The CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED of 2008

The Criminally Underrated of 2008

AUSTRALIA-Baz Luhrmann makes an unpretentious epic that addresses discrimination without being condescending or disingenuous. And there's a (seriously refreshing) love story based on mutual respect. Plus mutually statuesque Hugh Jackman & Nicole Kidman. What's not to like?

SPEED RACER-Stop Hating! People fail to understand that the movie is a Children's Film about Corporate Crime. It's seriously the PG-rated version of Michael Clayton. Fraud, bribery, embezzling, stock manipulation, corporate espionage and sabotage. It's all there in a Technicolor dream with a kid with a BFF Chimp. I guess with all the fantastical action (and haircuts) audiences just couldn't accept a story of Good versus a very real life Evil.

THE BANK JOB-A Smart (stop acting so surprised) Jason Statham heist flick not brought to you from a Guy. And Saffron Burrows showing everyone how to wear 70s fashion like a model. Fierce!

A CHRISTMAS TALE (Un Conte de Noël)- It's like a French remake of The Family Stone except that it's completely devoid of empty sentimentality, all the characters keep it harshly real with each other, and Catherine Deneuve's wrapped up in YSL. Absolute Perfection.





THE FALL-Visually stunning (and I'm not just talking about Lee Pace) relationship between a suicidal love-sick stunt man and an incredibly imaginative (and slightly gory) girl.







TELL NO ONE (Ne le Dis à Personne)-A French thriller with heart. And an actually engaging mystery! Magnificent!








QUANTUM OF SOLACE-Enough with the Borne comparisons! Thankfully there's not a Julia Stiles in sight. The brilliant dangling rope [rife with symbolism for all you Film snobs] will become a classic Bond moment when people begin to take their heads out of their asses. And why is no one praising the Bond Girls who weren't some Distressed Dames this time around? Especially considering that überlauded Dark Knight horribly faltered in that aspect.

1.MATHIEU AMALRIC
This year he went from Eco-Baron Bond Villain in Quantum of Solace to Ostracized Middle Child in Christmas Tale. The man can seriously do anything! And if you don't believe me check out his 2004 César-winning performance in Kings & Queen as a Bipolar Violist who finds himself committed to a mental institution in part for wearing a Bullfighter's cape. Did I also mention that he just starts breakdancing (with full-on popping & locking) during a therapy session? Yep it's awesome.

2.NICOLE KIDMAN
I never thought that I'd see the day when Ms.Kidman would get absolutely no love (I'm talking to you, fickle critics) for a romantic drama. Nicole completely rocked it in Australia by being completely believable and most importantly likable. I'm really done with this "Look at me I'm really acting" attitude [Changling Angie!] that kills the film's heart-the illusion.
And on a Nostalgic Note: She reminded me of the brilliant Deborah Kerr in King Solomon's Mines with all her prudish English uptightness that still manages to be amazingly endearing.

Quantum of *Steve* [Updated w/ more Craig!]

I literally just got back from seeing Quantum. I'm in no position to do a review of it since my Daniel Craig love is so strong it sent me to a sneak preview (& not the free kind!) of Golden Compass. And when I visited London this past spring I had no problem doling out £13 at VUE Leicester Square to see Flashbacks of a Fool. Who am I, a lowly colonial, to pass up a Daniel Craig film in his motherland? Not to mention Eve and Claire Forlani are in it!

Though I will share that while I was watching the movie I couldn't help but notice all the Steve McQueen shout-outs. If it's not intentional it's got to be some serious subconscious stuff on the part of Paul Haggis & Co.

The Thomas Crown Affair-Though Daniel technically dons the three piece at the end of Casino Royale I'm still going to conclude that McQueen was Tom Ford's muse for Blond Bond. Tom even put Daniel in some aviators à la Thomas Crown for the majority of Quantum. OCD Cred-Persol was the brand of choice of Mr.Crown and coincidently for Mr.Craig in Casino Royale.


The Great Escape- Can you really think of a motorcycle jump independently from McQueen? Didn't think so.

Bullitt-A car chase that ends with the perps dead and an angry superior fuming over lost tesimony. Sounds pretty familiar. Oh and there's that whole matter (albeit a sexy one) about the classic style of a cardigan and shirt.


The Towering Inferno-If you saw Quantum you'll get the connection. But even if you haven't seen it I think the symbolism is pretty clear. Fire=Hot=Hottie

No Shirt. No Problem.