2011 Media: 64, 21, 3.x
2010: 56, 11, 2
64 Movies:
1. Burn After Reading (2008): A-, Loved the interweaving stories and hilarious performances.
2. Munich (2005): B+, very heavy, but also very moving (artistic license on the historical events aside).
3. The Green Hornet (2011): B-, slow-paced at times, but still a lot of fun. Christoph Waltz steals the show as the over-the-top villain. (Adjusted to C+ 7/31)
4. Love & Other Drugs (2011): C+, dragging in parts, and doesn't know what it is exactly. But good chemistry between the leads make it a decent flick.
5. Tangled (2011): A-, great voice acting, great pacing, and amazing animation make for a throwback to classic Disney films. In other words: a classic for the ages.
6. Cars (2006): B, A solid animated film, but I now see why it is one of the lesser loved Pixar films. It just felt a bit generic at times, I guess. But the ode to the history of road trips was certainly heartwarming, with an unexpected climax.
7. Paranormal Activity (2007): D, decent ending aside, I wasn't impressed considering all the hype around it.
8. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010): B+, "What color is Michael Jackson?"
9. Stranger Than Fiction (2006): A, Will Ferrell in a rare dramatic turn was excellent, as was Maggie Gyllenhaal (I found her really hot here) and the rest of the stellar cast.
10. Tron: Legacy (2010): B, The film took its time, but the visuals were great, and the action sequences made for an entertaining entry in its genre. Also, Jeff Bridges saying "maaaaan." Not bad for my first time to watch in IMAX 3-D.
11. I Am Number Four (2011): B, It didn't squander its interesting premise too much (unlike "Jumper"), and I thought its focus on character development (teen angst and all) was a nice detail to try to make the audience more involved with the characters. It's not "great," but is still a solid teen action film. (Adjusted to B-, 7/31)
12. Rango (2011): B/B+, A very quirky entry, but a stellar voice cast and vibrant, realistic animation make it an entertaining tale.
13. Red Cliff Part 1 (2008): B+, The Chinese LotR!
14. Spaceballs (1987): C+, May the Schwartz be with you!
15. World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles (2011): C, Call of Duty + Aliens on the big screen = this movie. A bit long, but it had its fun parts. Entertaining for Call of Duty junkies (like me), but probably too jingoistic for a lot of people. Michelle Rodriguez also does not die in this movie.
16. Sucker Punch (2011): C, Bad-ass chicks FTW. Feels like Zack Snyder put one on us this time, though. (Adjusted to C+, 7/31)
17. Teeth (2007): B+, It initially started out pretty slow, with cringe-worthy lines. But then the tension ramps up and it goes out and becomes everything I want in a dark comedy. The lead actress, Jess Weixler, and her brother in the film (played by John Hensley), both turned out very strong performances.
18. Source Code (2011): B+, it gets a bit repetitive, but the Inception-like idea and Mission: Impossible-like execution was a good mix. Inception meets 24?
*19. Aliens (1986): A+, It never gets old. But I can't believe I hadn't watched this since I was a kid! First re-watch of the year too. "Game over man, game over!"
20. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007): C+, An enjoyable family movie, and was quirky and imaginative, even while working with a simple plot. I was impressed with how the issues of death and living up to one's potential were addressed - these aren't things that you'd usually see in a children's film.
21. Memento (2000): A-, an excellent thriller that is full of surprises. (I guess playing it back in normal chronology will cause it to lose some of its impact.) A great exercise in storytelling through film.
22. Monsters Vs Aliens (2007): C+, a predictable plot is saved by good animation and a lot of good laughs from the great voice cast. Unexpectedly funny.
23. Monsters (2010): B+, A great blend of horror, science fiction, and very human drama, this film is a testament to the crafting of an excellent AND profitable film made with a low-budget - no exploitation or overuse of shaky-cam here.
24. Thor (2011): A-, Chris Hemsworth was known mainly as "Kirk's dad" in the Star Trek remake. From now on, he'll be known as "Thor." Hemsworth turns in a stellar performance as Marvel's God of Thunder, and with a great supporting cast and quick pacing, the movie primes us nicely for Marvel's other upcoming blockbusters.
