michelle Trachtenberg, Fred Armisen
The movie formerly known as A Couple Of Dicks takes quite a great title in Cop Out. Ha! commenting on the title change!
This movie is big for many reasons with the most interesting that it's the first movie Kevin Smith has done that he didn't write. I think it'll free him up, and we'll get one of his very best films. Doesn't hurt that you have Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as your leads. Can't do any better than that. It's also his first major studio movie, and i'm wondering how much different it'll seem from his Weinstein salad days. The movie is one of my most fascinating of the year, in seeing how Kevin does without his usual backing. I can't wait to find out myself.
25. Piranha 3-D
Release Date: April 16th
Director: Alexandre Aja
Written by Alexandre Aja, and other people who wrote scenes about people getting CHOMPED
Starring Elizabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Ving Rhames, Richard Dreyfuss, Christopher Lloyd, Jerry O'Connell, Paul Scheer, Kelly Brook, Jessica Szohr, Steven R. McQueen (yes, Steve McQueen's grandson)
You know if you are sold on the movie by just looking at the title. Piranhas. In 3-D. The end.
But, that's not all! Alexandre Aja and the other demented people who helped make this movie are pulling out all the stops. Don't believe me? A list:
- First, just take a look at that cast again. Isn't that the craziest cast ever assembled for a movie like this?
-Richard Dreyfuss's character is supposed to be the exact same as his character in JAWS. Well, as close as they can without getting sued, that is.
-Jerry O'Connell plays the Joe Francis-type of a Girls Gone Wild parody called WILD WILD GIRLS. Human Giant's Paul Scheer plays the befuddled Wild Wild Girls cameraman named Andrew.
-People getting CHOMPED. in 3-D!!!
- Again, and not a joke: Steve McQueen's grandson, Steven R. McQueen is one of the stars.
Are you sold yet? Thought so.
24. Toy Story 3
Release Date: June 18th
Director: Lee Unkrich
Written by Michael Arndt
Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Jodid Benson, Michael Keaton, Blake Clark, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Timothy Dalton, Ned Beatty, Jeff Garlin, Bonnie Hunt, Whoopi Goldberg, Kristen Schaal
I'm already awaiting the cries of "TOO LOW! THAT SHOULD BE #1!"
I'm really excited for Toy Story 3 as the previous two remain to be some of my favorite movies. They'll strike gold again with Toy Story 3. Of course they will, it's Pixar! Every movie they have done is A+, with the exception of Cars which was a B+. An incredible track record that no one should ever, ever doubt.
23. Green Zone
Release Date: March 12th
Director: Paul Greengrass
Written by Brian Helgeland
Starring Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Brandan Gleeson, Amy Ryan, Khalid Abdalla, Jason Isaacs
Greengrass! Damon! Kinnear! Gleeson! Ryan! Iraq War! I Will Be There! So Will You!
22. Inception
Release Date: July 16th
Directed and Written by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Taluah Riley, Tom Berenger, Dileep Rao, Michael Caine
The follow-up to the second highest grossing movie of all-time. If it was anyone else, i'd be doubting, but it's Nolan. Nolan has a fairly great filmography, and this movie is supposed to be his baby. The one he's been writing for a while, and inserted some of his own life into it. It's also Nolan's first original concept (non-adaptation) since the late '90s.
You know how good this movie is? James Franco was asked to be in it, and he turned it down due to a prior commitment (to be in a movie that places very high on this list), and they got Joesph Gordon-Levitt as their second choice. JGL as choice #2! Insane! I can't wait to see it.
21. Black Swan
Release Date: Fall
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Written by Darren Aronofsky, Mark Heyman
Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Wynona Rider, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey
Though, you wouldn't know it from that picture, that guy with the mustache is one of the greatest directors we have right now. Darren Arronofsky has never done anything less than an amazing movie. He just hasn't. He's one of the five best directors working today, and I will never doubt him.
