Movies: 2013 "Cinema & Stadium" Film Year-in-Review

2013 "Cinema & Stadium" Film Year-in-Review

It's time for my favorite blog post of the year!  I get to wrap up another great year of movie watching - this year, with an added component of what I saw on Netflix (which increased substantially).  I had planned to release my awards post last week (acting, directing, etc.) but it ended up taking longer to write than I had anticipated.  So I'm releasing both today (so the awards post here).

Once again, I'll start with my top 10 of the year, my fourth edition.  I'll then post some "miscellaneous" awards, again as I've done before.  Then I'll give brief recaps of the films that I got to see on Netflix (those that were released in theaters in 2013).  Without further ado, here's 2013 in film (enjoy!).


Top 10 of 2013:

10.  The Heat (dir. by Paul Feig; starring Melissa McCarthy, Sandra Bullock, et. al.)

This marks the first time I have a film that I didn't see in theaters in my top 10.  However, I wish that I had seen it on the big screen; The Heat is one of the funniest films in years.  McCarthy and Bullock have great chemistry, and they clearly boosted each other's performances.  While there is a good bit of improv, as is typical in recent comedies, it's well done and the writing is much, much, much better than its contemporaries (see: Anchorman 2).  Add an interesting story, good pacing and running time, and I definitely hope we see these two actresses team up for another comedy soon.

9.  12 Years a Slave (dir. by Steve McQueen; starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lupita Nyong'o, et. al.)

You're probably surprised to see this film so low on the list; it's #1 for probably a majority of critics, but my feelings have not changed much since I first reviewed it.  It does have a lot going for it, most significantly a number of powerful scenes that portray the horror of slavery as I've never seen before, and several outstanding performances (Fassbender, Nyong'o).  However, the script and directing are bizarrely disjointed and, to be honest, felt almost amateurish.  Also, though the general life of a slave is well-explored, Northup's character was strangely distant so that there's shockingly little emotion by the end.  Important film - but could have been much, much better.

8.  The Wolverine (dir. by James Mangold; starring Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, et. al.)

I had low expectations for this film, which may have added to my positive reaction to this newest solo outing for the X-Men's most popular character.  But they knocked this one out of the park.  Instead of giving us enormous yet bland stakes (no cities, let alone the world, at threat here), The Wolverine is very personal.  Instead of placing the action in another U.S. city, this is set in Japan, something they don't try to show off yet is a pleasant change of scenery.  I've seen better action, but add in a good script and tone (plus Jackman solidifying himself as one of film's superhero icons) and this was by far the best superhero film of the year.

7.  Don Jon (dir. by Joseph Gordon-Levitt; starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, et. al.)

I went to see this because I thought the premise was interesting, but this film is in no way a one-trick pony.  Gordon-Levitt may not yet be an elite actor, but he is one of the most creative and energetic forces in Hollywood today.  He wrote the script, which is quite blunt but also very funny (if you can handle the subject matter) and even pretty touching at times.  JGL could have turned this into a standard rom-com, but it doesn't turn out that way at all.  Supported by outstanding performances from Johansson and Moore, Gordon-Levitt's film is a great success and I eagerly await his next.

6.  The Great Gatsby (dir. by Baz Luhrmann; starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, et. al.)

Consider me still astounded that this latest film adaptation of Fitzgerald's classic got such mediocre (49% on RT!) reviews.  The style of this film still jumps out at me, months after I saw it, and it just fits the story - which itself gives the film a leg up to start, anyway - perfectly.  2013 was a great year for DiCaprio, and while the intensity and dominance of his Wolf on Wall Street role gives it the attention, his range is even greater here, inspiring both disgust and sympathy.  The supporting players are all well-cast, and this film is just a joy that dazzles, shocks, and even touches the heart.