25. Marley & Me (2006): B, formulaic and predictable as some of the scenes may be, there's no denying this movie's heart. Anyone who has loved a pet (especially a dog) can attest to that.
26. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011): B/B+, 'Pirates' fans will love it; non-fans may be wondering just what the heck is going on. Full of double-crossing and swashbuckling reminiscent of what made the first a hit, the slower pacing and dialogue may be this one's main flaw. It's not the same without Keira, but Penelope Cruz steals almost every scene she's in. A pirate movie just like I want it to be.
27. Funny People (2009): B, the movie tries to tell a good story, but becomes dragging in some parts. However, good performances from Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen and the ever lovable Leslie Mann hold it together. I was surprised at how Sandler was able to turn pretty dark.
28. Traitor (2008): B+, Don Cheadle is excellent, and Saïd Taghmaoui and Guy Pearce (the star of Memento, who really should be in more movies) form a solid core in this spy thriller. The story turns predictable in the last third, but the solid acting and pace kept me hooked nonetheless.
29. Happily N'ever After (2007): F, an interesting premise is ruined by poor animation for its era, a mostly unfunny script, and unlovable characterizations.
30. X-Men: First Class (2011): A, a superhero movie filled with excellent performances by the leads makes for a good introduction to fans and non-fans of the franchise. More drama and less reliance on the action set-pieces turn it into an excellent prequel.
31. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011): B, fun, but simply more of the same from the 1st (not necessarily a bad thing though, but prevents me from grading it higher). Gary Oldman's Shen stole the show!
32. Super 8 (2011): A, Elle Fanning was amazing, & the lines, oh the lines! Mini-Michael Bay ("I've got a ton of firecrackers in my bag!") FTW.
33. Green Lantern (2011): C+, a generic script hold the film back, and while it is an entertaining popcorn flick, doesn't hold up to the standards set by recent superhero films. Oh, what could have been.
34. Flushed Away (2006): B/B+, surprisingly fun, with great voice acting by Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, et al.
35. The Ghost Writer (2010): B+, Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan headline strong performances and a tight script for this thriller directed by Roman Polanski.
36. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011): B, big robots + big explosions! Great performances from the supporting cast (John Malkovich, Ken Jeong, Frances McDormand, and Patrick Dempsey) also propped the film up. It was a fun popcorn flick, although the 3D was too much at times. More than meets the eye = not always good. :))
37. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009): C-, cool premise, but the pacing of the film seemed off, and was unable to hold my attention for long stretches. However, the decent performances and effects make me hope they can turn in a sequel. Unlikely, considering it was a box-office bomb, but you never know.
38. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011): A, a fitting end to a great movie series.
39. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): B+, a fun adventure that works well for the character, and has the right emotional tug to make the character resonate better with audiences.
40. The Life of Brian (1979): B, can't get the song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life out of my head! "I'm Brian!" I liked Holy Grail better than this one though.
41. Rio (2011): B+, Jemaine Clement as Nigel the evil cockatoo FTW. Great, catchy music and stellar voice acting uplift this film.
42. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): A, an awesome prequel that didn't have a dull moment for me. James Franco was great as the main scientist who develops the drug that would have unintended consequences, Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) was sufficiently evil, and Andy Serkis was just plain amazing as Caesar. I love the homages made to the original film (and the 01 remake).
43. Cowboys and Aliens (2011): B-, an out-of-this-world premise (pun not intended) isn't as well executed as I expected from the director of "Iron Man." But great performances from Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford salvage some of the value.
44. The Shining (1980): A-, starts out slow, but the chills just kept getting better as the film reached it's eerie climax. Great performances.
45. El Orfanato ("The Orphanage") (2007): A, an excellent horror film that kept me hooked until the credits rolled.
46. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011): A-, well-acted and thoughtful, it's one of those rare romantic comedies that make sense without being too predictable or cheesy, with great performances and humor to boot.
47. Pineapple Express (2008): B, it's pretty long for a buddy comedy, but James Franco's performance and the banter between him and Seth Rogen was hilarious. Love the cameos by Ken Jeong and Bobby Lee too.
48. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: B, a well-executed but quite predictable plot. It's pretty long too, but does not manage to get too boring. Also, it reminds me of this movie with Tom Hanks...
