Titanic 3D

This past Valentines day I went to see this movie with a bunch of friends, and my boyfriend TJ.  If you liked this movie the first time you saw it, then you will still like this movie.  It is now a fact, turning an old movie into 3D it will not make you like it any more then if it is in 2D.  What this movie proves, is the impact that seeing a movie in the theater has.  The big screen, the reactions of a full audience and the lady behind you crying at scenes that aren’t sad at all (crying, really?  You probably spent all week watching this in the theater in 1997). 

So why should you see this again?  If you were one o f those people who saw it multiple times in theaters before, like my 2 friends who saw it 9 and 13 times, then you will be seeing it again.  If you are a guy who thinks that the 3D effects will make it really cool to see the people fall of the boat when it is sinking, be prepared to be disappointed.  You will still have to go and see it, because your girlfriend wants to see it again. 

Spoiler Alert (this should only pertain to those too young to see it the first time)

My boyfriend TJ always has his own special way of bringing the really important issues to light. After going through this whole experience together, and with all the perceptive observations he could have made about the update of James Cameron’s epic record breaking masterpiece, his primary concern was “Why does Rose return to Jack in her death dream and not her husband?”  Really?  Didn’t he just see Jack give up his life to save Rose?  The obvious answer is this is a movie about Titanic and the alternative would leave the audience confused. 

Now, this is a valid question, which only took 15 years and the mind of someone like TJ to think of it. Illuminating his real phobia he turned to me and asked if he died and I had a death dream would he be there or my hypothetical future husband?   I laughed and said he would be the guy on top of the stairs, and then I asked would it be weird if the guy I married was there too?  He said, it is your death dream, and as long as he was there he would be happy (awkward, but happy).  Argument with TJ’s imagination successfully avoided.

Just In Time for the Oscars…

I would hope that those nominate and vote for the Oscars have seen all of the movies that in the running.  I have my doubts.  I saw over 100 movies last year, and there are some in the best movie pool that I haven’t even seen.  Though I haven’t seen Midnight in Paris and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, I still have enough sense to know that there is no way that War Horse should have gotten a nomination. 

First off, I saw War Horse.  Those who know me know that I constantly comment on how awful it was.   I will admit, it was an ok movie.   I was entertained by parts of the movie, but felt that it dragged on in others.  It did strive and fail to be an epic film like Gone with the Wind.  The horse should be nominated for best actor, I could support that.  The movie became awful when it started to get nominated for awards.

Now, I do feel that 2011 was not a strong movie year.  This was sadly across all categories.  There were a few movies that I felt that did shine.  The Help and The Artist were on the top of the best movies list in my opinion.  The Help took me through a full range of emotions and told an amazing story, like a movie should.  For The Artist, I realized I was seeing a silent, black and white movie about 2 minutes before it started, and thought to my self, “Oh shit.”  It not only kept my attention, but the story interacted with the chosen medium of silent, black and white film.  Well done.  

So which movies do I think were the best of 2011?

Overall: 

The Help

The Artist

Moneyball

50/50

The Flowers of War

And the Oscar goes to… The Flowers of War.  Most of you probably never heard of this movie.  Go see it, and bring a box of tissues, it’s about Japan’s invasion of Nanking in 1937.  The movie is in three languages (one of which is English) and Christian Bale Does an amazing job.  The director, Yimou Zhang, is a true artist and this movie is just amazing.

Action:

Limitless

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II

Warrior

Drive (I didn’t see this, but if I don’t mention it one of my friends will kill me)

Machine Gun Preacher

This was one of the more disappointing categories for this past year.   This was the category that brought us Thor and Cowboys and Aliens, enough said.  (Avengers better step it up, Captain America was ok, but could have been better).

Comedy:

Bridesmaids

A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas  (If you are thinking, what? Then you haven’t seen this movie.  It was surprisingly funny, and did 3D as it should be done).

I don’t do Horror, so you will have to create your own best list.

In conclusion, there were many War Horses this past year.  On the bright side, Billy Crystal is hosting the Oscars, so at least that should be a great show.