The Year in Film: The Best and Worst of 2008 - Page 5

A lot of people probably don't know who Stan Winston was, but they certainly remember the creations he helped bring to life: The dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, the cyborgs in the Terminator films, the machinations at the heart of Iron Man. As a little kid, I was fascinated with special effects, and Winston, who died on June 15 of multiple myeloma, was always one of the best and brightest in the field. And whether or not the forthcoming Terminator: Salvation turns out to be any good, we can at least count on excellent special effects from a man who truly understood his craft.

The Most Overrated Movie of 2008

A movie about two people talking does not have to be boring, especially not when it concerns one of the most fascinating and repulsive American politicians of the 20th century. But to see Ron Howard's take on Frost/Nixon, you can't imagine it being anything more than a dry history lesson. The film was based on an acclaimed stage play, and perhaps it worked there, but here, where it's saddled with a bunch of extraneous interviews with other characters, effectively excusing Howard and screenwriter Peter Morgan from ever actually having to show us what makes them tick, it's nothing but a bore. I'm hoping this one loses its Oscar chances to other, more deserving films.

The Worst Franchise Reboot of 2008

Franchise reboots have been all the rage the past few years (Batman and James Bond much?). 2008 had a few of them, some good (The Incredible Hulk), some less so (Speed Racer), and the absolute worst, The Day the Earth Stood Still. This is not something that needs to be remade or rebooted, but logic does not stop Hollywood. In the beloved original, which won a Golden Globe for freaking "promoting international understanding," the alien character has come to unite humanity. In the remake, Keanu's new alien has come to decimate all human life, and has a shot at winning a Golden Globe for "least inspirational conservation message of all time."

The Worst Movie of 2008

There are bad movies, and then there are awful movies. Feast II: Sloppy Seconds is not an awful movie. No, to call it awful would be an understatement, like saying that Adolf Hitler was a big meanie. If we're going to be truthful, Feast II: Sloppy Seconds is a Repulsive, Disgusting, Idiotic, Moronic, Brain Cell Killing, Soul Crushing Termination of the Human Spirit. To be even more truthful, it's the single worst film I have ever had the displeasure of seeing. And I liked the first one.

Article Author: Arlo J. Wiley

Arlo J. Wiley is an aspiring filmmaker who has a deep love of movies, music, television, and most other artforms. He is also totally obsessed with Joss Whedon and the Beatles. You kind of need to know that.

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