Time flies when you are watching movies-a lot of movies, and 2009 has already reached its halfway point. Here at Killer Film, we try to catch as much of the films being released as possible, and we would like to present our 2009 Mid Year Report. Keep it mind, this is only what we have seen, and we can safely say we wish we’ve seen more, but we do still have the second half of the year to catch up. Without further ado, here’s our take of 2009 so far.

Quick Thoughts on the Year so far…

Donny: While I love horror, drama, documentary, and every other genre of film out there, my favorite by far is comedy.  In my opinion there is nothing better than watching good joke unfold on screen, but on the other hand if said joke doesn’t work (Year One) then my beloved genre falls flat on its face.  Luckily, this year we’ve had some amazing comedies grace us with their undeniable funny.  So far my favorites include; The Hangover, Adventureland, I Love You, Man, and the awesome direct to DVD 18 Year Old Virgin.  I’m also looking forward to Funny People and I want to see mega-hottie Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body.  Lets hope the rest of the year offers up the good to make this year more than mediocre.  

Jon: I think so far, it’s been a decent year as of July 1st. A few select films are really worth seeing, others are okay. I suspect the rest of the year will have great documentaries, as I haven’t seen much so far released this year. I have enjoyed seeing studios taking chances on unique films like Watchmen, Observe and Report, and The Hangover, and that’s refreshing. 3-D films have been big and constantly pushed, a trend we will see more of. For the most part, 2009 started off slow, for me, and is just now picking up. See you all at the end of the year!

Serena: Being a huge horror aficionada, I was disappointed by the initial lackluster horror films slashing their way to the big screen, but I was quite surprised by how exceptionally well done the mainstream horror fare was this year. I also was blown away by some hidden gems like Pontypool, Dead Snow and The Children (my fave film of 2009 so far) that all reminded us why foreign films are owning the horror genre these days.  However, most of the big budget anticipated action films of 2009 have all left a bad taste in this reviewer’s mouth.  So far 2009’s films are a far cry from last year’s jam-packed list, but I’m looking forward to being entertained by Jake West’s Doghouse, Diablo Cody’s anticipated horror follow-up, Jennifer’s Body and to see how Juno is going to react to being left for dead in a cave in The Descent 2. 

Now, to the good stuff….

Best Films

Donny: The Hangover, I Love You, Man, Adventureland , Che

Jon: Pixar’s Up, Goodbye Solo, and Che

Serena: The Children,  Pontypool, The Last House on the Left, Drag me to Hell

Worst Films

Donny: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Bride Wars, Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Jon: Pink Panther 2, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Serena: Bride Wars, Obsessed and Transformers 2 (sorry Donny! )

One Honorable Mention Pick

Donny: Downloading Nancy

Jon: The Girlfriend Experience 

Serena:  Downloading Nancy

Best Comedy

Donny: I Love You, Man

Jon: I Love You, Man

Serena: I Love You, Man

Best Horror:

Donny: Drag Me to Hell

Jon: Drag Me to Hell

Serena: The Children

Best Limited Release/Direct-to-DVD

Donny: 18 Year Old Virgin

Jon: Medicine for Melancholy

Serena: Pontypool

Best Direct-to-DVD Horror Film

Donny: Laid to Rest

Jon: Laid to Rest

Serena: Acolytes

Best 2008 Film Seen in 2009

Donny: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

Jon: Waltz with Bashir

Serena: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

One Film We Regrettably Missed 

Donny: Pontypool

Jon: Hunger

Serena: Adventureland

One Film We are Glad We Missed

Donny: Dance Flick

Jon: Dance Flick 

Serena: The Unborn

Well, we said ours, so what are yours? Tell us in the forums, comment below, or email us at donny@killerfilm.com and jon@killerfilm.com . Keep it here at Killer Film for more reviews, features, interviews, and news, and see you at the movies!

Ben Stiller’s sequel Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian dropped to second place with $25.5 million, still not a bad chunk of change for a sequel that has now taken in over $105 million.