Plot details are slim on this, but comparison points to Argento's Suspiria have been thrown around. Also, Portman and Kunis make out. I guess I should have just said that first instead of going on about Aronofsky.
Louis C.K. is the best stand-up working today. Yes, you may name Patton Oswalt, Paul F. Tompkins, Maria Bamford, or whoever else (Hopefully not Dunham. Never, ever mention Dunham), but LCK is, to me, the very best going. Everything coming out of his month is the honest truth, and you believe it. He doesn't ******** you. He's a master of the artform.
This movie was filmed earlier this year during his "Louis C.K.: Hilarious" tour, and instead of just putting it on HBO or Showtime, he decided to release it theatrically. Sundance '10 is its first stop, and I have a feeling it'll blow the roof off the place.
I saw him live in November '09, and he was as great as you could imagine. An hour 15 set of entirely new material that was better than anything he had done prior. With this stand-up movie, and an upcoming series on FX titled Louie, it looks like 2010 will finally be the year in which Louis C.K. blows up. And, thank goodness for that.
Whatever is up next will be up next! Probably P2 of this list. I'll get to the albums part very, very shortly. Sorry for pulling a Poochie Going To The Fireworks Factory with you all.
20. Hot Tub Time Machine
Release Date: March 19th
Director: Steve Pink
Written by Josh Heald, Sean Anders, John Morris
Starring John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Lizzy Caplan, Crispin Glover, Chevy Chase
How could this movie lose? Answer: IT CAN'T. The ensemble cast of Cusack, Corddry, Robinson, and Duke together is too good to miss. Not to make a lazy comparison, but it definitely shares a lot of characteristics with The Hangover. Just a good time movie, with a great ensemble of mainly people (Cusack not included) who need to be bigger than they are, and a fairly simple premise. Well, a fairly simple premise that includes time travel.
19. The Tree of Life
Release Date: Fall
Directed and Written by Terrence Malick
Starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn
This was on the list last year at around the same #. It looks to be actually coming out this year, but who knows with Malick. He takes his sweet time, but it's always worth it. There is said to be dinosaurs and some sort of companion IMAX movie? All and all, it'll be a major topic of discussion whenever it decides to come out.
18. The Fighter
Release Date: Fall
Director: David O. Russell
Written by Paul Attanasio, Lewis Collick
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Darren Aronofsky was originally slated to direct this movie, but got involved with Black Swan instead. Now, we got the great David O. Russell (Flirting With Disaster, Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees) doing his first movie in years (well, first movie released in years that is), and I can't wait. Wahlberg has been training for this role forever, and Bale's role is very much out of his standard wheelhouse. I can't wait to check it out.
17. Greenberg
Release Date: March 12th
Directed and Written by Noah Baumbach
Starring Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brie Larson, Juno Temple, Mark Duplass
If you haven't yet, go see the trailer. It's such a good trailer and it gets me really excited for the movie. Noah Baumbach is a genius, and while I wasn't entirely on board with Margot At The Wedding, I feel it was unfairly maligned.
I really love Stiller in this role. It was originally supposed to be Mark Ruffalo, but while I love Ruffalo, Stiller is the much better choice. Stiller is one of the main faces of the Generation X/slacker generation, and having Stiller play this kind of character fills in all the backstory for you. This movie is going to be something really, really special.
16. Get Him To The Greek
Release Date: June 4th
Director: Nick Stoller
Written by Nick Stoller, Rodney Rothman
Starring Russell Brand, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Moss, Rose Byrne, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Colm Meaney, Aziz Ansari, Nick Kroll
My Favorite Year on heroin, is how Judd Apatow describes the sideways sequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
The only returning character from FSM is Russell Brand's Aldous Snow, as his character is back on drugs. Jonah Hill plays a new character, a record exec, who has to bring Brand to his gig at the Greek theater in L.A. Diddy plays the main record company head, and people on the set have said he's the funniest one in the movie. Also exciting is having two amazing comedic talents in Aziz Ansari and Nick Kroll to be in this movie. Aziz is a known quality for how good he is, but Kroll still is waiting for that breakout moment. He's as funny as anyone right now, in my opinion, so I know he's going to kill in this movie.
