A small warning though, I have NOT seen the following: Blue Jasmine, Captain Phillips, Fruitvale Station, Ender's Game, Spectacular Now, and Nebraska.
Anyway- here's the list.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street
2. Before Midnight
3. Rush
4. Man of Steel
5. Star Trek: Into Darkness
6. 12 Years a Slave
7. Catching Fire
8. Her
9. Prisoners
10. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
(11. The World's End. Because it's a fucking great movie, and because Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright are all equally awesome. Also I forgot about it when finalizing the list.)
Now for the small reviews explaining my points. (Warning: There's chance for small and/or big SPOILERS)
11. The World's End
Over the last decade Edgar Wright has become one of favorite new directors. From the TV show "Spaced", "Scott Pilgrim", and of course his other Simon Pegg/Nick Frost films "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz", he has cemented himself as a director who like Tarantino, loves pop culture, witty humor, and having a knack for making unforgettable, ridiculous characters. All that is shown as much as ever in "The World's End" the cap in his infamous Cornetto Trilogy. "Shaun of the Dead" did zombies, "Hot Fuzz" did action, and now "World's End" does aliens, with a little apocalypse thrown in for good measure. Here is a movie that is unique. A movie that ends with the end of the world, but everyone in retrospect gets a happy ending. If you loved "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" I expect you to like this too. A comedy with real class.
10. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Ok, I'll admit, The Hobbit should have maybe been two movies. TOPS. BUT from what I've seen, I don't mind what Jackson is doing as a director. Sure Legolas doesn't need to be in this or the female elf, but there they are. I'll admit, I've seen this movie twice now, and I enjoyed it much more the second time around. The main reason? I just ran with with it, enjoyed the ride that had been made, and didn't question it. Let's be honest, none of the characters are doing anything against their type from the book, so why not let Jackson have his trilogy and be done with it. Listen, we're not going to get LOTR again. You know that, and I know that. Now I'm not saying we should just bare our teeth and accept it, all I'm saying is, in this day and age, we should be glad that someone like Peter Jackson is directing this, and we get to enjoy moments like Smaug and the treasure room being totally awesome and worth the wait. I'll leave it at that.
9. Prisoners
Here's a movie that caught me off guard. Didn't even catch it in the theater. But I wasn't the only one. It's not even the fact that it has good leads with Jackman and Gyllenhaal. That's just the topping on the pizza. Really at the end of the movie, you find yourself having watched a really good mystery. And that's really all I can say. But know if you like good character development, a film that questions the grey areas of right and wrong, and awesome pacing, this might be for you.
8. Her
Spike Jonze is one the most unique directors I have come to watch. "Being John Malkovich", "Adaptation", "Where the Wild Things Are" are all special films in their own right, and all deserve to be viewed at least once if you're a fan of film. "Her" is another special film. It simply is about a man, who falls in love with the voice of his computer operating system. If I were to hear that plot with any other director I would avoided this movie like the plague. But knowing it's Spike Jonze who's bringing the vision, I had to check it out. I was not disappointed. A friend of mine complimented this movie in saying that Isaac Asimov (if you don't know that name and why he's important, look him up) would have been fascinated and delighted by the film if he were alive today. I couldn't agree more.
7. Catching Fire
I really liked the first Hunger Games movie. It got me to read the books, which in turn I also loved. This one blows the first outta of the water. Everything is better. The writing, the acting, and the direction. The stakes are higher than ever, the obstacles more dangerous (helped kindly of course with a bigger movie budget), and it seems Katniss Everdeen is becoming just as popular as her real life counterpart Jennifer Lawrence. But really overall, this a good movie. A good message for kids and young adults especially. It makes me feel glad. Think of it as the Anti-Twilight Series, or what lies on the other end of the spectrum in the field of that targeted entertainment.
6. 12 Years a Slave
Whew, this one was a doozy. I think there are some movies that people need to see. Some for enjoyment, others for insight. This is insight. If you believed "Django Unchained" was brutal about slavery, it has NOTHING on this movie. A free black man in the North is kidnapped and thrown into the South, and wanders a slave for twelve long years. A hell for anyone. This is a story of pure survival and tragedy. But it is well directed, acted, and written. You couldn't ask for a better made movie. Only downside is, you will depressed for a good long while after seeing it. Still, see it.
5. Star Trek Into Darkness
If I have to confess, in my heart of hearts, I am a blockbuster kid. No, that doesn't mean I was in that old video store everyday of the week (I wish). What it means is that, as a lover of film, nothing gets me more happy and excited than watching a well made, well orchestrated, and fun blockbuster movie, especially during the summer. And low and behold, I loved the hell outta this movie. The first new "Star Trek" caught me by surprise. I didn't expect it to be as engaging and fun as it was. I think a lot of people felt the same way. Now, I will admit off the bat, I always had a hard time with the old Trek. I barely got through the old show, but my mother was a closet Trekkie, so I knew enough of the old lore to get by. How was I to do on the sequel though? Could Abrams even match what he did the first time around? Answer: Yes, and with a beautiful side helping of Benedict Cumberbatch and Peter Weller (the ORIGINAL RoboCop). I understand though there are a lot of haters on this movie, and I can understand why. Let's be honest, It's a remake of Wrath of Khan. What fans tend to forget though, and quite ironic for the series tagline, is that the whole purpose of the new films, is not to boldly go where you haven't before, but to return to the past and see it done in an alternate way. This is an alternate universe after all, we learned that halfway through the first one. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind that the new Star Trek try and be more about character and less on the action BUT I have a hard time arguing that because I see it being done still, just not in the way Trek fans are used to. Yeah, I'm serious. Go back and watch when Khan attacks the boardroom and Kirk loses the only thing he has close to a father figure. Or when Khan and Spock are playing mental chess over the ships' monitors. Those quiet moments in between the action make the movie mean more to me then it would. And c'mon if not loving Cumberbatch's performance as Khan, then I feel I've already lost you. I won't go on. I do know if you don't like these new movies, you will continue to not like them, and are just waiting now for someone else to take the franchise. In the meantime I wish you well, and may you live long and prosper.
