The Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2011

This is the final year-end list I will compile this year. After the Five Best, Five Worst, and Five Biggest Surprises, thought this one was in order. The Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2011. Movies that are not bad per say, just maybe over hyped, or just flat out not near as good as they were touted or should have been.

Sometimes movies can be bitten by too much hype and expectation. And sometimes the cast is so good, but the script is so bad. After seeing about 150 movies last year, there certainly were some disappointments, so let's go. To be on this list, all movies had to be released in the calender year 2011, and be in local theaters.

The Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2011

1/ Super 8 - All that publicity, and all those TV commercials. Steven Spielberg produced it, and it looked like a real nice period piece back to the 1970's. This story though completely abandoned the whole "Super 8" premise halfway through, and became ET on steroids. Could possibly be the biggest dud ending to a big budget movie in years. In the end, it's not an afternoon wasted, but it certainly could have been better spent.

2/ Larry Crowne - I wanted to like this movie real bad. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts together in a romantic comedy for grown-ups. Seemed like a good idea. Just because you toss them together doesn't mean it's going to be great. Really average, and really off target at times, with it trying to be all things to all people. Too many characters, and too many awkward scenes. Plus, they asked Roberts to do some physical comedy. Bad move! Ho-hum.

3/ Contagion - I think saw more TV ads for this than any other movie this year. And for what? A remake of a mid 1990's flick called Outbreak. A killer virus spreading all over the place and what will we do? This was laughably bad in spots, and not one scene is the slightest bit riveting, or interesting. Tons of good people in it. But one bad writing job kills the whole thing. Tough year for Gwenyth Paltrow. First, Country Strong and then this. Sheesh!

4/ The Big Year - Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson in a movie about competitive birdwatching. Some critics were on the record saying that this was the funniest movie in years. Truth be told, I don't think they saw it, and I'm not kidding. Not a single real laugh in a full theater on opening day. This was just a bad idea. Really bad idea.

5/ Sanctum - Just because James Cameron (maker of Titanic) makes a movie, doesn't make it good. And this isn't. If you want to see a ton of underwater photography this is your movie. But after about 20 minutes of that, you're tired of it. And the the "Cameron Curse." After you've shown all your toys, and special effects, oh yeah, you've gotta have a story. And this one stinks. Again, Cameron plenty of sizzle, just a shoe leather steak.

There you have it. Make sure you check out all my movie reviews every week right here. Feel free to e-mail me your thoughts too scott@wqmx.com