Jason KingMy Top 10 of 08
January 1st 2009 22:38
These are my 10 fave films by value score for 2008. They are in order. Nothing like a bit of controversy - I may also be the only person to have the film Australia in a top 10 list. I will post the link to review and my final comment from each review. Hope you like, if not no worries - it is my top 10 afterall. 
I hope you all had a sooper dooper NY's and would like to thank you all for your support, mentoring and friendship throughout the year and look forward to debating, agreeing and massively disagreeing with you all in 2009
Number 10: This was a hard choice - I had about 10 films with a score of $14- but picked two that I absolutely loved and had the most enjoyment out of. 10 and 9 are basically a tie.
High School Musical 3
This will not be for all but it's like going to really upbeat theatre and thanks to Zac and the crew you may want to burst into dance in the aisles, not something I suggest when in your mid 30's and surrounded by hordes of teenage girls and the only other males are dad's with their young charges. I shudder to think people thought I could be creepy. Well worth the ticket price - worth $14-
Number 9:
Shelter
If you get the opportunity to rent this one out do so! Worth $14-
Number 8:
Sex and the City
This is the ultimate chick flick and so smart to be released now - it has that whole Devil Wears Prada feel with nice people and I think this is something female audiences crave the world around. This is the film for all the females out there to grab all their gal pals and gay mates, book a premium seat where you can drink, and down a few bottles of champagne while watching and crying. Or if you are a straight male with a female partner and you want some MAJOR brownie points then book your seats now!!! This is going to be one of the biggest films for a while and is going to eat Indy alive. Totally AWESOME and can't wait for a sequel: $15-
Number 7:
Son of Rambow
This film has something for everyone - laughter, emotion and enough nostalgic material from the 80's to keep any generation from that decade and previous ones happy. Rosie - who watched this with me decided to dance to The Cure over the closing credits and I was shocked because I was so into the 80's wearing white pants, pink shirts, thin white leather ties and my oh so modern Dunlop Volleys spray painted pink. LOL. Viva La 80's!! Out now at cinemas on limited release or available for loan from me or out on DVD in Oz in the near future. Do yourself a favor and watch this, you won't be disappointed. Worth $15-
Number 6:
Newcastle
I will say that I hope the distributors (ICON) give this a wide release and that they promote it well and if they do - go and view this great film. Support your locals people!!! This one's worth $15- And below I will end with another reviewers final paragraph because I could not write my closing any better. Thanks to larry-411 from NY (viewed at film's world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival)
With "Newcastle," Dan Castle pushes the boundaries of the typical American coming-of-age slash sports competition film (in this case, surfing). Perhaps he can do it because it is not, in fact, an American film at all but hails from Australia. Perhaps he can get away with it because it wasn't churned out by a Hollywood studio and didn't have the hand of the usual producers and distributors whose financing would undoubtedly come with strings attached. Or perhaps it's just because he had a vision and the tenacity to surround himself with others who wouldn't compromise. In the end, nothing is as it seems at first glance. "Newcastle" is a totally unexpected film at a time when there are far too few.
Number 5:
Tropc Thunder
I found it fucking brilliant!! Worth $15.50 and the tears of laughter.
Number 4:
Mamma Mia
If you are male and want massive brownie points then this is the date movie for the wife or girlfriend. If you are female then it's time for an all gals reunion in the post Sex and the City wake. Mum, grab all the gals for road trip to a cinema!! If you're gay - time for a party night and start the dancing and singing in the aisles but NO Lycra dress-ups!!! It's so much fun mixed with romance and may even have grumpy old biker guys tapping their feet under the seats. Worth $15.50
Number 3:
Australia
The film is full of everything and I suggest you take tissues with you. I saw grown "blokes" crying in this one and I bawled like a baby. LOL - Worth $16-
Number 2:
Wall E
This is the only film in this list I did not write a review for. At them time there were 4 reviews on Orble and I did not want another one - I commented on everyone elses. I absolutely LOVE this film and its well worth $16- ticket price.
Number 1:
The Dark Knight
It should be noted that this film was originally scored as a $16- but after this film they put ticket prices up to $16.50 so I have readjusted the final score and well worth it!
