Here are my favorite films from 2013, and some reasons why each is so special.
In NO particular order....
HER-----Is is science fiction, or romance, or satire or social commentary. It's all these, and it feels so right for today's world. A lonely man falls in love with his computer operating system, and no one else seems to find it strange.
MUD---Matthew McConaughey steals the show as an on the run con man waiting for his girlfriend in a swamp, and he befriends (and educates) two pre teen boys in the ways of life.
PHILOMENA---Based on a true story, Judy Dench wonderfully plays an older woman searching for her son who was taken from her 50 years earlier by Irish Catholic nuns and adopted off to America.
This could be a spoiler film, with an Oscar for Dench who's never won a Best Actress award, and given the likability of the characters (Steve Cooghan wrote and co-stars as a pessimistic writer who's helping her find the son) this could walk off with the Best Picture award too, in a close race.
THE HOBBIT: DESOLATION OF SMAUG----Peter Jackson's skillful fantasy film seems to be taken for granted, but this one had the awesome special effects, suspenseful story and curious and likable characters to keep it just as iconic as LOTR.
YOU WILL BE MY SON------A smart melodrama from France, seen at SIFF and then briefly at a local art theatre, shows the dilemma an aging man has with his award winning winery. His close friend and manager is dying of cancer, and his enthusiastic son doesn't have the skills to take over his reigns, he feels. He turns to his manager's son, causing a lot of tension and throwing the winery into chaos. It's an epic tragedy, laced with romance and comedy.
AMERICAN HUSTLE----Director David O. Russell's skillful, amusing juggling of a dozen well defined characters who live on the edge of respectability--all involved in the ABSCAM scandal from the 1970's. Especially enjoyable is the MUSIC, the COSTUMES, the HAIR DOs, the ART DIRECTION and the ENERGY.
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET----I didn't think I'd like the vulgarity and the politics of the greedy folks on Wall Street---we've certainly read about and lived through the disgraceful greed that propels any such group. Here's a case of a very energetic, entertaining TRAIN WRECK--horrible in it's morals and excesses, but it's hard to ignore. Some scenes of drunken debauchery seem too long, but I didn't mind, especially because the impish devil Leo DiCaprio was featured in most of them.
BLUE JASMINE---Here's a fine Woody Allen film, smart, intelligent, funny, curious, moving. And leading the charge is a fascinating performance by Cate Blanchet. It's one of those characters that keep you on your toes, and you can't take your eyes off her. She plays a high class but scorned, duped wife who must move in with her lower class sister when her husband dies, leaving her penniless. As her mind begins to unwind, her world begins to spin with lies and dreams. It's a frightening experience detailing mental illness and the war of the classes. If the resent resurgence of the Allen scandal from over a decade ago keeps Cate from winning the Oscar, that would be a pity. That leaves the opening to Dench.
GRAVITY---A short, beautifully made dream like film that has you floating in horrifying space--it's short on dialogue and plot, but it is the most unique looking film of the year.
ENDER'S GAME----This science fiction story of a young teen recruited to become a great general in a war of the worlds had me intrigued at every turn, and the ending, for me, was especially devastating. Themes of betrayal, deceit, suspense and great moral dilemmas left me wanting to cry.
Lee Daniel's THE BUTLER----This ambitious film takes place over 50 years and puts historical events into the timeline of an African American man who worked for eight presidents starting from Eisenhower. He becomes somewhat of a passive witness to the workings of the Civil Rights Movement, and we watch how these events change him, his wife and his family and friends over the course of the years. The film has some faults and missed opportunities, but it has a cumulative power and a strong sense of creating time and place. The costumes, make up, music and fine actors really make this an involving, emotional film.
STORIES WE TELL---We think we are watching a documentary about the life of the Canadian film maker Sarah Polley and her family and a big family mystery, but along the way there are surprises, announcements, twists and reversals that start to challenge everything we've seen. It's astonishingly unique.
A BAND CALLED DEATH---A smart, funny, self-deprecating documentary about a group of black men in the 1970's Detroit who start a rock band, produce an album, and then get discovered 30 years later. It's this year's LOOKING FOR SUGARMAN, and I loved it.
AFTER TILLER---Sad, illuminating, balanced documentary of the life, murder and aftermath of a doctor who preformed late term abortions.
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB----Bookended by two incredible performances, this story of a homophobic who develops AIDS in 1985 and ends up smuggling drugs in from other countries to help fight the disease for himself and others when the US government will hardly pay any attention to the epidemic, is fascinating. Matthew McConaughy ought to win the Oscar for his trans formative role, and his transgendered assistant played by Jared Leto will most likely win the supporting Oscar.
