Comments on: Ebert’s Top… 20 Films of 2008 http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/ Where Cinema is more than just $100 Million productions Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:49:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-23221 Andrew James Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:17:49 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-23221 I liked the visuals of the fistfight in the snow. It was pretty awesome. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the film simply on its innovative and astounding visuals. Even the general set and costume design fit in with the motif. Can't wait to see it on the "big screen" and turn up the volume a little. I liked the visuals of the fistfight in the snow. It was pretty awesome. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the film simply on its innovative and astounding visuals. Even the general set and costume design fit in with the motif. Can’t wait to see it on the “big screen” and turn up the volume a little.

]]> By: Marina Antunes http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-23217 Marina Antunes Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:06:53 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-23217 Finally Goon and I aren't alone. More love. Bring on more love. Finally Goon and I aren’t alone. More love. Bring on more love.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-23215 Andrew James Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:04:36 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-23215 Alright, so I finally finished <i>Speed Racer</i>. While no where near my top ten for the year, I have to say it is pretty damn good. The script/screenplay are close to shit so the storyline is nothing we haven't really seen before. In that way it is a crap movie. But in terms of style and innovation, it is off the charts kick ass. This is about as ambitious as it gets for Hollywood films and even The Wachowskis' directing style has a flare all its own. This was like watching a live action cartoon. Even more so than something like <i>Kung-Fu Hustle</i>. Watching this on my iPod didn't do the film any favors and it just made me want to see it again... on my room mate's big screen. Yeah, this film is gutsy and beefy. Alright, so I finally finished Speed Racer. While no where near my top ten for the year, I have to say it is pretty damn good.

The script/screenplay are close to shit so the storyline is nothing we haven’t really seen before. In that way it is a crap movie.

But in terms of style and innovation, it is off the charts kick ass. This is about as ambitious as it gets for Hollywood films and even The Wachowskis’ directing style has a flare all its own.

This was like watching a live action cartoon. Even more so than something like Kung-Fu Hustle. Watching this on my iPod didn’t do the film any favors and it just made me want to see it again… on my room mate’s big screen. Yeah, this film is gutsy and beefy.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-22367 Andrew James Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:45:01 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-22367 While I didn't <i>love</i> Hancock, it was a fun time at the theater and probably worth re-watch should it pop up on the tube at some point. The ending was typical, hokey action garbage (i.e. kind of boring), but up to that point it was good fun. While I didn’t love Hancock, it was a fun time at the theater and probably worth re-watch should it pop up on the tube at some point. The ending was typical, hokey action garbage (i.e. kind of boring), but up to that point it was good fun.

]]> By: Henrik http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-22365 Henrik Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:37:51 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-22365 Hancock spoilers for an ending that is shit. What consequence? In the end she is with the family and hancock is doing superhero shit anyway, completely senseless but happy. I loved Will Smith complaining about a kid talking to much, and telling kids to get out of his face and telling people that they're idiots, but the rest was boring, except Charlize Theron did look ridiculously attractive. Hancock spoilers for an ending that is shit.

What consequence? In the end she is with the family and hancock is doing superhero shit anyway, completely senseless but happy. I loved Will Smith complaining about a kid talking to much, and telling kids to get out of his face and telling people that they’re idiots, but the rest was boring, except Charlize Theron did look ridiculously attractive.

]]> By: Kurt Halfyard http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-22356 Kurt Halfyard Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:57:58 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-22356 While nowhere near perfect and often kind of juvenile, I quite loved HANCOCK for a number of reasons: Jason Bateman doing his thing, Charlize Theron's character and the consequences of her character at the end. Best superhero film remains UNBREAKABLE for me, but Hancock is somewhere up there.... While nowhere near perfect and often kind of juvenile, I quite loved HANCOCK for a number of reasons: Jason Bateman doing his thing, Charlize Theron’s character and the consequences of her character at the end.

Best superhero film remains UNBREAKABLE for me, but Hancock is somewhere up there….

