An arbitrary achievement!

As I planned this week's articles (summer movie previews and a quick rundown of stuff I've seen recently), I noticed that with the previous musing on the imminent Battleship disaster, I Hate Your Favorite Movie passed the benchmark of fifty total posts.

I've had a lot of fun these past months, from the inaugural too-lukewarm review of Inglourious Basterds, to the deconstruction of the already-forgotten megahit 2012. I thoroughly enjoyed one half of the Seth Rogen movies I saw in 2009. Some lousy movies made millions, and some great ones were hardly seen. I'm happy a friend found a reflection on Groundhog Day surprisingly poignant, and another one is amused to no end at how much I hate Avatar. We've looked at movies that deliver a visceral message artfully, and movies that artfully avoid saying anything.

You'll see a few changes to the site. I added a blogroll featuring major sites I follow for film news and critiques, as well as some verbal playgrounds of sharp associates of mine. I urge you to bookmark The Junior Varsity, which has been growing steadily and amassing quite the team of pop culture critics, and where I've been honored to have my work syndicated. If you read something you like, feel free to share it with your social networks with the AddThis bar I'll be encoding at the end of all future posts. Think I'm too verbose? Follow me on Twitter (@ihateyourfavmov) for snarkisms and mini-reviews in 140 characters or less.

Throughout this creative undertaking, my passion for film, and its ability to let me reflect on my own life and the world around me, has only grown. I can't say where the next fifty posts will lead, but I'd be honored if you take the journey with me.

Reality Check: Brendan Fraser

Welcome to Reality Check*, a poorly-named semi-regular feature wherein we'll examine a confusing aspect of a famous person's career. Today, Brendan Fraser. Enjoy.

Brendan Fraser's latest vehicle, Furry Vengeance, is opening this weekend. Judging by the reviews (2% on RT)(yes, that's 0-2-%), the film will not be much of a crowd pleaser.

It seems to be another unfortunate role for Fraser, who has spent most of his career dabbling in teen comedies (see: Encino Man) or family-friendly tripe (see: George of the Jungle).

Fraser is capable of more, though, and it's a shame he hasn't chosen projects that utilize his talent.

What am I talking about, you ask?

Brendan Fraser, I'd like to remind you, dear readers, was one of the best parts of a film from 2004.

The film was Crash. He played Sandra Bullock's distant husband. It won Best Picture.

Brendan Fraser was one of the first-billed actors in a film that won the Academy's highest honor.

Think about that this weekend when you pass the poster for Furry Vengeance on your way to see any other film that's currently out.

*Have a better name for this feature? I beg you: leave it in the comments.

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Friday Film Snob Focus: Jennifer Lopez

If you're anything like me, I'd wager you have no excitement for (or awareness of) the latest Jennifer Lopez vehicle, The Back-up Plan.

How To Sound Like a Film Snob 101 is now in session. Repeat after me, class:

"The only notable Jennifer Lopez movie is Out of Sight."

"The only notable Jennifer Lopez movie is Out of Sight."

"The only notable Jennifer Lopez movie is Out of Sight."

Selena was a sanitized melodrama carried by Lopez. It's said the only redeeming part of Jersey Girl is that she dies in the first five minutes. If you remember anything about The Cell, it's probably that it put you to sleep.

Enjoy your weekend as I will - seeing Kick Ass again.

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"Hot Tub Time Machine": it delivers exactly what it promises

There was a hot tub.

...it was a time machine.

TOO MUCH: Jism jokes.

COULD HAVE USED MORE: Chevy Chase, explanation of the bear costume guy, Thomas Lennon, a reference to Karate Kid involving the words "body bag," "get him," and "yeah."

FILM SNOB NOTE: Scene-stealer Crispin Glover was in a movie about time travel! John Cusack did a movie where he sat on a counter with a girl! Clark Duke is kind of a tub himself!

IHYFM RATING: THREE AND A HALF out of FIVE MEHS. It delivers what it promises, there's some great laughs throughout, especially throw-away lines underscoring the ridiculousness of the premise and the time-travel logic. It loses a little steam in the third act though, and for every clever bit to be found there's a few obvious dick/poop jokes. You know me. I like my dick/poop jokes high-minded. If you liked the trailer (which I did), you'll enjoy the movie (which I did).

IF YOU SAID THIS WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE, I'D THINK: I'll go skiing with you, but please don't make any sports bets that involve my johnson.

Enjoy the Oscars, everybody

Well, here we are: the biggest night of the year for movies is upon us. The 82nd Annual Academy Awards.

As you spend your last few hours frantically adjusting your Oscar pool picks, please feel free to browse all of my almost-certainly misleading Academy Awards commentary; also, take a look at The Junior Varsity's modest proposals for improving the awards.

Oscar may shine on any number of films tonight, some deserving, and some, in the eyes of this critic, not. Regardless of who is awarded the hardware, enjoy viewing tonight's ceremony.

I probably won't be.

Sweet, sweet syndication

A quick update, dear readers - now you can read my writing syndicated at The Junior Varsity, an entertainment and culture blog started by one of my film school buddies.

Not only will you find these reviews as well as other cultural musings of mine, you'll be privy to some astute criticism from some very sharp people with whom I had the pleasure of watching Buster Keaton shorts in college.

Already posted there is our collective thoughts on NBC's Conan-Leno fiasco and Ke$ha deconstructed. Coming soon: our thoughts on how to improve the Oscars. I don't think Billy Crystal perpetually hosting is the answer, by the way.

"Twilight: New Moon": Is the overwhelming hype enough to get me to the theater?

No, it's not.