The horror flick Drag Me To Hell didn’t open as well as Sam Raimi’s other movies, opening with $16.6 million.

These are the estimated ticket sales from Friday to Sunday according to Hollywood.com. Final profits will be released later today.

1. Up – $68.2 million

2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian – $25.5 million

3. Drag Me to Hell – $16.6 million

4. Terminator Salvation – $16.1 million

5. Star Trek - $12.8 million

6. Angels & Demons - $11.2 million

7. Dance Flick – $4.9 million

8. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - $3.9 million

9. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - $1.9 million

10. Obsessed - $665,000

May 1st

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Jon: I really disliked X-Men III for a few reasons, and after I finally saw the full trailer for this, I feel as if its just X-Men 4. I know it deals with Wolverine, his origins, and Weapon X, but why are there so many other mutants in here? My hype is reserved, but I am excited to see this. I like Hugh Jackman and he looks ripped in this. Gavin Hood is a decent director, and Schrieber as Sabretooth looks to be pitch-perfect. I think this film, despite its work print being leaked onto the internet, will be a big hit for 20th Century Fox and they need it. I hope this plays out as good as its trailer promises, but Deadpool not in his comic book attire might signal an epic fail to the fan boys. See it.

Donny: I am really stoked to see this picture.  While I agree with Jon that the third X-Men installment was pretty weak, and the fact that this flick is loaded with mutants kinda scares me a little, I still really want to see this one.  I’m a huge fan of Schrieber and am ready to see him kick ass alongside Jackman.  See it.

Battle for Terra

Jon: A big name cast, but anything outside of DreamWorks or Disney seems to fail in the animation world, despite there being a few decent flicks out there. The trailer didn’t do much for me, until I saw it in the Real-D 3-D thing, and with all the explosions and space battles, I almost want to recommend this just on that angle alone. Weak, I know, but if a film needed any angle to sell itself to a public that is wish-washy on 3-D, its this film. It could be a dud though. Skip it.

Donny: I don’t know much about this flick other than I didn’t care for the trailer, and I didn’t get to see the Real-D 3-D one that Jon did.  So I’m going to keep it short and sweet and say, skip it.  

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Jon: Yes, this film isn’t aimed at me or my friends, but the trailer makes this seem all romantic-cheesy. This is you’re counter-programming of this week as all the guys will be seeing Wolverine. I like the cast, but the premises seems like it treads old, well-worn ground. Skip it.

Donny: Romantic flicks are a necessity for anyone in a relationship.  With that said, I don’t necessarily like seeing them.  Some of them aren’t bad, but this one looks like a terrible Scrooge knock off.  The actors are solid, but I’m not sure they can rescue this sinking ship.  Skip it. 

May 8^th

Star Trek

Jon: J.J. Abrams track record isn’t proven yet in theaters, although he’s a TV God and crafted a solid action film with Mission Impossible III, the big hesitant thing that is keeping me from geeking out, is to me, it still looks like Baby Trek. I know this film will be more action-oriented than Star Trek is known for, but the casting of some characters just seems off. But when the lights dim, I’ll be there with an open-mind (I promise) and I hope to see the resurrection of this franchise. I always preferred their strong stories of science-fiction and characters than over-the-top action, but I hope J.J. brings them both. See it.

Donny: Hell to the yes!  I have been waiting for this forever.  I love Abrams and am willing to forgive him for Cloverfield.  Unlike Jon, I like the cast and am glad that they used young actors.  That way if it kicks ass we get Star Trek goodness for years to come.  See it.  

May 15^th

Angels and Demons

Jon: I was not a fan of the first film, Da Vinci Code. I don’t care how good the book was, the film was boring. Add Ewan McGregor to the mix, have the church get upset over its story, and after Frost/Nixon, I’m ready to ease up on Ron Howard. This film just doesn’t have that big, summer film feel, but it’ll bring out the older crowd, who enjoy Tom Hanks and dramas, over the high octane action of the this month’s other releases. See it.

