2010 was a year, where more often than not, the mightiest filmmakers creatively tripped, stumbled or fell smack down the cinematic flight of stairs. Of course, every film can't be a masterpiece but that said, it was definitely a stunning and completely unexpected sight to witness so many of our finest cinematic artists fall so creatively short indeed.
As always, just take my final kick in the seat of the pants to these film as mere opinions, as this segment is not designed to insult anyone's particular tastes. These are all films that, for varying reasons, did not work for me at all.
Just as with the first two sections of this four part series, full reviews of all of the following films are housed on this site.
THE DISAPPOINTMENTS“GREENBERG” Written and Directed by Noah Baumbach
A critical favorite during 2010 that was just lost on me completely. Ben Stiller gave an outstanding performance as Roger Greenberg, a misanthropic 41-year-old house sitting for his vacationing brother’s family in Los Angeles who becomes involved with the family’s assistant, played by Greta Gerwig. It is a film of ennui, middle aged melancholy and tentative connection between two lost souls that is completely undone by its lack of internal storytelling momentum, dry to a fault direction and Gerwig’s sadly and profoundly underwritten character combined with her own nearly narcoleptic performance. I really did not like this film, which was so surprising as the subject matter is right up my alley and the filmmaker is one I have long admired.
“THE LAST AIRBENDER” Written, Produced and Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
”THE NIGHT CHRONICLES: DEVIL” Directed by John Erick Dowdle
It was a hard, hard year for M. Night Shyamalan as he presented two ambitious but very underwhelming features that did nothing to return him to his past cinematic glories. With “The Last Airbender,” I will give him credit for stepping far outside of his comfort zone with his live action adaptation of an epic animated series but it ultimately failed due to stagnant storytelling and shockingly atrocious acting. As for “Devil,” I also applaud him for desiring to create a new anthology series by which he would farm out his original story ideas to up and coming writers and filmmakers. But, that film fell short as the actual screen, not written by Shyamalan was painfully obvious robbing it of any real suspense or tension. And frankly, the film’s trailer made for a better movie than the actual movie. So, for 2010, M. Night Shyamalan released two major disappointments, the very kind that will further make it difficult for him to re-earn the good graces and former glory from audiences and critics.
“SHUTTER ISLAND” Directed by Martin Scorsese
Cinematic master Scorsese delivered a top tier production, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, with his requisite filmmaking excellence that is nearly untouchable. Unfortunately, it was all in service to a story, and an ending in particular, that was supremely unconvincing. I have seen this film twice and each time the experience was akin to viewing a magic show given by the world’s best magician, and yet, you could still see through all of the tricks, smoke and mirrors.
This film was actually one of the sequels I was most anxious to see in 2010 as the subject matter of our nation’s financial crisis would provide one of my favorite filmmakers an excellent platform to again examine our country while also updating his 1987 classic. Unfortunately, and despite the noble effort and a terrific performance from Michael Douglas, it was quite the sleepy affair made all the more ponderous through its somewhat manufactured presentation as a “zeitgeist” movie rather than operating and a pitch like the original film’s organic stature. It was just too somnambulant a film when it should have contained a more elegant rage.
THE DISHONORABLE (the ones I REALLY HATED)
“ALICE IN WONDERLAND” Directed by Tim Burton
A bloated, emotionless CGI wasteland that had no sense of wonder, terror, imaginative spirit or even a trace of Director Tim Burton’s trademark enormous creativity. It was a heartless wasted opportunity of a movie that was actually so much of a “paycheck movie” that it seemed as if Burton and the faceless suits as Disney personally pilfered my wallet. It was miserable and easily one of Burton’s very worst films.
“THE BOOK OF ELI” Directed by Albert and Allen Hughes
Out of most of the films I saw within the past year, this religiously themed western/post-apocalyptic exercise was one of the worst. Yes, it is stylish. Yes, Denzel Washington remains incapable of giving a performance not worth watching. But, what completely sunk this movie was its preposterous twist ending. In addition to the conclusion being sloppily revealed, it suggested a weight, reverence and significance it had not earned during any point in the film up to that point. I’m sorry but you cannot have a film with this type of bargain basement dialogue and this type of cardboard cut-out characters and in the final two minutes, decide that you are serious. It was a film that was as disingenuous as it was stupid.
“COP OUT” Directed by Kevin Smith
From one of the most unique and original voices currently working in cinema today came a film so shockingly lifeless and humorless. Despite an opening sequence that still makes me laugh and laugh hard, and Tracy Morgan’s obvious enthusiasm and commitment, everything in this movie is negligible—most notably Bruce Willis’ visible contempt for the entire proceedings. While Director Adam McKay's “The Other Guys” (2010) showed that there can still be vibrant life within the buddy cop action comedy genre, Smith’s “Cop Out” was a giant sized effort showing why that genre should be retired for good. I am pulling for Smith to regain his footing creatively with his final two films before his announced retirement from directing. I guess if I made “Cop Out,” I’d want to retire too.
