{"id":185,"date":"2009-02-23T08:31:07","date_gmt":"2009-02-23T16:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rayivey.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=185"},"modified":"2015-06-13T17:13:45","modified_gmt":"2015-06-14T00:13:45","slug":"rays-2008-movie-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.rayivey.com\/wordpress\/movie-awards-archive-2\/rays-2008-movie-awards\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"rss\"<\/a>\"instagram\"<\/a>

Ray’s 2008 Movie Awards<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Best of 2008<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Wall E<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 So how much time to you have?\u00a0 Once again Pixar proves it\u2019s the smartest, savviest and most creative creators of popular movies.\u00a0 This movie is gorgeous, funny, sad, innovative and unforgettable.<\/li>\n
  2. Slumdog Millionaire<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 This magical film combines director Danny Boyle\u2019s raw filmmaking sensibility with old-fashioned movie appeal.<\/li>\n
  3. In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 This very dark comedy from writer\/director Martin McDonagh tells the story of two hit men (Brendon Gleeson and Colin Farrell) cooling their jets in a tiny Belgium tourist town after a job back home has gone very, very wrong.\u00a0 Ralph Fiennes is a scream as their impatient boss.\u00a0 The writing and acting is tremendously good.<\/li>\n
  4. Gran Torino<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 The trailer made this movie look like a Death Wish clone, but nothing could be further from the truth.\u00a0 Clint Eastwood\u2019s beautiful movie about a bigot who finds a connection with the Hmong immigrants in his neighborhood is a stunning piece of work.<\/li>\n
  5. The Reader<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 I like movies about moral ambiguity, and The Reader has it in spades.\u00a0 It also has stunning acting by Kate Winslet and David Kross.<\/li>\n
  6. Milk<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Both director Gus Van Sant and star Sean Penn show remarkable taste and restraint in this biopic of the first openly gay person ever elected to office in the United States.\u00a0 The movie is full of wonderful performances, particularly from Emile Hirsch (never thought I\u2019d say that, as he is not my cup of half-caf mochachino), James Franco and Josh Brolin.<\/li>\n
  7. Frost\/Nixon<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Ron Howard returns to form with this superbly-made dramatization of the famous interviews.<\/li>\n
  8. Doubt<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 John Patrick Shanley\u2019s Broadway Pulitzer-Prize-winning play becomes a fascinating movie.\u00a0 Four acting powerhouses — Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis– tear up the screen<\/li>\n
  9. The Dark Knight<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 A rich, complex, well made and beautifully acted movie.<\/li>\n
  10. Priceless<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 A beautifully old-fashioned caper \/ romantic comedy starring the wonderful Audrey Tautou.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Honorable Mention:\u00a0 Cloverfield, Defiance, Sex and the City, Boy A, Frozen River, The Duchess, Last Chance Harry, Role Models, Young@Heart, Fear(s) of the Dark, Waltz With Bashir, Pineapple Express, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, The Bank Job, Flawless<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Event Movie<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Cloverfield<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 The premise \u2013 a murderous sea monster goes through a rampage through Manhattan and you\u2019re only point of view is that of an amateur video camera wielded by a dazed twenty-something partygoer \u2013 worked remarkably well.\u00a0 Any movie that understands that the scariest thing is the unknown scores big points.\u00a0 The fact that you never know any more than the terrified kids who are filming the action ratchets the tension level up to a fever pitch.\u00a0\u00a0 Technically the movie is also ingenious.<\/p>\n

    Best Actor<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Brendon Gleeson, In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Andrew Garfield, Boy A<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Michael Sheen, Frost\/Nixon<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Frank Langella, Frost\/Nixon<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sean Penn, Milk<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harry<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Actress<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Audrey Tautou, Priceless<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Melissa Leo, Frozen River<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Kate Winslet, The Reader<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Keira Knightley, The Duchess<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Judith Light, Save M<\/span><\/em><\/strong>e<\/p>\n