HERE ARE SOME OTHER EQUALLY STRONG FILMS-----
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY---Dynamite cast including another wonderful turn by Meryl Streep and some very black comedy and pithy dialogue had me laughing at this lurid family drama.
12 YEARS A SLAVE---I admired the film and many strong scenes, but I don't ever want to see it again. It made me cringe.
NEBRASKA---An understated black and white comedy that strikes all the right notes in dialogue and performance by all concerned.
HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE---Similar to but in ways better than the first one, this film has me very intrigued by the forthcoming third installment.
THE CONJURING----Best haunted house film of the year.
ABOUT TIME---Appealing mixture of sentiment, romance, and drama, with pinch of fantasy, about a father and son who can transport themselves back in time to fix a bad situation when it comes to love.
BEST MAN HOLIDAY---A surprisingly moving comedy drama about a group of friends who meet a dozen years after graduation and find they have some issues to deal with.
FRUITVILLE STATION---A black man is murdered at a subway stop by a security guard--the film back tracks to show his final 24 hours. A moving exploration of family, love and racism. Based on a true story.
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS--Another true story with Tom Hanks in a splendid leading role as a Captain whose freighter ship is boarded by Somali pirates who threaten his crew while seeking money.
THE HUNT---Intense Danish film based on true story, about an innocent man whose life is destroyed by a false accusation of abuse by a six year old girl.
WHAT MAISIE KNEW----A six year old is shuffled between her uncaring and divorcing mother and father, finding comfort in various child sitters.
FRANCES HA---She's out of college, but having trouble growing up.
STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS---It's exciting and suspenseful and fun.
STILL MINE---Elderly couple try to cope with aging issues while trying to retain their independence.
ALL IS LOST---Nearly silent film about man (sterling Robert Redford) trying to keep from drowning in a damaged sailboat in the middle of the ocean. There is a superb surreal ending.
42---Well done film biography of Jackie Robinson, first black baseball player to play in the majors.
FILMS I REALLY DISLIKED-------RUNNER RUNNER, WOLVERINE, WORLD WAR Z, IDENTITY THIEF, CRYSTAL FAIRY
OSCAR PREDICTIONS
I'd like Matthew and Jared to win the OSCAR for DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, Cate to win for BLUE JASMINE, and Jennifer Lawrence to win for AMERICAN HUSTLE, and they all seem to be the leaders, although Dench for PHILOMENA might surprise in lead actress category and Lupita Nyong'o may sneak in for the supporting actress category. I feel certain that Director Alfonzo Cuaron will win for GRAVITY.
The writing categories are more difficult to predict---I'd go for HER (Original Screenplay) and 12 YEARS A SLAVE (Adapted Screenplay) with AMERICAN HUSTLE and PHILOMENA as 2nd choices. GRAVITY should recieve most of the technical awards.
With nine choices for best picture, it's going to be close race. I'd like to see AMERICAN HUSTLE or PHILOMENA or GRAVITY take the top award, but this year they are ALL worthy. What can be better than that?
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
WOLF OF WALL STREET, HER, PHILOMENA, THE HOBBIT: DESOLATION OF SMAUG, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, plus NOW YOU SEE ME, BOEING BOEING, JULIUS CAESAR, and two films about the White House taken over by terrorists!!!
