FranksFilms

****** FRANKSFILMS FAVORITES OF 2009 ******

I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking, “Frank. You haven’t been posting, probably because you’re no longer interested in movies and stopped watching them.  Why do you hate movies???”

Well, you’re wrong!

In fact, I have logged more than 260 movies in 2009.  I know this because I’ve kept a list (Yes.  I am that guy who makes lists), and I keep this list so that I don’t watch the same bad, forgetable movies over and over again (because I’ve forgotten that I already saw them).  And as I do each year,  I’d like to summarize my favorites to recommend to you.  These are the films that I would have posted recommendations have I not been so lazy all year.  I won’t make excuses for not making regular post, but will only promise to “try” to do better in 2010.

FIRST: the disclaimers

• These are not necessarily films that were released in 2009. They are the movies that I watched (usually for the first time) in 2009.  Also, many of the very best movies of 2009 are not yet out on video and so I haven’t seen them yet.  Hey! I can’t see all the films at the cinema. Besides, my local cinema doesn’t show the very best films – only the most hyped up ones. 
• This is also why my best of 2009 list doesn’t look like the OSCAR Award or the BAFTA Award or the Golden Globe Awards.  As of this writing, I haven’t yet seen many of those films.
• My idea of the best movies may not be the same as yours – in fact, I guarantee it. However, this is my site, not yours. So if you’re wondering why Beerfest is not on this list – that’s why.
• For the most part, I’m avoiding the wide release movies. Everybody already knows about these. So, if you loved say, Iron Man, and wonder why it’s not on my list – that’s why ……………….even though the movie was TOTALLY awesific!
• I have listed the films in order, although, in truth, they’re all equally good.
• That’s it!

SECOND:  the Categories

FAVORITE MOVIES:

1. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (Swedish) – 12 year old, Oskar, the only child of divorced parents, is a loner.  He’s bullied by the ….er, well, bullies at school.  He has no outlet for his aggressions except to stab at the tree outside his appartment with a pocket knife.  He also has no friends until he meets Eli, the new girl next door.  She’s also 12 – but she’s been 12 for a very long time.  For my money, this is the best vampire film in living memory, and considering the proliferation of movies and TV shows about the undead, that’s saying a lot.   It’s quiet and atmospheric and romantic and desolate and haunting  and beautiful ………and bloody – let’s not forget about bloody.  As of this writing, IMDB Top 250: #202, tomatometer: 97%. 
2. WATCHMEN (English) – This is the superhero movie for grown-ups.  It takes a very uncomprimising look at costumed heroes and the consequences of their actions.   The characters include one honest to god superhero, who is so powerful that he has lost all sense of humanity, and a array of regular folks who may offer no more than a good left hook and a big gun, and who may span various degrees of morality.  Gone are all the usual rules of behavior (like Batman or Spiderman) about hurting or killing or sex.  In fact, they were considered so dangerous that, prior to the start of the story, even the public turned against them and the government outlawed them.    This frank trteatment of what was, in the past, considered sacred ground is what makes this film a must see.
3. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (English) - Quentin Tarantino rewrites World War 2 history in this darkly comic and excessively violent action thriller.   Featuring Brad Pitt as the leader of a group of Jewish American who’s mission is to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis – and Christoph Waltz, in an Oscar worthy performance, as the SS Jew-Hunter.  Throw in an immensely suspenseful screenplay and a scheme that’s so crazy it just has to work and you’ve got the most fun of any WW2 movie.   IMDB Top 250: #69, tomatometer: 89%.
4. VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (English) – The best Woody Allen movie in years.  If you want to see what a romantic comedy should be, see this!  It’s beautiful and sumptuous, and yet light and satisfying – go figure.  tomatometer: 82%
5. RACHEL GETTING MARRIED (English) – Anne Hathaway has finally shed the Disney Girl image and grown up with an adult dark dramady.  On leave from rehab, she returns for her sister’s wedding.  The weekend is jam packed with family angst and conflict, as well as resolution as Anne’s character deals with her sister’s happiness and her lack of it.  As dramatic as that sounds, it really is rather funny for the most part.  tomatometer: 86%.

