Okay, before I begin, I need to be quite clear that I have yet to see many of the films that are topping other lists, as well as the serious award-contenders of year. So, in all fairness, here’s a list of potential upsetters to this list of mine (yes I know there’s enough here to constitute two whole new lists . . . give me a break, I live in Utah).
The Place Beyond the Pines Trance
Much Ado About Nothing (Whedon) The Way Way Back
Blue Jasmine The Spectacular Now
Austenland Don Jon
Parkland All is Lost
Kill Your Darlings Dallas Buyers Club
The Book Thief Nebraska
Philomena Inside Llewelyn Davis
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty American Hustle
Her August: Osage County
The Wolf of Wall Street Labor Day
Okay, with that out of the way, let’s begin:
10. Side Effects
This one didn’t do so hot critically or financially, but I quite enjoyed it for two principle reasons: a. I love Steven Soderbergh’s work; and b. I love homages to Sir Hitchcock. Plus, this film addressed an issue that I feel has been grossly ignored in most major media: how much do we trust our caregivers? We put our physical and mental health in the hands of those who are qualified . . . but what if their motives aren’t always the most ethical or professional? Plus it questions our country’s obsession with medication: just find the right pill and all your worries go away . . . right? Luckily, I think similar topics will be explored in a film on the horizon: the bio-pic of Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson, Love and Mercy.
9. We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks
I saw many, many documentaries this year (they’re becoming new favorites of mine). While they’re were some great ones (see my honorable mentions for another one), We Steal Secrets was by far the most thought-provoking and the most intriguing. Almost no one I have ever spoken to knows the entire story of what happened with Wikileaks, Julian Assange, Bradley/Chelsea Manning, or why it was even a big deal . . . but trust me, it was and still is a big deal.
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
I have said it once, I will say it again: The Hunger Games are shaping up to be the best book-to-film franchise we have had since Lord of the Rings. Due to its connection to the Twi-Hards, it will probably never get the kind of recognition LOTR had, but bottom line is these are good movies, and Catching Fire did what every sequel should do: held on to what made the first one awesome while improving upon the issues the first one had. Catching Fire is well-acted, well-shot, well-written, and continues to capitalize and focus on the greatest strength this story has: its relevance to our current society and its own problems of wealth disparity, over-hyped media, and imperialism.
7. Mud
Oh my hell, where did this come from? Matthew McConaughey can act???? Since when? To be fair, I had always enjoyed his performances in A Time to Kill and The Lincoln Lawyer, but I never saw this one coming. What I may have loved more than anything in this film is that while McConaughey has his token moment of shirtlessness, the writers were cheeky and witty enough to make it a major plot point. And it works! Besides this, the story is poignant and charming, the acting great (particularly from the two young kids who are the real protagonists), and what you’re left with is a Stand by Me -esque film which, tragically, you don’t see a lot of anymore. Mud was definitely the surprise for me this year.
6. The Great Gatsby
I will never understand the critical response to this film. Now, yes, I am severely blinded with fan-boy goggles, but this film was just gorgeous. It truly is a shame that Leo’s going to miss his Oscar again this year (The Wolf of Wall Street is apparently a little too much for some), because Gatsby was simply one of his best performances ever (I’d say more, but I already have an entire previous post for this one).
5. Saving Mr. Banks
Once again, Disney has done what they do best: take a real-life story, clean up the less-agreeable parts, and then put it out as the feel-good film of the year (I won’t go into details for those who want to maintain the version the film put across). However, I am proud of the Disney company for doing something I didn’t think it would ever do. See, Walt Disney doesn’t exactly have the best reputation among some people, and I appreciate that this film didn’t (always) try to shirk away from that. There are moments in Saving Mr. Banks where Walt comes across as a bit conniving, scheming, self-indulgent, and, well, a jerk. But I positively adored the story, and the issue it addresses of the war between artistry and marketability. Emma Thompson’s performance is flawless, and Disney wasn’t afraid to go a little into the dark with this one. The result is a better understanding of why Mary Poppins is still the greatest live-action film Disney has ever made.
4. Captain Phillips
Yes, I know the accuracy of the story has been debated. Doesn’t change the fact that this is a damn good movie. I find it really unfortunate that Paul Greengrass isn’t going to get a lot of recognition for this one due to the other heavyweights this awards season. The acting is flat-out incredible . . . easily Tom Hanks’s best work since his Apollo 13 and Saving Private Ryan days. He probably won’t get an award either, which is a shame, but I will be appalled if Barkhad Abdi doesn’t win ever single Best Supporting Actor award this year. For having never acted before in his life he is just phenomenal. The story is absolutely riveting, and includes Greengrass’s signature subtle indictment of American imperialism. If you didn’t see this one, you really should consider it.
3. 12 Years a Slave
I had a really hard time choosing between this one and my number two pick, if only because they are in so many ways very similar films. I’ll explain in the other why I chose it above this one, despite the fact that some are calling this the Best Picture contender for the year. And for good reason. I won’t lie, this film is not easy to watch. It doesn’t make you feel good, and it doesn’t give you a lot of hope for humanity or peace for the future. However, it is perhaps the most important film made in the last decade. See, a lot of us just don’t get it. We don’t get why racism is still a problem in our country. We don’t get what the big deal is. We don’t get why so many let the actions of those who lived 150 years ago affect so much who are as people today. After watching this film, I still don’t entirely understand, but I do get it just a little more. What I appreciate most about this film was its straight-shooting approach. It didn’t sugarcoat anything, but it didn’t sensationalize anything either. It didn’t over-dramatize or point fingers or even make much of a judgement call. It just told the story as plainly and simply as possible. And it’s still one of the most powerful films I have ever seen.
2. Fruitvale Station
The only word I have for the lack of exposure and reception this film received is criminal. You won’t see it come awards time, mostly because of 12 Years. But, as I said, as wonderful and amazing as I think 12 Years was, I think this one eeks out as better for one simple reason: 12 Years a Slave is about the problems our country had in the past; Fruitvale Station is about the problems our country has right now. Moreover, I adore the simplicity of this story. The film only runs just under an hour and a half, but that time packs one of the biggest cinematic punches I have ever experienced: this film literally left me speechless for a about half an hour after it was over. The characters are real, the story is so brief, simple and straight-forward, yet so powerful, and everything about it just makes me wish every person on Earth would see it. I suggest you do as soon as possible.
So what could possibly be my number 1? Oh come now, what’s the one major film this year that won the world over that I haven’t mentioned yet?
Have you guessed yet?
1. Gravity
There is nothing about this film that I did not like. Rest assured, this one will win every technical award known to man, but I am hoping that some recognition also goes to the director, Alfonso Cuarón, who has created an absolutely gorgeous and surprisingly simple film. I’m betting Sandra Bullock wins another Oscar along with the cinematographer and art director. Yes, this is the film that all the art snobs/hipsters will thumb their noses at, determined to point out every flaw in the physics and minuscule plot hole that they can. But you know what? It’s awesome. It’s exactly the kind of movie that reminds us why we still have movies rather than just TV or other forms of media. It’s an inspiring story, and quite simply the best film I saw in 2013.
So there you have it. Real quick, here are some of my honorable mentions that didn’t make the list, but I wanted to, well, mention:
Prisoners (Hugh Jackman has never been better)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Martin Freeman and a motion-captured Benedict Cumberbatch . . . that is all)
Frozen (Disney doing that other thing it does best, though this time with some nice change-ups)
Room 237 (The other great documentary I saw)
Frances Ha (the quiet art film that no one saw . . . but it was just so much fun)
– Blake L.
[Awkward Pause] 