Donny: I have no interest in seeing this flick.  But the fact that the church is flexing their muscle makes me want to spend a whole paycheck on tickets just to piss off the sheep.  Think for yourselves and see it if you want to, and avoid it if you don’t, but my recommendation is to see it (see sheep in previous sentence).  

The Brothers Bloom

Jon: You’ve been seeing the trailer for this a lot, and the studio has been shuffling this around. Also, if you read our article on what we’re seeing (here) you’ll know I’m personally excited for this. Good cast, Johnson’s follow-up to Brick, and it’s a caper? What’s not to love here? See it.

Donny: I’m going to agree with Jon for once.  I’m really excited about this flick.  Great cast, interesting director, and a caper to boot.  I’m there.  See it.

May 22^nd

Terminator Salvation

Jon: This is the summer movie I’m geeking for. Why? It’s a new Terminator film, Christian Bale as John Connor, Linda Hamilton and Arnold cameos, fantastic special effects, and its a dark, dystopia themed sci-fi film, with lighting issues. Sold, absolutely sold. I promise a fair review, but I’m all excited for this film. I have a feeling that this might be huge, in terms of box office returns and a new franchise starter. Yes, blasted McG is directing, but why am I not that up in arms over it? Jonathan Nolan, screenwriter of Memento and The Dark Knight, gave the script a rewrite on Bale’s request. See It

Donny: Well good for you Jon, we are done professionally.  See it.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Jon:  Yawn, but I guess this sequel had to come since enough people saw the first to make it go over $200mil. It’s all for the kids, but trust me, there’s better films out there for them this summer than this. It should be just more of the same as the first film. Better special effects and a new character maybe, whoopie-doo. Skip It

Donny: Jon just said everything I wanted to say, only I have a kid that loved the first one so I have to see it.  Skip it.

Dance Flick:

Jon: My retinas are burning! Sure, the Wayans used to be funny, key word “used to be”. I pity those who see this dreck, I really do. Skip It

Donny: I’m not going to justify this crap with an opinion.  

May 29^th

Pixar’s Up

Jon: Hey, Pixar is on a roll, so why count this one out? I think its one of their more off-beat ideas, and the current trailer doesn’t offer much to get the feeling of it, but have they stirred us wrong? I don’t expect this to light up the box office though, mainly because of the main character being an old man, and not a cute, talking animal. Trust me on this. But if Ratatouille can make $200mil, with a mature film about culinary arts and food criticism, I can be proven wrong again. This is Pixar’s first 3-D movie, too, so I expect that will bring in families that are hesitant at first. See it.

Donny: The trailer for this one is Michael Bay awesome!  I really love Pixar, they don’t really make bad flicks.  If the trailer is any indication of how this one is going to play out I’m totally there.  See it.

Drag Me to Hell

Jon: Horror has typically not done well in the summer, but this is Sam Raimi’s return to horror for the first time in a decade plus. It’s PG-13 (boo!) and has a decent young cast, but to me it looks like a horror version of Yes Man. Will anyone outside of Evil Dead fans care about his return to horror or is this just a time-waster till Spider-Man 4? See it.

Donny: Not really looking forward to this one.  The trailer looks weak to me.  In the trailer the old lady has staples in her head.  What was Raimi thinking?  Let me break it down for you:

Raimi: You don’t look creepy enough.  I mean, your old and that in itself is sort of creepy, but something is missing.  

Old Woman:  What could it be?

Raimi:  I know.  If we put staples in your forehead you would look super creepy.  PROP DEPARTMENT! 

Now I could be totally wrong and this flick could totally kick ass.  In fact I hope it does kick ass.  I hope it kicks major ass, because horror needs a jolt.  But if it does kick ass I’m gonna start a petition to stop the spread of forehead staples so that we don’t get a repeat of what happen with the chick from The Ring.  Just say no to creepy for the sake of creepy.  

That’s May and it looks stacked. Keep it here for news and our reviews on these films and more, can’t forget about the indies this month, only on Killer Film!

Agree or disagree? Leave a comment or contact us at jon@killerfilm.com and donny@killerfilm.com