49. *Mean Girls (2004): B/B+, forgot so much hilarious stuff about this movie. Still one of the best teen comedies in years.
50. Contagion (2011): B+, a gripping thriller with an excellent plot, great direction and great performances. The "what if" scenario presented is so realistic, and so close to home, that the length of the film isn't noticeable.
51. Horrible Bosses (2011): B, hilarious performances make up for its shortcomings. Perfect supporting cast (Spacey, Aniston, Farrell, Foxx). The main cast seems to be replaceable (with not much character differentiation except for Charlie Day's character) but the Jasons (Bateman and Sudeikis) still turned in solid comedy.
52. Real Steel (2011): B, it's filled with some cliche moments, but this film more than makes up for those in heart. Great performances and decent characterization, plus a cool kid and Hugh Jackman all make this an entertaining post-blockbuster film.
53. Mystery Team (2009): B/B+, comedy sketch group Derrick Comedy brings Community's Donald Glover to the big screen with a team of naive teen detectives all with Troy Barnes' childlike sensibilities.
54. The Hangover, Part 2 (2011): C+, more of the same formula from the first Hangover film; the first was better but this one, set in Bangkok, will be doubling entertaining to any who have set foot in that crazy, awesome city.
55. The Adventures of Tintin (2011): A, a great adaptation of the comics by Herge. Spielberg and Jackson deliver a nicely paced, well (voice)-acted film that spells nothing but "adventure."
56. Mission Impossible 3 (2006): B, the pacing is off, with the drama parts nice but messing up the action vibe. A solid story and great sequences still make it an overall fun film though.
57. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011): A, an improvement over the 3rd film, Ghost Protocol is full of awesome gadgets, better humor, and excellent performances, with a more compelling villain. The plot is tighter, and the action sequences are stupendous. Nothing less from the director of "The Incredibles," I suppose.
58. An Education (2009): B+, I was really impressed by the performances, especially of Carey Mulligan. Great direction and plot.
59. Attack The Block (2011): B+, fast-paced and foul-mouthed, this low-budget alien invasion Brit film is one heck of a fun movie. Loved the performances, and it sure had some great effects for a low-budget film. Believe!
60. The Little Mermaid (1989): A, a timeless classic. And the "Prince Charming" of the movie actually DOES something! It's this film that jumpstarted the Disney heyday of the early 90s (leading to Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King)
61. Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010): A-, dark and gritty, this animated film felt a lot like the live-action Nolan films. It had great drama, and better exploration of Batman's psyche.
62. Bridesmaids (2011): B+, I guess the hype took up my expectations, but it was still a crazy funny performance from Kristen Wiig and the rest of the cast (including Jon Hamm!). What it lacked in laugh-out-loud moments, it made up for in great characters and their relationships.
63. Super (2010): B, violent and over-the-top, and an interesting - if kind of twisted - attempt to delve into the craziness of one person and his goal to save his wife.
64. The Damned United (2009): B+, brilliant drama about a talented manager (or coach, as we non-Brits would call it) of one of England's strongest teams. A great watch even if you're not a fan of football, with great performances by Martin Sheen and Timothy Spall.
*****
21 Books/Comics:
1. Ultimate Power, w. Brian Michael Bendis, Jeph Loeb, J. Michael Straczynski, illus. Greg Land (Marvel, 9 issues): B, an entertaining superhero story that links up the Ultimate Marvel universe nicely.
2. Kick-Ass, w. Mark Millar, illus. John Romita Jr. (Marvel, 8 issues): B+, I found the film more fulfilling, but the comic is just as fun.
3. Daytripper, w. Fábio Moon, illus. Gabriel Bá (Vertigo, 10 issues): A+, just an amazing work of art. I haven't had a book move me so much. Some of the issues had me in tears.
4. The Zombie Survival Guide, w. Max Brooks: B+, An entertaining read, with the combination of a satirical take on how humanity would react in a zombie apocalypse really funny.
5. World War Z, w. Max Brooks: A, Much more engrossing than its predecessor because of the depth of human drama. The best horror is usually not what you let the audience/reader see, but what they make up in their own minds.
6. The Playbook, w. Matt Kuhn (as Barney Stinson): B, High-five! The novelty book spin-off from TV's HIMYM is a quick read that is sure to brighten up any gloomy day.
