I’m always in search of a good flick. And MoCA Tom, one of my go-to sources for movie recommendations, put this list together for me. They’re not necessarily the best films of the year, but the ones Tom most enjoyed. Presented in no particular order and without regard for year of premiere. While keeping in mind his penchant for zombies, sci-fi, and just about anything else over-the-top. (He hasn’t yet seen Avatar.) For more drama and art house fare, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Anything we missed?
Outlander
SciFi sleeper hit of 2009. Not sure why this didn’t get more press.
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Taken
Liam Neeson’s a total bad ass. His character is Qui-Gon Jinn from Star Wars meets Jules from Pulp Fiction.
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Up
I love Pixar movies. The best part is always the intro movie before the main movie. If you don’t cry in the first 15 minutes of this movie, then you have no soul.
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Star Trek
I’m sick of the whole re-boot/remake that is going on in Hollywood. However, this is the one that they got right. The casting for this movie was phenomenal. Carl Urban was awesome as Dr. McCoy.
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The Hangover
Laugh out loud funny. Who hasn’t had a night like that in Vegas?
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Dead Snow
I am a huge Zombie fan. Zombies are America’s Godzilla. But you know what I like better than Zombies? Nazi Zombies! This Norwegian Zombie Horror Comedy (“Zomedy” if you will) reminds me of the early Peter Jackson movie Dead Alive.
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Zombieland
Another Zomedy with a great surprise cameo.
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Paranormal Activity
Creepy movie. Do not watch this in the theater. This movie is best watched in the comfort of your own home. Also, get the original ending to this movie. The ending I saw in the theater sucked.
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Black Dynamite
This is a great homage to the blaxploitation movies of the 70’s. This is the “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” of this decade.
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Ninja Assassin
Who does not like Ninjas? Great Martial Arts film with lots of blood and ass kicking.
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Pandorum
The crew of a colony space ship wake up from hibernation with no memory and creepy things hunting them for food. I was surprised with the ending.
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Taking Woodstock
Amazing that the event that defined the Hippie era was just a ploy to get money. The irony.
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Extract
I am a big fan of Mike Judge (Beavis and Butthead, Office Space). Just watch Beavis and Butthead tell you about the movie.
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District 9
The viral marketing for this movie had me hooked. Plus the alien weapons are sweet!
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Inglourious Basterds
Classic Quentin Tarantino. This is an alternate history of World War II with all the Tarantino twists you expect. Plus a great soundtrack.
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The Hurt Locker
This is about an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team in the Iraq War. Every time these guys walk up to defuse a bomb I cringe. A good movie about the addiction of war.
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Fanboys
The story of Dave Zatz’s Apple obsession. Just kidding. This is about a group of Star Wars fanboys that plan to break into Skywalker Ranch and steal a copy of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace before it is released in theaters. Hilarity ensues.
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Crank 2: High Voltage
This movie is so over the top it’s ridiculous. Which is why I loved it.
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine
As an X-Men fan, I had to go see this. I thought they did a decent job. Where there things they messed up? Yes. Was I still entertained? Yes. Plus me wife really wanted to see this. I think she has the hots for Hugh Jackman.
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