RT's Summer in Review: The Best, The Worst, and Our Favorite Films!
Summary
The summer movie season of 2008 ended last weekend, and boy, was it a good one. Led by box office smashes like Iron Man, Wall-E, and The Dark Knight, Hollywood raked in the dough week after week -- and, surprisingly, scored major Freshness on the Tomatometer in the process. Rotten Tomatoes takes a look at the Summer in Review to revisit the critical and commercial hits and misses of the summer. Back to Article
The summer movie season of 2008 ended last weekend, and boy, was it a good one. Led by box office smashes like Iron Man, Wall-E, and The Dark Knight, Hollywood raked in the dough week after week -- and, surprisingly, scored major Freshness on the Tomatometer in the process. Rotten Tomatoes takes a look at the Summer in Review to revisit the critical and commercial hits and misses of the summer. Back to Article
(1-78 of 78 posts) | Reply
on Sep 02 2008 12:31 PM I have nothing but contempt for Babylon AD. I mean, of all the science-fiction (I'm not getting into the sf vs. sci-fi debate here) books to adapt, it's that one? Really? Now that this has failed, as we knew it would, studios will proclaim that it's because audiences don't want to see science-fiction films. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 12:49 PM My list would be 1-The Dark Knight 2-Vicky Cristina Barcelona 3-Iron Man 4-Tropic Thunder 5-Hellboy 2 6-Wanted 7-Pineapple Express 8-Kung Fu Panda 9-Speed Racer 10-Indiana Jones Haven't see WALL-E yet, wish I did though... I would definitely say that THE MUMMY 3 was the worst of the summer, man it was so bad! 10- (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 12:51 PM Biggest disappoints I would say were INDY, even though I liked it I just thought if your going to be bring Indy back then he should come back to us in greatness. Also X files, great tv show turned into a mediocre movie. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 12:59 PM The studio breakdown is interesting. Fox really did get owned. However, I'd like to see that list include the budget for each movie. That would really show who did well and who didn't. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 01:00 PM In reply to this comment (#2014505) I agree, the x-files was a sad attempt to such a great show. TDK and Iron Man are one hell of a 1-2 punch for the comic book world. Let's hope the future comic book movies take note and try to impress as well! (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 01:01 PM I'm so sorry but I have an irrational dislike for Pixar movies. I liked the first 25 minutes of Wall-E. The short film before it was imaginative but once it got to that spaceship and introduced the humans, it just got uninteresting. They should've stuck with the robots. Even saying that I just feel there's something a little bit too polished/clinical about the Pixar movies. I know they have to be 'cause they can't afford re-takes(!) but I find them a bit tiresome. I've hang-ups about the Dark Knight but cannot make an argument against its success as a piece of absolutely absorbing cinema. I knew it would be that at least but I've met a lot of people who find it difficult to say whether they actually liked the film or not. It's a curious phenomenon. Indy was sadly a bit dissapointing. I'd have been happy with a knockabout romp built on audience's affections for Mr.Ford but it just didn't hit the spot. Can't wait for the next one though! (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 01:07 PM Also I think next summer is going to be way better, I mean I think we only had 2 great movies, next summer I think we will have more then 2. There's Star Trek, T4, Public Enemies, and I think that WATCHMEN is going to be pushed back to summer DAMN FOX! (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 01:43 PM Speed Racer deserves more respect than it got (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 01:46 PM This is a really good article, but it has a few errors. First off, The Happening should be in the Top 10 Worst Tomatometers list, with only an 18% fresh rating! Also, you said that Sex & the City was the only film in the top 10 with an overall rotten rating...but what about Hancock at 38%? It stands out as the big "did great but wasnt that great" movie of the summer. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 01:52 PM Space Chimps totally deserved to flop just for being such a piece of product! "Let's give them something we've given them before. Throw a bunch of money into the animation, hire some famous actors to do the voices, and who needs an inspired script? They'll come to see it just because they come to see other cgi animated films that aren't just for kids!" No, they won't. Speed Racer another deserving loser, for its visual incoherence and its unbalanced mix of heavy plot elements with light characters in a light world. I look at films like these, and I just really feel like I could have done it better. I just see such clear missteps, and I think that if I had been there, I would have caught them and said, "No, don't do that. Do it this way instead." Boy, I wish there were more Tony Wilsons in the world. Holy ****! Hancock did that much business? It beat Wall-E? How'd that happen? I mean, Ebert liked it. But I never realized so many people went to see that movie! (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 02:05 PM In reply to this comment (#2014507) Haha, yeah, FOX sucks. Now it's not just their news station. However, I thought What Happens In Vegas was HILARIOUS. "YOU KNOW WHY!!!" Haha! Congrats to Paramount and Warner Brothers. They deserve the success. Here's hoping this creates a HUGE turnaround in Hollywood. If you take your time with movies and cultivate them, rather then throw them together real quick, audiences will turn out in droves over and over again. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 02:06 PM Oh, I have to go off on a little rant about Ashton Kutcher. Ashton Kutcher is Kelso from That 70s Show and /only/ Kelso from That 70s Show. If he ever wants anyone to see him as anything else, he had better develop a whole lot more range /fast/. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 02:08 PM In reply to this comment (#2014514) Don't forget about Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I predict it'll be the #1 movie of 2009. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 02:10 PM In reply to this comment (#2014582) Not if it sucks like the last movie. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 02:11 PM In reply to this comment (#2014590) The last one was far better than 1, 2, and 4. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 02:12 PM In reply to this comment (#2014582) Oh yeah, I forgot they postponed it...thanks for bringing it up. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 02:37 PM In reply to this comment (#2014503) Wow since you haven't seen Wall-E yet I highly recommend it. Your list will change a bit (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 03:22 PM This is based solely on films I've seen... Best: Space Chimps Runner Up: TDK 2nd RU: Wall-E Worst: Wanted Runner Up: Speed Racer (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 03:37 PM rh1252, I'd like to thank you for pointing those items out. It turns out there was a bug in our initial database query, which we've now resolved with an update that should take effect immediately. As you'll see, not only does The Happening enter the Bottom 10 of the summer, but it's joined by Made of Honor. X Files and Space Chimps are now in the clear. (Where's tomwaitsjr.?) Thanks for the catch! (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 04:06 PM I must say i was surprised by how many at least decent movies i say over the summer. I mustve seen a movie like every week since may 2nd with iron man. The Dark Knight was the most engrossing film, Pineapple express and tropic thunder tie for most fun, best special effects? Well even though Hellboy II wasnt so great id give it to them. Best Actor? Id say Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man. Best Supporting Actor? Heath Ledger for the Joker, and Robert Downey Jr. in second for his ingenious performance in Tropic Thunder. Best Director? Chris Nolan kind of a given, Jon Favareau for Iron Man in second and Guillermo del Toro for hellbo 2 in third. Best Actress? Hmmm come to think of it, there rly arent many leading ladies to consider this summer its been all guys lol, maybe Maggie Gylennhaal for The Dark Knight but thats cause theres like no one else. Best Supporting Actress? Who knows :p. Best Picture? The Dark Knight in first, Iron Man in second and Express and Thunder tie for third. These are juss summer opinion not all of these will win oscars of course, its juss the most entertaining stuff from May 2nd - Aug. 29th weekends. Cheers fellow movielovers (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 04:14 PM Agreed, bondfreak - I think this was a particularly good summer, quality-wise. Lots of good movies, a few great movies, and it seemed like people were buying tickets and seeing films every weekend in fairly high numbers. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 04:43 PM Pretty much the only thing Fox had going for them was that Clone Wars was the first (and likely only) Star Wars film to not be released by them. Oh well. With their muckraking news empire and their increasingly unoriginal reality shows, Fox as a whole will be fine in the long run. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 04:51 PM The Dark Knight was definitely the best of this year for me, closely followed by WALL-E, then Iron Man. These an Indy 4 were the only summer movies I saw, and the only ones I had a huge desire to see. Indy 4 was a huge letdown, however, by far my least favorite compared to the others I just listed. Still, compared to last summer's movies, this summer was much better. Hope next summer will very good as well. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 04:57 PM Best: Wall-E Worst: Meet Dave Haven't seen any others on the worst films of Summer list. And I STILL haven't seen TDK yet. Darn, curse my limited budget. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 05:30 PM tdk and ironman are the best and deserve to be the best after comic book movie have been sucking for the past few years. i actually liked wanted as an independent movie from the novel. i saw indy but it was nowhere near as good as it could have been. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 07:10 PM This has absolutely been a summer I'll remember for a long time. I've been at the theater at least once a week since I saw The Forbidden Kingdom back on 4/18! And, on 6/27, I saw no less than SEVEN movies in a row! ...deep breath... The Love Guru Wanted Kung-Fu Panda(2nd time) Incredible Hulk (2nd time) You Don't Mess With the Zohan WALL-E and Back to the Future (~500th time) Overall, I would say Iron Man is my fave, with Tropic Thunder close behind. The Dark Knight was amazing but it's just to intense to really enjoy. The Love Guru was easily the worst I've seen, but in a WALL-E was ok, not my favorite Pixar movie (The Incredibles) but then I saw it again and it actually made me tear-up a few times. It would've benn better with a "non-disney" ending. If you've seen it you know what I mean. Wanted is seriously overrated. It was like they made an action movie for 12-year-olds but filled it with stuff you wouldn't want a 12-year-old to see. Also, the CGI was so bad it ruined my immersion in the story, and I almost never make that complaint. P.S.-Way to go Jen! I had plenty of fun watching Speed Racer, and imo that's the whole point! (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 07:41 PM The only problem I have with Speed Racer is that it didn't fail hard *enough*. If it weren't for the fact that the Matrix was the last movie I saw three times in theaters (the only other movies being Terminator 2 and TDK--TWICE in Imax), the Wachowskis would now be my least favorite directors of all time. I think anyone who has been paying attention to this site this summer more or less knew all this, but it's a pretty good distillation. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 07:59 PM 1.The Dark Knight 2.The X-Files:I Want To Believe 3.Iron Man 4.Kung Fu Panda 5.Hancock 6.The Incredible Hulk 7.Get Smart 8.Meet Dave 9.Speed Racer 10.Tropic Thunder (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 08:02 PM Ten Worst Flicks 1.Sex And The City 2.The House Bunny 3.Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants 2 4.The Longshots 5.Wanted 6.The Love Guru 7.Vicky Cristina Barcelona 8.Star Wars:The Clone Wars 9.The Strangers 10.Mamma Mia! (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 08:06 PM In reply to this comment (#2014765) Maybe you'd have more money to see quality cinema like TDK if you weren't wasting it on obvious junk like "Meet Dave"! ;) (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 08:51 PM In reply to this comment (#2015004) 37 Films Came Out This Summer Half Are Hits And Half Are Flops. Make Seperate Lists (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 08:53 PM Meet Dave I Gotta Say Was Funny. It Was A Little Slow But C'mon Its Eddie Murphy (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 10:17 PM bondfreak Chris Martin's wife. Hello? (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 10:19 PM There were lots of women this summer. Not all that great but they were there........ (Reply to this) |