7. The Unwritten (vol. 2): Inside Man, w. Mike Carey, illus. Peter Gross (Vertigo, #6-12, ongoing): B+, The adventures of Tommy Taylor just keep getting better, and this book really sucked me into the world of literary fantasy, where the power of stories is almighty.
8. The Unwritten (vol. 3): Dead Man's Knock, w. Mike Carey, illus. Peter Gross(Vertigo, #13-18, ongoing): A, Another volume that kept me wanting more, the Lizzie "choose your own adventure" origin story at the end was especially excellent.
9. Luthor, w. Brian Azzarello, illus. Lee Bermejo (DC, 5 issues): B+, A superbly illustrated story that gives us a perspective of Superman from the eyes of his arch-enemy, Lex Luthor, and what motivates him to find a way to defeat the alien from Krypton, and to what lengths he will go.
10. Batman: The Long Halloween, w. Jeph Loeb, illus. Tim Sale (DC, 13 issues): A, The spiritual successor to Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" does not disappoint, with an excellent telling of the transformation of Harvey Dent, and the relationship between Batman and Commissioner Gordon. It's no surprise that the hit Christopher Nolan film "The Dark Knight" took some of the elements of this story - it's pretty damn good.
11. The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1), w. Rick Riordan: B, a page-turner with an entertaining take on Egyptian mythology.
12. Ultimate X-Men, w. Mark Millar, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian K. Vaughan, Robert Kirkman, Aron Coleite, illus. various artists (Marvel, 100 issues): B/B+, starts out strong, but progressively got less fun (and more... typical?). The last few issues turn into a jumble (same for most of the Ultimate universe though). Still a solid modern take on the premier mutant team in comics.
13. Hack/Slash: Euthanized, w. Tim Seeley, illus. Stefano Caselli (Image, limited): B+, sufficiently creepy and gory, with a decent story too. Hollywood horror could take a page out of this.
14. Hack/Slash: Girls Gone Dead, w. Tim Seeley, illus. Federica Manfredi (Image, limited): B+, solid fun. I love the pop culture references.
15. Nemesis, w. Mark Millar, illus. Steve McNiven (Icon, 4 issues): B, all kinds of crazy. But also pretty fun.
16. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, w. Seth Grahame-Smith: B+, an engrossing read that combines vampire lore with revisionist history. I can't wait for the adaptation that's gonna be led by Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov.
17. The Ultimates Book 3, w. Jeph Loeb, illus. Joe Madureira (Marvel, 5 issues): C, doesn't live up to the standards set by the previous "Ultimates" stories. This book reminded me why I don't buy ongoing series anymore.
18. Ultimatum, w. Jeph Loeb, illus. David Finch (Marvel, 5 issues): D, didn't find it too fun, after the standards I've come to expect. Pretty stale, and the deaths didn't make sense. Where are the characters I cared for?
19. The Ring of Solomon (A Bartimaeus novel), w. Jonathan Stroud: A+. Bartimaeus never fails to make me laugh out loud, and Stroud's storytelling has only gotten better. I still love his characters, and this book's deeper themes were very well executed.
20. The Graveyard Book, w. Neil Gaiman, A+. Simply amazing. :)
21. Trese: Last Seen After Midnight, w. Budjette Tan, illus. KaJo Baldisimo: A, the local horror comic just keeps getting better with each volume.
*****
3 Full Seasons of TV Shows (Plus some other shows)
I loved all these shows. :) Community's third season is ongoing. And I'm hoping it gets 6 seasons and a movie! Still catching up on the first season of Modern Family too, but I've been loving it so far. 2 Broke Girls is so bad, it's good. I love Kat Denning's wit.
