2008: Biggest Surprises and Biggest Letdowns

I was really hoping that I'd have an opportunity to compile a "Best of" movie list before the new year, but there is simply too much to see before then. I then thought about listing out the biggest suck-fest movies of the year, but I'm not really one to pay to see a movie I know is going to, well, suck. I did not see Jumper, The Eye, College Road Trip, W., or The Love Guru (to name a brief few) because, quite frankly, there was no appeal. I really don't think my biases are keeping me from a worthwhile experience in any of these cases. By all means, please prove me wrong.

In lieu of not being fully equipped to bring the best/worst of the year, I'll hit your shit with what I felt were the biggest surprises and biggest letdowns.

Bad news first.

1. The X-Files: I Want to Believe
I will preface this by saying that on a scale of 1-10 for X-files nerdiness, I'm probably a solid 5 or 6. I used to watch the show very regularly in my childhood for the fright factor alone. As I matured, I continued watching as I began to increasingly understand the plots and themes better. I, like many people, stopped watching regularly during the last season when they kicked out Duchovney and replaced him with T-1000 (I mean, wtf right?). I never even knew how the series ended-a fact I could readily accept. That being said, I was moderatly surprised but also curious by the announcement of a new film story line that would be independent of the series. If the original producer and actors were on board, why wouldn't it work? Good question it turns out. From beginning to end the movie was extremely boring. There was little or no suspense, no dark humor, and no sexual tension between Molder and Scully. Maybe I missed something along the way but *Spoiler Alert* less than an hour into the movie it just shows them in bed together. I mean, I agree, it needed to happen...but the pay out was like a premature ejaculate all in the face of every "believer" out there. Anyway, long story short, I turned the movie off half way through because I was literally bored out of my mind. I could care less how it ended. I hope there was a giant space ship that destroyed the earth or something. At least then every fan would have some closure (though I'm sure the box office tank pretty much assures a fatality for sure).

2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I actually don't even want to analyze this. Taking a good actor/director combo and a solid franchise movie and trying to squeeze out another buck from the eager consumer is a great business plan. And hey, it worked. I just didn't like the movie at all. Trust me, I wanted to, but I just couldn't.

3. Hancock
Q: Kyle, do you like drinking alchol and using profain language? A: Hell yes.
Q: Kyle, do you like superheroes? A: Why yes I do.
Q: Kyle, do you like Will Smith? A: Fucking LOVE him.
Q: Kyle, did you like Hancock, a movie in which Will Smith plays an alcoholic and profain superhero? A: Mmmm, not so much.
Not the worst movie of the year, but just not as good as I would have liked. The formula was there, unfortunately everyone from top to bottom just fell through on execution.

Ok, out with the bad and in with the Good.

1. The Foot Fist Way
Ok, it was made in 2006 but it did not receive distribution until 2008 so back off fuckers. Danny Mcbride had a comedic coming out party in 2008 and this film displays his talents in full force. He is on screen for over 98% of the movie and thats about how much of the time I found myself laughing. While very raunchy and low budget, I thought this movie was well written and well executed. It won't be making the best of list, but this is the perfect home as a surprise hit.

2. The Promotion
A quirkey comedy about two men (John C. Reily and the Stifler guy) vying for a manager position in a local supermarket chain. This film, much like In Good Company and The Weatherman, is surprising because it seemlessly blends comedy and tension without gagging us with it (see Mr. Woodcock with Stifler for a perfect constrast of style). The trailer made the movie seem almost forgettable, but I went out on a whim and decided to check it out. In the end, I found it to be one of the better comedies of the year. Who would have thunk it?

3. Pineapple Express
First, I didn't want to make this last one a comedy but I had no other option. Second, I know what you're thinking...how could a movie with Seth Rogan be "surprisingly"good right now. To be honest, I really wasn't expecting much from the movie. I thought the trailer was boring and the rated R clips just showed scenes of Rogan and Franco smoking pot. That didn't really seem all too entertaining to me. Pothead comedies always play by the same rules and even though I read all about how the movie was going to be a stoner action flick, the promos did not convey that to me. I was actually looking forward to hating it so I could have some reason not to sanctify the "Apatow crew" for everything. Unfortunately, this movie defied my expectations. The story was well done and the humor was atypical for a stoner movie. Overall, probably my favorite comedy of the year (though I still need to see Zach and Miri).

I'm tired now.