The Underrated Films of '08

As the new year approaches, a lot of us movie buffs have taken the opportunity to reflect on how awesome some of the movies this year has been, as well as the flicks that we wished we didn't pay a single cent for. I can honestly say that the past year epic movies like Dark Knight, Wall.E and Iron Man overshadowed other awesome films.

This blog is about the more underrated films that I have seen, not the ones that you wouldn't exactly hate (meet the spartans) but they wouldn't be ones that you would pay full price for again. Kind of like my less liked - but more tolerable films. These flicks I actually enjoyed, the storylines kept my attention throughout and the performances by the actors are not exactly Oscar worthy - but definitely decent! Ill start (in no particular order) with:

Traitor.

We all know that terrorism is a sensitive topic right now, and I guess movie makers are making the whole East vs West agenda a hot plot to create stories around. I'm an action and thriller junkie, and this film combines the two elements at best. Im also a huge Don Cheadle fan. I know a lot of people are not liking the fact that he's going to play the next war machine in Iron Man but I really don't mind.

Body of Lies.

Another war on terrorism 2008 American Spy movie, kind of reminded me of a mixture of Traitor, The Kingdom and Spy Game. I was really anticipating this film especially the performance by Leonardo Dicaprio after his recent awesome flicks like The Departed and Blood Diamond. The film – despite a few bad reviews – I thought was really damn good! I thought there was really good chemistry between Leo and Russell Crowe, the Cinematography is exactly what you would expect from a Ridley Scott film, and the storyline was compelling. It was a little long, and had a lot of things going on at the same time, but when you have a film directed by Scott and starring big names like Leo and Russell then you know you cant go wrong.


Eagle Eye.

The first film I saw at Imax this year. Shia Labeouf and Michelle Monaghan play a young man and a hot milf carrying out demands from an anonymous supercomputer to kill the President and the excecutive branch. I really liked this one! Keep an eye on Shia, he's definitely got Oscar written all over him in the next few years (maybe sooner) and its the first time in a while I could actually stand B.BThorton's character. It's a real 'big brother' film, packed with action and good dialogue. I dont see why it was panned so much by critics, someone has to tell me what was wrong with it.


Rambo IV.

I dont care what anyone says about how old Sylvester Stallone is getting. Rambo is a cult classic and even though this one doesn't come near to first blood or first blood two, it was still an epic movie. 20 years since the last Rambo, what did people expect? Gravity to somehow not apply to Sylvester? If course he wont do half the bad ass shit he used to, or have the 8pac he had from his Rocky days, but for an ancient arse kicker he definitely shows us he has little bit more in the basement. I heard stories about Rambo V and VI.....dont know how that would work out but im definitely looking forward to it.


Street Kings.

People who know me already know how I feel about Keanu Reeves. I really thought this movie didn't deserve all the crap thrown at it – besides I was sold when I read Forest Whitaker was also involved. The movie is about crooked cops screwing over other crooked cops, with gangster style shootem up scenes, Terry Crews trying to be serious, and a lot of scams that make you wonder if you can trust your own local police. Story line wasn't exactly original, but it went on a different direction than other bad cop films, I really liked this movie!


The Incredible Hulk

Now I actually think that this film deserves a lot more praise than what it got. It's a million times better than the 2003 version (except no Jennifer Connelly) and the only flaw – and a big one at that – was the release date. You see, it was released after Sex and the City and a few days after Kung Fu Panda. Then Get Smart came out right after it followed by Hancock and the most anticipated film of '08: Dark Knight. I know, I know - a release date cant justify how crappy or good a movie is, but I really felt other films overshadowed Hulk, and it never really got its “glory time”. Edward Norton plays a better Bruce Banner, Liv Tyler always looks hot, and hey – (SPILL ALERT) we got to see a glimpse of the formation of the Avengers team at the end of the film. That's epic in itself.


Death Race

If your like me and don't know shit all about cars, and cant tell the difference between a muffler and a steering wheel than you wouldn't bother listening to the dialogue on the Fast and Furious series. But if your more into just seeing cars collide and go 'SMASH!!!' then I would recommend this flick. It pulls away from that V8 under the hood jargon and just lets you enjoy the ride of dangerous death racers competing their way out of prison. Jason Statham plays ... well ... what else but an 'action junkie' who is framed for murder. Filled with rage he kicks ass behind the wheel bringing those who killed his wife to justice. Yeah, the plot was easily read – and the acting is mediocre at best, but at the time I was looking for a cheap frill. Nothing more, nothing less.

Quarantine

Just as I was wondering if there would be a good horror film this year for Halloween, movie makers gave us Quarantine. Not exactly what I called a horror – but a few hot chicks at the theatres beg the differ. I initially went into the theatres with an open mind about this one, simply because a lot of the articles I read about it said that it was a clear knockoff of Cloverfield. What? Just because they used the free cam concept?? I thoroughly enjoyed it, Jennifer Carpenter's high pitched shrieks scared me more than the whole film itself!! I really enjoy the first person / shaky shooting technique. It brings a really good element of realism to the film (huge Cloverfield fan).


There are a few movie's I need to see, but these are the main ones I really felt were in the shadow of the other huge blockbusters this past year. Are there any other underrated films I missed out?! Let me know, in the mean time I wish you all a safe and happy new year! From what I have been reading in other blogs – 2009 is shaping up to be a good year for films! May all shit movies directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer never be released in any movie theatre on the face of this planet, may we (touch wood) not loose any fantastic actor(ess) (RIP Mr. Ledger / B. Mac) and may all movie buffs here on Spill remember that films are what makes the world go round :P

HAPPY NEW YEARS FROM AUCKLAND, NZ!!