“DATE NIGHT” Directed by Shawn Levy
What a wasted opportunity this film was as it painfully squandered the immense talents of Steve Carell and Tina Fey in a bone-headed and lead-footed story about mistaken identity and the supposed “hilarity” that ensues when harried, bored married couple steal another couple’s table at a ritzy restaurant only to embark upon a night long adventure. Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest and why the filmmakers decided upon a film so ridiculously convoluted and bland over the riskier and more original idea of just placing these two on a date night is beyond me.
“DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS” Directed by Jay Roach
Good GOD, was this a terrible movie!!! Steve Carell truly needs to find a new agent after starring in this criminally unfunny remake of a French film where rising executive (Paul Rudd) needs to bring a doofus (Carell) to an exclusive party solely for public ridicule to ensure a much coveted promotion. It was a turgidly paced screwball comedy filled with the types of characters that ONLY exist in the movies…albeit, and usually, terrible movies like this one. Worst of all, the film had the audacity to include a hackneyed and completely false third act lesson of sappy sentiment scolding the rich fat cats, as well as the audience, for laughing at the very characters that are designed and meant for us to laugh at in the first place. This was cinematic garbage and believe me when I say that out of this nearly two hour train wreck, I only laughed once.
“EAT PRAY LOVE” Co-Written and Directed by Ryan Murphy
Out of all of the movie reviews I have written that I know people have actually read, this one probably received the most passionate response from you-from supporters as well as detractors. With all due respect given to the people who do indeed love this film with their being, I stand by my review when I say how much I hated this experience. With a modicum of doubt placed upon the source material, since I have not read it, I strongly feel that ”Glee” creator Ryan Murphy and star Julia Roberts were just the wrong people to represent Elizabeth Gilbert’s inner journey to spiritual transcendence. As is stands for me, “Eat Pray Love” ended up being nothing more than an interminable two and a half hour pity party for a privileged white woman on a year long vacation with spiritual transcendence nowhere to be seen or felt in any conceivable fashion.
“THE KARATE KID” Directed by Harald Zwart
Now, granted, this film is not unwatchable by any means. It’s OK and possibly it is a little bit better than it has any right to be. The reason I have placed the re-make of “The Karate Kid” on this list is that there is truly no reason for this film to exist at all as it is veritably unchanged from the classic original except for location and the racial make ups of the cast. It is a movie that completely illustrated Hollywood’s amazing lack of originality. Honestly, did the filmmakers think that they could take the Oscar nominated original film and make it better?!
Here was another film that was defended quite a bit by some of you and wile I do appreciate the discussion and enthusiasm on your part, I have to respectfully disagree. The story of a collective of retired CIA veterans all called back into active duty was a wasted opportunity fueled by movie star egos at play at our expense. This movie was the epitome of lazy, uninspired writing, direction and acting all the way around in a film that should have been roaring, frisky, exciting entertainment. Some of you explained to me that actors really do not need to turn themselves inside and out for every single movie that they make. That they should just be allowed to have some fun once in awhile. I completely agree with you especially as a film like “Ocean’s Eleven” for instance, is a perfect example of actors having a great time in a light footed film that is also prime, excellent entertainment. But for me, when their fun is at my expense, especially in a movie they obviously and absolutely have no confidence in, it is inexcusable. Bruce Willis, again is the worst culprit. Look dear readers, if he, or any actor of their caliber is able to command 20 million dollars a movie and they feel like “slacking off” a bit, then…DON’T MAKE A MOVIE!
...and now, the WORST film I saw in 2010...
“KICK-ASS” Co-Written and Directed by Matthew Vaughn
I know this film was a big box office hit. I know that the inevitable sequel is in the works. I know that many of you really liked or even loved this movie and that’s just wonderful for you. I really mean that. But for me, there was no other film I hated more than this one during the past year.
It would have already earned this slot due to its complete failure as a comic book film, a teen comedy an even as a dark satire, as it had no idea of what it was satirizing in the first place. “Kick-Ass” was an insufferable, self-congratulatory, pseudo-“edgy” exercise in desensitized cool as it was all filtered through a horrible presentation that had no sense of tone. Yet, what really sent it over the cliff into the cinematic abyss was the completely distasteful depiction of the pre-pubescent psychopath known as Hit Girl (played by Chloe Grace Moretz).
Once again, a few of you valiantly defended this character to me by expounding upon the idea of “Kick-Ass” presenting a world where the violence is gritty and real and that this world is no place for children and blah, blah, blah. All I know is that by using this 11-year-old girl to utter the film’s harshest profanities and having her commit the most brutal acts of violence in the entire film, this character, that began as a sick gimmick, quickly turned to exploitation. The climax, involving a battle between Hit Girl and the film’s main villain was so brutal, ugly, repugnant and downright irresponsible. I’m sorry, dear readers, but even if it works as an illustration in a comic book that doesn’t mean the same thing will work with real life flesh and blood human beings. The sight of an adult man beating the hell out of an 11-year-old girl and then shoving a gun in her face, ready to blast her brains out, was sickening and inexcusable.
This was, without question, the very worst film I saw in 2010 and you know, I just have to go one further. Nearly ten years from now when I create my next “Time Capsule” series marking the very best and worst from the decade of 2010-2019, this film will easily be there.
Aaaahhhhhh! I feel soooo much better now.
Stay tuned for Part Four, my TOP TEN FAVORITE FILMS OF 2010!!!!
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