on Sep 02 2008 10:22 PM Gotta say Jen Yamato, you have great courage for proclaiming adoration for Speed Racer. I must say I was dissapointed, especially the beginning, but overal I would hope it would at least make some money. Still, for me this year will be remembered for helping revive the comic book genre and i hope Hollywood has learned from their mistakes from the first comic book explosion. Also, please everyone a moment of silence for the careers of Mike Myers & Eddie Murphy... oh how once they made us laugh now they make us feel ill. Well, as long as we have Apatow, comedy will be fine. And I thought Pineapple was the best comedy I've seen this year. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 10:43 PM Hey, Couch Tomato Dougie! It's always an honor to have you join us. Yeah, I'm expecting some blowback from that, but what can I say? I loved it. Saw it twice in theaters. Didn't even mind the monkey. I think it really got a raw deal this summer. Also, word up on the Mike Myers/Eddie Murphy tip. What the hell happened...? :) (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 02 2008 10:52 PM In reply to this comment (#2015124) Thats because Chim Chim is da man Jen... I really liked Speed Racer, but I just wished they took out Speed Racer's one liners, I also didn't like that mister Royalton's intro, and some of the flash backs could have taken out they did feel repetitive at times the movie could have easily have lost 20 minutes and would have been a whole lot better, but still it is a very cool movie that I cant wait to get on Blu-Ray! (Reply to this) |
on Sep 03 2008 04:48 AM the best are 1. iron man 2. wall-e 3. hellboy 2 4. dark knight the worst is disaster movie the most dissapointing was clone wars (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 05:26 AM It really sucks that WALL-E was #1 and The dark knight was #2. Seriously The dark knight was better than WALL-E. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 03 2008 09:58 AM You gotta update the top box office numbers. TDK has over $500 mil now (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 11:23 AM My Top Ten Summerish Type o' Movies '08... 10. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull 9. The Incredible Hulk 8. Tropic Thunder 7. Wanted 6. Hellboy II: The Golden Army 5. Iron Man 4. Step Brothers 3. Hancock 2. Wall-E 1. The Dark Knight (Reply to this) |
on Sep 03 2008 11:24 AM The best were Wall-E, Tropic Thunder, Iron Man, and of course the Dark Knight. Those were the only ones I really loved. There were lots of enjoyable ones though like the slightly disapointing Indiana Jones. And I don't think I would call Myers career dead, when he is in QT's Basterds and is probably going to make a new Powers film. Whatever bring on the fall slate. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 11:50 AM My favorites/unfavorites of this summer are pretty much the same as everyone's here, so I won't bother posting lists, but I have to throw out the question as to why the awful awful Kitt Kittredge movie is up there. Abigail Breslin is an annoying little gnome and when my little cousin grows up she owes me big time for having to sit through that movie. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 03 2008 12:49 PM Best movies of the Summer: 1) The Dark Knight (Of course) 2) Kung Fu Panda (How come no one's mentioning this great flick?!) 3) Iron Man 4) WALL-E (Anyone else get the feeling that Pixar's making films for adults now and not kids? My little cousins all said Kung Fu Panda was better and my 50 yr old auntie and I were almost in tears!) 5) Tropic Thunder 6) The Incredible Hulk 7) Hellboy 2 8) Pineapple Express ANd i absoltely hated: 1) Indiana Jones (Seriously, notice how no one's talking about it anymore?) 2) Hancock (disaterous on so many levels) 3) The Happening (Shamalamadinggong's needs a miracle to be a good writer again) (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 01:17 PM my pick for best movie would be the dark knight and other movies i liked this summer were wanted,hulk,indy 4,iron man,and speed racer. P.S. I LIKE HOW ALL OF FOXS MOVIES WERE ALL ROTTEN MAN FOXS SUCKS. THOSE GREEDY PEOPLE ONLY CARE ABOUT MONEY AND NOT THE MOVIES. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 02:51 PM Wall-E gets honorable mention on the editor's choice page over Space Chimps? When will the underdog finally get a break in Hollywood? It seems fresh, intelligent films inevitably get crushed by the studio juggernauts in today's bleak world. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 03:14 PM WALL-E is the best film of the summer for, no doubt!! It had everything I hoped for & truly surpassed it!! I would not be surprised if this get nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. My top 10 best films of the summer: 10.The House Bunny (hilarious performance by Anna Faris & a very cute movie) 9.The Strangers 8.Pineapple Express 7.Get Smart 6.Step Brothers 5.The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian 4.Iron Man 3.Tropic Thunder 2.The Dark Knight 1.WALL-E Honorable Mentions: You Don't Mess With The Zohan 9/10 The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2 8/10 Traitor 7/10 Hancock 7/10 Disaster Movie 6/10 What Happens In Vegas My top 10 worst films of the summer: 10.The Happening 5/10 9.Sex And The City: The Movie 5/10 8.Babylon A.D. 4/10 7.Star Wars: The Clone Wars 4/10 6.Swing Vote 3/10 5.The X-Files: I Want To Believe 3/10 4.Hellboy II: The Golden Army 2/10 3.Made Of Honor 2/10 2.Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull 2/10 1.The Rocker 1/10 (Reply to this) |