DOCUMENTARIES

1. ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL - This is like This is Spinal Tap, except this is real.  Bandmates, and best friends, try to relive Anvil’s glory days by staging one last big comeback tour.  Never will you have routed for two people on a failed mission more than in this documentary.  You’ll almost want it bad enough to go out and buy their albums ………..that’s ‘almost’.  Definitely the best and funest documentary of the year.  tomatometer: 98%.
2. MAN ON WIRE - In 1974, a tightrope walker walked a wire across the sky between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York.  This sort of thing is highly illegal and the authorities tend to discourage such behavior.  A documentary about this feat may not sound too exciting past, say, 10 minutes or so – but it is!  I mean, you just don’t sneak a rope in your pocket and ride up the elevator and toss it across to the other side.  Tons of support equipment had to be brought up, and set up – all without anyone catching on.  the whole story about how it was done is as suspenseful as any action thriller.  tomatometer: 100%.
3. RELIGULOUS - Apologies if you take your religion seriously.  But if you don’t – or if you do and need to be taken down a peg or two – here is satiric look at the various religions of thew world from a skeptic’s (Bill Maher) point of view.  Nobody gets special treatment and nobody gets left out.  It’s not meant to convert everyone to atheism (atheism also gets the treatment), but to make you think about what you believe and why.
4. IT MIGHT GET LOUD - Three prominent rock musicians Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White get together to discuss their approach to the electric guitar and it’s place in rock history.  Fascinating if you are a musician as it give insight into a musician’s relationship with his instrument.  Also interesting if you are a rock fan as it gives some background into the making of some of your favorite music.   IT MIGHT GET LOUD isn’t just the title.
5. SHINE A LIGHT - Martin Scorsese directs an electrifying concert of the Rolling Stones and friends.  Mick and Keith look impossibly old and yet give an energetic performance that you know they’re going to pay for the next day.  Helped out by Christina Aguilera, Buddy Guy, and Jack White, this is a treat if you’re a  fan – less so if you’re not.  tomatometer: 86%.

FUNNIEST MOVIES

1. HAMLET 2 - High school drama teacher gets his department cancelled and decides to take his students off campus to put on his new musical, a sequel to Hamlet.  Although everybody dies at the end of the original, a plot twist, in the form of a time machine, fixes that.  Along for the ride are Einstein, and Hilary Clinton, and Jesus …and Elisabeth Shue (as Elisabeth Shue).  The level of political incorrectness of the two main songs, which makes The Producer’s “Springtime for Hitler” look like a church hymn, is part of what makes this the funniest movie of the year.
2. PINEAPPLE EXPRESS - Stoner logic dictates that 1) stoners will get hungry and eat – a lot; 2) stoners will have conversations that defy conventional logic – except to other stoners;  3) stoners (when stoned) can never get seriously or permanently injured;  4) stoners will eventually stumble their way into saving the day; and 5) stoners know how to roll one hell of a bone!  Sounds like a one-joke movie, but it’s not!  It’s at least ten jokes and they’re all funny as hell!
3. THE HANGOVER - A group of men take their friend to Vegas for a bachelor party.  When they wake up in the morning, the groom is missing and no one can remember anything from the night before.  I know what you’re thinking – it’s the same plot as Dude, Where’s my Car - but THAT was funny too.  Step by improbable step they uncover clues from the previous night.  Can they solve the mystery and find the groom and get him to the wedding on time?  
4. ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO - Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma) wrote and directed this comedy about two platonic friends who decide to make a porno as way out of their financial crisis.  Not as pornagraphic as the name suggests, in fact it’s rather sweet, but the humor may not be for everyone, especially if you’re offended by that sort of thing. 

FEEL-GOOD MOVIE

1. THE VISITOR - (English) I was told long ago that a good story involves a character ungoing a change.  That would make THE VISITOR a good story indeed.  Walter, an aging widowed college professor, leads a very lonely and boring life.  When he travels to manhatten to attend a conference, he finds that squatters are living in his appartment.  He takes pity on them and lets them stay with him, and in so doing, begins his life transformation.  Beautifully written and acted, was nominated for an Oscar for best actor for 2007, and was a huge hit on the film festival circuit.  You’ve never heard of it?  Don’t get me started on that.   tomatometer: 96%
2. THE BAND’S VISIT - (Mostly English) Based on a true story, the premise of this film sounds like a disaster which would probably lead to a huge violent cataclysmic climax – but it’s not.  When a small Egyptian police orchestra flies from Egypt to Israel to perform at the opening of an Arab culture center, they are left stranded at the airport.  With confusing directions and a poor grasp on the language, they get terribly lost and they are left standing by the side of the road near a quiet desert town.   Although separated by culture and language, the townspeople take them in and thus begins life at its best.  THE BAND’S VISIT is funny, lonely, inspiring, sad ,romantic, and beautiful all at once. tomatometer: 100%
3. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY - (English) Did you ever have one of those boxes with a button that you press that plays a recorded laugh track?  I makes you laugh along with it even though there’s nothing to laugh at.  That’s because laughing is infectuous.  In that same way, you’ll feel happy and upbeat with the character, Poppy, played by Sally Hawkins (Golden Globe: best actress - 2009).  She is so happy and cheerfully optimistic that those around her don’t know what to make of her.  It may sound like a one-note movie but it’s not.  It’s smart and funny and WILL make you smile.  tomatometer: 100%
4. IRINA PALM - (English) Marianne Faithfull (if you’re my age, you’ll remember her as the pop singer from the late 60’s that used to hang around with the Rolling Stones) plays a grandmother, desperate to raise money for her grandson’s medical treatment.  When she responds to an ad for “hostess” in a London shop called “Sexy World”, she has found her calling, and is given the name “Irina Palm”.  I know it might sound offensive, but it never becomes sordid or profane.  Witty and funny, this is a real feel-good movie that you wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to your own grandmother. 