There were three times in this film I actually launched out of my seat fist pumping into the air stating "Hell Yeah", scenes that I have not seen in films for a long time that amaze you at how marvelous this film is. I won't mention them now because you yourself must experience them. One thing that has started more hype amongst my fellow colleagues is "when is the next one and who should play certain roles?" I am up for a Jack Black Penguin, a Leonardo DiCaprio Riddler and a Rose McGowan Catwoman - what do you think?
This film is nearly perfect and you need to see it now!! Worth every cent at $16- or $25- at IMAX!!
Why… so… serious?
I hope you all had a sooper dooper NY's and would like to thank you all for your support, mentoring and friendship throughout the year and look forward to debating, agreeing and massively disagreeing with you all in 2009
Number 10: This was a hard choice - I had about 10 films with a score of $14- but picked two that I absolutely loved and had the most enjoyment out of. 10 and 9 are basically a tie.
High School Musical 3
This will not be for all but it's like going to really upbeat theatre and thanks to Zac and the crew you may want to burst into dance in the aisles, not something I suggest when in your mid 30's and surrounded by hordes of teenage girls and the only other males are dad's with their young charges. I shudder to think people thought I could be creepy. Well worth the ticket price - worth $14-
Number 9:
Shelter
If you get the opportunity to rent this one out do so! Worth $14-
Number 8:
Sex and the City
This is the ultimate chick flick and so smart to be released now - it has that whole Devil Wears Prada feel with nice people and I think this is something female audiences crave the world around. This is the film for all the females out there to grab all their gal pals and gay mates, book a premium seat where you can drink, and down a few bottles of champagne while watching and crying. Or if you are a straight male with a female partner and you want some MAJOR brownie points then book your seats now!!! This is going to be one of the biggest films for a while and is going to eat Indy alive. Totally AWESOME and can't wait for a sequel: $15-
Number 7:
Son of Rambow
This film has something for everyone - laughter, emotion and enough nostalgic material from the 80's to keep any generation from that decade and previous ones happy. Rosie - who watched this with me decided to dance to The Cure over the closing credits and I was shocked because I was so into the 80's wearing white pants, pink shirts, thin white leather ties and my oh so modern Dunlop Volleys spray painted pink. LOL. Viva La 80's!! Out now at cinemas on limited release or available for loan from me or out on DVD in Oz in the near future. Do yourself a favor and watch this, you won't be disappointed. Worth $15-
Number 6:
Newcastle
I will say that I hope the distributors (ICON) give this a wide release and that they promote it well and if they do - go and view this great film. Support your locals people!!! This one's worth $15- And below I will end with another reviewers final paragraph because I could not write my closing any better. Thanks to larry-411 from NY (viewed at film's world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival)
With "Newcastle," Dan Castle pushes the boundaries of the typical American coming-of-age slash sports competition film (in this case, surfing). Perhaps he can do it because it is not, in fact, an American film at all but hails from Australia. Perhaps he can get away with it because it wasn't churned out by a Hollywood studio and didn't have the hand of the usual producers and distributors whose financing would undoubtedly come with strings attached. Or perhaps it's just because he had a vision and the tenacity to surround himself with others who wouldn't compromise. In the end, nothing is as it seems at first glance. "Newcastle" is a totally unexpected film at a time when there are far too few.
Number 5:
Tropc Thunder
I found it fucking brilliant!! Worth $15.50 and the tears of laughter.
Number 4:
Mamma Mia
If you are male and want massive brownie points then this is the date movie for the wife or girlfriend. If you are female then it's time for an all gals reunion in the post Sex and the City wake. Mum, grab all the gals for road trip to a cinema!! If you're gay - time for a party night and start the dancing and singing in the aisles but NO Lycra dress-ups!!! It's so much fun mixed with romance and may even have grumpy old biker guys tapping their feet under the seats. Worth $15.50
Number 3:
Australia
The film is full of everything and I suggest you take tissues with you. I saw grown "blokes" crying in this one and I bawled like a baby. LOL - Worth $16-
Number 2:
Wall E
This is the only film in this list I did not write a review for. At them time there were 4 reviews on Orble and I did not want another one - I commented on everyone elses. I absolutely LOVE this film and its well worth $16- ticket price.
