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We're unveiling our SPRING 2012 TOP 5 TV Watchlist! Listen to why on the latest RATED AWESOME Podcast and see the trailers for the best new DRAMAS, COMEDIES, and RETURNING shows below.
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Join RATA - The Furry King Of Awesome & human host Joshua as they discuss the latest MOVIES, TV SHOWS, MUSIC, & other weekly hilarity.
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This
week is special because this is the debut of my new podcast called POT
THOUGHTS. For this first episode, I'll be unveiling our AWESOME Final 4
of SURVIVOR: One World.
I'll be giving hilarious live commentary on the last 2 episodes. Here's a promo for "Just Annihilate Them."
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It should show up below or you can download them for FREE on iTunes. Look at the pics below to see what we're talking about this time!
Hear
my Epic tale of legend on how I became the coolest Siberian white tiger
to have a Podcast. Your questions will be answered with this piece of
history.
Don't forget to subscribe and leave us some comments below or on Facebook or iTunes! We'll be back with a new RATED AWESOME Podcast every week. Tell your friends and be a hero.
Join RATA - The Furry King Of Awesome & human host Joshua as they discuss the latest MOVIES, TV SHOWS, MUSIC, & other weekly hilarity.
It should show up below or you can download them for FREE on iTunes. Look at the pics below to see what we're talking about this time!
Don't forget to subscribe and leave us some comments below or on Facebook or iTunes! We'll be back with a new RATED AWESOME Podcast in a few days. Tell your friends and be a hero.
Overall, the year 2011 in movies was decent, but nothing spectacular. We were barraged with endless sequels and 3D duds that didn't deliver or just gave us too much of the same. A few daring movies took risks that paid off, such as the hypnotic Drive **** while others veered into uneven pretentiousness, ahem The Tree of Life **1/2.
You had to look hard for the true gems as the genres of horror, thriller, and drama left us little to remember. Still, it was a year that broke box office ground, pushed the envelope, and proved for all that women are funny.
When word came down that there was to be a reboot of the 'Planet of the Apes' franchise, fans weren't sure if it was the right move. Many were put off on the tarnish that Tim Burton **** rubbed off on the last one. However, once the trailer came out, we got excited. And that anticipation carried throughout the film, as we watched a gifted young ape named Caesar grow up and then be sentenced to his own prison. A simian rebellion was bubbling and Caesar was the force that could make it explode.
No other film this year put a smile upon my face for the majority of its running time like this re-imagining of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes **** did. Partly because the execution of an animal revolution was done so well, but most of it was because we were so invested in the protagonist from the beginning. It just so happens to be an ape. The complexity revealed itself further because Caesar is also an antagonist and we find ourselves rooting against the humans.
This is also the first time that an 'Apes' film has been done without make-up or costumes, but with the use of CGI and motion capture for all the apes. The effect is stunning and realistic, as is Andy Serkis *****' performance as Caesar. Several other key characters are also serviced by human actors and do exceptional jobs. The human cast led by James Franco **** also have their moments, but are overshadowed by the apes.
To add to the excitement, there's more to come with further sequels. 'Rise' is a masterful prologue that transcends genres to make way for the highly-anticipated simian domination.
Kristin Wiig's ****** first screenplay and lead role as a hapless bridesmaid proved successful when this became the highest-grossing, female-powered R-rated comedy of all time ($288 million worldwide). This crowd-pleaser was as raunchy as it was warm and became the chick flick for everyone.
Jokes came about fast and often from Wiig and the rest of the colorful cast. This included a breakout performance by Melissa McCarthy ****1/2 as a horny tomboy. What elevates Bridesmaids from being standard comedy fare is its relatable storyline of a struggling woman who just can't get things right. There's plenty of times for Wiig to go off in a tangent or a tirade of multiple voices that made her famous on Saturday Night Live *****, but it's her talent in the dramatic scenes that ground it.
The film left us wanting more, especially from the underused Wendi McLendon-Covey ****1/2 & The Office's ***** Ellie Kemper ****. Hopefully, the rumored sequel will avoid The Hangover Part 2's ***misstep and bring it!
This crime caper turned out to be our surprise comedy of the year. Although, we had little doubt that this box office flop would deliver the goodness because of the casting of Jesse Eisenberg ****1/2, Aziz Ansari *****, and Danny McBride ****1/2. We also couldn't wait to see what the director of Zombieland ***** would do with his follow up.
What we got was a fun and relatable tale of a poor pizza boy who gets forced into robbing a bank and dealing with idiot criminals and a hilariously menacing Michael Pena ****. What I found refreshing was the reality that the characters react to in an increasingly insane world.
So forget about the lackluster title and disturbing true events that inspired this, and prepare to laugh at the hilarious antics.
After 5 years, Tom Cruise ****** lights up the screen again as secret agent, Ethan Hunt. This time, he must scale the largest building in the world, chase the villain through a sand storm, and propel himself through several other impressive stunts for no reason other than to stop nuclear war. The stakes have never been higher and the team less prepared for what they must do.
Simon Pegg **** reprises his role as the funny tech guy and newcomers to the franchise, Paula Patton **** & Jeremy Renner **** play the rest of Ethan's team. They are cut off from their agency and have to travel the globe with only their training and an array of exciting gadgets that have to be seen to be believed. The daring action set pieces are sure to put a smile on your face as you question how far the cast and crew will go to pull them off.