HORROR

1. DRAG ME TO HELL - I like horror movies to scare the crap out of me.  I want to be afraid of the dark or afraid of being alone or afraid of other people.  If a horror movie isn’t going to do that – then I want it to be smart and funny.  This movie is in the later category.  Sam Raimi, harkening back to his Evil Dead and Army of Darkness days, serves up an amusing tale of a young girl fighting off a witches curse.  It doesn’t matter that it’s not bloody and gory like most horror films, nor does it matter that you can predict the ending a mile off.  It’s a fun time at the movies and that’s all there is to it.   tomatometer: 92%   
2. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY - This one DID scare the crap out of me.  Not right away, but days later when I’d have time to let the images ferment a little.  This is exactly what you want to see when the ghost hunter crews on TV tell you to look into the dark corner because something moved there but the cameras mysteriously didn’t catch it.  However, I did learn some practical advice from this film:  1) don’t bring a Ouiji board into a ahunted house;  2) if you are being threatened by unseen demons, invite over as many people as possible to watch over you; 3) if you are being threatened by unseen demons, you do not have it all under control; and,  4)  if you are being threatened by unseen demons, don’t tell them to “bring it on wussys – is that all you got?!”   tomatometer: 91% 
3. THE DESCENT - A group of young women spelunkers (cave explorers) descend into a cave (“The Descent”, get it?), and also descend into madness and craziness (subtle difference between the two).  Cave-ins and cave dwellers abound.  What depths will they go to to survive?  Action-packed edge of your seat thriller.   tomatometer: 84%
4. SUICIDE CLUB - As with many Japanese films of this genre, it’s not so much scary as it is disturbing.   Groups of teens across Japan are suddenly commiting suicide in rather gruesome ways.  Why?  That’s the mystery that needs solving.  This is a rather difficult film to watch and not for the faint of heart. 

ROMANCE

1. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER - This is a unique love story that chronicles a relationship that lasts exactly 500 days.  We know right from the opening scene that they break up, so no surprises there.  In an interesting twist, the scenes don’t follow in order so that we might see day:317 then see day:14, so that we get these glimpses of days near the end and immediately follow with a happy scene of them flirting with each other.  That way, you’re kept off balance and interested.   Summer is a young woman who doesn’t believe true love exists and Tom knows for a fact that it does because he has just fallen into it.  Let’s face it – they’re doomed!  IMDB Top 250: 227,   tomatometer: 87%
2. THE GIRL ON THE BRIDGE - (French) A woman jumps to her death from a bridge in Paris into the Seine River and is saved by a man who whisks her off to be his new assistant in his knife throwing act (the position had been recently vacated).  As her tells her, she can’t be any worse off than she is now.  They soon form an emotional and mystical telepathic link whick benefits their act.  Although their relationship is not yet physical, their attaction cannot be denied  and even the act of knife throwing becomes an erotic substitute.  Funny and romantic.    tomatometer: 92%
3. 3-IRON - (just a little Korean) This is a strange and unique little film.  A young man likes to break into other people’s homes while they’re away and spend a few days living their lives.  He doesn’t steal anything and he always cleans up after himself, fixes things that are broken, and generally leaves the place better than he found it.  In one particular house, unknown to him, the man’s wife has stayed behind.  She doesn’t call the police or confront him but, curious, at first  just watches him.  There is a definite psoitive and inevitable bond that grows between them as the story goes on.  The film is Korean, however there is absolutely no dialog between the two main characters – there is no need for dialog.    
4. LAST CHANCE HARVEY - A romance for grown-ups.  Harvey is a man who must have been a real bastard at one time.  He’s arrived in town to attend his daughter’s wedding and neither she or his ex-wife or anyone else for that matter want to see him there.  As he’s sitting in the airport lounge deciding if he should just leave and make everybody happy, he meets Kate.  Kate has no history with him, so that he can just be himself.  They gradually become more drawn to each other as the movie progresses and Harveyt sees one last chance for love. 
5. PAPER HEART - Partly scripted and part documentary, comedienne Charlyne Yi embarks across country to find the meaning of love.  Along the way, she might just find out.  This is just about the cutest, sweetest, most refreshing romantic documentary I’ve ever seen (…..and yes, it may be the ONLY romantic documentary I’ve ever seen.). 

