When I started the GEeK Awards in 2007, I thought I would be able to keep it consistent. The movie gods must have laughed good and hard, because this litle project has yet to become consistent. :-P
Thanks to a collection of short films, I managed to watch a total of 64 films during 2009. That's the most so far since setting up the awards.
The GEeK Awards have expanded this year! A total of 13 genre categories are up for grabs. This was an eclectic year for my movie viewing, so there are bound to be a few surprises. This time I've included links to all of the nominees. Feel free to make your own predictions but, as I said before, the higher rated film doesn't always win.
Also, there are five General Awards that I hand out each year (Best Picture, Worst Picture, Best Film I Saw in (insert year) That Came out in (insert year), Best Guilty Pleasure Film, and Best Review. I don't list nominees for these films at all. Good luck guessing these babies. :-)
Next Wednesday, all the winners will be announced! Until, then, here are your nominees:
Notice a few missing titles? There were 12 films that failed to meet the criteria for receiving a nomination. These are the films failing to earn a 3 out of 5 or better in 2009:
None of this year's films topped last year's record for the most nominations but several did pick up a hefty haul. How many of these nominations will become wins? Find out next week. ;-)
Well, 2010 is almost over but it's not too late for the 2009 GEeK Awards! The winners are in the books and two honorable mentions have also been selected for each of the genre categories. Some of the winners were obvious choices but I did labor over a handful once again. Enjoy!
BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE FILM:The Wizard of Oz* (1939)Typically you think of explosions and shootouts with the action/adventure genre.
The Wizard of Oz clearly has neither of these but the Internet Movie Database (which I use to determine my genre award nominees) listed this film as an ‘adventure’ film. Given the breadth of what an adventure can be, I had only the scantest of reservations about giving
Oz the win. Dorothy’s journey is a remarkable one and filled with diverse characters, locations and perils. It definitely stands in contrast to past winners of the category but I think it’s worth it.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) and
The Ten Commandments* (1956)Both of these films are more ‘traditional’ in terms of what we think of action/adventure flicks. The third
Bourne film is mostly action and
Commandments is mostly adventure. It’s also interesting that, despite being separated by half a century, they’re both prime examples of this category.
BEST ANIMATED FILM:The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)Working through Disney’s dry period of package films of the 1940s made 2009 a weak year for this category. Nothing I watched soars to the heights of Disney’s glory days. I went with this double feature because it shows Disney gearing up to its comeback in the 1950s. The animation is consistent and, though not as lush as the early days, there is still plenty of detail to marvel at.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:Fun and Fancy Free (1947) and
The Three Caballeros (1944)Again, this was a weaker year for animated films. I didn’t want to honor any of the Disney
Fantasia-esque package films but I also didn’t feel that
The Simpson’s Movie deserved an award either. That left me with these two. Both are enjoyable and have pretty good animation. Sometimes that’s all there is to it.
BEST ANIMATED SHORT:Badgered (2005)I just love this short film. Through simple animation and subtle humor, there was never a point where I wasn’t at least snickering. It’s just a badger doing what he has to do to get some sleep. I could have gone for the artistic side of things but I feel a short film is supposed to tell a story and keep it light. This fits the bill
HONORABLE MENTIONS:The Fan and the Flower (2005) and
Saludos Amigos (1942)The Fan and the Flower has a charming story set to simplistic animation while
Saludos Amigos pushes a few boundaries and features a few popular characters. Both of them get the job done and I picked them out of a subjective favoritism over the other nominees. They’re not as preachy, or artsy-fartsy as the rest. In fact, I was surprised that
Saludos Amigos is actually considered a short but that’s how it goes.
BEST CHILDREN’S OR FAMILY FILM:The Wizard of Oz* (1939)Was there any doubt?
Oz is one of the greatest films of all times and it has delighted audiences for decades. Kids love this film and adults love sharing this film with their children and grandchildren. While parts of it might be a bit spooky for the youngest of the lot, it’s right for any child who isn’t a total wimp. It’s colorful, it’s got great songs and it’s entertaining as all get-out. Need I say more?
HONORABLE MENTIONS:The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) and
Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
Initially I had given an honorable mention to
Where the Wild Things Are. Then I re-read my review for it. This really isn’t a children’s movie. It’s a movie about childhood.
Harry Potter 6 was too dark and
Batman uses too much comical violence to deserve merit. That left me with the Disney double features. Kids will watch just about anything Disney and these are both decent films.
BEST COMEDY:Young Frankenstein (1974)This is one of the funniest films of all time. Gene Wilder’s performance is astounding and sets the bar almost too high for those who followed him. Mel Brooks was still sharp as a tack and knew how to make a spoof. It helps that the source material had become something of a joke but who cares? Everyone enjoys a good send-up and this is a great one. There’s something to laugh at in every scene and that is the hallmark of comedic greatness.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:It Happened One Night** (1938) and
Our Time is Up (2004)It was a close call between
Young Frankenstein and
It Happened One Night. In the end, subjectivity won out.