15. Kick-Ass
Release Date: April 16th
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Written by Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman
Starring Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chole Moretz, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Clark Duke
Quote:
Kick-Ass is a movie that will have you on your feet, cheering your ****ing guts out.
Quote:
"Kick-Ass" manages to both underline the ridiculousness of the idea of a superhero and embrace the giddy power fantasy of doing whatever it takes to right this world's wrongs, and it manages to comment on both superhero movies and the original books that inspired them.
Quote:
in its confident rearranging of well-worn conventions, KICK-ASS is unique in a way that recalls THE MATRIX. If this can be made clear to ticket-buyers without spoiling what makes the film special, it could easily impact the culture (and rake in piles of cash) in that fashion, too.
The most buzzed about geek film of 2009. The word on this thing is ridiculous. People are saying it's a cross between Shaun of The Dead and the Matrix. This thing is the real deal, and with the red-band trailer set to hit in a couple weeks the buzz will reach a fever pitch.
Pay attention to this movie now, as it'll be the biggest event of April.
14. The Descendants
Release Date: Fall
Director: Alexander Payne
Written by Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Starring George Clooney
Alexander Payne's first movie since Sideways! I love, love, love Payne. He's one of my very favorite directors and he has yet to make a movie that was less than great. NOT A SINGLE BAD MOVIE.
This movie is based off the book by the same name, and it stars George Clooney. Word is that the script is incredible*, and will be the role in which Clooney wins Best Actor. Alexander Payne has yet to do anything even close to bad in my eyes, so i'm first in line.
*Fun fact: Jim Rash, co-writer of the script, plays the dean on NBC's Community.
13. Iron Man 2
Release Date: May 7th
Director: Jon Favreau
Written by Justin Theroux
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, John Slattery, Garry Shandling
I don't need to sell this movie to you. All I'll say is that I just love that Garry Shandling is in this playing a weasley senator. No one's funnier than Shandling.
12 Untitled James L. Brooks Film
Release Date: December 17th
Directed and Written by James L. Brooks
Starring Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Jack Nicholson, Kathryn Hahn
I love James L. Brooks. Really, who doesn't? He was responsible for Taxi, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, he helped make The Simpsons happen and continues to produce it to this day, and he has directed/written movies such as Broadcast News, and Terms of Endearment.
He rarely makes movies taking as long breaks in between movies as anyone. For a reference for the music fans, a new James L. Brooks movie comes out as often as a Metallica or Tool album.So, here we are! An untitled movie that is diving into the current crop of comedic stars. Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson are naturals for a JLB movie*, and it once again stars Jack Nicholson who has appeared in all but two of JLB's features**. It filmed earlier in the year, and should be out in time for next years awards season. I really, really can't wait.
*side note: Seth Rogen was actually offered a part in this movie.seeing as Seth would later do Funny People, Judd Apatow's ode to directors like Brooks, and Cameron Crowe, it seems kind of redundant.
**More fun would-be casting: Jack Nicholson is playing Paul Rudd's character's dad. The role was originally offered to Bill Murray, but Murray turned it down. A real shame, because Murray playing Rudd's dad is probably the best casting i've heard in forever. Oh well!
11. MacGruber
Release Date: April 16th
Director: Jorma Taccone
Written by Jorma Taccone, John Soloman, Will Forte
Starring Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer, Ryan Phillippe, Powers Boothe, Maya Rudolph
Yeah, MacGruber is higher than Iron Man 2. Wanna fight about it?
I don't care what you say, this movie will be GREAT. I fully support every single cause it takes for Will Forte to become the biggest star there is. People who have read the script have said that it's an incredibly Hard-R, '80s-style action movie. It outclasses The Expendables at its own game! It's supposed to be funny as anything out, it's supposed to be bloody as anything out, the DP for MacGruber also shot Crank: High Voltage, and Val Kilmer plays a villian named ****h. Why are other movies even trying next year? MACGRUBER HAS WON ALREADY*
*In reality, according to my own list, actually 10 more movies have beat MacGruber. but let's look past that for the sake of a grand statement.
