Comments on: Gold in the Desert: 2008 in Film

By: Hunter Duesing

Hunter Duesing — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:26:43 +0000

No Greg, 10,000 BC was just…terrible. Although the way they grunted shouted the dialogue DID amuse me. I remember reading your review awhile back when the movie came out, and I agree with you on one thing…anachronisms rock.

By: Greg Akers

Greg Akers — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:56:00 +0000

Great list, Hunter. Totally agree on Frozen River (best movie of 2008) and The Fall. Maybe I need to re-watch it, but I loved The Cell. I never got how hated it is by everybody. Even if all a movie is is surface-deep jaw-dropping gorgeous, isn’t that reason enough for it to exist? And I love your Pan’s Labyrinth reference. That movie was definitely overrated.

But, c’mon, 10,000 B.C. was terrible in a good way. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A40450

Keep up the good work.

By: Hunter Duesing

Hunter Duesing — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:56:12 +0000

Yeah Jeff, I recently came to that conclusion too…I think his Askewniverse movies are charming as a whole, but I find myself liking his movies less and less as I get older. ZACK & MIRI was easily the worst movie yet, topping the overly sentimental JERSEY GIRL. I do think Smith is a funny guy and a talented raconteur, but his writing talents have diminished and his directorial talent really was never there to begin with (which I think he will admit to the latter).

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:46:31 +0000

I feel no guilt over loving Punisher: War Zone. It was awesome

Zack & Miri was somewhat difficult for me as it made undeniable something that I had not wanted to admit: I don’t like most of Smith’s work. He’s a cool guy, his podcast is hilarious… but nothing he’s done in recent years has been as good as Clerks, or even Mallrats. You’re right, Justin Long’s short bits in Z&M were the best part. Actually, the goof-off bits under the end credits were more entertaining than the movie itself.

But anyway, excellent list, Hunter; I’ll be sure to put the ones I haven’t seen into the ‘ol Netflix queue.

By: Candace Krause

Candace Krause — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:12:38 +0000

Great write-ups Hunter. I agree with everything you wrote about Frozen River. It is a jewel of a movie. Haunting and beautiful at the same time.

By: Hunter D

Hunter D — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:25:14 +0000

Thanks for the kind comments!

As far as 10,000 BC goes, I probably never would have seen it, but DS over at Genrebusters gave it this glowing review making it sound like it was some misunderstood genre classic, so I checked it out…now I plan on hunting down DS with that goofy white spear the main character carries around.

As far as REPO! goes, it’s a flawed film in that it has a very claustrophobic, indoors feeling that seems somehow wrong for a “rock opera.” And yet it somehow succeeds in its aims anyway. Just go into it with an open mind.

By: Matt Schneider

Matt Schneider — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:12:30 +0000

Good set of writeups there, Hunter. I actually haven’t seen a whopping seven of your top ten, which is rather refreshing — a lot of top tens are packed with super-obscure films that barely get an American DVD release, or the usual, Oscar-bait suspects. These are all films I’ve heard of, and I am genuinely excited to see most of them. Also: I had the misfortune of seeing 10,000 B.C. in the theater. The scene in the sabretooth trap was one of the most laughable things I saw all year.

By: fingeronthepulse

fingeronthepulse — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:52:54 +0000

so it this THAT hunter duesing? great work! can’t wait to see Repo now!

By: Joel

Joel — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:53:39 +0000

Excellent. I totally agree. I’d maybe have The Class and Wendy and Lucy up there, too … in the “Good” column. Great list.

By: Steve M.

Steve M. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:08:53 +0000

Excellent write-ups Hunter! I especially agree with your thoughts on Speed Racer. That was the most fun I’ve had at a movie in years!