One Night is referenced far more but
Frankenstein packs a lot of funny into its runtime.
Our Time is Up picks up a steal because it is a short film. But what a short! Situational hilarity at its best. It may have been a weak year for animation but 2009 was a great year or comedy.
BEST DRAMA:Slumdog Millionaire** (2008)Cynics can say whatever they want about this underdog story but I love it. It really is everything we love about cinema. Action, adventure, romance, thrills, chills- it’s got it all! Heck, it’s even got a closing dance number that rocks the house. The unrelenting journey through India’s poorest communities breaks your heart and builds up your support for the main character. Once
Slumdog Millionaire gets its hooks into you, it never lets up.
HONROABLE MENTIONS:Gandhi** (1982) and
The Ten Commandments* (1956)Both of these films are epic in scope.
Gandhi is all character driven and
The Ten Commandments is fueled by set pieces and visual effects. It doesn’t hurt that they were the only other films I rated as ‘great’ among the nominees. But they really do deserve the honor because of their artistic achievements.
BEST FOREIGN FILM:Lola Rennt (1998)It’s one of my all-time favorites and I saved it to be my 500th rating. There was never any doubt that it would take this category. I don’t watch many foreign films each year but I do try to take a few in. In fact, this is the first foreign film award winner for the GEeK Awards.
Lola Rennt makes you think while also keeping you on the edge of your seat. Any film capable of doing that while also requiring you to read subtitles will stand out among the crowd.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:Ausreisser (2004) and
The Last Farm (2004)Both of these are short films. That fact didn’t necessarily hold them back in the category but they were also up against a truly great film in
Lola Rennt. Both of these shorts are moody, intellectually challenging films.
Ausreisser is more of a mystery while
Last Farm has social commentary galore. Both are worth watching if you can find them.
BEST HORROR FILM:The Mist (2007)Creating a good horror film is difficult. Too much gore and you lose me. Put forth a weak story and you lose me. If you try to make me care about loser characters, you will lose me.
The Mist does it mostly right. The effects betray it a tad but I love how the audience is left to wonder about what horrors lie in the mist than actually seeing them. Fear of the unknown always gets the scares better than blood and guts.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:I Am Legend (2007) and
The Mummy (1999)Only
I Am Legend really strikes me as a remotely legitimate horror film but I’ll take what I can get. I’m just glad to actually have more than one ‘horror’ film qualify for the GEeK Award this year!
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT:Our Time is Up (2004)Yes, it’s the highest rated of the short films but it also wins because it was absolutely hilarious. All of the supporting characters are pleasantly goofy and nobody feels like an extra wheel. It’s compact and efficient. How can you not appreciate that in a short film?
HONORABLE MENTIONS:The Last Farm (2004) and
http://lsrmovies.blogspot.com/2010/07/six-shooter-2004.html
The Last Farm is worthy because of the social issues it draws on.
Six Shooter, on the other hand, is something of a deranged guilty pleasure. Neither one brings out the warm fuzzies but that’s okay. Not all stories need a happy ending.
BEST MUSICAL FILM:The Wizard of Oz* (1939)Surprise! Okay, maybe not. For future reference, any film that earns a 4.75 on my rating scale is more or less bound to win every single award it is up for. There are so many songs in
The Wizard of Oz that have become standards. Sure, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion all sing the same basic tune but who doesn’t love each one? Only a few of the tunes sung in this film aren’t memorable and the singers are all wonderful. An easy choice.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:The Broadway Melody** (1929) and
The Three Caballeros (1944)The Broadway Melody was an easy choice because it marks one of the first true movie-musicals. Just two years prior, synchronized sound was the new kid on the block.
Melody takes full advantage of this new process and the results are masterful. It was also an early talkie ‘backstage’ production, showing off the behind the scenes issues.
The Three Caballeros gets the other honorable mention because the title theme is infectious and a lot of fun.
BEST ROMANCE FILM:Slumdog Millionaire** (2008)This film may not fit the standard mold for tear-jerking romance but it is a story about love nonetheless. All three pairs of young actors playing the romantic leads throughout their lives in this film are wonderful. The scenes with the children are tender and innocent. The attempted reunion of the two later on really works the emotions. You can’t help but cheer these two on and hope for a happy ending.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:Ghost* (1990) and
It Happened One Night** (1934)Both of these films would have been worthy of taking the GEeK Award had it not been for
Slumdog Millionaire’s infectious underdog tale. To be honest, I’m not even sure which of these would have won because they are both fantastic for their own reasons.
BEST SCIENCE-FICTION OR FANTASY FILM:The Wizard of Oz* (1939)This year made me want to split this category up. There really is a world of difference between Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I’m more of a sci-fi guy but I appreciate a good fantasy flick.
