2008 was a great year for movies, especially if you like watching things blow up. And we at YesButNoButYes tried our hardest to make sure you saw every explosion, every chunk of brain matter, and every cosmopolitan the big-screen had to offer. Hell, we even gave you a list of overlooked movies to check out as well. From the screenings to what you favorite cast of characters look like twenty years later, YesButNoButYes had you covered.
10. Sex and the CityThe biggest mistake of my life was purchasing an ex-girlfriend the entire box set of Sex and the City on DVD. Every single damn night before we went to bed, she insisted on watching a few episodes. Because of those damn four women with absolutely astounding sex lives, I went to bed unfulfilled. Carrie & Co literally haunted my dreams. So it was no surprise when I passed on this flick. Johnny, on the other hand, had other reasons entirely for missing out on this movie.
9. The FallI begged and pleaded for everyone to see this movie but no one listened. Luckily for you, it's out on DVD for your viewing pleasure. (I recommend the Blu-Ray version if you have the option.)
8. Tropic ThunderYou may have heard about Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of an African-American sergeant (actually an Aussie playing an African-American sergeant) but the other surprising turn is Tom Cruise as bloated studio head Les Grossman in a cameo that will bring Mr. Cruise back into your good graces ... as long as he's telling you not to fuck your own face. Second to the performances were the documentaries and actual products created for the film.
7. Wall•EThis summer, the whole world was smitten with a tiny trash removal robot named Wall-E. But we knew better. In fact, Johnny Five is not only alive, he's reincarnated.
6. High School Musical 3No, none of us on staff has seen High School Musical, including Big Picture, Big Sound who is required to see such nonsense by law. The closest any of us got to seeing it was Googling those naked photos of that one chick. But what if the kids from High School Musical fought an invading communist force? Such a thing almost happened.
5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullThis was what I'd ask God for when the plane I was in hit turbulence. "God, you can't kill me now, I have to see the next Indiana Jones flick!." Now I wish he'd thrown that plane into the side of a mountain and kept me on board without a life raft to float down to Earth with. I liked elements of this film, but as a whole it was one of the most clunky and contrived pieces of drivel I've ever laid eyes on. We were so excited about the new Indy's potential that we began weighing in on his greatest sidekick or Indy as the Greatest American Hero.
4. Quantum of SolaceBond was back, angrier and determined. And while it reverted to the questionable plot dynamics of pre-Daniel Craig Bond (water? really?), the action was top-notch. Not to mention an exquisite Bond-girl in Olga Kurylenko. Miss C gave us a great rundown of all things Bond.
3. Iron ManAdmittedly, I knew almost nothing about the Iron Man history. Thus, my expectations were low heading into this movie. Coming out of this movie, I felt the same thing that I'd felt years before upon watching the Karate Kid ... I wanted to kick some ass. Also, I wanted a house in Malibu and to pick up a chick as hot as Leslie Bibb in Vegas. Iron Man is as fun a summer movie as you're going to get, anchored by the solid performance by this year's renaissance man, Robert Downey Jr. He had some time to joke it up with pals Jack Black and Ben Stiller at the MTV Movie Awards. And for those of you, like me, without much learnin' in the comic book arena, Evil Richard gave a great primer on Iron Man and his origins. (Also this report too)
2. & 1. The Dark KnightRemember all that hype last summer about the Batman Begins sequel? There was no way this movie could hold-up to that type of positive response, right? Wrong. This was the movie to see this summer, completely deserving of it's incredible box-office take. So huge, that it takes the top two spots on our list. And, while I'm at it, let me put this little nugget out there... it's the greatest crime drama of the last 25 years. (I'm including Heat and Goodfellas in that count). Take away the costumes, and the nicknames, and you have a taught psychological crime thriller that holds up immensely upon repeat viewing. Johnny reported on our first viewing back in July. Miss C gave us some great links to check out pre-viewing. We got our hands on some deleted scenes as well as the film's trailer in Lego form.
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i did just see the fall, on your request. it was really something cool, i liked it alot it was a very interesting story and it tied together pretty well in the end. the slaves death was so gruesome...
I too, watched The Fall on your recommendation. Not only did I fall in love with it, I have made everyone else I know watch it and they are in love too. I bought a copy for myself but also one for the library where I work, and now I make all my favorite patrons watch it as well. After I made a fellow librarian watch it, SHE bought it for HER library. Give me a little more time and at least most of Southwestern Pennsylvania will know about it.
You forgot The Hottie and the Nottie. I'm sure it just slipped your mind.
2 Girls 1 Cup was pretty memorable too. Better than all these snooty intellectual movies coming out now. (Yes I'm looking at you Revolutionary Road.)