SCI-FI

1. WATCHMEN - I’ve already described this film in the ’Favorite Movie’ category, but in terms of sci-fi, it’s also exceedingly good.  It does the best job of showing an alternate history of any other sci-fi movie of recent times.  The story takes place in 1985 and the film shows how 1985 might have looked if the events in the story actually took place.  It does it in a seamless and logical way that enhances the believability factor while you’re watching. 
2. DISTRICT 9 - Best – sci-fi screenplay – ever!  The story takes place in the present day in which 20+ years ago, an alien spaceship appeared over Johannesburg, South Africa, stranding about a million sick and starving giant shrimp-like creatures looking for a place to live.  This not-too-subtle allegory of Apartied, told in a documentary-type style, is cool and funny, smart and provocative, intense, thrilling and sad, and has a feel-good satisfying ending.   IMDB Top 250: #108, tomatometer: 90%
3. STAR TREK (2009) - Exactly what the series needed.  With redefining the characters, the film manages to offer new insights into the origins and early days of it’s crew.  It’s as new and fresh now as the original series was when it first aired in the 60’s.  An ‘E’ ride.   IMDB Top 250: #147,  tomatometer: 94% 

FILMS THAT DEFY DESCRIPTION

1. SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK - If there is one thing you can say about Charlie Kaufman screenplays, it’s that they’re NOT ORDINARY.  He has a way of showing you the real world by taking you totally out of it.  In this film he explores a common theme of a story about a story within a story within another story about a story …. This may take you more than one viewing.
2. BRAND UPON THE BRAIN! - Canadian filmaker, Guy Madden, makes movies that nobody else has the gall to make (as evident by my past recommendation The Saddest Music in the World).  He has lately been experimenting with (somewhat) silent films, giving both the look and the feel of a film made in, say, the 1920’s.  It’s a bizarre specticle to be sure but you can’t look away.  Narrated throughout by Isabella Rossellini.  To say that this is a unique cinematic experience would be selling it short.  tomatometer: 94%   
3. GOZU - (Japanese) I’m not sure what to say about this one.  It really does defy explanation.  The IMDB website for this film lists the following among the plot elements: violence, breast milk, Yakuza, supernatural, cow head, and transvestism.    Yep -  that sounds about right.
4. A ZED AND TWO NOUGHTS - You really don’t need to know what this movie is about, however Peter Greenaway’s films are always out of the ordinary and visually interesting – although for some, ‘visually interesting’ may translate to ‘difficult to watch’. 
5. BIG MAN JAPAN - Holy crap!  Apparently, Tokyo is so often attacked by monsters that the government has retained the services of a hero who, when needed, can be transformed into a giant man to combat them.  In the true “Hancock” sense, he can often do more harm than good. 
6. MISTER LONELY - I can’t describe it but I can give you the rough premise.  In Paris, a Michael Jackson impersonator meets a Marilyn Monroe impersonators who takes him to her commune in Scotland, populated entirely with celebrity impersonators.  You take it from there.

WORST MOVIE  (don’t watch any of these movies, I beg of you)

1. S.DARKO: A DONNIE DARKO TALE
2. DANIKA
3. LAURE
4. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (2008)

So that’s it for 2009.   Here’s wishing you all Happy Movie-watching for 2010.  May this be the best movie year ever!

****** BEST OF 2008 ******

I know this is coming a bit late. It’s February, for goodness sake. But late is better than never, I always say – or, at least, I always say since this morning. I realize that by now you’ve put 2008 well behind you and possibly don’t want to be reminded of it – but for myself, I just can’t seem to get back into the rhythm of regular posts until I get this one out. Perhaps you can just consider this to be a whole bunch of film recommendations all in one go.