on Sep 03 2008 03:47 PM Babylon A.D. was terrible, Disaster Movie was almost or barely better than Babylon A.D., which is sad. Babylons story was a complete mess. Definately the worst movie I saw this summer, along with Disaster Movie... (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 03:49 PM I only saw a handful of movies, but I just have to say that The Dark Knight was such an incredible film. I actually enjoyed Indiana Jones (even though it rehashed plot from previous films). (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 03:52 PM Hope fully all the sucking FOX did this summer will make them clean house so to speak and start fresh, god knows they need to. Just don't let them ruin Joss's Dollhouse like they did Firefly(sob). (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 04:50 PM My list of favorites: 1. The Dark Knight 2. WALL-E 3.The Incredible Hulk 4. Hancock 5. Indiana Jones There are others I'm sure that I forgot... I didnt like Iron Man. I hope it doesnt surpass The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight was SOOOO much better. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 05:12 PM Stop Ripping On The X-Files Man. It Kicked *** And Was Better Than The Following The Strangers The Love Guru Hamlet 2 (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 06:33 PM This was a very good summer for movies. A lot of crap, imo, but there was the memorable movies. Hancock started off good and could of been SO Much better if they took the time to fix the crappy second half of the movie. ugh. Babylon A.D and Disaster Movie are by far the worst movies i've seen all year, and close to all time... and i've seen a lot of movies. Nothing takes 2nd place this summer though in my book. Taken. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 06:46 PM Iron Man Made Of Honor Speed Racer What Happens In Vegas Chronicles Of Narnia:Prince Caspian Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull Sex And The City The Strangers Kung Fu Panda You Dont Mess With The Zohan The Incredible Hulk The Happening Get Smart The Love Guru Wanted Wall-E Hancock Kitt Kitteradge:An American Girl Hellboy 2:The Golden Army Meet Dave Journey To The Centre Of The Earth The Dark Knight Space Chimps Mamma Mia! The X-Files:I Want To Believe Step Brothers The Mummy:Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor Swing Vote Pineapple Express Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants 2 Star Wars:The Clone Wars Tropic Thunder Mirrors The Housebunny Death Race Traitor Disaster Movie Babylon A.D Hamlet 2 (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 06:47 PM In reply to this comment (#2015961) That's A List Of All Of 2008's Summer Movies (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 03 2008 09:54 PM Jen, I'm glad someone stepped up to the plate to defend and applaud Speed Racer. I felt people were unfairly harsh on the film for really no reason other than "It's just silly". Well, it's Speed Racer, people; I assumed silly came with the territory... (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 10:44 AM wow jen, you really stuck your neck out on that one... and wound up destroying all of your credibility as a judge of movie quality. in a summer with some great flicks, you clearly just picked 'speed racer' to stand out from the crowd, and made yourself look ridiculous in the process. seriously, this is bad. have fun with your rhinestone applicator, LiteBrite and Pixie Stix. i guess for me it takes more than a photosensitive seizure to call it a good night at the movies, but i'm probably just wierd there. i suppose it's actually sort of endearing that you were able to enjoy something that made children in the audience piss their pants and permanently forget basic math skills and made most adults watching desperately want that two hours of their life back after sitting in frustrated puzzlement at the never-ending stream of cgi whiz-cars and vroom-mobiles. good for you for finding joy in something that has been hated the world over by so many people. anyways, now that THAT business is taken care of (c'mon jen, you didn't think i was just going to respectfully accept you pick did you?), here are my choices for top films of the summer of 2008: 1. Hamlet 2 - original, hilarious, and bound for cult classic status. 2. Iron Man - concise, stimulating and RDJ is officially a boss. 3. The Dark Knight - artful, thought-provoking and the Joker stole the movie. 