For those of you who wondered where STAR TREK was on my top 5 list...

Hey everyone! I know a lot of you guys are freaking out about STAR TREK being left off my Top 5 list. Little did you know, it's actually in my Top 10. I wrote it up a while back, so I thought I'd share 6-10 with you. In case you were wondering why DISTRICT 9 isn't on here, lemme 'splain. I really enjoyed it. But shaky cam gives me vertigo. It's the reason I can't play first person shooters. I almost really, really upset the person next to me in the theater.

Anyway, feel free to comment and tell me why my choices suck. ;)

DRAG ME TO HELL



One of the trends this year has been the return to fun horror. I know that sounds weird to non-horror fans, but think of the old eighties films that had you laughing as well as screaming. (Not in a spoof sort of way.) I have no issues with torture porn. Really, I don't. But it's getting old. I'm no longer shocked. DMTH was just plain fun. It was silly. It was scary. It made me fear creepy old gypsy women with staplers and an over abundance of bodily fluids. It made me yell and embarrass myself in front of the horror blogger I was sitting next to. (Don't judge, Ryan.) It was everything I love about Sam Raimi. The only thing that would have made it better was a cameo from Bruce Campbell.

ANVIL




I'm a shameless metal head. I make no apologies. But you don't have to like metal to love this film. No only does ANVIL show two of the most dedicated, if ultimately (and sadly) unsuccessful artists in the genre, it makes you want to take them home, give them a bath and hug them like puppies. Seriously though, it's a beautifully made film and it really gives you insight into the music world. These guys were part of the beginning of it all. \m/ forever!

MOON



A lovingly crafted sci-fi movie that reminds you of where the genre came from. The film could just as easily been a stage production, which is refreshing in a time where you can almost hear the studio execs screaming, “More CG! More 3D!” at film makers. Don't your panties in a bunch. I love CG and 3D. I love explosions and car crashes. But every once in a while, a restrained piece like MOON comes along, using camera work and acting (imagine that) to tell the story. Writer/director Duncan Jones clearly has a passion for the subject (it's based on the book “Entering Space” by Robert Zubrin) and channelled that beautifully into the film. (It was very hard for me not to hum “Space Oddity” when I interviewed him.) And Sam Rockwell give a tour de force performance. There is also an excellent butt shot and a happy dance. And fuzzy dice. Can't forget those. Sorry.


STAR TREK



It is with a glad heart that I add STAR TREK to my top 10 list. As a bit of a trekkie, I wasn't expecting to like it. Too many things could have gone wrong. Even with their decision to use an alternate timeline, it could still have been a big old giant stinking mess. But it all worked out perfectly. Excellent casting (Karl Urban practically channelled Bones) including Leonard Nimoy, a completely engaging story and no tribbles. I love tribbles, don't get me wrong. (I saw a vibrating one at Wondercon...eew.) What I mean to say is that they didn't rely on “Oh look at the reference we just made...get it? Get it?” The storytelling was solid, the action was fantastic, the references weren't overdone...solid film all around. Now, if we can only manage to keep Khan out of the sequel...


CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS



The title alone makes me happy. I never read the book it's based on, but I'm absolutely in love with the story. And the giant jelly beans. The voice casting (Bill Hader, Anna Faris) could have easily gone over the top, but it was delightfully restrained. The monologue from Earl Devereaux played by Mr. T had me laughing hard that soda almost came out of my nose. And I haven't had soda in years. Neil Patrick Harris as Steve the monkey...please, just see this film. Phil Lord and Chris Miller are young film makers and they've put out a product that promises Pixar-rivaling things to come. The phone call scene where Flint (Hader) tries to get his computer-illiterate dad to email him something was one of the funniest things I've seen on film all year. (It certainly helped that I had just done the same thing with my mother on the way over to the screening.) Even better, they used the 3D. I've said it before, but I'm so tired of studios almost apologizing for it. “Oh we don't throw things at you.” Um, it's 3D. Throw things at me! That's the point!

Note: Eat before you see this or you'll binge like a stoner...not that I know anything about that. Ahem.

Click HERE to check out my top 5 on JoBlo.com!

Felicia Day and Friends, Claudia Black on FARSCAPE Webisodes, Eric Bana on Stand Up and AVATAR vs. MOON

Well, I've created a shit storm. I didn't love AVATAR and I've really made people angry. And you know what? Fuck 'em. I was totally honest. I wouldn't take back a word of what I said, especially since I said a lot of positive things about it. And by the way, I get why people are giving me shit about my math. I gave it a visual 10/10 and a 4/10 for story, but I still gave it a 6/10. I know what the average of those two numbers are, but to me, story has more weight than visuals. Look at MOON (JoBlo Review HERE). Super low budget and still a brilliant story. Made my top ten of the year.



But AVATAR...I'll say it one last time. Visually incredible. A MUST-SEE! But I wasn't going to pretend to love the story. Read a few of the positive reviews. Even they seem to apologize for the writing. Anyway, I doubt one negative review is going to make a James Cameron film tank, especially when that review tells you to see it anyway. Just saying. HERE is the JoBlo review if you'd like to add your two cents.

I kind of love this picture.

Believe it or not, other things happened today. My VGA red carpet interview with Felicia Day, Sandeep Parikh and Amy Okuda from THE GUILD went up today on Newsarama. Check it out HERE. I got Felicia and Sandeep together. They talked about THE GUILD season 4, LEGEND OF NEIL and a little DR. HORRIBLE. Amy Okuda wandered by afterward and seemed surprised that I recognized her. She was there as a guest of Mark Hamill's daughter! She gave us a look at what she wants to see happen to Tinkerballa.

The ladies of THE GUILD, Robin Thorsen, Amy Okuda and Felicia Day.

And I'm pleased to announce my first article on one of my favorite sites, Collider.com. I got to interview the super cool Claudia Black of STARGATE and FARSCAPE fame. FARSCAPE is one of my favorite shows of all time, and the Aeryn Sun/John Crichton love story...nothing better. She gives a bit of info on the FARSCAPE webisodes. See what she has to say HERE.

Ben Browder and Claudia Black as John Crichton and Aeryn Sun.

Finally, I got to chat with Eric Bana this morning about his very personal documentary, LOVE THE BEAST. I'll post that as soon as it goes live on JoBlo, but he was great to talk to. I asked if he would ever do any stand up in the US, but sadly, he said no. That man is seriously funny. From THE HULK to FUNNY PEOPLE. He saved the third act of that film.

What? Did you think I was going to use a more current picture when this was on the web?

By the way, I sent in my nominations for the Critic's Choice Awards this weekend. The official noms came in today. Check them out on the BFCA website (Broadcast Film Critic's Association) HERE. Happily, most of my choices made the list. Sad that MOON didn't receive more. What do you guys think of the choices. I'd love to hear your thoughts.