The number of movies and their variety increased within the decade with the introduction of Comic/Fictional books adaptation as well as the introduction of asian movies, especially in the horror genre and action genre.
Now, adaptations from books has already been done before, but the adaptations from comics, or graphic novels were a novelty at that time. Movies such as X-Men (I,II,III), Hulk (Ang Lee) and Punisher, as well as 300, Sin City revived the movie industry very much, with the advancement of CGI technology. Now we can see super-powered humans using super powers like laser eyes (Cyclops), giant (Hulk), camouflage (Mystique, Psylocke) with such realism that it seriously began to attract people again to the cinemas.
Apart from the graphic novels, CGI technology advancement also enabled effects that couldn't be done last time do-able now. This included the effects of "magic" found only in the minds of fantasy readers last time, being abled to be pictured onto the silver screen. With such technology, many fantasy books were adapted as well (remember LOTR?). Such books included the massively popular Harry Potter series, Narnia chronicles, Eragon, Dark Is Rising, and so forth.
Even TV series were irrevocably changed from 2000 till now. Series like X Files that were so scarce and others with good plots came in abundance. The series included LOST, GOSSIP GIRLS, DEXTER, HOUSE, MONK, and so forth...
Asian countries on the other hand, contributed alot to the hollywood industry both directly and indirectly as well. Horror movies from Japan, Korea and Thailand were both imported into U.S. and adapted as well into hollywood (watered down though) versions. These movies included Ringu (RING), Ju-On (GRUDGE), One Missed Call, Shutter (Shutter), The eye and others more. With the introduction of Asian movies, these Asian actors/actresses received their (justly) credits, some becoming part of hollywood movie acting crews as well. They included action stars like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Zhang Zi Yi, Michelle Yeoh (our own !!! :) )as well as others.
Enough of the decade's commentary. I feel like a movie critic now...
Anyways, as I said, year 2009 ain't different from the others before it. In fact, there were more "effects" ladden movies than before if I'm not wrong. I can't say that I've seen all movies that came out, but I do know that I saw most of the main ones... Here are some of them that are to be mentioned, be it worthy or not.
The Proposal
This romance comedy has all of the romance comedies before it, the plot, the humour, the plot... But it stuck into my mind because of the casting. Both main casts, the ageing Sandra Bullock of Speed/While U Were Sleeping fame and Ryan Reynolds of Van Vilder/2 Guys, A Girl fame actually had chemistry going between them in the movie. They are helped by quite a number of veteran actors/actresses as well. The humour therefore seemed more realistic compared to other romedies (YES... MY OWN WORD).
Did I mention Sandra Bullock?
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
The earliest "Summer Blockbuster", this movie kinda blockbusted to me instead. The effects were as good as expected, and Hugh Jackman is inside it. Coupled by the fact that it was about his past, where u can see the beginnings of Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds again) and Sabretooth (forgot his name, good acting though); the action unfortunately couldn't hide the fact that the plot was weak, compared to even the weakest X Men movie (X Men III). This movie is mentioned because it's an X men movie still, and it has mutants, like GAMBIT :p
UP
Trust PIXAR to create wonderful and beautiful movies as well as good storylines. Up actually started on a sad note, where we see how the old man came to be, before setting up to a good 80+ minutes CGI animations.
The boy is cute, the dog is cuter, the bird is cutest.
Oh, not to mention a gorgeous short animation before preluding the movie. Still bring smiles to me everytime I remember about the clouds :)
Alien Vs Monsters
2009 provided quite a number of animations, such as Up, princess and meatballs. Another one that stood out for me that year was Alien Vs. Monsters. A parody of sorts, the animation starred many voice-talents including the ever pretty Reese Witherspoon, High Laurie, Seth Rogen as a group of monsters- YUP... Monsters - that was taken and kept by the U.S. government to fight off alien invasions. Simple plotline, nothing as deep as Up.
The thing that attracted me to this show was (apart from Reese's voice) the monsters. They are a hoot as they seriously parody the monsters from occult movies of the 60s/70s. These monsters included the 40ft woman, the blob and the lagoon beast. Young uns' may not know, but these parodies are well worth the cartoon versions :p
Terminator Salvation
What can I say about this movie? Bale, Worthington, the machines, gosh. THE MACHINES!!!!!
Transformers 2
People say it's all because of Eva Mendez in hot pants... I say it's the decepticons... Constructicons (b4 merge) to be exact!!!!
And the *clang clang*
Harry Potter and the Half blood prince
We get to see Dumbledore die (U all should KNOW BY NOW), destruction of the "hocrux", romance (squel, girls..) and Hermione!!!!
Avatar
If u don mind going trough the gruelling slow first 1 1/2 haours of the movie, the show is good towards the end. Plot is actually engaging in a way, as director knows how to make good story... And Sam Worthington is there again... He's seriously turning out to be a good actor from down under...
GI JOE
The toys are back on the action screen!!! Take that, Thundercats!!!
And the baroness.... ooh...la...la...
9
This animation was a surprise movie for me, as it wasn't shown in Malaysia at all. I got the trailer thnx to Youtube, and was hooked onto it. When I saw the show, it was like watching Final Fantasy Spirits Within - epic in a way... Directed by the russian guy who directed Night watch, Day watch and Wanted, 9 is a good show.
Star Trek
WHoosh... This is my favourite. I've never really like star trek, except for voyager series. But this show put the stars in star trek wei. With a story that started the thing yet manages to make it into a whole new timeline, it is THE MOVIE by far...
Seeing Spock talking to Spock was good too.
New Moon
Just to mention. Gals swoon around this movie, either supporting the dead hero or the beast hero. For me neither. I like it for the posters it came with...
Sherlock Holmes
This movie came out at the end of December, and my, it's worth it... Truth to say, I felt a bit apprehensive intially when I saw the trailer. Downey as Holmes?!?!?!
And I saw the movie... BAM!!!! Fantastic!!! Can't say brilliant though, as Holmes to me shouldn't be a fighter, according to his literature...
But the movie was wonderfully done, with all the cast having chemistry around each other. Jude Law, Rachel McAdams and the villain too (Prince Septimus of Stardust) played very well here.
And the promotional posters!!!
1 comment:
I love UP :)
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