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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Top 10 Best Films of 2009 Countdown (1-5)
Posted Friday, January 8, at 11:47 AM
(The countdown continues...)

5. The Hangover

I have said this movie was the best comedy this year, but this movie was quite possibly one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Todd Phillips, who directed another comedic classic Old School directed a solid film oddly enough with a B-Level cast as the lead actors (Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifinakis). Also, the scene of Mike Tyson air drumming to "In The Air Tonight" by Genesis was one of the best scenes of the year.

4. Star Trek

I was a big fan of the original films, I actually went to the acquatic park where Star Trek 4 was shot. When I heard word, that JJ Abrams, fresh off the success of the monster flick "Cloverfield", was planning a film where a young crop of up and coming stars will play the legendary roles of Kirk and the original crew, I was a little skeptical. But this film was exciting to watch, the action sequences rocked and Chris Pine made himself known in Hollywood with his portrayal of Captain Kirk.

3. District 9

I'll be honest, I'm not really a fan of Peter Jackson's films, I am one of the few people in the world who hasn't seen any of the Lord of The Rings films, although I thought his remake of King Kong was excellent featuring a surprising performance from Jack Black.

With District 9, I checked this film out only on hype alone, and this movie proved it. Now of course, this film doesn't feature any familiar actors, but Sharlto Copley, who plays the lead government agent who comes into contact with an alien substance that slowly turns him into one of the aliens he's deporting from District 9, in my view was the breakout star of 2009.

2. Invictus

This is the second last minute entry to this countdown, as Clint Eastwood continues his success as a director with Invictus. The film features Morgan Freeman starring as South African leader Nelson Mandela, for Freeman this was a "career defining" role, and in my view no actor could have portrayed Mandela any better. Matt Damon closed out his 2009, with a strong performance as the captain of the South African Rugby team who with influence from Mandela leads his team to the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

1. Up In The Air

Last year, The Dark Knight was my overall choice for Best Movie. For most of the year, District 9 and Star Trek was in a close race for best movie, until Christmas weekend, when I saw Sherlock Holmes, Invictus and the Best Movie of 2009.

George Clooney, delivers an academy award worthy performance as Ryan Bingham, a man who makes his living traveling to workplaces around the country and conducting employee layoffs for bosses too cowardly to do it themselves.

The supporting cast also features worthy award winning performances including the female leads Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick (Twilight) who are both in the running for Best Actress at the Golden Globe awards.

The National Board of Review and the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association have named Up In The Air the best picture of 2009. The film has received eight Broadcast Film Critics Association nominations, six Golden Globe nominations and three Screen Actors Guild nominations.

When Oscar time, this film should rack up several nominations for Clooney, Farmiga, Kendrick and director Jason Reitman who has also directed two great films "Juno" and "Thank You For Smoking."

Honorable Mention

1. Inglorious Basterds

2. I Love You, Man

3. Monsters vs. Aliens

4. Julie and Julia

5. Public Enemies

6. The Proposal

(Due to unforeseen circumstances, here is now my final public video films for Princess and The Frog, hope you enjoy it.)

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Top 10 Worst Movies of 2009 (1-5)
Posted Monday, January 4, at 3:32 PM

5. Law Abiding Citizen (Note, that this won't be the first time Gerard Butler makes this list.) Now going into this movie, I had the conception this was a revenge story, where Butler is a character who avenges the death of his wife and child, but turns from hero to villain and corrupt DA Jamie Foxx pursues him to bring him to justice. ...

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Golden Globe Film Award Predictions
Posted Thursday, December 17, at 11:13 AM

Best Motion Picture, Drama 'Avatar' 'The Hurt Locker' 'Inglourious Basterds' 'Precious' 'Up in the Air' PREDICTION: The only film in this category I saw this year so far was Inglourious Basterds, so on viewing alone I would choose this film, but usually with awards you go with hype and the two movies in this category that have garnered the most hype would be Up In The Air and Hurt Locker, my guess Hurt Locker would win in this category...

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REEL REVUE DOUBLE FEATURE: A Christmas Carol
Posted Thursday, December 10, at 11:45 AM

...

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The buzz of Twilight
Posted Monday, November 23, at 1:49 PM

Well the time has come for all you "Twi-Hards" out there, with New Moon recently opening in theaters. Films have created quite the enthusiastic buzz, around both the public and the media, but I don't remember a series of films getting such as buzz as Twilight...

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NFL Midseason Award Winners
Posted Wednesday, November 11, at 2:26 PM

MVP-Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts This is a two horse race between Manning and Brees, but Manning despite the loss of legendary wide receiver Marvin Harrison is having a career year and through his effort this season, he has made names out of rookie wide outs Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon and aiding in a successful debut year for Jim Caldwell as the head coach. Not to mention, the Colts are 8-0...

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Dunham scores big ratings for Comedy Central
Posted Wednesday, November 4, at 3:03 PM

Jeff Dunham who has scored huge success with his live shows "Arguing With Myself", "Spark of Insanity" and the Jeff Dunham "Very Special Christmas Special," recently debuted his new show on Comedy Central to the highest ratings in network history, putting over Chappelle's Show and Mind Of Mencia...

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World Series Preview: Yankees vs. Phillies
Posted Monday, October 26, at 4:23 PM

The fall classic is now official, the Bronx Bombers (New York Yankees) will square off against the defending world champions (Philadelphia Phillies) starting Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees entered this regular season on a mission to win their 27th World Championship, no one made such a splash in the free agent market like the Yankees, with three acquisitions and close to $300 million dollars later, the Yankees brought in their new aces CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett and their star at first base Mark Teixera.. ...

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American Music Awards Predictions
Posted Thursday, October 22, at 1:15 PM

The 2009 American Music Awards is scheduled for November 22, 2009 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The nominees were announced on October 13, 2009. Here are my predictions for the key categories at the AMA's. Artist of the Year Winner-Michael Jackson...

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League Championship Series Previews
Posted Wednesday, October 14, at 11:51 AM

Well I got two out of the four LCS teams right, 50% ain't all that bad. I never would have seen the Cardinals who are on a roll after picking up Matt Holiday had a smooth road to the LCS, but the Dodgers pulled off the surprising sweep. But in the end, the four best teams in the league are rightfully in the LCS. ...

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You stay classy, Mountain Home
Michael Nowotny
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Top 10 Best Films of 2009 Countdown (1-5)
(0 ~ 11:47 AM, Jan 8)

Top 10 Worst Movies of 2009 (1-5)
(0 ~ 3:32 PM, Jan 4)

Golden Globe Film Award Predictions
(0 ~ 11:13 AM, Dec 17)

REEL REVUE DOUBLE FEATURE: A Christmas Carol
(0 ~ 11:45 AM, Dec 10)

The buzz of Twilight
(0 ~ 1:49 PM, Nov 23)