Stop-Loss

This movie has two real problems. 1. Not enough with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I would have rather seen him and Ryan Phillipe switch characters. Despite Phillipe being the one stop-lossed I just never felt that much for him. Hell, I couldn't tell if the character was as conflicted as he was trying to show...

The other bigger problem was that director Kimberly Pierce (Boys Don't Cry) seemed not to have any focus for what point she was going for. Not the best thing in what is essentially a "message" movie. Pity...

Your Movie Life Meme, part 2

And onwards for 1986 to 1993!

'86: There are several REALLY good movies for this year I could easily pick. Stand By Me, Platoon and The Mission. And nerd-core movies Highlander and Labrynith. But none of them really top the kung-fu awesome of Big Trouble in Little China. Movie I Would Have Said Was My Favorite If You'd Asked Me That Year: Transformers: The Movie. You've got the touch!

'87: This year is a three way tie. I just couldn't pick. So a split choice for Raising Arizona, The Monster Squad and The Princess Bride. Creepiest Mickey Rourke Role: Angel Heart.

'88: Oh wow. A Wizard of Speed & Time. Yeah. If anyone can make me a DvD version of that I'll be their best friend forever and ever. Seriously. Get the VHS and convert it. Best. Friend. Forever. Worst Movie I Couldn't Even Watch On MST3K: Alien from L.A.

'89: This is actually a pretty weak year. Some good movies but hard ones to call a "favorite". Though right at the end of the list there was UHF. Weirdest Concept That Somehow Became a Film Franchise: Weekend at Bernie's.

'90: Several really great movies. Rosencratz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Tremors, Quigly Down Under. But Miller's Crossing is the Coen's best movie. Yes even better to me than No Country For Old Men. This year also has Jeff Goldblum of all people as one of creepiest Satans in Mr. Frost. Start of HBO Making Awesome Movies: By Dawn's Early Light

'91: Did I say 1989 was a weak year? Ugh. I'll give it The Rocketeer just over The Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Movie That Made Me Want to Kill Myself to Escape: Madame Bovary. I so fucking hate the book version also. Movie That Doesn't Exist: Highlander 2: The Quickening. It. Never. Happened.

'92: While Aladdin is probably my second favorite non-Pixar Disney 'toon I wouldn't dare not give it to Army of Darkness. This year also has the big start for the careers of Whedon, Robert Rodriguez and Tarantino. Favorite Baseball Movie That Proves I'm An Easy Mark For Tom Selleck: Mr. Baseball

'93: Tombstone beats out Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. Movie Most Would Say Was the Best of the Year: Schlinder's List. Movie That is ACTUALLY the Best of the Year if Not All of Time: Dollman vs. The Demonic Toys

Really the longest part of doing this is going over the list for the year's releases. More later...