The Film Crusade

While many theater-goers cringe upon witnessing the blatant use of product placement in any given film, The Joneses is a landmark achievement in that it is the first film to make product placement a necessary component of the story-line. Written

Here are what I consider to be the year’s 10 best. Each film on this list has a special place. I can guarantee that anyone who reads this will inevitably be offended by the inclusion, absence, or curious ranking of various films. But the purpose of this list is not about second-guessing or apologizing. It’s about defending.

Say what you want about Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones.” But it is one of the most original films of 2009. And is worthy of some praise and attention. Remarkable performances and solid direction make for an emotionally gripping experience.

Why do we avoid certain films and favor others? Here we make the distinction between some of the biggest Oscar contenders while also projecting the finalists for the Best Picture award.

After the National Board of Review awarded Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air” the Best Picture award, the Oscar bells are ringing. Yet despite what many critics are considering to be the next big thing at the Oscars, “Up in the Air” is not Oscar-worthy. Not in any category. And not even close.

Some Hollywood trends are ending, some are changing, and new successes are threatening to become trends. If there’s anything the 2009 year in film has taught us thus far, it’s that sequels keep making money, 3-D is here to stay, and the African-American market is crucial for big box office numbers.

Ti West’s “The House of the Devil” could have been great. It could have even been epic. And it would have been both if only Ti considered practicing artistic restraint. Do filmmakers like Ti West deserve final cut?

Fifteen years ago on November 5th, one of the most groundbreaking films in the history of documentary filmmaking was released in theaters. Today, “Hoop Dreams” is still considered among the best. The man behind the camera, Peter Gilbert, reveals the hidden back-story behind “Hoop Dreams” in an exclusive interview with Charlie Wachtel.

Pirates beware. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) fired three executive forerunners of its anti-piracy program and, in the matter of a single day, refocused its mission from “anti-piracy” to “content protection.” Their pledge: Target individuals who download movies from Bit Torrents and sue their asses.

Larry Gupnik of “A Serious Man” has a problem. He’s lost his wife, just got kicked out of his own home, and is pathetically passive-aggressive. But saddest of all, NO ONE WANTS TO SEE HIS MOVIE. Here we review the most recent tragic comedy of the Coen Bros. and discuss why Hollywood bigwigs have already eliminated these kinds of films from their slates.