Everyone is posting their 10 best list. Unfortunately I really haven't seen enough films of that sort this year to compile one. It would be hopelessly biased. However I can compile my top 10 list of films I've seen of late if people don't mind that most were watched on DVD the last six months. So it will be a little more varied than most lists you're apt to read this time of year.
Return of the King Yeah, this is on most people's list. It had few of the flaws of the previous two. And they were great movies in their own right. Beautiful production design, great acting, and finally a trilogy where all three parts are strong. I can't wait for the extended edition.
Samurai Trilogy Great trilogy from the 50's based on the life of Musashi Miyamoto, the greatest swordsman to have ever live. It follows his path of enlightenment and is a great "soap opera" along the way. An interesting early blend of traditional Japanese sensibilities with more western film and narrative techniques. Vibrantly shot in color it really is a fantastic movie.
Pirates of the Carribean What a surprise. The director did a great job last year with The Ring but a great script, great actors and some sort of aligning of the planets provided a surprisingly good movie based upon the Disney ride. When you consider how bad most Disney films have been of late this is doubly surprising. Johnny Depp gives an inspired performance channelling Keith Richards as a pirate.
Indiana Jones Trilogy I think every home got this for Christmas. What a fantastic series. The first one is without a doubt one of the greatest films ever made. It is one of the few films you can watch and state: perfection. The second and third ones didn't quite take themselves seriously enough and at times make you roll your eyes, but are surprisingly fun. The chemistry between Ford and Connery in the third film makes up for a fairly uninspired script.
RAN One of Kurosawa's greatest films. It is basically a retelling of King Lear in a Japanese setting. But what a great film. Stylistic and poignant. I first saw this at BYU for one of my classes and have loved it ever since.
Elf There are so few great comedies. Despite a very weak third act, this movie's first and second acts are so well done that it makes up for its weaknesses. Clearly an act of love for someone of loves Christmas and the Christmas films and specials of the past.
Father Cadfael A great series that is available on DVD from A&E. I've been watching these the past few weeks and enjoying every minute. Very well done series about murder and intrigue around a 12th century monastary.
24 A great series available on DVD. Each season takes pace over 24 hours in real time. Usually they lag in the middle as the writers come up with questionable antics for minor characters with little else todo. But the early and late episodes are almost always amazingly strong and there are good performances across the board. Most impressive is how well directed most of the episodes are. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you haven't watched the TV show most definitely rent the DVDs
Band of Brothers An other great series. Far superior to Saving Private Ryan although largely done by the same group. It follows the 82 Airborne across their entire history during WWII. Each episode typically focuses in on some other theme about the war. Very realistic and the best WWII film since A Bridge Too Far.
X2 Surprisingly well done. Vastly superior to the first film which fell apart whenever action was taking place. Singer really is a great directory and the film has a smart script with lots of overtones that go beyond the typical summer action film.
Matrix I honestly didn't mind the second one. I enjoyed the philosophy even if it was done more hamfisted than the second. The freeway chase was fantastic. But as a whole the film just didn't engage me. I forgave the second's muddled plot but the third one was so attrociously bad that the good will I had was largely erased. My heavens what a mess.
Daredevil Yeah, it had Ben Afflick so I had low expectations going in. (Anyone remember when Afflick made enjoyable art house films and was a half-decent actor?) Still it was very silly. They were going for the more "human" but dark look but the film was all over the place. Even with lowered expectations it was a big disappointment after Spiderman.
The Hulk I was really hoping for this one. When I heard Ang Lee was directing I thought he wisely do a bit of double time with the story and make in transcend the genre like he'd done with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I was wrong. Those elements were there, but not done well. Worst of all he left out the fun and made it drawn out and boring.
T3 I can't say this was disappointing because I was surprised. I rather saw it coming. But I was disappointed by what this did the the franchise. Cameron's films were extremely strong in almost every sense. This one is poorly directed and doesn't really have much going for it.
The Hunted Bet you forgot about this one. Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro directed by William Friedkin. The only missing part was the script. Basically an unimaginative retread of First Blood told largely from the law enforcement's point of view. Friedkin does the best he can with what he has and tries to do a Hemmingway on the single theme of man against man. Unfortunately it just doesn't pay off, unlike say The Fugitive.
Yeah I've mainly dealt with blockbusters. I do have more mixed tastes, but that's what caught my eyes this weekend.