NOTE: I'm not including movies that haven't been released yet. Otherwise, this would be filled with movies from Legendary Pictures. Also, certain films I was anticipating for this year will not make this list, because I haven't seen them on DVD or Blu-ray yet to give them a fair thought, like X-Men: Days of Future Past or Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, but I will place them on the honorable mentions at the end of this post.
5. The Wolfman (Joe Johnston)
As some of you know, I love the Universal Monsters, and The Wolfman is the best non-sequel in that lineup. To see a dark version of the story with modern actors appealed to me at the time.
What I thought then:
I saw this twice in one weekend, and loved the brutal violence and atmosphere.
What I think now:
I re-watched this one recently, and it's not bad. I don't like Benicio del Toro very much as Lawrence Talbot, and certain twists and turns the plot takes are questionable. The best part of the movie, aside from Joe Johnston's direction of the period setting is Hugo Weaving's performance. Weaving is always great in genre films, so this shouldn't surprise anyone. Legendary makeup artist Rick Baker delivers an excellent update to the already amazing Jack Pierce Wolfman makeup.
Overall, a good-looking production with some fine performances and cool gore.
4. The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius)
I remember hearing about this on a Sunday morning program, and knowing that no matter who was in it, or what the story was, I had to see it. Even before I launched my Silent Film Saturday YouTube series, I was very much into silent movies, and the fact that this was getting some kind of release made my mind explode.
What I thought then:
I have seen this movie on the big screen more than any other film, for a grand total of six times. Every time I watched it, I fell in love again.
What I think now:
I wrote a paper on this film not too long ago for a class, thinking it wasn't going to hold up. To my surprise, it held up incredibly well, except I think the second act is rather slow in places. It might not be among the best silent films, but it's certainly a delightful treat, and I hope modern audiences like this film enough to explore other movies.
3. Watchmen (Zack Snyder)
I was 15 years old at the time, and a good friend of mine introduced me to Allan Moore and Dave Gibbons' "Watchmen," which is still one of the best book I've ever read. The movie's trailers are among the best I've ever seen for a movie. It looked flipping amazing.
What I thought then:
I loved it. So much so, it became the first R-rated film I saw twice in the theaters. Sure, they left stuff out and altered the ending, but there it was, Watchmen on the big screen as a nearly three hour film.
What I think now:
Still Zack Snyder's best film. I think it's criminally underrated, and while it has some misteps, I can't argue with most of the movie. Jackie Earle Haley is a perfect Rorschach, and Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are superb. I also love that this has three different cuts: the theatrical cut, the director's cut, and the ultimate cut, which even includes "Tales of the Black Freighter." The film didn't do well at the box office, but its true life is on home video, where people can dissect it with repeated viewings and experience the nearly four hour cut, as opposed to the three hour version. Not perfect, but a really good movie.
2. King Kong (Peter Jackson)
King Kong is one of my favorite movies ever, and when I heard a big screen remake was in the works I was excited. As a kid, one of the earliest movies I can remember not liking was the 1976 King Kong, and I thought this would be a better movie.
What I thought then:
I thought it was good, but couldn't understand why it was so long. A three hour movie with a giant gorilla? I didn't mind, because a lot of stuff was cool, but even then I knew it was too long. I also caught some neat Kong references.
What I think now:
Overly long, with scenes that just shouldn't be in a Kong remake. Why should I care about Jimmy? Why is Jack Driscoll such a stiff? Why are the dinosaur effects so bad?
What I do like are the performances of Naomi Watts and Andy Serkis as Ann and Kong. The original film featured a one-sided relationship. In the 2005 film, Kong and Ann have a mutual respect, and Ann gets upset when Kong is injured. Serkis nails it as Kong, and Watts as Ann is simply stellar, especially when she has to interact with the eighth wonder.
Still, this isn't Lord of the Rings Mr. Jackson. It doesn't need to be three hours long. Even worse, the director's cut is roughly three and a half hours!
1. Man of Steel (Zack Snyder)
I wanted the world to receive a modern day Superman that still retained values, but exists in a 21st century world. Also this trailer:
First viewing, I thought it was a rushed but pretty good movie with decent performances and solid action.
What I think now:
I've reviewed the movie some time ago, and it is cluttered with many problems, and it feels so bland and lifeless, it could have been directed by HAL 9000. Hell, I would kill to see that version. Ultimately, it's formulaic to a fault, and has some startling consequences. Not even close to being the worst superhero movie, but it's not very good either. Favorite part of this production: Russell Crowe as Jor-El. If you're able to like it, I envy you.
Honorable mentions:
Godzilla Gareth Edwards
Pacific Rim Guillermo del Toro
X-Men: Days of Future Past
X-Men: The Last Stand Brett Ratner
Rise of the Planet of the Apes/Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Rupert Wyatt, Matt Reeves
What are some of your most anticipated films of all-time?
-Joey DeAngelis
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