1. Community, S2 (25 eps., RT: 20 min., NBC, comedy)
2. Game of Thrones, S1 (10 eps., RT: 1 hr, HBO, fantasy/drama)
3. The Walking Dead, S1 (6 eps., RT: 1 hr, AMC, horror/drama)
4. Community, S3 (10 eps. watched, RT: 20 min., NBC, comedy)
5. Modern Family, S1 (5 eps. watched, RT: 20 min., NBC, comedy)
6. 2 Broke Girls, S1 (12 eps. watched, RT: 20 min., CBS, comedy)
64 Movies:
1. Burn After Reading (2008): A-, Loved the interweaving stories and hilarious performances.
2. Munich (2005): B+, very heavy, but also very moving (artistic license on the historical events aside).
3. The Green Hornet (2011): B-, slow-paced at times, but still a lot of fun. Christoph Waltz steals the show as the over-the-top villain. (Adjusted to C+ 7/31)
4. Love & Other Drugs (2011): C+, dragging in parts, and doesn't know what it is exactly. But good chemistry between the leads make it a decent flick.
5. Tangled (2011): A-, great voice acting, great pacing, and amazing animation make for a throwback to classic Disney films. In other words: a classic for the ages.
6. Cars (2006): B, A solid animated film, but I now see why it is one of the lesser loved Pixar films. It just felt a bit generic at times, I guess. But the ode to the history of road trips was certainly heartwarming, with an unexpected climax.
7. Paranormal Activity (2007): D, decent ending aside, I wasn't impressed considering all the hype around it.
8. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010): B+, "What color is Michael Jackson?"
9. Stranger Than Fiction (2006): A, Will Ferrell in a rare dramatic turn was excellent, as was Maggie Gyllenhaal (I found her really hot here) and the rest of the stellar cast.
10. Tron: Legacy (2010): B, The film took its time, but the visuals were great, and the action sequences made for an entertaining entry in its genre. Also, Jeff Bridges saying "maaaaan." Not bad for my first time to watch in IMAX 3-D.
11. I Am Number Four (2011): B, It didn't squander its interesting premise too much (unlike "Jumper"), and I thought its focus on character development (teen angst and all) was a nice detail to try to make the audience more involved with the characters. It's not "great," but is still a solid teen action film. (Adjusted to B-, 7/31)
12. Rango (2011): B/B+, A very quirky entry, but a stellar voice cast and vibrant, realistic animation make it an entertaining tale.
13. Red Cliff Part 1 (2008): B+, The Chinese LotR!
14. Spaceballs (1987): C+, May the Schwartz be with you!
15. World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles (2011): C, Call of Duty + Aliens on the big screen = this movie. A bit long, but it had its fun parts. Entertaining for Call of Duty junkies (like me), but probably too jingoistic for a lot of people. Michelle Rodriguez also does not die in this movie.
16. Sucker Punch (2011): C, Bad-ass chicks FTW. Feels like Zack Snyder put one on us this time, though. (Adjusted to C+, 7/31)
17. Teeth (2007): B+, It initially started out pretty slow, with cringe-worthy lines. But then the tension ramps up and it goes out and becomes everything I want in a dark comedy. The lead actress, Jess Weixler, and her brother in the film (played by John Hensley), both turned out very strong performances.
18. Source Code (2011): B+, it gets a bit repetitive, but the Inception-like idea and Mission: Impossible-like execution was a good mix. Inception meets 24?
*19. Aliens (1986): A+, It never gets old. But I can't believe I hadn't watched this since I was a kid! First re-watch of the year too. "Game over man, game over!"
20. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007): C+, An enjoyable family movie, and was quirky and imaginative, even while working with a simple plot. I was impressed with how the issues of death and living up to one's potential were addressed - these aren't things that you'd usually see in a children's film.
21. Memento (2000): A-, an excellent thriller that is full of surprises. (I guess playing it back in normal chronology will cause it to lose some of its impact.) A great exercise in storytelling through film.
22. Monsters Vs Aliens (2007): C+, a predictable plot is saved by good animation and a lot of good laughs from the great voice cast. Unexpectedly funny.
23. Monsters (2010): B+, A great blend of horror, science fiction, and very human drama, this film is a testament to the crafting of an excellent AND profitable film made with a low-budget - no exploitation or overuse of shaky-cam here.
24. Thor (2011): A-, Chris Hemsworth was known mainly as "Kirk's dad" in the Star Trek remake. From now on, he'll be known as "Thor." Hemsworth turns in a stellar performance as Marvel's God of Thunder, and with a great supporting cast and quick pacing, the movie primes us nicely for Marvel's other upcoming blockbusters.
25. Marley & Me (2006): B, formulaic and predictable as some of the scenes may be, there's no denying this movie's heart. Anyone who has loved a pet (especially a dog) can attest to that.
26. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011): B/B+, 'Pirates' fans will love it; non-fans may be wondering just what the heck is going on. Full of double-crossing and swashbuckling reminiscent of what made the first a hit, the slower pacing and dialogue may be this one's main flaw. It's not the same without Keira, but Penelope Cruz steals almost every scene she's in. A pirate movie just like I want it to be.
27. Funny People (2009): B, the movie tries to tell a good story, but becomes dragging in some parts. However, good performances from Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen and the ever lovable Leslie Mann hold it together. I was surprised at how Sandler was able to turn pretty dark.
28. Traitor (2008): B+, Don Cheadle is excellent, and Saïd Taghmaoui and Guy Pearce (the star of Memento, who really should be in more movies) form a solid core in this spy thriller. The story turns predictable in the last third, but the solid acting and pace kept me hooked nonetheless.
29. Happily N'ever After (2007): F, an interesting premise is ruined by poor animation for its era, a mostly unfunny script, and unlovable characterizations.
30. X-Men: First Class (2011): A, a superhero movie filled with excellent performances by the leads makes for a good introduction to fans and non-fans of the franchise. More drama and less reliance on the action set-pieces turn it into an excellent prequel.
31. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011): B, fun, but simply more of the same from the 1st (not necessarily a bad thing though, but prevents me from grading it higher). Gary Oldman's Shen stole the show!
32. Super 8 (2011): A, Elle Fanning was amazing, & the lines, oh the lines! Mini-Michael Bay ("I've got a ton of firecrackers in my bag!") FTW.
33. Green Lantern (2011): C+, a generic script hold the film back, and while it is an entertaining popcorn flick, doesn't hold up to the standards set by recent superhero films. Oh, what could have been.
34. Flushed Away (2006): B/B+, surprisingly fun, with great voice acting by Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, et al.
35. The Ghost Writer (2010): B+, Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan headline strong performances and a tight script for this thriller directed by Roman Polanski.
36. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011): B, big robots + big explosions! Great performances from the supporting cast (John Malkovich, Ken Jeong, Frances McDormand, and Patrick Dempsey) also propped the film up. It was a fun popcorn flick, although the 3D was too much at times. More than meets the eye = not always good. :))
37. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009): C-, cool premise, but the pacing of the film seemed off, and was unable to hold my attention for long stretches. However, the decent performances and effects make me hope they can turn in a sequel. Unlikely, considering it was a box-office bomb, but you never know.
38. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011): A, a fitting end to a great movie series.
39. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): B+, a fun adventure that works well for the character, and has the right emotional tug to make the character resonate better with audiences.
40. The Life of Brian (1979): B, can't get the song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life out of my head! "I'm Brian!" I liked Holy Grail better than this one though.
41. Rio (2011): B+, Jemaine Clement as Nigel the evil cockatoo FTW. Great, catchy music and stellar voice acting uplift this film.
42. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): A, an awesome prequel that didn't have a dull moment for me. James Franco was great as the main scientist who develops the drug that would have unintended consequences, Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) was sufficiently evil, and Andy Serkis was just plain amazing as Caesar. I love the homages made to the original film (and the 01 remake).
43. Cowboys and Aliens (2011): B-, an out-of-this-world premise (pun not intended) isn't as well executed as I expected from the director of "Iron Man." But great performances from Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford salvage some of the value.
44. The Shining (1980): A-, starts out slow, but the chills just kept getting better as the film reached it's eerie climax. Great performances.
45. El Orfanato ("The Orphanage") (2007): A, an excellent horror film that kept me hooked until the credits rolled.
46. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011): A-, well-acted and thoughtful, it's one of those rare romantic comedies that make sense without being too predictable or cheesy, with great performances and humor to boot.
47. Pineapple Express (2008): B, it's pretty long for a buddy comedy, but James Franco's performance and the banter between him and Seth Rogen was hilarious. Love the cameos by Ken Jeong and Bobby Lee too.
48. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: B, a well-executed but quite predictable plot. It's pretty long too, but does not manage to get too boring. Also, it reminds me of this movie with Tom Hanks...
49. *Mean Girls (2004): B/B+, forgot so much hilarious stuff about this movie. Still one of the best teen comedies in years.