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG continues the popular films directed with his usual skill by Peter Jackson and based on books by Tolkien. There is a lot of criticism that the films do not follow the book, and that the story is all dragged out to fill out (as is the case of THE HOBBIT) three long films which should clock in over 8 hours of storytelling by the time the third episode is released next Christmas season, but I have to say that not having read the novel before, I still enjoy the incredible workmanship and fantasy of the film(s) a lot. Much time is spent developing characterization and plotting, and whatever characters and plot are expanded or created, they fit well into the total epic feel of the fantasy. The action is grand and excitingly portrayed, and the special effects are seamless and mostly fascinating, especially the dragon Smaug. This film rewards repeated viewings. GRADE-----------A-
Last month I commented that AMERICAN HUSTLE was a great film in the Martin Scorsese style. Well, Martin has made his own great new film this year, and THE WOLF OF WALL STREET is as good as anything he's ever done. The main character played with decadent glee by the exuberant Leo DeCaprio is as unappealing and morally impaired as they come, but the skill in this performance makes you feel great empathy for him, and it could be the film that wins him an Oscar. The film is filled with foul mouthed characters (there are supposedly over 500 various versions of the F word) and the despicable behaviour of the corrupt Wall street types could be quite depressing, but for some reason, this "train wreck" of a plot becomes almost comic and is so wildly incredible that the film---as long as it is-three hours!-- turns into compulsive viewing. The film literally transcends the violence, drug abuse, sex, nudity, and immoral behavior to become a fascinating portrait of excessiveness, and it's one of the years very best films. GRADE------A-
Another viewing of PHILOMENA confirms that this skillful film, by the fine director Stephen Frears, is the heart wrenching comedy drama of the year. Based on a true story, Judy Dench plays the title character PHILOMENIA as she tries to locate her lost son she had to give up to adoption over 50 years earlier. The film is concise and economical--a brief 97 minutes, but we know more about her than just about any character of the year. GRADE-----A-
It's a love story with hints of science fiction and thriller, as the film HER confounds expectations, and manages to find a great deal of compassion for the emotionally stunted leading man as he finds himself being drawn to a new Operating System voice, and ultimately having a "relationship" with the voice of "Samantha" who understands him as no one else does. This film goes places that I never expected it to go. HER is a creative wonder. GRADE-------A-
It is always a pleasure, no matter what the film subject matter, to become fascinated by our greatest living actress, Meryl Streep, as she throws herself into each new character. She is, as usual, compelling and fascinating as she plays the matriarch of a dysfunctional family that meets for the disappearance of her husband, and this triggers lots of drama and secrets come spilling forth in the drama AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. I enjoyed the snarky sarcasm and twisted relationships that revel themselves over the long weekend. The entire cast is quite good--I especially enjoyed Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney and Misty Upham, but Chris Cooper, Julia Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julianne Nicholson and Sam Shepard all have their great scenes. Dysfunctional family drama might not be your cup of tea, but watching these great actors at their best is a thrill. GRADE-------B+
DVD CHOICES--------------------
The dialogue may have been edited down, and it is filmed in black and white, but the Marlon Brando version of JULIUS CAESAR (1953) retains it's power and awe as vintage Shakespeare. The meaning and clarity of the dialogue was excellent, and the cast, which included John Guilgud, James Mason, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr and Louis Calhern, is at it's peak. GRADE-----B+
From last summer, NOW YOU SEE ME is a twisty thriller (perhaps too twisty?) about a group of magician/con artists who work for a mysterious person who trains them in the art of escalating robberies. It is very tricky and entertaining, and the cast (including Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Woody Harelson et al) are effective. GRADE-----B
It sounds like a sleazy sex comedy, but BOEING BOEING (1965) has more going for it than the surface description. Tony Curtis is balancing three different flight attendants in one apartment by promising to marry each one, and keeps track of their flights in a notebook, so hopefully only one will be home at a time. His friend played in a low key fashion by Jerry Lewis, comes one weekend to visit and figures out quickly what is happening. The different airlines involved all have major schedule changes, which causes havoc for Curtis. The jokes range from slapstick to sophisticated, but there is a clever method to the madness, helped along by the surprising sensible manner of Lewis, and the smart tongued retorts of the overworked house maid, played in her usual effectively comic manner by Thelma Ritter, who played roles like this a lot---see PILLOW TALK (1959) and REAR WINDOW (1954) and ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) for example. GRADE-------B
From last summer, two films opened within two months of each other, and they had similar plots involving terrorists taking over the White House. OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN has disgraced Secret Service man Gerard Butler being just about the only good guy left who can fight the North Korean terrorist while trying to protect the President played by Aaron Eckhart. WHITE HOUSE DOWN has SS wanna be Channing Tatum trying to protect Jamie Foxx, who plays the President. In both films, an endangered child is threatened, nuclear explosives are bringing about the potential end of civilization, help is provided through outside phone service, and the physical White House is literally destroyed. While each film was modestly entertaining, meaning I didn't fall asleep, thinking back they blur together in my mind, and I can hardly distinguish one from the other. GRADE----OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN and WHITE HOUSE DOWN----C+ for each one.
