Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Franchises that deserve sequels

On movie blogs you always read lists about movies that shouldn't get sequels and a lot of posts that make sequels seem like they're a bad thing; almost as if the word "sequel" is a dirty word to movie fanatics. Well, I happen to enjoy many sequels and believe that there are certain movies that deserve them. Allow me to share with you a few particular franchises that I believe still have a bit of gas left in them.

Anchorman



Yes, it's finally been confirmed that a sequel to Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is coming out next year but fans of this cult classic have been waiting almost a decade to see this dream realized.

21 Jump Street (2012)



Again, a sequel to this year's 21 Jump Street reboot had already been green lighted before the first one was ever released, but after seeing it for myself it's easy to understand why.

Pitch Perfect



The characters in this movie are so sincere and so funny that when it was over, I immediately wanted more. Sure, I'll see it a few times to try and satisfy this need, but eventually I am going to want to see these characters take on something else. Here's hoping that they actually do!

Mission Impossible



A fifth installment for a franchise is pushing it, I'll grant you; however, it is rare for every installment in a franchise to be a this good. Not only is Ghost Protocol an awesome movie, but you could argue that it's the best of the four. Having said that, I think the only way I'd be open to another Mission Impossible is if it had the same cast from 'Protocol'. 

The Incredibles



Sure Pixar doesn't have a great track record with sequels (outside of Toy Story), but if there was ever going to be a sequel to one of their movies, it'd be this one! Superheroes hardly ever get just one movie, so the idea of a FAMILY of superheroes just begs for (at least) a sequel. Not to mention, the ending obviously suggests that the Incredibles are up for more!

Jeepers Creepers



Sure it's been almost a decade since the last Jeepers Creepers came out, but I think it's about time for a closer to a trilogy. The idea of this "Creeper" is about as original an idea we've had in the monster movie field in a long time and there's still more ground to be covered with it, if only for one last movie. Besides, the ending of number two hinted at a sequel.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

2012: The top 23 movies so far!

"23?" You might say that this is an odd number for a "top" list. Yes. Yes it is. I was aiming for "Top 25", but I couldn't find two more movies that I liked enough to include in my favorites list. Anywho, just thought I'd share with you the handful of movies that I enjoyed the most so far this year!

23.) Moonrise Kingdom


I wasn't crazy about this movie like most people. 

22.) Hope Springs


Oldies but goodies. 

21.) The Five-Year Engagement 


It'd be higher on my list if it wasn't so depressing.

20.) American Reunion


I'm glad the gang got back together again.

19.) Rock of Ages


If ever I had a guilty pleasure...

18.) Safe House


I was pleasantly surprised!

17.) The Words


It's not as smart as it thinks it is, but I still like it.

16.) Jeff Who Lives at Home


The Brothers Desplat are no longer a one-hit wonder.

15.) Pitch Perfect


There's more here than just a pretty face!

14.) Ted


It's probably a good thing I like Family Guy...

13.) Seeking a Friend for the End of the World


It's got sort of a naive charm!

12.) The Master


If for nothing else, see this movie for Hoffman's stache.

11.) Dredd 3D


An action movie that takes its time and delivers on the one-liners. Wait, it promised those, right? 

10.) Wanderlust


One of the best ensemble casts this year!

9.) The Campaign 


This is what nuts feel like.

8.) The Avengers


Nerd pornography.

7.) Perks of Being a Wallflower


It scores its points for being so genuine. 

6.) End of Watch


The biggest surprise for me this year!

5.) 21 Jump Street


Funniest movie of the year.

4.) Seven Psychopaths


Marketed as a comedy, but it achieves so much more.

3.) The Grey


What's better than an hour and a half of Liam Nesson punching wolves? This movie!

2.) The Cabin in the Woods


A horror movie this far up on my list this far into the year?

1.) Argo


Smart, funny, insightful and well acted. 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

God-awful sequels I love to hate

In honor of this week's release of Taken 2, I am listing off some of my most hated sequels to have followed up a movie that I love.

Son of the Mask

I hate this movie so much, that I don't even care to post a picture of it on my blog.

Robocop 3


It's not even the real Murphy...

Jeepers Creepers 2



I tried to avoid putting horror movies on this list just because if I was going to name off all the horrible sequels I hate, then this list would have been a lot longer. Jeepers Creepers is special to me, however. The original is a creative mixed-bag monster flick and the Jeepers Creepers 2... isn't. 

Any JAWS sequel



Not that I have anything against green screen sharks, it's just that they were all SO bad that I couldn't pick just one of them (although Jaws 3D came close...)

Transformers 2 & 3


Those who know me know that I love the Transformers, have ever since I was a youngling. Those same people also know that I am a fan of Michael Bay's first Transformers movie; however, the last two are practically- scratch that- they ARE unwatchable.

The Dark Knight Rises



The Dark Knight is probably one of my favorite movies. It's just so sad that the conclusion of what could have been such a fantastic trilogy ended with such a cop out, among many other flaws.

Taken 2



My dog has made terds smarter than this movie... (review pending)