5.  The World's End (dir. by Edgar Wright; starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, et. al.)

And a second film that I only saw on Netflix makes the list, earning a solid "A" score.  I enjoyed Hot Fuzz but wasn't astounded, so after going back and forth, decided not to see it in the theater - big mistake.  This, the last in an comedy-action trilogy, is hilarious and a pure joy, a classic film success in the form of a modern sci-fi comedy.  The writing is brilliant, and I've never seen better from the always impressive Pegg.  The World's End gets the concept of friendship better than I've seen for years, and when it turns gonzo it keeps that theme as well as its humor.  Sign me up for a fourth!

4.  Gravity (dir. by Alfonso Cuaron; starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney)

My admiration for this film has grown extensively in the months since I've seen it.  Hopefully a theater near me will show it again in 3D as the Oscars get closer.  The term gets thrown around a lot, but Gravity truly is a game-changer and an extraordinary accomplishment.  First and foremost, this movie really puts you into space (where 99.9% of the film takes place) and that setting goes from awe-inspiring to terrifying in the blink of an eye.  Bullock's physical acting is incredible; although the film's flimsy backstory falls short, she makes it easy for the audience to experience her struggle along with her.  Bravo.

3.  Prisoners (dir. by Denis Villeneuve; starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, et. al.)

This under-the-radar (and Oscar-snubbed) film brings us right back down to Earth with a story that takes our breath away in a completely different way.  When I think about it, not a lot actually happens in this film, and the film doesn't overdramatize the main character's crucial decision, either.  But my God, is this film tense.  Just phenomenal writing, directing and acting; Jackman and Gyllenhaal's performances are the best I've seen from them.  Prisoners raises interesting questions but doesn't force feed any answers.  It's just chilling - in its subject matter and how good it is.

2.  The Butler (dir. by Lee Daniels; starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, et. al.)

Nearly twenty years later, Forest Gump II arrived in theaters.  That is a huge compliment - from me, at least (it's one of my top 5 films of all-time).  It's not just the structure, which follows the life story of one humble yet extraordinary man, and catches glimpses of history in the making all around him.  It is also a Hollywood drama - in the best sense - that grips your heart and won't let go.  But The Butler is no clone or remake; it has its own voice and perspective on life.  Maybe I'm just a sucker for these, but if a film can unpatronizingly portray life in a positive way, I'm in.  Also, in terms of directing:  take some notes, Steve McQueen.

1.  Zero Dark Thirty (dir. by Kathryn Bigelow; starring Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, et. al.)

Well, it was the first film I saw in 2013, but it was also the best.  Featuring the best actress of the year, Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty is an outstanding film throughout.  You really can't pigeonhole this film; yes, it's about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, as the surface (and riveting) plot.  But it's also about the struggle, courage, and determination of Maya (Chastain) who is even more compelling to follow.  It's also funny at times, chilling at others (torture),  and always interesting.  Really, though, the film just speaks for itself as the most flawless and watchable film from start to finish in 2013.  If you haven't seen it yet, do so at your earliest convenience.

Honorable mentions:  The Wolf of Wall Street; Star Trek Into Darkness; World War Z


Miscellaneous Awards

Most Overrated Film of the Year:  This Is the End (runner-up:  American Hustle)
Sadly, 2013 had many films that either disappointed (get to those in a minute) or the critics way overpraised.  12 Years a Slave was a contender but it still made my top 10 list.  David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook is quite a bit better than this year's hyped American Hustle; I think critics just automatically give the guy a pass now.  The set up was great but it just spun out of control.  This Is the End, however, takes the cake.  I would add ... of Good Comedy to the title.  There are some funny bits near the beginning, sure.  But The World's End was the only apocalypse comedy we needed this year.  If you haven't seen This Is the End yet, don't bother.

Most Underrated Film of the Year:  Monster's University (runner-up:  Oz the Great and Powerful)
You can find several severely underrated films in my top 10, but I've already gone over those.  While Oz doesn't have a bad score on RT (59%), it was a pretty impressive family film.  Monster's University also did well on RT (78%) but it seems likely Pixar is being taken for granted.  Everyone (see the box office) went gaga over Despicable Me 2, but Monster's was the better film.