Number 1:
The Dark Knight
It should be noted that this film was originally scored as a $16- but after this film they put ticket prices up to $16.50 so I have readjusted the final score and well worth it!
There were three times in this film I actually launched out of my seat fist pumping into the air stating "Hell Yeah", scenes that I have not seen in films for a long time that amaze you at how marvelous this film is. I won't mention them now because you yourself must experience them. One thing that has started more hype amongst my fellow colleagues is "when is the next one and who should play certain roles?" I am up for a Jack Black Penguin, a Leonardo DiCaprio Riddler and a Rose McGowan Catwoman - what do you think?
This film is nearly perfect and you need to see it now!! Worth every cent at $16- or $25- at IMAX!!
Why… so… serious?
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
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i also quite enjoyed Mamma Mia . . . theres a few on your list i am yet to see too
Comment by Janet Collins
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I'm glad you put Dark Knight at no 1. Many of the others I am yet to see and I hope to get to some over the less busy period.
Happy New Year and I look forward to your posts in 2009.
Comment by Tucker Warner
Comment by Jason King
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Janet - Dark Knight had to be number one - plus it did get my highest score throughout the year - I hope to be writing heaps more reviews in 09 and thanks for your support. Happy New Years to you too!
Tucker - thanks - glad you agree - It actually was a toss up between Dark Knight and Wall-E for number one - but Heath was just too good to surpass.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
The Dark Knight, as you know, featured in my Horrorphile pics of the year.
Tropic Thunder was one of the funniest movies of the year.
Don't think you'll ever find me renting Mamma Mia, Australia, High School Musical 3 or Sex and the City ...
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Cheryl J
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I really want to see Son of Rambow and Wall-E but I don't think the others would appeal to me.
Comment by Linh
Celluloid Fun
I agree with the first five films but following five are bizarre choices.
Newcastle is an interesting choice. Aussie films this year weren't that great but I did enjoy The Black Balloon, Unfinished Sky and Australian-Chinese co-produced Children of the Silk Road.
I haven't seen Shelter yet.
I'll have to look out for it in the video store.
Cheers!
Comment by Undercover Brother
WTF?
Comment by Jason King
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Linh - I never got to see Black Balloon - it's on my dvd list to watch. Could not stand Children of the Silk Road - it was SO disappointing. Will suss out Unfinished Sky though - never heard of that one. Hope you like Shelter and you should def suss out Son of Rambow if you haven't seen it yet.
Undercover Brother - are you a dick? Sorry if I do not fit your narrow minded generalisation of a testosterone inflated male.
Thanks for commenting people.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
For what it's worth would throw in a few honorable mentions.
The Wrestler (perhaps this fits into the 2009 category), Burn After Reading and perhaps even “Definitely Maybe”.
Have yet to see Man On Wire - but heard it's a 'cracker'.
I've gotta get Son of Rambow - it looks great.
All the best to you in 2009
Comment by Jason King
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Happy New Year to you also - hope 09 kix ass for u!!
Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
Not sure if High School Musical 3 will be getting a go on the DVD player anytime soon though.
Good to see Dark Knight made No.1.
Well done on the list mate.
Comment by Cheryl J
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Keep an eye out for the matinees. The tix are always cheaper. I'll let you know if they do a cheap performance. It happens sometimes.
Comment by Undercover Brother
HSM? And your not an adult either right?
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Michelle - thanks, Son of Rambow is awesome, Newcastle is a great Australian surfing culture film, Shelter is best gay film of the year and Australia will give you a 50% chance of loving or hating it - it appears to be no in between with this film. Read the love/ hate fest for my Australia review HERE
Wilson - glad they are your top 3 - a good colorful selection.
Thanks heaps for comments people - have a great day!!!
Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Aldoth
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Great taste in Tropical Thunder.
Karl
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Dianna G - Sweeney Todd was released in 2007 but also, while it was great, it could have been better. Tim Burton does rock though!! Glad you approve of Dark Knight.
Thanks for the comments people - have a great day!
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