    Meryl Streep, Doubt<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harry<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Supporting Actor<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Colin Farrell, In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ralph Fiennes, In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \/ The Duchess<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \/ The Reader<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Omar Benson Miller, Miracle at St. Anna<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Michael Kelly, Changeling<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Anil Kapoor, Slumdog Millionaire<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    David Kross, The Reader<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Supporting Actress<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Catherine Zeta-Jones, Death-Defying Acts<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Jane Lynch, Role Models<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Amy Adams, Doubt<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Viola Davis, Doubt<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Beyonce Knowles, Cadillac Records<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Kathy Bates, Revolutionary Road<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Lena Olin in The Reader<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Screenplay<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Well, the year\u2019s ten best movies had the ten best screenplays, duh.<\/p>\n

    Best Documentary Feature<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Young@Heart<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 This stunning movie tells the story of a chorus of senior citizens who bring new meaning and insight to rock and punk standards.\u00a0 To see it is to have your heart lifted right through the rafters.<\/p>\n

    Constantine\u2019s Sword<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Tells the story of the Roman emperor who cynically made Christianity the official religion of the empire, thus damning Western Civilization to two centuries of superstition, intolerance and suppression of science.\u00a0 Thanks, Constantine!<\/p>\n

    Bigger, Stronger, Faster<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 A surprisingly insightful look at the world of performance enhancing drugs in our competitive American culture.<\/p>\n

    Man on Wire<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 A fascinating look at the journey of acrobat Philippe Petit and his six-year odyssey to create one of the best guerilla stunts of all time:\u00a0 Walking a tightrope between the tops of the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York.<\/p>\n

    Religulous:<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Bill Maher travels the world to try to discover why grown-up people still believe in fairy tales<\/p>\n

    Saving Marriage<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 The inspiring story of the fight for marriage equality in Massachusetts<\/p>\n

    Best Production Design<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Changeling<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Dark Knight<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *The Fall<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Cinematography<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Fall<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Dark Knight<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Slumdog Millionaire<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Direction<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Martin McDonagh, In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ron Howard, Frost\/Nixon<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Stephen Daldry, The Reader<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Foreign Language Film<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Note:\u00a0 I promise I\u2019m not pushing some creepy Gallic agenda here.\u00a0 It was just a really good year for movies from France, what can I say?<\/p>\n

    Priceless<\/span><\/em><\/strong> (France):\u00a0 Audrey Tautou once again proves she\u2019s a movie force to be reckoned with in this charming, retro comedy.<\/p>\n

    OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies<\/span><\/em><\/strong> (France)<\/p>\n

    The Class<\/span><\/em><\/strong> (France)<\/p>\n

    *Tell No One<\/span><\/em><\/strong> (France)<\/p>\n

    Best Animated Movies That Weren\u2019t Wall E<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Madagascar 2: Back to Africa<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Waltz With Bashir<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Bolt<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Fear(s) of the Dark<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Song<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *\u201cGran Torino\u201d from . . . Gran Torino<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019re As Gay as the Day is Long\u201d from Hamlet 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cRock Me, Sexy Jesus\u201d from Hamlet 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cRaped in the Face\u201d from Hamlet 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    One of the Most Beautiful Movies I\u2019ve Ever Seen<\/p>\n

    Visionary director Tarsem\u2019s The Fall<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 Rent the Blue-Ray of this, play it on your widescreen HDTV and prepare to be blown away by the imagery.<\/p>\n

    I\u2019m Really Sick of Superhero Movies . . . <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    But Ironman<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and The Dark Knight<\/span><\/em><\/strong> were both very good, considering.<\/p>\n

    Underrated<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Australia<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 I don\u2019t get why audiences stayed away from this gaudy birthday present of a movie.\u00a0 I was sure it would be Hugh Jackman\u2019s first big non-\u201cX Men\u201d film success, but the movie got tepid reviews and never took off at the box office.\u00a0 Very odd.<\/p>\n

