Wilder's Oscar Blurbs

Hello the internet!

I know you've all waited on bended knee to hear what I have to say about this year's Oscar noms, so I'll get right to it. Bold will indicate what I want to win, and italics will indicate what I think is going to win. I'll write some stuff about films I think either did or did not deserve to be in the category too. It's important to note that I haven't even seen "The Artist", but regardless, I expect it to destroy urrybody.

The Top Ten of '10 - Wilder's Picks

Hey internet,

Here's my list for the best films of 2010. I would like to quickly note that I haven't seen The Fighter, but I imagine it's not too different from every other great boxing movie. I will readily admit that Jose picked most of these, I've just re-ordered them, and added some that I hope Jose hasn't seen. And finally, haven't put True Grit on here simply because I don't think it belongs. It was really well made, and Jeff Bridges was fantastic. But it left me with nothing. The following ten left me with quite a bit.

Single Trailer Arises

Many members of the The Movie Watch's staff were behind this surefire hit.

Wilder's Picks - The Best of '09

Hey internet,

Seeing that 2009 is coming to a close, and I write for a movie blog, there seemed only one thing appropriate to do.

Here are, in my opinion, the top ten best films of 2009. Keep in mind that I HAVE NOT SEEN Inglourious Basterds, Moon, or The Hurt Locker. I imagine all of those belong somewhere on this list in place of some, but I simply have not seen them.

Ehem.


10) Avatar

Read Jose's review here.

When Did Comedies Become So... Mean?

After I saw Step Brothers, there was one thing that was really bothering me. I didn't like the film at all, but I didn't really understand why. For some reason it did not have the type of humor that the two Adam McKay films had. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby were both very enjoyable and very, very funny.

Then, after some serious thought, I finally understood what I didn't like about his newest film.

It was just too mean.

Since when are comedies so mean? Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are just so mean to each other, and everyone around them. It makes them characters no one can identify with, or even want to identify with. While Ron Burgandy and Ricky Bobby are not the most relatable characters, at least they are likable, and you may want to relate to them. But in Step Brothers, they're just so damn mean it's hard to care about them, or the movie in general.

What happened to comedies like Mel Brooks used to make? Those were silly, slapstick fun. They weren't mean. Even Knocked Up and Superbad, while very crude, had characters you could still fall in love with, and root for. This wasn't the case in Step Brothers. What's worse, The Foot Fist Way, and Jody Hill's new film, Observe & Report seem to have the same problem. Though I was once a die-hard fan of Rogen's I can tell you I won't be going to see Observe & Report. It just looks too mean.

And even worse still, it seems like America wants these movies to be mean. It seems to a be an advertising point. For example, take a look at the DVD box for the upcoming release of Sex Drive.


Why is it being advertised like this? If you recall, I raved about this film. The reason I loved it so much was because it found that heart, the element that seems to be ever so elusive in these mean comedies today. Sex Drive is not the 'crudest, rudest' thing around, so why advertise it like that?


Because that's what people want.

And in the words of Seth Rogen in Knocked Up, it makes me sad all day.

What We Like: Wilder's Favorites

Hey all. Get ready, because here be me faves.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol. The story everyone knows. One would think perhaps that the tale Dickens created many years ago would be long forgotten, but no. Today it is still the most popular story waiting to be lampooned by every television show, children's cartoon, and waiting to be remade almost on a yearly basis by major motion picture movie studios. From 2008 (this year) all the way to 2010 you can count on seeing a version of this classic tale in a theater near you.

Lets go in order of release date:

"An American Tale" 2008 Empower Pictures Directed By: David Zucker

Ah, the Zuckers, creators and writers of "Airplane!" "Naked Gun" "Superhero Movie" as well as many others. Naturally, you can expect a good laugh from this upcoming version of the classic Christmas story. Starring Zucker regular Leslie Nielsen, many other comedy stars like Kelsey Grammer, Kevin Farley, John Voight, and Dennis Hopper.

You can expect many renamed characters, out of context gags, at least one "Surely, and don't call me Shirley joke." I'll put my money on this to take #1 in the box office as far as Christmas themed movies are concerned. When a trailer comes out, I'll post it.


On to 2009:

"A Christmas Carol" 2009 ImageMovers Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Zemekis used to make movies that were heartfelt and warming, and he used to use... um... actors but ever since he moved into 100% motion captured animated films that are supposed to look real he has gone down hill. People may say "Zemekis, why don't you make films with actors anymore? Forest Gump and Back to the Future were amazing." Truthfully, I think the reason he makes films with mo-cap now is because of the fact that he can now control the actors to new levels to get exactly what he wants in his films. Eitherway, Zemekis has a way with Christmas themed films, so this should be the perfect medicine for surviving 2009.

This film stars Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright Penn, Colin Firth, Michael J Fox, Carey Elwes, and Christopher Lloyd. Least to say, it is an amazing cast, and seeing Michael J fox again will be nice. You can bet Tom Hanks was wanted for Scrooge, but noone can hold a candle to Jim Carrey. This film is a certain hit. When a trailer is available I will post it here.

On to 2010:

"A Christmas Carol" 2010 Directed By: Lasse Hallström

Nothing is known about this movie right now except for the fact that its director also made "Cider House Rules", "Chocolat", and "Cassanova." It hardly seems like his thing to make this film, but hey, to each his own. As I find out more about this film, I will certainly post the information here. I guess I'll post the trailer too, but thats like 2 years from now. In the meantime enjoy the three others and try not to get sick of the premise, because I can bet you'll be seeing many more adaptations of it in your lifetime.


Why do people keep adapting this story, you'd think someone would get sick of it. I guess people have and they won't see these four films, but hey at least its not the general public. Well enjoy watching all your summer blockbusters and hold your breath for these next three winter releases.

As Tiny Tim would say... "God Bless Us, Everyone."


Merry [Early] Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!