Most Disappointing Film of the Year:  Ender's Game (runner-up:  Anchorman 2)
Again, a distressing number of viable candidates for this award.  I also expected big things from director Blomkamp's Elysium but it was "meh".  I really need to see Anchorman 2 again because I was floored by how disappointing it was; thinking back, I probably overreacted, but its "C+" still stands and is an agonizing result for what I thought would be the savior of contemporary comedy (instead, The Heat and The World's End stepped up).  Ender's Game had phenomenal material to work with, and the visuals were the only thing it got right.  The kid who played Ender sucked, Ford phoned it in, and the screenplay was terrible.  Will be trying to erase it from my memory.

Most Surprisingly Good Film of the Year:  World War Z (runner-up:  Pain and Gain)
Fortunately, there were several of these to try to balance out the disappointing; see my top 10, again, for more (The Wolverine, etc.).  I'd also add that I wish I'd seen Pacific Rim in theaters - the effects are pretty awesome.  I got Pain and Gain on Netflix; I'm not sure why, but I'm glad I did.  Wahlberg plays himself - an asshole - and Dwayne Johnson is really impressive.  Unlike the year's worst film, it does not condone the character's abhorrent behavior, but still makes it pretty funny.  Oh, and World War Z rose from development hell to be one of the year's most exciting films, a scary sugar rush of a ride.

drum roll, please...
Worst Film of the Year:  Spring Breakers (runner-up:  Now You See Me)
I'd also like to give a (negative) shout-out to We're the Millers and A Good Day to Die Hard, neither of which I paid money to see in the theater, fortunately.  I did shell out cash for Now You See Me, and I feel robbed.  The premise sounded so cool, the actors involved so good... and then the execution was the worst I've seen in years.  To call it amateurish would be too complimentary.  But taking the cake is Spring Breakers - another that I fortunately only saw on Netflix.  Why, why, why did I watch this.  The question will haunt me for some time.  The execution, strictly speaking, is not the problem.  The problem is that it is a truly despicable (eat your heart out, Gru) film.  It basically takes many of the worst elements of today's society and says... this is so cool!  This movie made me feel sick.  Please, please avoid it at all costs.


Netflix Summary:

(from best to worst; not including the two films that are in my top 10):
42 (B+):  good historical film with solid performances from Boseman and Ford.
The Way, Way Back (B+):  slow to get going, but some great performances (Rockwell, Carell) and touching moments.
Pain and Gain (B):  this movie just kept surprising me.  It's over the top, but the tone is right.  It's also funny, and Dwayne Johnson shows some actual acting ability.
Pacific Rim (B):  solid action film.  Plot and concept are ludicrous, but the visuals are stunning and the fights actually tense.
Despicable Me 2 (B):  overrated, but it's fun.  Gee, do you think the minions tested well in their focus groups?
The Last Stand (B):  I wanted to see how well Ah-nold could still play the action hero, and he's still got it.  The story is even kind of interesting.
Admission (B-):  sloooooow, but then, it ended up not being my type of movie.  I enjoy both Fey and Rudd but they can be so much funnier than this.
The To-Do List (C+):  I like the people involved in this, and it has some funny moments, but it's very forgettable (I almost did for this post!).
The Internship (C+):  wait, was this supposed to be... funny?  Interesting premise, but there didn't seem to be much effort put into it.
White House Down (C+):  it's fun but I'm glad audiences didn't make it a hit at the box office.  We need more creativity from blockbusters (Olympus Has Fallen did the same concept much better).
We're the Millers (C-):  overly crude and it isn't even funny.
A Good Day to Die Hard (C-):  it is a good time for this series to die.
Spring Breakers (F-):  see explanation above.


Another year in the books!  I hope you enjoyed this post and hopefully have some ideas of which movies to rent/Netflix (and which to avoid).  Feel free to comment if you agree or disagree with my opinions here.  I've got a few 2014 films already lined up, so check back again next week!