4. Man of Steel
Where do I begin with this movie? Well, first off, it's something new. And I like that. This is not your father's Superman. It wasn't meant to be. But let me be clear. I love Christopher Reeve. I love Richard Donner. I love Superman 1 &2. They are classic. But so is Batman 1989, and I still love the hell out of the new Batman trilogy. But I'm sidetracking. Let's talk the BIG moment. You know the one. Superman kills Zod. Yep, he totally kills him in Superman 2. No, really, in case you haven't been told already (which I know you have repeatedly), go back and watch it. Reeve is smiling as he throws Zod like a rag doll into a dark abyss in the Fortress of Solitude. Like a fucking jock. But we remember what we want to remember. Does anyone remember Superman screaming in "Man of Steel" after he kills Zod? This is a man, no an alien, who has killed the last of his race (as far he and we know for now). And now must come to terms with it as he cradles his head in Lois' lap. Sure we don't see him coming to those terms, but that's for the sequel, which we all know is coming. People forget though. They forget that this movie is literally first day on the job Superman, a man who has to actually use his godlike power to full strength for the first time in 33 years of his existence, while having been repressed due to Kevin Costner Pa Kent. Not only that, he has to face a warrior Kryptonian who has the same powers and can match him. There was bound to be some damage, that's all I'm saying. And yes Superman made the ultimate choice, but he was forced to and Zod couldn't be put away in the Phantom Zone. Do you really want the ending where he keeps fighting him and causing more damage, or Zod gets away and keeps killing everyone? His options were limited. Zod was on a suicide course. "Either you die or I do." I'm gonna leave it at that.
Look, I love this movie. It's got some flaws, but overall I find it to be a great blockbuster with top notch effects and casting. (Russell Crowe as Jor-El anyone???) It's a great modern reinterpretation of Superman and I can't wait to see what they do next.
3. Rush
Wow. What a surprise this was. Has to be one of the most under talked movies of the year next to "Prisoners". COMPLETELY snubbed by the Oscars. This movie in essence is a rival film, meaning that two rivals fight the whole movie. And it's up there. I'm serious, right along "The Prestige" and "Amadeus" (if you haven't seen those, go watch them now). The movie is about rival Formula One racers and the limits they push each other, their careers, their loves, and their faults. Chris Hemsworth gives an amazing performance, blows away anything he has done as Thor, bar none. And Daniel Bruhl (that German sniper from "Inglourious Basterds") also gives a rousing performance. Worth checking out, was totally blown away.
2. Before Midnight
Richard Linklater is another director I've come to love. Be it "Dazed and Confused", "School of Rock", "Waking Life", or the other "Before" movies. He's made so many good films. And this is another gem. I wanna say it completes the "Before" trilogy, but I'm pretty sure they'll be doing this again, in another nine years. Oh, by the way if you don't know, the "Before" movies are romantic films following the lives of lovers who we meet up with every nine years of their lives since they first met. It's an amazing series of movies and this is probably the best one of the group. Sure, it's mainly dialogue, but oh such wonderful dialogue. It delves, examines, jokes, screams, and even tears apart peoples' perception of love and what it means. "Before Midnight" showcases the lovers in middle age and shows what happens after happily ever after and the slings that come with it. Highly recommend you see this and the other "Before" movies ("Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset".) Great series of films.
1. Wolf of Wall Street
This is the first movie I can honestly say I got a contact high from. Drugs, Booze, Sex, and Money. You gotta love it. Scorsese is at the top of his game here. This is right along with "Goodfellas" and "Casino", it's that good. I wanna say it's an unofficial Gangsters & Greed trilogy. But really this is the best film of the year. The way the economy is, the fact that we trust no one these days, the fact that we hate all the bastards on Wall Street. It's safe to say Jordan Belfort probably had a hand in that. These days in films, even films aimed at adults, I feel we live in a very P.C. time right now ("Politically correct" for those of you who didn't catch that). Anyway, Scorsese comes along and reminds us what he does best. The greed, the hookers, the cocaine. It's a great modern rise and fall story. Jordan Belfort we slowly see start to unravel, and Leo DiCaprio plays him like a champ ("Sell me this pen."). But the real jewel is Jonah Hill. He performance is top notch. ("I will never go to Benni-Hanna again, I don't care who's birthday it is.") It's almost hard to believe in 2006 he was playing a college student, wearing a hot dog costume, asking people to touch his "wiener." You've come so far Jonah. Rob Reiner is also a welcomed addition as Leo's dad, Mad Max. This movie clocks in at 3 hours long but is so well edited and paced it feels like half that, let alone that it's entertaining the whole way through.
It's an amazing movie, you just have to remember to strap in.
Well, anyway that's it. Been wanting to make a movie review thing for awhile and relatives have been telling me to make one. Finally a friend recommended a blog. So I put it out there.
Expect longer, fuller reviews in the coming months. I expect to post once a week starting with the new RoboCop in February. Cause really January is dead. There is nothing good out. The studios know it and you know it. Seriously, it's the graveyard for movie releases.
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