Movie Minutiae - Johnny Betts' Best Popcorn Flicks of 2004
By Johnny Betts, Moviegoer Advocate
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Everybody knows what a popcorn flick is, right? It's a movie that exists for our pure entertainment. Typically, it's
a big-budget Summer blockbuster that contains one eye-popping special effect after the other. The typical movie
critic absolutely hates popcorn flicks, whereas the majority of moviegoers love 'em. Here are my favorites of
2005.
7. Van Helsing - This movie is a loud, fast-paced, action-packed ball of
cotton candy. We're talking all-out monster mayhem here. It's a non-stop bombardment of special effects and CGI. I
would've preferred something dark and serious like Underworld, but that's life. Hugh Jackman is cool, Kate
Beckinsale is hot, and there's also plenty of cheese to make fun of. Don't expect too much and you just might be
entertained.
6. Cellular - This is just one of those movies that's all about
having fun. There's no deep thought required. It's fun, and it's fun to make fun of. A true crowd
pleaser.
5. I, Robot - This is a bit above what is usually considered a "popcorn flick."
There's definitely some silly and unrealistic action. For example, whenever you have Will Smith SURFING AWAY FROM AN
EXPLOSION ON A FRONT DOOR then you know there's some stuff you're just gonna have to take with two pinches of salt and
a dash of sugar, but I, Robot does a good job of developing and revealing its story, all while mixing in the
right amount of humor and rump cheek-kicking. This was actually a contender for my Top 10 of 2004 list.
4. The Chronicles of Riddick - I'm a big fan of Pitch Black,
and while TCOR isn't quite as good, it still does a great job of continuing the story. Vin Diesel is at his one-lining
best as the anti-hero Riddick. Plus, there's enough action and visually impressive special effects to keep your inner
teenager happy, and the story ain't bad either.
3. Resident Evil: Apocalypse - Hot babes kicking zombie butt
in a fast-paced and gory way? Count me in! Milla is da woman!
2. Walking Tall - This is simply a good, old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing,
butt-kicking action movie. Let's be honest, the plot isn't gonna send Memento screaming for the hills, and
Webster isn't exactly printing its next edition with a picture of the movie poster next to the word "original," but
this is a movie that delivers what it promises. If the run time had been a little longer, and the story fleshed out
a bit, then this might have creeped into my Top 10 of 2004 list.
1. National Treasure - This is the type of movie big buckets of
popcorn were created for. Accept its implausibility and just have fun with it. It serves up humor, action, a
little mystery, a few twists, and a bit of history trivia along the way. If you're a curmudgeonly movie snob then
you might want to stay away.
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