4. Bigger, Stronger, Faster* - evenhanded, intelligent and socially significant. an excellent debut doc. 5. Tropic Thunder / Pineapple Express (tie) - both were painfully funny and well-acted with a seamless blend of action and comedy. this was also a great summer for independent films and documentaries. a few, like 'gonzo' and 'mongol' have been mentioned, but here's a list of some titles you (and I) may have missed this summer that have high t-meter ratings. fire up those netflix queues folks. surfwise (100%) chop shop (95%) bigger, stronger faster* (95%) my winnipeg (95%) encounters at the end of the world (94%) Up the Yangtze (94%) Tell No One (92%) the edge of heaven (89%) Gunnin' for That #1 Spot (89%) roman de gare (88%) reprise (86%) constantine's sword (85%) frozen river (85%) sangre di mi sangre (83%) the dhamma brothers (82%) Baghead (80%) as far as movies that disappointed me this summer, here are my bottom 3 (1 being the worst) 1. indiana groans and the lamedom of the alien storyline - it felt forced, was cgi'd to the MAX and lacked even a shred of plausibility, from the stunts to the animals to the friggin spaceship. mutt is the new jar-jar, plain and simple. 2. wanted - i wanted it to be matrix-esque, instead it was euro-camp complete with frenetic, goofy camera angles and james macavoy trying WAY too hard to be a baller. how many times can two guys' bullets hit each other in mid-air for cryin out loud? 3. wall-e - i'm a big pixar fan, thought 'ratatouille' deserved a best picture nod last year, but this went too far. i didn't feel any connection to the characters, especially the supporting robots of which there were too many that did far too little. and for designers that can render a post-apocalyptic earth so beautifully, you'd think they could make their humans look at least somewhat realistic. pixar's always had problems with that and it became terribly apparent here. the fire extinguisher flying sequence was too cheesy for me and i honestly didn't give a crap about the movie after that. so there's my peace. a negative rant with some positive offerings to compensate. the best, the missed and the worst. for movies, this summer was better than last and made the cinematic wasteland that was summer 2006 just look silly by comparison. peace y'all. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 11:01 AM INDIANA JONES IV should be up near the top of worst movies. 77% ?!!! ..idiots. TDK was def my most disappointing film of year. Im not saying it wasn't good, it was better than many others, but considering the hype it was MASSIVELY over-rated. Definately not 'WOW!, BEST FILM EVER!, I'VE SEEN IT TWELVE TIMES!' good that some of you think it was. In fact, BATMAN BEGINS was much better, and that was not what we were led to believe. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 04 2008 11:06 AM Great summer for movies, which is strange because I only saw 3 movies and I saw them all more than once. Batman 3 times, PE 3 times and Iron Man twice. I keep seeing all the Wall-E media and hearing about how great Tropic Thunder is so I am thinking I need to get my *** to the theater and watch both of them...simultaneously. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 11:25 AM Dahluzz, my old friend. I knew the backlash would come sooner or later...I just didn't know where from. Yes, I like shiny things and "clearly" picked Speed Racer just to stand out from the crowd." Because that's how I make all of my decisions. Not! (I also liked Borat a whole lot, but mostly because it makes me controversial.) Anyhow, I've said my piece already about Speed Racer, and I accept your contempt. Perhaps I can regain my cred with you by agreeing with the other things you say: - Your Top 5 list is respectable. - So are your indie/foreign recommendations. In particular, I liked Baghead a lot and have Reprise sitting on my DVD player to watch soon. - Indiana Jones sucked ***** big time. Friends again? (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 12:35 PM I know no one cares and by no means am I defending Made of Honor, but aside from When Harry Met Sally, what romantic comedies aren%u2019t a cookie-cutter stew of mediocrity (how's that for combining euphemisms)? (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 12:40 PM In reply to this comment (#2017018) Sangre de mi sangre, Spanish not Italian bro and you totally forgot, all of you, including RT, Man on Wire. That movie was a thrill. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 01:07 PM Jen, I am totally with you with Speed Racer. I think it's very underrated, and most people tend to trash it undeservedly. I understand that it does have a different style that many people may not be able to get into as much as others, but I think many people need to realize that it's about their own personal preference, not a question of whether the movie is made badly or not. I believe it's made very well (given the unique intentions they had with the film). I, as well as most of the people I saw it with, really loved it. I think it's a shame it did poorly critically and financially, and...