Opening This Week: Burn After Punishing

Burn After Reading (2008)
Starring: John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton
Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Producers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
USA release: 12 September 2008
Msia release: 19 February 2009
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Runtime: 96 mins
Rated in USA: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence
Rated in Msia: N/A

When fired by the CIA, Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) decides to write his memoirs. The CD that contains all his memoirs is found in the locker room of a gym where it is found by the ignorant janitor Manolo. Bumbling Chad (Brad Pitt) and self absorbed Linda (Frances McDormand) then look to sell the CD back to Cox for personal gain.

Another excellent, witty piece of work from the Coen brothers, Burn After Reading is definitely a must-see. I rate it as one of the best comedies of last year. If you liked George and Brad in Ocean's or if you're fans of the Coen brothers (The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country For Old Men) then this is a film you cannot miss.
























Punisher: War Zone
Starring: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Julie Benz
Director: Lexi Anderson
USA release: 5 December 2008
Msia release: 19 February 2009
Genre: Crime, Action
Runtime: 103 mins
Rated in USA: R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use
Rated in Msia: 18SG

For plot and review, check out this post on Louis' blog.

Movies That Made My 2008

Well, its New Year's Eve today and people look back on what they've done over the past year. Maybe I'll do the same, just with movies. So here are the films that I thoroughly enjoyed this past year. Drum roll please....

#10 Forgetting Sarah Marshall

It was quirky, at times romantic but most of all, subtle.
6 out of 10 popcorns

#9 Quantum of Solace

Action-packed, kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time and I loved the Daniel Craig as Bond.
Check out my full review here.
7.5 out of 10 popcorns

#8 Tropic Thunder

A movie that had it all.
Humor, action and heartfelt moments.
Robert Downey Jr. was amazing!
And Tom Cruise, best cameo of the year I say.
7 out of 10

#7 Recount

The most intriguing, eye-opening film of the year for me.
Check out my review here.
7.5 out of 10 popcorns

#6 Burn After Reading

Very witty and clever.
As the tagline says "Intelligence Is Relative".
Only what you would expect from the Coen Brothers.
Check my review out when Burn After Reading opens in Malaysia (ETA Jan/Feb)
8 out of 10 popcorns

#5 Yes Man

I guess this wasn't my favorite comedy of the year after all.
Made me laugh all throughout the movie.
The great connection between Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel makes this hilarious comedy, a romantic one too.
Check out my review here.
7 out of 10 popcorns

#4 WALL-E

WALL-E was cute, sweet and very unexpected.
Very different.
Loved it.
8.5 out of 10 popcorns

#3 Iron Man

A comic book movie that didn't feel like the conventional comic book movie.
Loved Robert Downey Jr. again.
Set the bar high, only for the next movie to set it even higher.
And of course, LOVED the suit Audi R8!
7.5 out of 10 popcorns

#2 The Dark Knight

A lot of people would be going nuts at me putting this at #2.
Breakthrough movie in its genre with breakthrough acting from Heath Ledger (R.I.P).
Definitely set to be a classic that will stand the test of time.
9 out of 10 popcorns

#1 Pineapple Express

I guess this was my favorite comedy of the year.
And film.
Different kind of funny from Yes Man.
Superb acting from James Franco.
Classic Judd Apatow.
9 out of 10 popcorns

Did you agree with my list? Completely disagree? Drop me a comment. And share your own list of personal favorites for this year.

Thank you to the people who check my blog out all the time. I'll try to spice it up a bit in 2009 and try to add good content.

To close the year out, here's a stupid The Dark Knight spoof of the interrogation scene.

And I thought my jokes were bad.

Happy 2009 peeps. Have a good one.

Doctor Popcorn out!