    A Good Year for Heist Movies<\/p>\n

    The Bank Job<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Jason Statham and Saffron Burroughs starred in this terrific, based-on-a-true story of a complicated robbery.<\/p>\n

    Flawless<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Director Michael Radford\u2019s surprisingly affecting caper movie starring Michael Caine and, in a terrific performance, Demi Moore.<\/p>\n

    Not Saying it Was a Good Movie, But He Can Wear That Suit<\/p>\n

    Keanu Reeves as Klaatu in the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Proof that Ryan Reynolds is Definitely (Not Maybe) Ready For a Bigger Career<\/p>\n

    Definitely Maybe<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Proof That James Franco is Getting Better and Better<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Milk<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and Pineapple Express<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Just Put Them in Your Movie.\u00a0 They\u2019ll Make Your Movie Better<\/p>\n

    The dependable and wonderful J.K. Simmons<\/p>\n

    The intense and riveting Viola Davis<\/p>\n

    The luminous and perpetually underrated Lena Olin<\/p>\n

    Best New Word From a Movie<\/p>\n

    \u201cBromosexual\u201d from Pineapple Express<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Please Let\u2019s See More of . .<\/p>\n

    . . . the hilarious Danny R. McBride, who was so good in Tropic Thunder<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and so hilarious in Pineapple Express<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . the beautiful and versatile Sophie Okonedo from The Secret Life of Bees<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . Omar Benson Miller, who gave a beautifully tender performance in Spike Lee\u2019s underseen Miracle at St. Anna<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . Melissa Leo, who tore up the screen in Frozen River<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . the intense Dominic Cooper from The Duchess and Mamma Mia!<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . the talented Michael Kelly, who was so good in Changeling<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . the talented David Kross of The Reader<\/p>\n

    Best Gay Couple in a Movie<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Justin Long and Brandon Routh in Zack and Miri Make a Porno<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Tough, Entertaining Little Independent Movies<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Transsiberian<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Frozen River<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Funniest Movies<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    *Role Models<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Pineapple Express<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Zack and Miri Make a Porno<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Best Comeback of 2008<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Forget Mickey Rourke.\u00a0 The true Comeback Kid of last year was, without a doubt, World\u00a0War\u00a0II.\u00a0 In one year you could revisit the war in The Miracle in St. Anna, The Reader, Valkyrie, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Good<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and Defiance.<\/span><\/em><\/strong> And that\u2019s just the ones I can remember.<\/p>\n

    Really Hardworking Actor<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Mark Strong:\u00a0 This handsome Brit appeared in no less than six<\/em> films released in 2008, including Rocknrolla, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and Good<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    He\u2019s Rilly Rilly Talented and Should Be a Bigger Star<\/p>\n

    Lee Pace, who gave memorable performances in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and The Fall.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Memorable Lines<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Miss Pettigrew Lives For a day<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 At a party in 1939 London, after watching a group of drunken young people whoop and cheer at the sight of a group of British warplanes flying overhead, Frances McDormand\u2019s Miss Pettigrew sighs and murmurs, \u201cThey don\u2019t remember the last one. . . \u201c<\/p>\n

    In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 \u201cKen, I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn’t, so it doesn’t.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 \u201cWhy in the world would anyone have to go to Belgium<\/em>?!<\/p>\n

    Doubt<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s your compassion?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cNowhere YOU can get at it!\u201d<\/p>\n

    In Bruges<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re filmin\u2019 midgets!!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Frost\/Nixon<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 \u201cWhen the President does it, that means it\u2019s not illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Role Models<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 \u201cNo, venti is twenty. Large is large. In fact, tall is large and grande is Spanish for large. Venti is the only one that doesn’t mean large. It’s also the only one that’s Italian. Congratulations, you’re stupid in three languages.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Tropic Thunder<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 \u201cEverybody knows you never go full retard.\u201d<\/p>\n