So you might ask, “Frank, you haven’t been publishing much lately. Haven’t you been watching any movies?” The fact is that I have been watching movies (205 last year – and I’m on track for even more this year), I just haven’t been moved recently to write anything about them. It’s hard! It’s hard to come up with interesting takes on films that you like. There’s only so many times you can say that a movie is “fresh” or “unusual” or “unlike any film you’re likely to see this year” or “exactly what a movie should be”, without getting a little repetitive. I have to give the guys who do this for a living a lot of credit. I’m considering making up a new vocabulary (e.g. an awesome and terrific = awesific). Let’s give it a go, shall we?

FIRST: the disclaimers

• These are not necessarily films that were released in 2008. They are the movies that I watched (usually for the first time) in 2008. Hey! I’ve got a day job and can’t see all the films at the cinema. Besides, my local cinema doesn’t show the very best films – only the most promoted ones.
• This is also why my best of 2008 list doesn’t look like the OSCAR Award or the BAFTA Award nominations. As of this writing, I haven’t yet seen any of those films.
• My idea of the best movies may not be the same as yours – in fact, I guarantee it. However, this is my site, not yours. So if you’re wondering why Beerfest is not on this list – that’s why.
• For the most part, I’m avoiding the wide release movies. Everybody already knows about these. So, if you loved say, Iron Man, and wonder why it’s not on my list – that’s why ……………….even though the movie was TOTALLY awesific!
• I have listed the films in order, although, in truth, they’re all equally good.
• That’s it!

SECOND: the films

1. THE DARK KNIGHT: (English) I know it’s a big budget film, but it was simply the most verawesrific (very-awsesome-&-terrific) film of the year, and not simply because of Heath Ledger’s performance (which was incredumous to say the least) but because of the screenplay and the direction. I admit that I’m a big fan of Christopher Nolan – ever since Memento.  Batman is always best when he’s played dark as opposed to campy.  I liked all the little moral dilemmas posed throughout the film in which either decision is the wrong one.  If you haven’t seen it yet, it is available on DVD.  Don’t let the fact that it’s based on a comic book convince you that it’s strictly for kids – it’s not.  As of this writing, IMDB top 250: #4,  tomatometer: 94%.
2. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN: (English) Our hero, the poor schmuck, stumbles upon a drug deal gone bad.  Of course he doesn’t know that for certain, but the fact that everyone is dead and that the drugs and the money are still there is strong evidence.  He takes the money.  The mob boss hires a tracker to find whoever took his money and get it back, hence setting up the conflict of the story.  There is no doubt that the tracker will eventually catch up with him.  He is relentless.  He is ruthless.  He is unstoppable as the tide.  He is perhaps the most unforgettable character in the Coen Brothers portfolio.  As of this writing, IMDB top 250: #97, and tomatometer: 94%.
3. IN BRUGES: (English) One of the all-time great buddy films.  A young hit man botches a job and he and his partner are sent off to Bruges to hide out until the heat cools down.  This dark comedy makes you care about these guys, and even though they’re killers by trade, you really hope that things work out for them.  Rife with profanity – almost to the point of absurdity.  This film didn’t play in wide release so you’re not likely to have heard of it – but it is available on DVD.  As of this writing, IMDB top 250: #209, and tomatometer: 81%.
4. JUNO: (English) You probably have heard of this film.  A young teenage girl finds herself pregnant and spends the ensuing months trying to find a good couple to adopt her baby.  It’s witty and funny and smart, in other words, it’s smartiphilic.  …..and I’m pretty sure it inspired a number of pregnancy pacts at high schools around the US.  The moral: don’t get pregnant, watch JUNO instead.  Scores a 100% on the tomatometer.
5. ATONEMENT: (English) Beautifully filmed adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan.  Keira Knightley’s little sister, in a jealous fit, initates a sequence of events that affects three lives over the course of the story.  Will she ever find atonement for what happened?  Boasts one of the most difficult and breathtaking sequences ever filmed all in one long unbroken shot.

THIRD: the extras

TIED FOR 6^th PLACE: (no particular order)
THERE WILL BE BLOOD: (English) A virtuoso performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as a crazed and ruthless prospecter in the early pioneering days of the oil industry.   The film does a good job of capturing the greed, danger and excitement of oil drilling.  A war of will between Lewis and a local preacher dominates the arc of the story.  As of this writing, IMDB top 250: #114, and tomatoemeter: 94%.