The franchise has reached an all-time high with this heart-pounding adventure that James Bond and Jason Bourne wish they were a part of.
It may be the second movie of the year with a plot involving fuck buddies, but this is the one that stuck. Much can be attributed to the couple in question - the emotionally unavailable Justin Timberlake ****1/2 & the distraught spitfire Mila Kunis ****1/2. They have amazing chemistry as each one is more likable than the last. The dialogue crackles as romantic comedy cliches are dissected and placed front and center to push the plot. It's with these daring strides, that 'Friends' reveals itself to be an anti-rom-com.
The supporting cast all contribute to its cleverness. The cities of New York and Los Angeles even become characters in their own rite. The script is rich, the jokes are crisp and timely, and this film is a vastly underrated gem.
Engaging thrillers were few this year, but this mindfuck with a sci-fi bent nailed it. Bradley Cooper ****1/2 proved to us that he could carry a film and show range as a downtrodden writer who discovers a wonderdrug that allows him to tap into a recess of superhuman brainpower. Soon, he finds that invicibility comes with a price and the people chasing after it could end it all.
The effects of the drug allow the filmmaker to feature an assortment of dazzling visuals and mind-bending sequences. The editing is in your face and sure to leave an indelible mark on your brain. It also pushes its PG-13 handle as it delves into darkness in its third act. Whether you appreciated that risky endeavor or not, 'Limitless' is a fun morality tale that keeps you guessing.
Originally conceived as an origin story for the X-Men's main villain, Magneto, Fox & Marvel decided not to push the focus off of our favorite mutants and this is the film that was made. It's meant to be a reboot after the strong backlash from the overstuffed X-Men: The Last Stand ***1/2. They stripped down the story to portray the relationship of two friends - Charles Xavier & Erik Lehnsherr - and how they got to the opposite ends of the mutant spectrum.
Within the historical backdrop of the Cuban Missle Crisis of the 1960s, we finally get a young Professor X in James McAvoy **** & a much richer backstory and stronger actor for Magneto, played by rising star, Michael Fassbender ****. It's fascinating to see how these enemies started out as friends, fighting for the same cause. They form a team to help with their mission, recruiting familiar characters Beast, Mystique, and introducing mainstream audiences to fresh blood.
In a year with a handful of huge superhero films, this is the one that was filled with excellent performances, dazzling action sequences, and seemed the most human.
Sometimes the chemistry of the main 3 friends is as important to a comedy as its jokes. Luckily, regular everymen Jason Bateman ****, Jason Sudeikis, & Charlie Day ****1/2 have plenty to share with us. They all love their jobs, but are matched with a domineering boss from hell, so they hatch a murderous plan ala Strangers On A Train.
The fun ride we go on is played out in how far they'll go to succeed...until they fuck the whole thing up. It's also quite enjoyable to see how each boss received a target on their head and in the casting choices made for each antagonist.
Being dangerously quote-tacious and pulling off much of what the regurgitated The Hangover Part 2 ***1/2 got wrong, made this a subversive delight that'll keep you guessing.
This timely comedy was a pleasant surprise. It's not a film that pummels you to the ground or laughs in your face. That may be some of the other character's m.o.s, but this film is content in being consistently enjoyable.
We watch in suspense as a middle income family struggles to make ends meet and what the patriarch, played by Paul Giamatti *****, decides to do to cut corners in order to keep his family afloat. We leisurely watch as his plan needs some adjustment with the arrival of a withdrawn teenager, who he must take in. For once, things are going well for Giamatti because the strangely well-mannered teenager who he's getting close to, turns out to be an amazing wrestler. Oh and he happens to be a high school wrestling coach who is in demand for a decent player.
He's surrounded by scene-stealers Amy Ryan ****1/2 and Bobby Cannavale ****, but it's really newcomer Alex Shaffer **** as the teenager they grow to love, who shines most. His fresh performance is equal parts understated intelligence and seething intimidation.
Still wondering whether this third film from acclaimed screenwriter and director Thomas McCarthy ****1/2 will satisfy? Just look to the title.
If you enjoy seeing bodies impaled, dismembered, and tossed around in the most possibly enjoyable way, look no further than the 'Final Destination' franchise. If you've never seen any of them, then start with this latest installment. The downside to each of these is that they are formulaic and there's a certain level of plug and play in each script, so it's perfect if you are new to these tales of cheating death.
However, if you are a fan of these films, then enjoy the return to quality from the rather generic The Final Destination **1/2. Besides having some of the most terrifying deaths of the lot (eye surgery, acupuncture), it's got one of the best twists involving the survivors taking lives to save their own. They also bring back Tony Todd *** as the coroner, who had a presence in all the films except the last one. He's there to give vague guidance to each new batch of survivors and it's exciting to see him have his largest role since the original.
It's as if the producers actually listened to fans for once and made things right. They also presented the story in a new way that tied it into the same universe. This is how to make a thrilling horror sequel.
What do you think should have been on our list? Comment below your thoughts or reviews. Check back to see the few that were pushed off as the list evolves.
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