    I Wonder How Many Phantom Of the Opera Fans Realized . . . <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . that they were listening to the legendary Michael Crawford all through the movie Wall E<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 The clips from 1969\u2019s Hello, Dolly<\/span><\/em><\/strong>! largely featured Crawford singing the role of Cornelius, 19 years before he created his most famous role as The Opera Ghost in Andrew Lloyd Webber\u2019s Broadway juggernaut.<\/p>\n

    Big, Splashy Popcorn Movies That I Heartily Recommend<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Eagle Eye<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Lakeview Terrace<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Only Good Horror Film This Year<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Strangers<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Despite its nihilistic ending (which, admittedly, isn\u2019t uncommon in this genre), this home invasion story is creepy and effective.<\/p>\n

    Way, Way, Way Better Than I Expected<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sex and the City<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Who knew this series had such a terrifically entertaining feature film in it?<\/p>\n

    Deserved to Do More Business<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Leatherheads<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 This was a fun movie about the birth of professional football.\u00a0 Now if you read that statement back, and you know me, you\u2019ll agree that it\u2019s as unlikely a statement as I\u2019m liable to ever make.\u00a0 So rent this stylish period comedy.<\/p>\n

    Not As Bad As Everyone Said It Was<\/p>\n

    The Happening<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Everyone gets pissed off when the new M. Night Shyamalan movie isn\u2019t The Sixth Sense<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 I say just shut up and enjoy his twisted imagination.<\/p>\n

    Worst Movies I Saw in 2008<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    10, 000 BC<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Great title, great visual effects . . . still boring.\u00a0 Well, at least director Roland Emmerich remains consistent.<\/p>\n

    Burn After Reading<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 My Beloved Coen Brothers follow up their Best Picture winning No Country For Old Men<\/span><\/em><\/strong> with this unwatchable, arrogant mess.<\/p>\n

    Quantum of Solace<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 I loved Casino Royale, but this second outing for Daniel Craig as 007 is ugly, boring and stupid.<\/p>\n

    *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 A double winner for also being the most overrated borefest of the year.\u00a0 I liked this movie a lot better when it was called Forrest Gump<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Please Keep Directing and Please Stop Acting:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Ben Stiller<\/p>\n

    Performer Who Most Makes Me Long For Death<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Steve Coogan, Tropic Thunder<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and Hamlet 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Not Nearly As Good As Everyone Said It Was<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    I think I\u2019m the only person who enjoyed Ang Lee\u2019s 2003 The Hulk<\/span><\/em><\/strong>, and it certainly was no worse than this new version starring Ed Norton.<\/p>\n

    Richard Roeper Lost His Mind . . . <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    . . . over Forgetting Sarah Marshall<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 It\u2019s a perfectly fun and funny movie from the Judd Apatow factory, but it\u2019s not the second coming of Christ.<\/p>\n

    And Speaking of Richard Roeper . . . Ben Lyons Must Be Killed<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Shame on Buena Vista Television for replacing Roeper with the vacuous Ben Lyons on \u201cAt the Movies.\u201d\u00a0 When reviewing Tom Cruise\u2019s Valkyrie<\/span><\/em><\/strong>, rather than claiming the movie was actually good, he actually said, \u201cTom Cruise is one of the biggest celebrities on the planet!\u00a0 Just enjoy the movie!!\u201d\u00a0 Like we should simply be grateful that a star of Cruise\u2019s wattage deigned to take the trouble to stand in front of a camera for our benefit.\u00a0 That\u2019s the kind of statement a fanboy should make, not a movie critic.\u00a0 Ben Lyons must be killed.<\/p>\n

    My Ex-Wordprocessing Cohort Chad McKnight Deservers Better Than . . <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Signal<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Such a Disappointment After Supersize Me<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?<\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 And what in the world was the talented and appealing filmmaker Morgan Spurlock thinking when he decided this paper-thin confection was a worthy follow-up to his super Supersize Me<\/span><\/em><\/strong>?<\/p>\n