(I know I'm gonna get major heat for this)...I actually liked it better than Iron Man. I actually think Speed Racer was the best movie of the summer up until Dark Knight. Don't get me wrong, Iron Man was a great movie, I loved it. But I loved Speed Racer's crazy style, it's intentional camp, and it's very direct translation of the cartoon more. Iron Man, while a great great superhero movie, it's really quite a formulaic superhero movie. It doesn't really do much that hasn't been done before. Speed Racer at least tries something new, something most of us haven't seen before. And when attempting something unique, of course there will be dissenters. Speed Racer is something obviously very different and risky, and it's not surprising that there are people who just can't get into it. Or people who want to mindlessly bash just to feel cool or something (not anyone here specifically, but that unfortunate way of thinking does exist). (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 01:08 PM In reply to this comment (#2017113) yeah jen, it's all good. i'll put you back in my good graces for taking my mudslinging with a grain of salt. i just couldn't let you reach the finish line picking 'SPED racer' without a experiencing some road rash. but enough with the cogent puns already. i know you're a free thinker. oh, this does give me an idea though. how about an RT staffer list of top guilty pleasure flicks? it could feature movies that are so bad they're good, have accompanying anecdotes that explain their selection or are just former sick-day standards that have since become forgotten gems. lemme know what you think. good day ma'lady. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 01:11 PM In reply to this comment (#2017183) word, my romance languages all flow together since i always took one introductory semester of each and then moved on. i just saw that my local art-house theater is getting 'man on wire' this weekend and i'm stoked. good call though. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 04 2008 04:56 PM Really great summer. Nice to see Indy return and the birth of a modern classic with the Dark Knight. Iron Man was pretty pants though. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 04 2008 05:13 PM The trio of Wall·E, TDK, and Iron Man alone put this summer waaay on top of last summer, wherein Ratatouille and The Bourne Ultimatum were the only movies that delivered as far as I'm concerned. On a side note, they are already thinking of doing up to 5-6 Kung Fu Pandas? No surprise, that's dreamworks animation for you. The stench of Shrek the 3rd paved way for the upcoming Shrek goes fourth and I guess they are going to give KFP the same treatment. KFP was ok-though not as stellar as Wall·E-and I believe the sequels will offer nothing new or groundbreaking and will be akin to Shrek the 3rd quality. The biggest letdown of the summer for me was Indy IV. Though it was fun and enjoyable, I found it lacking when put side by side its' predecessors. I found Wanted as a pleasant surprise, and as for Hancock, I'm glad someone else paid for me to see that thing. As for Summer 2009, I don't think the quality of the "big" anticipated films will match the quality of this past summers' big films. I dread the upcoming Wolverine and Transformers 2 (I guess I'm in the minority in thinking Transformers 1 despite being fun and visually stunning, was an utter mess, not even an organized chaotic mess, but just an utter mess that bordered on the absurd). Hopefully, the new Terminator will rock and Potter 6 will get back on the right track that was laid down by Azkaban which I believe is the best of the Potter films by far (I would've preferred seeing Cuaron back in the directors' chair for the remaining films). Anyway, Prior to next Summer, I'm looking forward to Quantum of Solace and Spirit this Winter, and Watchmen (barring any legal shenanigans that delays its' release) in the Spring of 2009. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 04 2008 07:46 PM It upsets me that RT again allowed a Pixar movie (Wall-E) to outmuscle all other great summer flicks. I have nothing against Wall-E, it was a great love story that people from 5 to 100 years old could appreciate. I can see RT's argument for placing Wall-E at the top of their list, but I feel that the film that not only grossed highest this summer, but the one that connected with viewers on every emotional level available and then some should have claimed the top spot. I am speaking of course of The Dark Knight. I love Pixar and strongly believe that Wall-E belongs second on the list of best summer movies, but wish that RT would stop playing it safe and choose the dark film over the lighter fare of the family film as it's top choice. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 05 2008 12:39 AM In reply to this comment (#2017520) RT didn't choose anything, it's done by critical reception. Do you even know how the site works? Anyway, ranking the movies I saw this summer: 1. The Dark Knight 2. Tropic Thunder 2. Iron Man (Not a typo, I can't choose between the two) 4. Wall-E 5. Hellboy 2 6. Pineapple Express 7. Hamlet 2 8. Kung Fu Panda 9. Indiana Jones 4 10. Get Smart Dead last: Wanted (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 05 2008 07:45 AM Jen Yamato? You're all right in my book. "Speed Racer" was my ultimate guilty pleasure of the year so far. There's so much positive feel-good energy going on through the movie. Chimpanzees wearing clothes, John Goodman wrestling ninjas, a car that shoots bees - it's campy cheesiness at it's finest and probably would've been right at home in the 80's. Too bad it's such a hard sell with the "dark and gritty" trend going on. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 05 2008 12:44 PM WHERE IS HELLBOY 2? (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 05 2008 01:53 PM Yeah I didn't think Speed Racer was to bad at, I didn't love it but it was enjoyable, but then I didn't mind Babylon A.D. eother. Wanted on the other hand wasn't to good at all. (Reply to this) |
on Sep 06 2008 07:03 AM Wanted over Dark Knight any day. (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 08 2008 11:22 AM In reply to this comment (#2019939) "Wanted over Dark Knight any day." I agree with this, if this is the answer to the question "Which action movie was passably entertaining at best and shouldn't have even retained the name of the graphic novel it was based on, considering how much they changed?" (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 15 2008 03:49 PM Rottentomatoes has got it a little off, The Dark Knight was #1 then Wall-E and then Ironman. And if people think that Ironman 2 will surpass The Dark Knight there wrong. Batman Begins was better then Ironman it just didn't get as much respect because it was a little ahead of it's time. Only a few special people like myself could see it's greatness. Wall-E is great, but isn't as good as The Dark Knight. Wall-E is third to Disney films behind, Beauty and the Beast and Lion King. While The Dark Knight is second in greatest films of all-time behind The Godfather. The Dark Knight and Wall-E both deserve a Nod for best picture and TDK most likely the most deserving candidate, but perhaps a movie will sprout like No Country for old Men and There Will be Blood. But let me say that if a film comes out to the level of The Departed that's not even good enough to be more deserving then TDK. The film will at least have to be No Country for Old Men level to be even considered better then TDK. TDk deserves probably about 7 oscars nod, but probably won't get it. Just LOTR the Batman Triolgy will probably just end up winning 10 or 12 Oscars for the third installment. Even though to be honest I think all three films deserved 10-12 Oscars including Batman Begins. But hey why not award the undeserving, just like how people some how elected the undeserving president George W. Bush 2 times in a row. The undeserving always seem to be the ones being reward know of day's do to the unintelligent s of society o well at least I'm excited for W. lol (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 16 2008 11:31 AM In reply to this comment (#2032694) some of my favorite lines from the above post: "it was a little ahead of it's time. Only a few special people like myself could see it's greatness." "The Dark Knight is second in greatest films of all-time behind The Godfather." "The undeserving always seem to be the ones being reward know of day's do to the unintelligent s of society o well" hahahaha i mean the first one sets it up that this kid thinks he's cool. too cool. possibly even for school. the second one would be hilarious, except that i bet this kid has actually conditioned himself to believe that, which makes it sad. and the third one really just speaks for itself. those unintelli-gents, always screwin things up for the rest of us edumacated people. con-sarn it! (Reply to this) |
on Oct 25 2008 11:02 AM Hey I'm here to do my list... of... awww, I'm to late! (Reply to this) |
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on Oct 25 2008 05:07 PM I guess no one will ever read my joke. :( (Reply to this) |
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