The Wizard of Oz is an amazing fantasy tale and deserves the win. It’s just that the sci-fi geek in me squirms a little because I watched some excellent sci-fi flicks in 2009. A film as great as
Oz just can’t be denied though.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:The Abyss (1989) and
Minority Report (2002)Both of these films are top-notch sci-fi. I love
The Abyss for injecting a little bit of sci-fi into somewhat normal settings.
Minority Report is fantastic because it doesn’t overdo the sci-fi elements in it’s near-future setting. Is restraint the key to good sci-fi? Perhaps.
BEST THRILLER:Lola Rennt (1998)Twenty minutes to save your boyfriends life? Check. A city full of obstacles in your path? Check. A driving electronic score? Check. That’s really all you need to know.
Lola Rennt has some pretty great ingredients and each one is every bit as good as the collective whole. There’s not a lot of time to catch your breath and when time is afforded for such, the films throws some heady concepts at you and you have to think. Fast, fun and smart wins out!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) and
Minority Report (2002)The third installment of the
Bourne trilogy is just as non-stop as its predecessors and provides for a great conclusion. My only complaint is that it gets a tad confusing at times.
Minority Report is equally gripping but it runs a tad long and slows down at times. Both are still top-notch thrill rides though.
BEST PICTURE (OVERALL):The Wizard of Oz* (1939)Surprise! Saw this one coming, did you? Well it should have been obvious.
The Wizard of Oz deserves a spot amongst GEeK Award Best Picture winners because it is one of the all-time greats. The costume details are astounding. The set designs are brilliant. The technical aspects will blow your mind. The acting, music, emotions- it’s all there. You may be sick of hearing me go on and on about this film and I really don’t have much else to say about it but this is one of those films that simply cannot be denied. As I said in my review,
The Wizard of Oz was always going to fair well with me- it was just a formality of taking it in for the sake of giving it the rating I already knew it deserved.
WORST PICTURE (OVERALL):Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)If you read my review for this film, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise either.
Manos is just one bad film, start to finish. I have some friends who claim they have watched worse films than this but I have my doubts. Boring and painful to watch, I strongly advise against taking this film in. It’s not just stupid-bad. It’s everything-bad. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
BEST FILM FROM 2009 THAT I SAW IN 2009:Where the Wild Things Are (2009)As with years past, I am very selective about what movies I go to the theater to watch. It’s hard to justify the expense anymore with the amount of garbage Hollywood produces. Sometimes I get lucky and can rent a movie that came out earlier in the year as well. In 2009, I saw just three films that were hot off the press.
Where the Wild Things Are, as polarizing as it may be, is the easy choice. Nothing against
Harry Potter 6 or
I Love You, Man, but they just don’t compare. I still believe that
Wild Things captures some dangerously stark depictions of the whirlwind of emotions that is childhood. The visuals are brilliant and the story really builds upon the beloved children’s book.
BEST GUILTY PLEASURE FILM:Rocky IV (1985)I really let this film have it with my review but there’s no denying that
Rocky IV is fun to watch. Ivan Drago is the perfect über-villain and Rocky Balboa is a natural hero. Sure, it’s predictable and all kinds of cheesy but, in a way, that is exactly what makes it so easy to sink into. This is not a thinking film. Anyone can turn their brain off for 90 minutes and just have fun. Let’s face it, sometimes we just need a movie like this.
BEST REVIEW OF THE YEAR:Gran Torino (2008)I posted this same qualifier with the 2008 awards but it’s worth repeating- this award isn’t designed so much to pat myself on the back but to hold me accountable for what I’m doing here. Anyone can write a half-baked review and post it online. I’m trying to be better than your average vanity blog and this award forces me to look back over a year’s worth of product and find ways to improve. Sadly, I found many grammatical errors and even a stray spelling error or two that snuck through in the 2009 slate of reviews. This tells me I need to try harder. A lot of good reviews were undone by even the slightest error. In the end, I was left with three really strong reviews and had to make a tough decision.
Not only was
Gran Torino a fun review to write but it reads very well. It touches on the plot of the film just enough and informs the reader of the un-PC barrage they are getting into, should they choose to watch it. I covered the acting of both Clint Eastwood and his co-stars and avoided being too repetitive. It wasn’t easy to reach this conclusion but I feel like my natural writing style came out more in this review, rather than trying to keep myself ‘too professional.’ Film critics (the true professionals at least) aren’t always dry and methodical anymore so I think my review for
Gran Torino was a step in the right direction.
We’re finally spreading the wealth around just a hair more! This year 12 films won at least one award (in both 2007 and 2008 only 11 films took honors). Maybe the 2010 GEeK Awards will see even more diversity in its honorees. The Wizard of Oz also shatters the previous record of most awards won, taking home a total of five!
