Eric's Favorite Flicks of 2009

It's been an interesting year. One particulary strong in documentaries. The usual assortment of sequels. And the obligatory re-imagining of an iconic character (one year it was Batman. Another it was James Bond. This year was Sherlock Holmes' turn. However, I wound up liking that film better than I thought I would). It's also been an incredibly strong year in Science Fiction what with MOON, DISTRICT 9, STAR TREK and AVATAR (fantastic, absolutely mind blowing visuals. But the story/script wasn't strong enough for my tastes. It's as if all the energy was expended on realising the world of the movie and there just wasn't enough energy to come up with a complex enough script -- a script worthy of the world Cameron created).

So here we go with my top ten. They may not be the best films of the year but they were my favorite. Thus, in no discernable order:

BAD LIEUTINENT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS

This was a film I expected to be fun and really enjoy, Yet I found this to be another disappointment. It has good and interesting characters. But for all the great actors in the film they have characters who would be interesting if they really had something to do and fit more into the film.

Nicholas Cage gives a great performance and this film is practically a one man show. As he is a live wire from beginning to end. Now knowing that his character is on legal and illegal medication most of the film. It strikes me as odd that none of his co-workers think that he is on high on illegal substances considering how jumpy he is and always seems to be on. I only wish the film could be as off the wall and entertaining as his performance.

The CineFiles -- THE ALIEN SAGA!

Happy Holidays! Wonder if Santa ever had to take out one of these mothereffers...

The "Art" Of The Twist by Eric Cohen

We all have that creative project we keep going back to, tweaking it and re-tweaking it over many years. When I was a senior in college I wrote a screenplay which I attempted to and almost got optioned (I think. There was interest from an independent producer. Long and short of it: we discussed the project, he made suggested changes, I complied. He even asked me if I had anything else, etc. And then, the correspondence ended. Haven't heard from him since). Since then I have written a few more screenplays and plays. And during the course of these times, Ive been a part of many projects either as an actor, producer or director on the stage, on video, you name it. But I would always return that first script. The one I wrote during my last semester at Ithaca College. Five years after graduation, inspired by my experiences in the theater, I decided to adapt it as a play. The result was liberating as it went from a straight forward narrative to something more postmodern. By becoming a stage piece, I was allowed to ignore the rules of screen writing.

The CineFiles -- THE PLANET OF THE APES FLICKS

Because nothing says "spicy" like a chimp in a nehru jacket.

VAMPIRE MOVIES

In honor Of TWILIGHT: NEW MOON being a success and Ruining a new era of moviegoers with it’s Romeo & Juliet with vampires storyline. I am rather tired of all this romanticism of vampires everywhere all of a sudden in books on television and in movies. Can a slasher get a hug. Vampires are always so Romantic, distinguished and classy sort of like the myth applied to Europeans. That I tend to like the films that give you more of a realistic portrayal. That look at it as more of a curse you have been infected with. That make it seem more like a drig addiction you have been infected with that you can’t quit or you die. One of the problems is that there has been plenty of films with vampires in them that don’t really feel like or to me count as vampire movies. I have decided to make a list of vampire movies that might be more entertaining then any TWILIGHT movies.

The Cinefiles -- MEN ON A MISSION FLICKS!!

Because it's all about those who do what they do so we can sleep well at night.

The CineFiles -- ANIMATION!

We get "animated" as we discuss our favorite, feature length cartoons.