]]> By: Zube http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-22341 Zube Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:40:36 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-22341 Yeah, i know that Hancock is reviled by many but Ebert also liked it, (RE's review is at: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/REVIEWS/140273658) so i feel in good company :) I expected Hancock to be funny but glib and found a subversive super hero film that still managed to hit all the right SH notes and even had a nice emotional punch to it. Instead of a standard origin story with a monstrous super villain, Hancock's nemesis was loneliness and the origin issues were only touched on. This is a film of self-discovery, of re-becoming rather than originating. I know many people find the third act twist hard to swallow but it was completely telegraphed and in keeping with the genre. As for Hancock's "I am the only one of my kind" speech, while meant as self-serving and part of his PR campaign, it actually underscores his real problem and hits home truer than he thought. I thpought the ending was perfectly in keeping with this, as it took the cliched heart monitor visuals and gave them new power and meaning. I am, unabashedly, a Hancock fan. Yeah, i know that Hancock is reviled by many but Ebert also liked it, (RE’s review is at: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/REVIEWS/140273658) so i feel in good company :)

I expected Hancock to be funny but glib and found a subversive super hero film that still managed to hit all the right SH notes and even had a nice emotional punch to it. Instead of a standard origin story with a monstrous super villain, Hancock’s nemesis was loneliness and the origin issues were only touched on. This is a film of self-discovery, of re-becoming rather than originating. I know many people find the third act twist hard to swallow but it was completely telegraphed and in keeping with the genre. As for Hancock’s “I am the only one of my kind” speech, while meant as self-serving and part of his PR campaign, it actually underscores his real problem and hits home truer than he thought. I thpought the ending was perfectly in keeping with this, as it took the cliched heart monitor visuals and gave them new power and meaning.

I am, unabashedly, a Hancock fan.

]]> By: Goon http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-22340 Goon Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:05:26 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-22340 Adding Hancock to your list kinda hurts the Speed Racer cred I was going to give you :P Adding Hancock to your list kinda hurts the Speed Racer cred I was going to give you :P

]]> By: Zube http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-22337 Zube Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:53:54 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-22337 Love that Time Magazine includes Speed Racer. I saw it at the Cinema twice and once, so far, on DVD. Everyone i know personally who has seen SR, loves it. Beautiful film, great story telling and a real emotional belt. Would really like to read Roger's view of the film. My top three of the year are: The Dark Knight Speed Racer Hancock Love that Time Magazine includes Speed Racer. I saw it at the Cinema twice and once, so far, on DVD. Everyone i know personally who has seen SR, loves it. Beautiful film, great story telling and a real emotional belt. Would really like to read Roger’s view of the film. My top three of the year are:

The Dark Knight
Speed Racer
Hancock

]]> By: rot http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21096 rot Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:29:55 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21096 I caught Kung Fu Panda... not bad, visually quite impressive, some solid action sequences. Secondary characters were really under-developed, but as eye candy it was great. I caught Kung Fu Panda… not bad, visually quite impressive, some solid action sequences. Secondary characters were really under-developed, but as eye candy it was great.

]]> By: Matt Gamble http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21087 Matt Gamble Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:56:58 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21087 <b>I have to still see Kung Fu Panda with the kiddies.</b> /fixed I have to still see Kung Fu Panda with the kiddies.

/fixed

]]> By: Goon http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21060 Goon Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:48:55 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21060 I saw Synecdoche New York again today. At this point its definitely my no. 1 of the year. It actually did gain on another viewing, I'm happy to say. Still put in a bit of a daze, but the storytelling of it is a little more fluid and doesn't make me squirm, and of course there's so many little touches, including ones I should have noticed the first time but didn't.. Like how Little Winky was turned into a feature length film and had a poster with PS Hoffman in it in the bus shelter. I saw Synecdoche New York again today. At this point its definitely my no. 1 of the year. It actually did gain on another viewing, I’m happy to say. Still put in a bit of a daze, but the storytelling of it is a little more fluid and doesn’t make me squirm, and of course there’s so many little touches, including ones I should have noticed the first time but didn’t.. Like how Little Winky was turned into a feature length film and had a poster with PS Hoffman in it in the bus shelter.

]]> By: Rusty James http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21037 Rusty James Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:45:22 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21037 I always have to remind myself that Roger Ebert has been touched by death so it's natural that sometimes he would seem askew to us. With each passing day the world of flesh probably seems more and more like a fading memory. He's kind of like the John McCain of film critics. Sure he seems loopy and aloof (that ridiculous creationist stunt a few weeks back?) but remember his great history and show some respect. I always have to remind myself that Roger Ebert has been touched by death so it’s natural that sometimes he would seem askew to us. With each passing day the world of flesh probably seems more and more like a fading memory.