    Other Disappointments<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Chronicles of Narnia:\u00a0 Prince Caspian<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 What a bore.\u00a0 What a letdown after the excellent The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.<\/p>\n

    Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 While not actually terrible, this was a disappointment in so many ways.\u00a0 Why bring back Marian (Karen Allen) and then make her act as if she\u2019d been dropped on her head repeatedly since the first movie?\u00a0 Why have a plot that feels like it\u2019s cobbled together from every movie clich\u00e9 imaginable?\u00a0 Why have the title prop look like a big ugly piece of molded plastic?<\/p>\n

    Most Bullshit-Covered Documentary<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Water<\/span><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 Did you know that water was MAGIC?<\/p>\n

    The Workout Rule<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Tayler Garrette and I have worked out this important Hollywood rule.\u00a0 It goes as follows:\u00a0 If you are a young, nice looking actor who\u2019s been hired to be in a movie because you\u2019re a young, nice-looking actor (as opposed to because you\u2019re, say, the next Ed Norton), and it\u2019s at all possible that you will go shirtless at any point in said movie, Get Thee to a Gym<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re Hayden Christensen and you bare your bod in a piece of crap movie like Jumper<\/span><\/em><\/strong>, you need to be in shape.\u00a0 Consider it an important part of what they\u2019re paying you for.<\/p>\n

    Extra Points For Following the Workout Rule<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    When he was hired to play the lead in Stop-Loss<\/span><\/em><\/strong>, Ryan Phillipe was told that he\u2019d have to get in the best shape of his life.\u00a0 And you know what?\u00a0 Mr. Phillipe is not only a good actor, but he understands The Workout Rule.\u00a0 Watch the movie \u2013 his commitment to The Rule makes the film better.<\/p>\n

    Please.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Mamma Mia<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    What in the World Were the Critics Smoking When They Gave This Boring Piece of Tripe Rapturous Reviews?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Reprise<\/span><\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier proves that boredom has no language barrier.<\/p>\n

    Worst Performance in a Musical Since Jack Nicholson in Tommy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia!\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/strong>S.O.S. indeed<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In Memoriam<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Paul Newman<\/p>\n

    Charlton Heston<\/p>\n

    Heath Ledger<\/p>\n

    George Carlin<\/p>\n

    Roy Scheider<\/p>\n

    Sidney Pollack<\/p>\n

    Richard Widmark<\/p>\n

    Arthur C. Clarke<\/p>\n

    Eartha Kitt<\/p>\n

    Van Johnson<\/p>\n

    Bettie Page<\/p>\n

    Robert Prosky<\/p>\n

    Paul Benedict<\/p>\n

    Mr. Blackwell<\/p>\n

    Levi Stubbs<\/p>\n

    Edie Adams<\/p>\n

    Bill Melendez (Peanuts animator)<\/p>\n

    Don LaFontaine (legendary movie trailer voice:\u00a0 \u201cIn a world . . . \u201c)<\/p>\n

    Jerry Reed<\/p>\n

    Isaac Hayes<\/p>\n

    Bernie Mac<\/p>\n

    Bernie Brillstein<\/p>\n

    Estelle Getty<\/p>\n

    Jo Stafford<\/p>\n

    Evelyn Keyes<\/p>\n

    Cyd Charisse<\/p>\n

    Stan Winston<\/p>\n

    Harvey Korman<\/p>\n

    Yves St.-Laurent<\/p>\n

    Dick Martin<\/p>\n

    John Phillip Law<\/p>\n

    Eddie Arnold<\/p>\n

    Gary Gygax (inventor of Dungeons & Dragons)<\/p>\n

    Brad Renfro<\/p>\n

    Suzanne Pleshette<\/p>\n

    Ann Savage (noir diva)<\/p>\n

    Robert Mulligan (directed To Kill a Mockingbird <\/span><\/em><\/strong>and The Other<\/span><\/em><\/strong>)<\/p>\n

    Sam Bottoms<\/p>\n

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