50. Contagion (2011): B+, a gripping thriller with an excellent plot, great direction and great performances. The "what if" scenario presented is so realistic, and so close to home, that the length of the film isn't noticeable.
51. Horrible Bosses (2011): B, hilarious performances make up for its shortcomings. Perfect supporting cast (Spacey, Aniston, Farrell, Foxx). The main cast seems to be replaceable (with not much character differentiation except for Charlie Day's character) but the Jasons (Bateman and Sudeikis) still turned in solid comedy.
52. Real Steel (2011): B, it's filled with some cliche moments, but this film more than makes up for those in heart. Great performances and decent characterization, plus a cool kid and Hugh Jackman all make this an entertaining post-blockbuster film.
53. Mystery Team (2009): B/B+, comedy sketch group Derrick Comedy brings Community's Donald Glover to the big screen with a team of naive teen detectives all with Troy Barnes' childlike sensibilities.
54. The Hangover, Part 2 (2011): C+, more of the same formula from the first Hangover film; the first was better but this one, set in Bangkok, will be doubling entertaining to any who have set foot in that crazy, awesome city.
55. The Adventures of Tintin (2011): A, a great adaptation of the comics by Herge. Spielberg and Jackson deliver a nicely paced, well (voice)-acted film that spells nothing but "adventure."
56. Mission Impossible 3 (2006): B, the pacing is off, with the drama parts nice but messing up the action vibe. A solid story and great sequences still make it an overall fun film though.
57. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011): A, an improvement over the 3rd film, Ghost Protocol is full of awesome gadgets, better humor, and excellent performances, with a more compelling villain. The plot is tighter, and the action sequences are stupendous. Nothing less from the director of "The Incredibles," I suppose.
58. An Education (2009): B+, I was really impressed by the performances, especially of Carey Mulligan. Great direction and plot.
59. Attack The Block (2011): B+, fast-paced and foul-mouthed, this low-budget alien invasion Brit film is one heck of a fun movie. Loved the performances, and it sure had some great effects for a low-budget film. Believe!
60. The Little Mermaid (1989): A, a timeless classic. And the "Prince Charming" of the movie actually DOES something! It's this film that jumpstarted the Disney heyday of the early 90s (leading to Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King)
61. Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010): A-, dark and gritty, this animated film felt a lot like the live-action Nolan films. It had great drama, and better exploration of Batman's psyche.
62. Bridesmaids (2011): B+, I guess the hype took up my expectations, but it was still a crazy funny performance from Kristen Wiig and the rest of the cast (including Jon Hamm!). What it lacked in laugh-out-loud moments, it made up for in great characters and their relationships.
63. Super (2010): B, violent and over-the-top, and an interesting - if kind of twisted - attempt to delve into the craziness of one person and his goal to save his wife.
64. The Damned United (2009): B+, brilliant drama about a talented manager (or coach, as we non-Brits would call it) of one of England's strongest teams. A great watch even if you're not a fan of football, with great performances by Martin Sheen and Timothy Spall.
*****
21 Books/Comics:
1. Ultimate Power, w. Brian Michael Bendis, Jeph Loeb, J. Michael Straczynski, illus. Greg Land (Marvel, 9 issues): B, an entertaining superhero story that links up the Ultimate Marvel universe nicely.
2. Kick-Ass, w. Mark Millar, illus. John Romita Jr. (Marvel, 8 issues): B+, I found the film more fulfilling, but the comic is just as fun.
3. Daytripper, w. Fábio Moon, illus. Gabriel Bá (Vertigo, 10 issues): A+, just an amazing work of art. I haven't had a book move me so much. Some of the issues had me in tears.
4. The Zombie Survival Guide, w. Max Brooks: B+, An entertaining read, with the combination of a satirical take on how humanity would react in a zombie apocalypse really funny.
5. World War Z, w. Max Brooks: A, Much more engrossing than its predecessor because of the depth of human drama. The best horror is usually not what you let the audience/reader see, but what they make up in their own minds.
6. The Playbook, w. Matt Kuhn (as Barney Stinson): B, High-five! The novelty book spin-off from TV's HIMYM is a quick read that is sure to brighten up any gloomy day.