He’s kind of like the John McCain of film critics. Sure he seems loopy and aloof (that ridiculous creationist stunt a few weeks back?) but remember his great history and show some respect.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21035 Kurt Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:03:20 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21035 I have to still see SR with the kiddies. I have to say that I like that My Winnipeg is so high (heck, even on, the list!) I have to still see SR with the kiddies.

I have to say that I like that My Winnipeg is so high (heck, even on, the list!)

]]> By: Marina Antunes http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21026 Marina Antunes Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:44:44 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21026 I'm still not quite sure why all the hate for Speed Racer. Not sure it'll make my top 10 (it's been a really great year) but it was a whole lot of fun to watch. I haven't picked it up on DVD yet but plan to. Maybe for Christmas. I’m still not quite sure why all the hate for Speed Racer. Not sure it’ll make my top 10 (it’s been a really great year) but it was a whole lot of fun to watch. I haven’t picked it up on DVD yet but plan to. Maybe for Christmas.

]]> By: Goon http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21023 Goon Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:38:12 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21023 I have no idea what you'd think Andrew, but I'd bet more money that you'd be a naysayer based on its humor. We'll see. I have no idea what you’d think Andrew, but I’d bet more money that you’d be a naysayer based on its humor. We’ll see.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21019 Andrew James Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:09:42 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21019 I gotta watch that movie to find out what all the hub-bub is about! I gotta watch that movie to find out what all the hub-bub is about!

]]> By: Goon http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21017 Goon Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:10:21 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21017 that's because Speed Racer is The Shit. Game, set and match. that’s because Speed Racer is The Shit.

Game, set and match.

]]> By: rot http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21016 rot Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:59:50 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21016 Speed Racer goes on the shit list. Speed Racer goes on the shit list.

]]> By: Goon http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-21001 Goon Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:21:15 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-21001 Speed Racer will be in my top 10, yup, happy. Speed Racer will be in my top 10, yup, happy.

]]> By: Shannon the Movie Moxie http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-20987 Shannon the Movie Moxie Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:52:06 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-20987 Speed Racer? Speed Racer! Wow, that came outta left field! Speed Racer? Speed Racer! Wow, that came outta left field!

]]> By: Marina Antunes http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-20986 Marina Antunes Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:34:26 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-20986 <a href=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,30583,1855948_1863826_1863827,00.html# rel="nofollow">TIME</a> magazine has listed their Top 10: 1. WALL-E 2. Synecdoche, New York 3. My Winnipeg 4. 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days 5. Milk 6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 7. Slumdog Millionaire 8. Iron Man 9. Speed Racer 10. Encounters at the End of the World. A few of us will rejoyce: They've put Speed Racer in at No. 9! TIME magazine has listed their Top 10:

1. WALL-E
2. Synecdoche, New York
3. My Winnipeg
4. 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
5. Milk
6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
7. Slumdog Millionaire
8. Iron Man
9. Speed Racer
10. Encounters at the End of the World.

A few of us will rejoyce: They’ve put Speed Racer in at No. 9!

]]> By: Marina Antunes http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-20983 Marina Antunes Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:37:13 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-20983 I'm still waiting for Ballast to make an appearance here. Hopefully soon! I’m still waiting for Ballast to make an appearance here. Hopefully soon!

]]> By: Shannon the Movie Moxie http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-20979 Shannon the Movie Moxie Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:48:25 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-20979 And I forgot to mention... that does look like a good list. I gotta get out to see Ballast while it's playing here! And I forgot to mention… that does look like a good list. I gotta get out to see Ballast while it’s playing here!

]]> By: Marina Antunes http://www.rowthree.com/2008/12/08/eberts-top-20-films-of-2008/#comment-20976 Marina Antunes Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:41:42 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=7948#comment-20976 That's a fabulous list. A few in there I still need to catch up with but overall, no major surprises. Happy to see he really liked W. I didn't love it but it did leave me with a lot to think about when I walked away. Looking forward to revisiting that one on DVD down the road. That’s a fabulous list. A few in there I still need to catch up with but overall, no major surprises. Happy to see he really liked W. I didn’t love it but it did leave me with a lot to think about when I walked away. Looking forward to revisiting that one on DVD down the road.

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