Ah yes, it’s that special time of the year where we temporary neglect contemporary atrocities and reflect on the year that was. Outside of a global catastrophe, a family matter being amplified, or simply spending the holidays at the bottom of a warm bottle of Jack Daniels, we spend the last week in-between Christmas and New Year’s Eve thinking back on the year that was. In terms of pop-culture, it’s a time to tell other people our favorites and least favorites in a variety of categories, all of them done before mind you. So I won’t bother you with that nonsense. Instead I want to point out what 2014 was lacking and what we need for 2015.
Anime Movies
I know it’s probably asking too much, especially when some of you reading will see the word anime and automatically think Pokemon or voluptuously drawn women in pencil thin wardrobes with breasts that magically jiggle even when they’re standing still. Yes, that word elicits so many things we don’t want to think about, tentacles and all, but in the past we’ve seen some fantastic pieces of captivating animation from our friends to the East. Last year we had “The Wind Rises” and years before that we’ve seen greats like, “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”, “Ghost in the Shell”, and “Paprika”. These kinds of movies are elegantly drawn, endlessly thought provoking, and yet because of their lack of big buck appeal in the Western world, we don’t get to enjoy them on a frequent basis. In terms of 2014, there’s none that I’m aware of that graced the wonderful Heartland that I live in. I’m sure there have been some anime movies in 2014, but American studios didn’t want to dub them or take the risk of showing them without some big financial promises here in the states. So here’s to hoping we get some animes next year, regardless of gratuitous boob jiggles and culture shock.
Werewolves on the Silver Screen
A camera that follows nothing happening in the dark of night is starting to get a little old. I’m looking at you “Paranormal Activity”. Generally audiences flock to the horror that relies heavily upon things we can’t control. Lately, that’s been possession and zombie movies, with the undead beginning to run it’s course in terms of originality (and probably possession too). But you know what badass creature we haven’t heard from in a while? Friggin’ werewolves. Seriously, look at the picture and tell me that’s not awesome. If you were to ask me what the last good werewolf movie was, and not good as in let’s get beers and laugh at the latest SyFy movie original, it would have to be “Ginger Snaps”. As for the last werewolf I can think of…Jacob is far from being a werewolf. Werewolves are great because we can’t control it (“An American Werewolf in London”) and also, if we could control this beastly power, who’s to say us normal folks could stop them (“The Howling”)? Ironically both those ideas happened in 1981 and by my count, that’s longer than I’ve been alive. So let’s quit messing around by casting Benicio Del Toro or having a guy with a six pack give “do me” eyes followed by him transforming into Balto. Give us some meaty, scary, dangerous, and most importantly, fun, creatures with yellow razor sharp claws and mouthful of jagged deadly teeth.
Packing Your Local Repertory Cinemas
I’m fairly lucky when it comes to having these so-called revival house theaters. If you’re uncertain about what a repertory cinema is, it’s a theater that shows classic or old movies instead of first run flicks. But the way these theaters work now, they have to include some first run movies just to get butts in the seats because some people don’t see the allure of seeing “Blade Runner” on 35 mm or re-watching one of their favorites on the big screen. My humble home of Kansas City has just under a dozen of these theaters, and rarely do I ever go to the big five of theater chains. The sad thing is, there’s plenty of cities that are lacking in repertory cinemas. They’re stuck having to go to AMC and it’s ever changing assembly line process of getting concessions, or the cheap, but poorly maintained, Cinemark that only cleans their theater at the end of the day. If you say you’re passionate about movie, you will go to any repertory cinema any day. Half the changes you see now in big chains are thanks to repertory theater ideas. Alcohol, food that isn’t popcorn kernels, and even seeing classic movies up on the big screen again. That’s not say you won’t have problems…because sure your movie might be blurry, or they’ll gladly tell you to leave and never come back if they see your cell phone out, but shouldn’t the movies go back to being an experience to remember? Don’t you want to grab a beer, get a mini pizza smothered with dead animals, and watch Weird Al’s classic “UHF”? I sure as hell do.
A Joel and Ethan Coel Comedy
2008 was the last time these two did a comedy. “Burn After Reading” had a makeshift sex machine and Brad Pitt playing a dimwitted muscle head. Not necessarily the greatest in the Coen brother’s collection, but when they do comedy, it’s done right. Even the much disliked “Ladykillers” holds a special place in my heart for the string of unfortunate deaths that eventually befall our characters. While I haven’t listed anything that may appear dark in nature, there’s a certain level of bleakness to their style of humor. It’s sometimes low brow, but what makes it funny is it’s sandwiched between bits of sharp dialogue and strong establishing visuals. “Fargo”, “The Big Lebowski” and “Raising Arizona” are key pieces of evidence that support that theory. There wasn’t a real high concept movie with dark humor released this past year, and it’s always upsetting when that happens. Even during a Coen brothers-less year, we’ve had “God Bless America”, “Seven Psychopaths”, and “Death to Smoochy” to supply us twisted people with our rare fix of guilty giggles and sick snickering. I want to laugh at the deadly misfortune of others next year.
Originality
I know. I know. Old man talk. Nothing is original anymore. It’s all rehashed garbage. While that’s somewhat true, I’d like to believe that audiences showed their disdain this past summer for sequels, remakes, and franchise building, at least that’s what the box office receipts might tell you. However, at least three of the movies in the top 10 highest grossing of 2014 were original ideas, including the big surprise, “The LEGO Movie”. Meanwhile you had Mark Wahlberg pretending to be smart in the unintelligent “Transformers” sequel and yet another “Hunger Games” movie (which I’m still waiting for “Mockingjay Part 2 to be split into four separate movies so they can milk every penny). And expect the top grossing list for 2015 to be populated with sequels, like “Star Wars” and “The Avengers”. I’m not saying these are bad movies, except “Transformers”, but it’s just nauseating to a certain degree to be fed the same thing. While I understand that movies are a form of entertainment, it’s like any other art form as well, it’s supposed to inspire, motivate, or leave us humbled. It’s OK to watch something and tear up or cheer or leave the theater feeling better than you did before. It’s OK to feel angry, bitter or resentful, but sometimes that’s what needs to happen for you to experience something different. I was going to title this bit “smarter movie-goers”, but that’s condescending to the reader. It’s up to you to find these pieces, ideas, and beautiful movies that are out there. Trust me, they’re made every year and it takes some digging, but they’re just waiting to be watched. Go, seek them out, and give them the love they deserve.
Musings of a Loaf 