Best Forgotten Films of 2008, Part One
Not to be confused with a list of Best, Forgotten Films of 2008 which feature the fine movies that may have slipped through the cracks this past year. No, sir. Best Forgotten Films of 2008 is a list of the movies that are best wiped completely from memory as quickly as possible. These are not necessarily the worst made movies of the year. Or the biggest disappointments. These are the movies that made me a little dumber, a little more jaded or in general a little worse off for seeing them.
1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
It’s one thing to insult your audience, but when 85% of that audience is only there out of a mix of resigned obligation and nostalgic compulsion, it’s basically extortion. Message to Steve, George and Harry: Hollywood zillionaires are only allowed to team up and guilt people into giving money if that cash is for motherfucking charity.
2. Pineapple Express
I don’t want to see any more actor/comedian buddies having a fucking blast making movies together unless those movies deliver some top level goddamn hilarity, okay? It’s bad enough that I paid to sit through a half-assed, self-indulgent home video that you got paid lots of money to fuck around making. You don’t have to make make me feel like an asshole because I wasn’t there on set where the shit was really hilarious.
Listen up, all you Apatowian joke slingers (and for that matter all you Ferrellians, Carellians, Stillernauts and Sandlerites): it’s not Job #1 to have a fucking blast making your movies, okay? Job #1 is to make sure I have a fucking blast watching your movies.
It’s not that I’m a hater, fellas. I mean, if you somehow, miraculously manage to enjoy yourself while pulling down a huge paycheck and having your ass kissed by everyone while making a movie that is worth my precious time and hard earned money then kudos, motherfucker. But if you’re going to mail in some misguided, unfunny shit at least have the courtesy of being miserable or self-destructive while you’re doing it. At least then we’re in misery together.
It’s not that I don’t think you have talent. I do. And that’s why I expect you to deliver something more amusing than a Chris Kattan star vehicle. Don’t make me wish you Belushied before your last few movies so I could preserve the memory of your once formidable comic talents.
Coming soon:
Vantage Point
Revolutionary Road
The Tale of Despereaux
Leatherheads