Ironman 2 was out this year?
It didnt come across europe yet
Great movies btw
Well, I wish I had your time machine, since all of these movies haven't come out yet anywhere. Some are still in the editing room, and some haven't even begun production! Probably has something to do with that this is the Movies of 2010 list.
though, I did manage to steal your time machine to see Iron Man 2. What a great movie!
Wow, this is such an awesome little write-up you have for all the big movies coming out next year. I'm really excited for Iron Man 2 and Inception. Now that I read the list, I didn't even know Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale are coming out with a movie together! The Fighter should be really good.
Instead of getting right into my albums list, I decided it would be for the best to wrap this up.
10. Shutter Island
Release Date: February 19th
Director: Martin Scorsese
Written by Laeta Kalogridis
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earle Haley, Emily Mortimer, Ted Levine, Max Von Sydow
Yes, it was supposed to come out in October, and yes, it sucks that it didn't. But, in a way, i'm kinda glad it didn't. Since the fall/winter is a heavy Oscar season, and with a director as notable as Scorsese at the helm, it would have put unfair expectations on the movie. It's not an awards movie, because it's not supposed to be. It's Marty dabbling into the Horror genre full-on.
People who have seen it say Marty is at the top of his craft, but that the ending (same ending from the original Dennis Lehane book, apparently) is really dumb. So, whether it ends well or doesn't, we'll be seeing the master director at work in a playground he has yet to play in. Hopefully, he'll continue to play in it post-Shutter Island, as well.
09. The Social Network
Release Date: October 15th
Director: David Fincher
Written by Aaron Sorkin
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rashida Jones, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella
Hey, people who laughed about the Facebook movie when it was first announced: Prepare to eat crow.
For some reason people were hung up about status updates and people poking each other, which I mean, really?!* You have Aaron Sorkin writing the script, who is one of the most talented writers there is (besides the great Studio 60 disaster of 2006). A master at his craft, and the script for this film, based off the 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires, is said to have Adapted Screenplay wrapped up next Oscars.
I read a 6 page or so Rolling Stone profile on the beginnings of Facebook, and it was endlessly fascinating. Definitely the topic of a great film. And to my knowledge, there has yet to be a major motion picture based off the whole internet boom of the aughts. That's a whole sub-culture that is dying to be tapped into. I also really love the casting of the wonderful Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg. Too perfect. and Timberlake as Napster co-founder Sean Parker is inspired, as well.
Another interesting thing about this movie to me is the fact that David Fincher is directing it. This is by far the lightest movie he has ever made, and I just love it. It'll be like an aughts version of Zodiac, but without a serial killer, about the internet mogul scene, and with more humor. I really can't wait to check it out.
*: (C) Seth and Amy
08. Jackass 3-D
Release Date: October 15th
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Written by Really?
Starring Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Ryan Dunn, Ehren McGhehey, Dave England, Preston Lacy, Jason "Wee-Man" Acuna
"We're going to take the same 3D technology James Cameron used in 'Avatar' and stick it up Steve-O's butt." -- Johnny Knoxville
Sorry, Avatar, you were amazing and all, but the definitive 3D experience for our time will be released in 2010 with Jackass 3-D. I'm going to be there opening night just to see what kind of reaction this thing will get. I saw the first one in the theaters, and it was one of the best experiences I have had in a theater. In 3-D?!?!?! Better bring the barf bags. So happy to have the Jackass guys back (and with Spike Jonze once again producing).
07. The Other Guys
Release Date: August 6th
Director: Adam McKay
Written by Adam McKay, Chris Henchy
Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Ray Stevenson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle, Anne Heche, Craig Robinson
Adam McKay is a comedy hero of mine. He was the head-writer on SNL during Will Ferrell's glory days, aka everything from those Best Of Will Ferrell SNL DVD's. He co-wrote and directed Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers. Now, it's time for his fourth movie with The Other Guys.