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY: (French) The inspiring true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body.  He can only blink one eye, yet he was able, with the help of his nurse, to write his memoirs, on which the film is based.  I find it a tributr to the human spirit that though almost entirely paralyzed, he was still able to use his one good eye to look down the front of his nurses blouse.  As of this writing, IMDB top 250: #202, and tomatometer: 94%.

FUNNIEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR:
WALK HARD: THE DEWY COX STORY: (English) Chronicles the life and career of a Johnny Cash / Ray Charles / Brian Wilson / BobDylan – type character.  Could also have listed it as a musical, but it definitely belongs here.

Runner up: TROPIC THUNDER: Funniest ensemble cast, and filled with irreverent humor.  The cast of a war movie, filming on location, find themselves in a real war but don’t quite realize it.

FAMILY MOVIE OF THE YEAR
WALL-E: It’s really hard to beat Pixar, but these days nobody does it better. Much darker than most past films, the first 40 min or so is completely without dialog.  IMDb top 250: #35, and tomatometer: 97%.

Runner up: MR. MAGORIUM’S WONDER EMPORIUM: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, and a magic toy shop.  Not everybody liked, but I did.  It conveys wonder and imagination and an atmosphere reminiscent of the much malligned TOYS. 

DARK MOVIE OF THE YEAR
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD: (English) Two brother, each in need of money plan a robbery of a jewelry store.  It doesn’t go well.

Runner up: TEETH: (English) A teenage girl discovers that she has sharp pointy teeth in an orifice other than her mouth, to the dismay of several boys and her gynecologist.

SCI-FI/FANTASY MOVIE OF THE YEAR
SUNSHINE: (English) A team of scientists travel to try to reignite a dying sun.  Sounds like a bad sequel to The Core, but was directed by Danny Boyle (of this year’s Slumdog Millionaire) and deserves a watch.  Totally unbelievable, but that’s hardly the point, is it? 

Runner up: CLOVERFIELD: (English) A big ol’ monster attacks New York.  The interesting bit here is that the entire film is what is seen by a witness holding a hand-held camcorder, while he and his friends try to survive.

STRANGEST DAMN MOVIE OF THE YEAR
BLACK SHEEP: (English) Something has happened to turn the sheep population of New Zealand into murderous predators. Played for laughs, but still………

Runner up: FIDO: (English) The world had been threatened by brain-eating zombies, but humanity triumphed in the end.  Now, what to do with the surviving zombies.  Put them to work, of course!  Hilarity ensues.

Honorable mention: ZOMBIE STRIPPERS: (English) The name pretty much says it all.  Not for the squeamish.  …..but funny as hell.

QUIRKY MOVIE OF THE YEAR;
WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY: (English) Strange, funny, and allegorical film about a group of suicides, trying to navigate the afterlife..

Runner up: LARS AND THE REAL GIRL: (English) Feel good story of a troubled man doing what’s necessary to deal with life, and a town willing to do what’s necessary to help.  Then, of course, there’s Bianca.

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS: (English) The unbelievable and vastly entertaining story about the world of championship competitive Donkey Kong.  – yeah, you heard me!

Runner up: THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN: (English) Real life is almost always more interesting than stuff that’s made up.  John Peterson, farmer, American character, hippie, hero.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR
THE RULES OF THE GAME: (French) I looked forward to seeing this film since it’s so highly acclaimed by so many film critics.  I couldn’t get though the first 30 minutes.  There was no one in this movie interesting enough to hold my attention longer than that.

LEAST AWESIFIC MOVIE OF THE YEAR:
CEMETERY MAN: (Italian) You’ve probably never heard of this movie. That’s okay! I saw it and it looked like just the sort of dark comedy I was looking for. Instead, it was truly wretched – it was not in the least awesific.

I’ve realized that the reason I can’t think of anything to write anymore is that I’ve run out of words. Or worse yet, I’ve overused the ones I had – There’s only so many times you can call a movie “quirky and funny” or say that the film maker “got it right” or that this is “the best movie of the year” – and get away with it. So, I’m in search for new words, but since the internet is one big world community, I’m asking you, the readers, to send me some new and interesting and “quirky” words that I can use in my next video recommendation. Simply click on the “Comments” link, at the bottom of this post, to leave your suggestions.

I suppose this happens to everybody at one time or another.

For reasons which i can’t explain, I seem to be in some kind of writing funk.  I can’t seem to come up with a single word to write ………….well – except these.  I think if I can get through this next article (coming soon), I’ll be OK.  So, be patient and I’ll get back into the swing of it in another week or so.  In the meantime, feel free to browse through the FranksFilms archive at past recommendations – good movies all around.