Worst Horror:
The Abominable Dr. Phibes and its sequel Dr. Phibes Rises Again: We love Vincent Price but these two films make no sense whatsoever. The sequel was even worse than the original. Vincent Price’s fans would be laughing at the Vincent Price’s mask. The only redeeming value is that I got to see my favorite actor, Joseph Cotton, in The Abominable Dr. Phibes. On a totally unrelated observation, the lead detective looked like a European version of Robert De Niro.
Worst Sci-Fi:
Close Encounters of the Third Kind: People call this one of the best Sci-Fis? Good idea, poor execution but that may explain why there are so many different versions on the 30th anniversary edition that’s just been released.
Worst Comedy:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: I feel asleep. And yes, I get British comedy. I love Keeping Up Appearances and even liked Mr. Bean at one point.
Worst Classic:
A Streetcar Named Desire: Stella! STELLLAAAA! Can't you hear me YELLA! You're puttin' me through HELLA! Stella... STELLLAAAA!
Best Horror:
The Descent: I was so glad this didn’t turn into a predictable monster/slasher film. The unrated version (as opposed to what was released in North America) has far superior ending. According to the Special Feature on DVD, the whole underground/cave scenes were shot in studio - amazing!
Best Classic:
The Grapes of Wrath: I loved this film but unable to describe exactly why. Perhaps it’s John Ford’s stunning black and white portraying of the Great Depression. I heard that the book by John Steinbeck was pretty awesome, too.
Best TV Series:
Heroes Season 1: The nerdy Asian dude annoyed me but the series was like a hard to put down comic book.
Best Documentary:
Too Hot Not to Handle: This is one of the most important documentary films to see regarding climate change/global warming.
Best Foreign:
A tie between Volver and Bacheha-Ye aseman (Children of Heaven) : Volver is my Almodóvar most favorite film (next to Hable con ella or in the English title, Talk to Her). His other films are just too much for me. This one is a perfect story-telling with the right amount of mystery and drama.
Children of Heaven is the most wonderful children film I’ve seen in years. The acting might not be the most natural since the leads are just kids but the movie really portrays the purity in children and also gives the audience a peek into the lower class Iranian family.
Best of the Best:
Zodiac: This has to be the best and the most complete work of David Fincher (Se7en, Panic Room, Fight Club). Awesome casts and excellent performances, awesome script, awesome cinematography, directing, and editing.