Ferrell paired with Wahlberg should be a really interesting pairing. If the movie is as successful creatively as McKay's previous three films then Wahlberg will no longer be the butt of joke i.e. The Happening, Andy Samberg's impression. I really like that they have the rival cop team being played by Samuel L. Jackson, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. That's the most badass team I can think of, Tooth Fairy withstanding. Also, having comedic genius Steve Coogan as the villian is a stroke of genius in itself. Not many people are funnier than Coogan.
If this is anything like McKay's past three films, expect a lot of comedic absurdity, tons of quotable lines, and a really fun time at the movies.
06. Cemetery Junction
Release Date: April 9th (UK) U.S. date: TBA
Directed and Written by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Starring Christian Cooke, Tom Hughes, Jack Doolan, Felicity Jones, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson, Matthew Goode, Ricky Gervais
Confession: Even though I placed The Invention Of Lying, then known as This Side Of The Truth, at #2 on my Movies of '09 list last year I still haven't seen it. Hearing critics ravage it, and especially critics who adored the original script ravage it really bummed me out and I lost interest.
Which now brings us to Cemetery Junction, which I think has every chance to be wonderful. It's the first Gervais/Merchant creation since Extras, and they have about as flawless as a track record as you can get. This is Gervais/Merchant's version of Saturday Night Fever or Diner, casting a bunch of young unknowns as the leads and set in the 1970's. Gervais only plays a minor role, and the rest of the adult cast is typically spectacular for a Gervais/Merchant joint.
There isn't a U.S. date for the film yet, as it's only set to come out in the UK in April, but i'm sure it won't take long for it to hit North America.
05. True Grit
Release Date: Fall
Directed and Written by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin
Gun to my head? The Coen Brothers are my all-time favorite directors. Even beating Marty. They had a couple missteps earlier in the decade (Intolerable Cruelty has some really great moments, Ladykillers is a slog), but their track record is pretty amazing besides that.
I love this run they are in by doing a movie a year, since 2007's No Country For Old Men. It's been a creatively incredible period that has brought us the lunatic greatness of Burn After Reading, and the phenomenal A Serious Man. This one looks like another slam-dunk. Casting Jeff Bridges in the John Wayne role is so great, and Damon and Brolin are also perfectly cast. They are currently doing an open casting call to find Mattie Ross, the 13 year old who is the lead. It shoots in March, and will be out in time for the winter. This will certainly be one to watch.
04. Paul
Release Date: Winter
Director: Greg Mottola
Written by Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen (as the voice of Paul), Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Jane Lynch, Sigourney Weaver, Blythe Danner, Joe Lo Truglio, John Caroll Lynch, David Koechner, Jeffrey Tambor
Before I get into it, take a look at that cast. Wowzers! Great name after great name.
Paul, as I said last year in the Movies of '09 list, is Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's first movie without Edgar Wright (he's doing my #3 movie instead). They certainly got someone very able to replace Edgar in the amazing Greg Mottola, fresh off 2009's artistic triumph Adventureland.
The movie finished shooting this summer, but the reason why it'll take a longer time to hit theaters is that one of the main characters is a thing doesn't exist (the alien named Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen). Every thing Pegg/Frost have done together has been nothing short of classic. Spaced, Shaun, Fuzz, UNBEATABLE MEDIA. Paul will be the same.
03. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Release Date: Summer
Director: Edgar Wright
Written by Edgar Wright, Michael Bacall
Starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Alison Pill, Mark Webber, Johnny Simmons, Anna Kendrick, Ellen Wong, Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, Mae Whitman, Brie Larson, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman
Once again, take a look at that cast! Almost all of young Hollywood is in this movie. Wowzers x2!