7. The Unwritten (vol. 2): Inside Man, w. Mike Carey, illus. Peter Gross (Vertigo, #6-12, ongoing): B+, The adventures of Tommy Taylor just keep getting better, and this book really sucked me into the world of literary fantasy, where the power of stories is almighty.
8. The Unwritten (vol. 3): Dead Man's Knock, w. Mike Carey, illus. Peter Gross(Vertigo, #13-18, ongoing): A, Another volume that kept me wanting more, the Lizzie "choose your own adventure" origin story at the end was especially excellent.
9. Luthor, w. Brian Azzarello, illus. Lee Bermejo (DC, 5 issues): B+, A superbly illustrated story that gives us a perspective of Superman from the eyes of his arch-enemy, Lex Luthor, and what motivates him to find a way to defeat the alien from Krypton, and to what lengths he will go.
10. Batman: The Long Halloween, w. Jeph Loeb, illus. Tim Sale (DC, 13 issues): A, The spiritual successor to Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" does not disappoint, with an excellent telling of the transformation of Harvey Dent, and the relationship between Batman and Commissioner Gordon. It's no surprise that the hit Christopher Nolan film "The Dark Knight" took some of the elements of this story - it's pretty damn good.
11. The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1), w. Rick Riordan: B, a page-turner with an entertaining take on Egyptian mythology.
12. Ultimate X-Men, w. Mark Millar, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian K. Vaughan, Robert Kirkman, Aron Coleite, illus. various artists (Marvel, 100 issues): B/B+, starts out strong, but progressively got less fun (and more... typical?). The last few issues turn into a jumble (same for most of the Ultimate universe though). Still a solid modern take on the premier mutant team in comics.
13. Hack/Slash: Euthanized, w. Tim Seeley, illus. Stefano Caselli (Image, limited): B+, sufficiently creepy and gory, with a decent story too. Hollywood horror could take a page out of this.
14. Hack/Slash: Girls Gone Dead, w. Tim Seeley, illus. Federica Manfredi (Image, limited): B+, solid fun. I love the pop culture references.
15. Nemesis, w. Mark Millar, illus. Steve McNiven (Icon, 4 issues): B, all kinds of crazy. But also pretty fun.
16. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, w. Seth Grahame-Smith: B+, an engrossing read that combines vampire lore with revisionist history. I can't wait for the adaptation that's gonna be led by Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov.
17. The Ultimates Book 3, w. Jeph Loeb, illus. Joe Madureira (Marvel, 5 issues): C, doesn't live up to the standards set by the previous "Ultimates" stories. This book reminded me why I don't buy ongoing series anymore.
18. Ultimatum, w. Jeph Loeb, illus. David Finch (Marvel, 5 issues): D, didn't find it too fun, after the standards I've come to expect. Pretty stale, and the deaths didn't make sense. Where are the characters I cared for?
19. The Ring of Solomon (A Bartimaeus novel), w. Jonathan Stroud: A+. Bartimaeus never fails to make me laugh out loud, and Stroud's storytelling has only gotten better. I still love his characters, and this book's deeper themes were very well executed.
20. The Graveyard Book, w. Neil Gaiman, A+. Simply amazing. :)
21. Trese: Last Seen After Midnight, w. Budjette Tan, illus. KaJo Baldisimo: A, the local horror comic just keeps getting better with each volume.
*****
3 Full Seasons of TV Shows (Plus some other shows)
I loved all these shows. :) Community's third season is ongoing. And I'm hoping it gets 6 seasons and a movie! Still catching up on the first season of Modern Family too, but I've been loving it so far. 2 Broke Girls is so bad, it's good. I love Kat Denning's wit.
1. Community, S2 (25 eps., RT: 20 min., NBC, comedy)
2. Game of Thrones, S1 (10 eps., RT: 1 hr, HBO, fantasy/drama)
3. The Walking Dead, S1 (6 eps., RT: 1 hr, AMC, horror/drama)
4. Community, S3 (10 eps. watched, RT: 20 min., NBC, comedy)
5. Modern Family, S1 (5 eps. watched, RT: 20 min., NBC, comedy)
6. 2 Broke Girls, S1 (12 eps. watched, RT: 20 min., CBS, comedy)