Category Archives: Features

The 10 Worst Films of 2016

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BY KEVIN CARR

If you read my previous post about how 2016 wasn’t as bad as you thought it was… well, this is the post that will make the counter-argument. Of course, any year is filled with truly awful and terrible movies. While making any movie takes a huge effort, it seems to be easier for Hollywood to crank out bad movies. Still, I had to go see all of these movies so you don’t have to.

It’s not that 2016 had any more bad movies, but there was something unique about this year. The big reason is if you look at the end of the list, you’ll see some very competently made movies. However, it’s these movie’s cores that are rotten, and that’s the heart and soul of a film. Sure, throw a lot of money at a movie, and you could still end up with a pile of stank.

Anyway… on with the stank from 2016!…
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The 10 Best Films of 2016

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BY KEVIN CARR

Calendar year 2016 has gotten a real bad rap this year. And many of it deservedly so. Too many entertainers passed away this year (including, but not limited to David Bowie, Carrie Fisher, Prince, Garry Marshall and tragically Anton Yelchin). It has certainly been a year for ups and downs in many aspects of life, but as people are lamenting the year’s end, many seem to forget the good things that came out of 2016.

I wouldn’t say that 2016 could be characterized by a great year in cinema, but it definitely gave us some fantastic films. And from the animation front, you’ll have to search long and hard to find a better year with consistent quality content the likes of what we saw this year (“Storks,” “Angry Birds” and “Trolls” notwithstanding).

So in the grand tradition of internet lists, here’s a look at my choices – many of which were surprises to me – for the best films of the year. And when you get to the end, you’ll have to agree that 2016 hasn’t been the all-around punishing year as many have been characterizing it.

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Find Your Drink Number: “How to Be Single” Drinking Game

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Back on Valentine’s Day weekend, the female sex comedy “How to Be Single” hit theaters. It was crushed by “Deadpool” at the box office, but that doesn’t mean that it didn’t grab the interest of at least a few ladies for a girl’s night out a the movies.

Now, “How to Be Single” is out on all home cinema formats, allowing girlfriends to gather together in the sanctity of their own homes. Forget high heels and tight skirts at the singles’ bars. Wear sweat pants and drink their wine as you watch this latest relationship comedy.

The film features some talented ladies in the cast, including Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie and Rebel Wilson. It may not have been the biggest hit at the box office, but it should certainly find an audience on Blu-ray and DVD,

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and remember to practice safe sex (whether you’re drunk or not).
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Wouldst Thou Like to Drink Deliciously?: “The Witch” Drinking Game

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Earlier this winter, Robert Eggers’ tale of New England horror “The Witch” hit theaters. With a story culled from primary source accounts of witches in the 1600s, “The Witch” became an instant classic of slow-burn atmosphere, paranoia and overbearing religious practice.

Unfortunately, it also became famous for revealing the jerks in the theater who couldn’t shut up during the deliberately-paced, unconventional film. Now, “The Witch” is available on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand, which allows you to watch it with total control of your environment. It also means that you can watch it and not have to pay exorbitant prices for alcohol at your local theater-turned-bar.

And now, to cover our butts… This game is only for people over the age of 21. Please drink responsibly, and remember that Black Phillip says you are wicked.
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The 10 Best Films of 2015

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BY KEVIN CARR

A couple years ago, I was so excited for 2015’s releases that I could barely contain myself. However, as some release dates shifted (such as “Batman vs. Superman” jumping to March 2016 and developing everything from a bad subtitle to a bloated character slate) and some films simply failed to impress me as I hoped (I’m looking at you, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), things started to look grim.

Fortunately, 2015 got stronger as the year went by, and the bigger event films from later in the calendar started to catch my attention. My best-of-the-year list often impresses me because there’s a nice diversity of tent pole releases, award-bait movies and independent choices. This year is unique in that it sees two documentaries into the ranks, but it’s also somewhat typical because it includes a couple animation selections (which I tend to love) and of course the return of “Star Wars.” On to the best of 2015…
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The 10 Worst Films of 2015

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BY KEVIN CARR

Every year as I look back on the greatest films to come out in the past twelve months, I can’t help but also lament about the worst films that pierced through my eyeballs. I suppose it says something that my shortlist for the worst films of the year is generally about twice as long as that of the best films. However, I’ve come to expect as much from the waning side of mediocrity.

Some say that a worst-of-the-year list is mean-spirited – or worse yet, the social media’s own critical N-word: schadenfreude. (Gasp!) However, I say to bring it on. Since I had to sit through these hours of dreck, I earned my right to call them out for what they are…
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‘Intro to Hitchcock’ at the Gateway Film Center

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As part of the Gateway Film Center’s “Film’s Cool” class, it will present “Intro to Hitchcock – The Films and Obsessions of the Master of Suspense” on Wednesday, September 23 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Taught by Johnny DiLoretto and John DeSando, “Intro to Hitchcock” takes a look at the films to be shown at the film center as part of its annual Hitchcocktober celebration. The class will examine Alfred Hitchcock’s life and early career, including analyzing the style and technique in his films.