Edgar Wright is one of the greatest directors in the world. Shaun of the Dead is one of the top 5 movies from this decade, and Hot Fuzz was no slouch either. Now, Edgar is going to stretch out some more by squeezing a 6 graphic novel series into one movie. That series being the Scott Pilgrim series, a series so universal that I imagine if you were to hand one of the books to anyone it would impossible for them not to enjoy themselves. People like Jason Reitman, and Greg Mottola have seen it and they have raved and raved. Reitman going as far to call it The Matrix of love. A movie that will be really funny, have great action sequences, have a great love story, and really, in general, have it all, period.
I said this last year, but you're going to want to read the series before the movie comes out. You don't want to be one of those guys who pretends to be hip to something but hasn't read a word of the source material. Take some time out, and read the first book. If you don't enjoy it, then that's fine. But, i'm fairly certain you will.
02. The Green Hornet
Release Date: December 22nd
Director: Michel Gondry
Written by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg
Starring Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Edward James Olmos
The ballsiest major studio movie of 2009? No. That's my #1 movie. the ballsiest superhero movie ever? That's Watchmen. Hmmm, ballsiest superhero movie of 2009? That's Kick-Ass. Hmmmm, ballsiest movie starring Seth Rogen in 2009? There we go!
In all seriousness, The Green Hornet is going to be so great. Michel Gondry directing a super hero movie! That's great enough, but having Rogen/Goldberg writing it is even better. Combining those two different worldviews into something that will be incredibly special. Seth has said that he really wants to delve into the whole superhero/sidekick relationship, since no superhero movie really has tackled that. I think it's a really great idea, and sets it apart from every other superhero movie.
The Green Hornet also got the casting coup of the year in that they snagged Christoph Waltz in his first post-Basterds performance. He once again plays the villian, and he's going to rock this movie so hard.
As some of you may know, i've been a Seth Rogen fan for many, many years. That in 2010, i'll be able to see this guy i've loved in comedies for so long be the lead in a superhero movie? That's unreal to me, and I love it all the same.
01. Your Highness
Release Date: October 1st
Director: David Gordon Green
Written by Danny McBride, Ben Best
Starring Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanal, Justin Theroux, Damian Lewis, Toby Jones
Ladies and gentlemen, the movie to beat in 2010.
David Gordon Green, the indie auteur behind films like George Washtington, All The Real Girls, Undertow, and Snow Angels who then in 2008 directed the *******-wonderful Pineapple Express, is getting into the medieval genre. He's bringing along the best actor going today in Danny McBride, a script he co-wrote with one/third of the Hill/McBride//Best triad in Ben Best.
You could easily jump to conclusions and assume that it'll be a stoner-knights and sorcerors movie, but that's selling it short. Besides having McBride in the lead, the rest of the cast is filled with either legit British actors (Damian Lewis, Toby Jones), wonderfully talented actreses (Portman, Deschanel) or amazing actors who dabble in comedy (Franco, who turned down Inception to be in a movie with his Pineapple Express buddies Green and McBride). So, it's this funny contrast, and it really makes McBride feel out of place. Which is the point of the movie!
Here's a couple tidbits on the movie to get you excited for it:
From the script:
Quote:
Thadeous [Danny McBride]: Somebody is getting high up in here.
[The Great White Wizard] hits the pipe and exhales a huge billow of smoke that slowly travels across the room, through the shaft of sunlight, it turns into a dragon, circling them, and then floats away.
Thadeous nods in approval
from an interview:
Quote:
I don’t think fans are used to seeing Natalie Portman doing or possibly saying certain crazy stuff. Does she do that in the film?
McBride: Yeah, so most definitely does. There was a lot of times where she would be saying things to me and it was harder to keep a straight face than with any of the comedians I’ve worked with because it was just so surreal to see Natalie Portman asking me if my ***** hurts, you know? Just disgusting, really.
Get excited for the movie of 2010.
Now that is done. With that list completed, i'll now, seriously this time, get the first part of the Albums list going. Up soon!
Thanks for all the comments. I truly appreciate every single one.
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for Popeye's and Shine Blockas!!
