Once again another year is gone and we’re left to look back and assess what came and went from the multiplexes (and all VOD platforms). For over a decade I’ve made Ten Best and Worst film lists, but this year I wanted to do something different. Instead of mocking and ripping the piss from a bunch of films most online critics have already verbally bludgeoned I’m taking a new approach. The following will be a list of films that for one reason or another I had some interest in seeing and what I was left with was an hour and 1/2 to two hours of let down. Since odds are there are going to be a few films on this list that I know people are going to disagree with I am going to preface the rest of this with this being a list of personal taste. It does not necessarily reflect the film’s true merits. And with that let’s look back and unpack these films.
ACTION POINT
Having been intrigued with the history of theme parks when I heard there was a film being made about the infamous Action Park I was excited. For any unfamiliar with Action Park it was a theme park opened in Vernon New Jersey. Not to delve to deep into the story, but the place was notorious for rides that weren’t properly tested and lead to multiple injuries and a few deaths. A film based on the events could’ve been fascinating. In the end it was a starring vehicle for Johnny Knoxville with some fun stunts, but left a lot to be desired. If you’re interested in learning the real story of Action Park check out the Defunctland video below. Kevin Perjurer does a great job going over the history of the infamous water park.
DARK CRIMES
It has been a rough few years for Jim Carrey. I hate to say it, but the last good film he starred in was the underrated I Love You Phillip Morris… which was released in 2009. Carrey has proven he can deliver great non-comedic performances. Based on a true crime article the film premiered at the Warsaw Film Festival it took two years to get released. What could’ve been a fantastic crime thriller in the vein of Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a editorial mess. Thankfully Carrey’s new TV series debuted this year and (from the episodes I’ve seen) is new chapter for the comedian.
FAHRENHEIT 451
Ray Bradbury’s seminal work has been a must read in the science fiction literary genre. While the 1966 film is cheesy by today’s standards it’s a fine film for it’s age. In an era of social media stardom and slanted journalism a new adaptation seemed topical. Throw in a stellar cast including Michael B. Jordan, Michael Shannon, and Sofia Boutella and it could’ve been a slam dunk. With questionable alterations to it’s source material (Like an ending that has books encoded into animal DNA. Yeah, you read that correctly.) it just didn’t measure up to what might’ve been.
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
This is the one that is going to draw ire from most readers. As a child Mary Poppins was one of those films that I loved. It introduced me to Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke both of whom I became a fan of and the respective works. In spite of author P.L. Travers’ distaste for the original film, Walt and the Sherman Brothers crafted a whimsical film that captured the imaginations of children for over 50 years. When news broke of a follow-up with Emily Blunt in the titular role I was excited. Bringing back the whimsy of the original film would have made for an amazing film going experience. Alas, when I left the theatre I felt like I’d seen was a film crafted with such calculation that it was a product made to wring dollars out of fans based on nostalgia. Plus, it hit a lot of the same narrative points of another Disney film that I personally enjoyed more. That’d be Christopher Robin, if you were interested. I intend on revisiting Mary Poppins Returns in the future to see if my opinion will change with more viewings, but as of now I’m left in the minority on this one.
THE PREDATOR
Aside from the AVP films the Predator series in my opinion has always been pretty solid. The original is a classic action film, number 2 is an underrated gem, and Predators added an interesting new piece to the legacy of these creatures. With Shane Black and Fred Dekker as the creative driving force I was ready for another great chapter in this story. I don’t know if this film had a messy script from the get go, but some choppy editing, odd comedy beats, and questionable story choices made for a film that just didn’t measure up to it’s predecessors. Maybe next time.
SUMMER OF 84
After reading the synopsis and seeing the trailer I had high hopes for Summer of 84. There was talent behind and in front of the camera and the Rear Window premise was intriguing. It personally wasn’t my cup of tea. Maybe I’m burnt out on 80’s nostalgia.
A WRINKLE IN TIME
Ava DuVernay is a director who has style and has previously tackled subjects of substance. Madeleine L’Engle’s novel had already been attempted by Disney on a television budget which was nowhere enough to make the stories visuals pop. So with $130 million dollar budget, a killer cast, and a promising trailer it looked like this was going to be the adaption the source material deserved. Did removing the more pointed theological aspects of the story hurt the story? It’s debatable, but it definitely didn’t help make the story less murky.
So there you have it. While there are a few other films I could talk about these are the main picks. I don’t know if time will soften my opinions, but odds are I will try giving all of them a second look down the line. These are my thoughts, but as usual what are yours? What films disappointed you in 2018? Is there anything on my list you think deserves to be there or something you’d like yo defend? Let me know. Remember you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @sdfilmthoughts. As always, thanks for reading.
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