Films covered in the seminar include “Psycho,” “Rear Window,” “North by Northwest,” “Strangers on a Train,” and “The Lodger.”

Cost is $25 for GFC members and $50 for non-members. For $100, students will receive admission to the class along with a lanyard that allows them into all the Hitchcocktober film screenings at the center.

Visit GatewayFilmCenter.com for more information including pricing and directions.

The 10 Worst Films of 2014

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BY KEVIN CARR

One of my favorite things to do at the end of the year is to hurl my venom at the worst movies I’ve been forced to watch for the last twelve months. Sure, everyone likes good films, but it’s turning the screws to the life-sucking, waste-of-space movies that really makes things fun. In 2014, we have seen an unfortunate return of the dreaded found-footage movie (though fortunately, few of these made any significant profit this year). There’s also some sequels in the mix that lived down (or below) the originals. It wasn’t a banner year for bad films, per se, but there was no shortage of them (and Tyler Perry only made it to the dishonorable mentions this year, which is nice).
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The 10 Best Films of 2014

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BY KEVIN CARR

The releases of 2014 have been a rocky road. When many of them were announced, they were like a kindergarten class of inspiring kids with plenty of ambition and potential. However, as the films matured to release date, we were left in a sea of mediocrity. Films that could have been fantastic blockbusters – like “Godzilla,” “Maleficent” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” – were fraught with problems, making them forgettable at best. Even the end-of-the-year award slate offerings – including “Big Eyes,” “Into the Woods” and “Unbroken” – had such promise but ended up being uninspiring.

Still, in the batch of releases throughout the years, there were some stellar movies to highlight. Like my best-of lists of previous years, I demonstrate my soft spot for animation, and I am happy to see a nice mixture of award-bait movies and blockbuster tent-poles, and even a few lesser-known films that missed out on others’ lists. Anyway, on to my ten favorite of 2014…
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The 10 Worst Films of 2013

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BY KEVIN CARR

As enjoyable as it is to watch the best films of the year, it’s equally enjoyable assembling the list of the worst films of the year. They may have been torture to sit through, but these movies provide an outlet for rage pent up over the course of the year. They’re boring, they’re sometimes offensive, they’re often difficult to sit through. The worst of the year list isn’t just an announcement. It’s catharsis. And Tyler Perry made it on my list twice…
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The 10 Best Films of 2013

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BY KEVIN CARR

I have to admit that I was a bit worried as 2013 wound down. While there were plenty of movies I enjoyed, there were few that screamed to be put on my Best of the Year list. Fortunately, as seems to happen every year, there were a handful that came through at the end of the year during the furious race of award season that made the grade. Still, this list seems rather lopsided to me, with half of the films being science fiction in nature. In a way, this is one of the more mainstream lists I’ve made in recent years, but there are a few artsy gems in there as well. The biggest surprise for me: no animated films. That was bound to happen one of these days. Anyway, on to my ten favorite of 2013…
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The BFCA Announces Nominess for the 19th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards

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On December 16, the Broadcast Film Critics Associate announced its nominees for the 19th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards.

americanhustle“12 Years a Slave” and “American Hustle” both received 13 nonminations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director.

This year’s awards include nominations from specialized categories, including Best Animated Feature, Best Action Movie, Best Comedy and Best Sci-Fi/Horror Film.

The 19th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards will air on the CW at 8pm on Thursday, January 16. Aisha Tyler will host the event.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
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The Online Film Critics Society Announces 17th Annual OFCS Award Winners

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From the press release, December 16, 2013:

The Online Film Critics Society proudly announces the recipients of the 17th annual OFCS awards for excellence in film.

12yearsaslaveSteven McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” was the standout winner, with recognitions for Best Picture, Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender), Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o), and Best Adapted Screenplay, for John Ridley’s hand in bringing Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir to the big screen.

Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for her turn in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine,” while Alfonso Cuarón bested the stiff competition as the Best Director winner for the critically and commercially successful “Gravity.” The film also won in the categories for editing and cinematography, as well as special awards for its sound design and visual effects work.

Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Wind Rises” won Best Animated Film, while France’s “Blue Is the Warmest Color” was recognized as the Best Film Not in the English Language. Writer-director Spike Jonze won Best Original Screenplay for “Her,” and Joshua Oppenheimer’s audacious and disturbing “The Act of Killing” was voted as the best documentary of the year. Films not yet released in North America were recognized in a separate top ten list.
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In Defense of Physical Media

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BY KEVIN CARR

I love the modern streaming technology. I really do. The level of technology available today offers direct downloadable movies that you can watch literally with a push of a button. In this race to instant video gratification, many people are finding options to sell off their old movies. This is always a nice way to happen into some quick cash – especially if you have a large library you’re looking to unload – but I’ll always have a soft spot for a shelf packed with DVDs and Blu-rays.
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