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Just wanted to give equal time to the other movies I saw this year, particularly the ones I wish I hadn’t. I’m usually good at avoiding the movies that are bad, but some reason or another I catch a few I regret.

Catwoman. From the moment I saw Halle Berry’s apparent costume on the Internet, to the moment the trailer first appeared, to when I sat down in the theaters to see it, I had been dreading this movie. Why did I see it? It was mostly against my will. I had really low expectations, and it just missed hitting it. It was terrible, but since I expected such agonizing pain, it wasn’t all that bad. I still don’t recommend it to anyone. In fact it would be wise to avoid it like the plague. The plot was idiotic, character development was null, the editing was atrocious especially during action sequences, but this is expected when you can’t get a good looking shot from an incapable director with someone incapable of doing the stunts. Maybe I’m too harsh, but that’s how I’ll leave it.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse. Speaking of bad editing, this movie had it loads full, for the same reasons as above. Most of the action you can’t make out anyway from rapid editing and blur effects. I really didn’t mind this movie though. If you are fans of this sort of thing, I’m sure you will enjoy it. There were some problems with plot holes, and believability, and I disliked how they turned it into a silly action flick and forgot about the zombies and horror.

Warriors of Heaven and Earth. Most people haven’t even heard of this. It’s a chinese movie about a group of warriors who must escort some sacred item to the Emperor. It looked really cool from the trailers, like some kind of epic Lord of the Rings style war drama. But it was incredibly slow and boring. Even the action sequences made me ask when it would be over. I barely knew what was going on throughout the first half, and the end was unfulfilling. Visually the movie presented itself well, the costumes and locations and cinematography were well done. The weakness was in the story.

House of Flying Daggers. I do not regret seeing this movie. I was not bad at all. My only gripe was how the story was told. It was all about a melodramatic love triangle, while behind it, some political conflict as the basis of the story goes unresolved and ignored by the end. Visually Zhang Yimou’s film does a great job, but it’s not as visually impressive as Hero which I enjoy much more despite its political propaganda message.

Speaking of Hero, I didn’t mention it for 2004 because I actually saw it years before. Same goes with Shaolin Soccer. Both are great movies and highly recommended. However a 2004 film I did enjoy was New Police Story. It’s a Jackie Chan film but a little different. It’s not a typical action comedy that he usually does. And it’s not like his other high energy ‘supercop’ type movies. This one is much more serious than we’re used to. He spends a good 30% of the film crying or being very emotional. It’s still a cop movie, and you can’t have a Jackie Chan movie without some action and stunts. However I did find the choreographed kung fu scenes a bit distracting to the realism of the story. Another great martial arts movie I saw came out of Thailand, although in 2003, I didn’t see it until 2004. Ong Bak has all the crazy stunts we’re used to from Jackie Chan’s early days, and powerful fight scenes that Jean Claude Van Damme wish he could do. I believe the lead actor, Tony Jaa, is our new Jackie Chan.

Passion of the Christ, a very powerful film and watchable even if you aren’t of the faith. However, I don’t find this an easy movie to watch again and again.

Fahrenheit 9/11, box office record setting documentary about the Bush administration during the events of 9/11. Very eye opening about many details of our government. Although some of the points implied by Michael Moore seem a bit stretched.

The Bourne Supremacy, lives up to the style and energy of the first movie. But really isn’t any more special or worse in that sense. Decent action, but still unanswered questions as expected.

Mean Girls. I was pretty impressed with this movie. You don’t see me watching these type of movies much, but it had excellent writing and I’ll admit I enjoyed it. Very funny, and not mindless. I recommend it. I dare you men to see it!

However the other “chick flick” I was forced to see: Win a Date with Tad Hamilton. I didn’t like it, it was incredibly predictable and so lame.

Blade Trinity. I barely enjoyed it because I love these type of flicks. But this is easily the weakest of the trilogy. It’s not cool when Ryan Reynolds steals the show from Blade. The end fight sequence wasn’t awe inspiring.

Around the World in 80 Days. Despite it’s colorfulness and quirky characters, It’s a wild ride that you’ll regret in the end. Yet another Jackie Chan American movie to stink.