SHED NO TEARS (1948) is a predictable film noir with an unconvincing actress in the leading role. June Vincent plays the evil wife of Wallace Ford, who convinces him to fake his death to collect insurance money. He goes into hiding in another town, then wonders why she is taking so long to collect the money and join him. He soon discovers she has plans to run away with the money---and her new young boyfriend. It was watchable but obvious. GRADE----D+
Last month I commented that AMERICAN HUSTLE was a great film in the Martin Scorsese style. Well, Martin has made his own great new film this year, and THE WOLF OF WALL STREET is as good as anything he's ever done. The main character played with decadent glee by the exuberant Leo DeCaprio is as unappealing and morally impaired as they come, but the skill in this performance makes you feel great empathy for him, and it could be the film that wins him an Oscar. The film is filled with foul mouthed characters (there are supposedly over 500 various versions of the F word) and the despicable behaviour of the corrupt Wall street types could be quite depressing, but for some reason, this "train wreck" of a plot becomes almost comic and is so wildly incredible that the film---as long as it is-three hours!-- turns into compulsive viewing. The film literally transcends the violence, drug abuse, sex, nudity, and immoral behavior to become a fascinating portrait of excessiveness, and it's one of the years very best films. GRADE------A-
Another viewing of PHILOMENA confirms that this skillful film, by the fine director Stephen Frears, is the heart wrenching comedy drama of the year. Based on a true story, Judy Dench plays the title character PHILOMENIA as she tries to locate her lost son she had to give up to adoption over 50 years earlier. The film is concise and economical--a brief 97 minutes, but we know more about her than just about any character of the year. GRADE-----A-
It's a love story with hints of science fiction and thriller, as the film HER confounds expectations, and manages to find a great deal of compassion for the emotionally stunted leading man as he finds himself being drawn to a new Operating System voice, and ultimately having a "relationship" with the voice of "Samantha" who understands him as no one else does. This film goes places that I never expected it to go. HER is a creative wonder. GRADE-------A-
It is always a pleasure, no matter what the film subject matter, to become fascinated by our greatest living actress, Meryl Streep, as she throws herself into each new character. She is, as usual, compelling and fascinating as she plays the matriarch of a dysfunctional family that meets for the disappearance of her husband, and this triggers lots of drama and secrets come spilling forth in the drama AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. I enjoyed the snarky sarcasm and twisted relationships that revel themselves over the long weekend. The entire cast is quite good--I especially enjoyed Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney and Misty Upham, but Chris Cooper, Julia Roberts, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julianne Nicholson and Sam Shepard all have their great scenes. Dysfunctional family drama might not be your cup of tea, but watching these great actors at their best is a thrill. GRADE-------B+
DVD CHOICES--------------------
The dialogue may have been edited down, and it is filmed in black and white, but the Marlon Brando version of JULIUS CAESAR (1953) retains it's power and awe as vintage Shakespeare. The meaning and clarity of the dialogue was excellent, and the cast, which included John Guilgud, James Mason, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr and Louis Calhern, is at it's peak. GRADE-----B+
From last summer, NOW YOU SEE ME is a twisty thriller (perhaps too twisty?) about a group of magician/con artists who work for a mysterious person who trains them in the art of escalating robberies. It is very tricky and entertaining, and the cast (including Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Woody Harelson et al) are effective. GRADE-----B
It sounds like a sleazy sex comedy, but BOEING BOEING (1965) has more going for it than the surface description. Tony Curtis is balancing three different flight attendants in one apartment by promising to marry each one, and keeps track of their flights in a notebook, so hopefully only one will be home at a time. His friend played in a low key fashion by Jerry Lewis, comes one weekend to visit and figures out quickly what is happening. The different airlines involved all have major schedule changes, which causes havoc for Curtis. The jokes range from slapstick to sophisticated, but there is a clever method to the madness, helped along by the surprising sensible manner of Lewis, and the smart tongued retorts of the overworked house maid, played in her usual effectively comic manner by Thelma Ritter, who played roles like this a lot---see PILLOW TALK (1959) and REAR WINDOW (1954) and ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) for example. GRADE-------B
From last summer, two films opened within two months of each other, and they had similar plots involving terrorists taking over the White House. OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN has disgraced Secret Service man Gerard Butler being just about the only good guy left who can fight the North Korean terrorist while trying to protect the President played by Aaron Eckhart. WHITE HOUSE DOWN has SS wanna be Channing Tatum trying to protect Jamie Foxx, who plays the President. In both films, an endangered child is threatened, nuclear explosives are bringing about the potential end of civilization, help is provided through outside phone service, and the physical White House is literally destroyed. While each film was modestly entertaining, meaning I didn't fall asleep, thinking back they blur together in my mind, and I can hardly distinguish one from the other. GRADE----OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN and WHITE HOUSE DOWN----C+ for each one.
SHED NO TEARS (1948) is a predictable film noir with an unconvincing actress in the leading role. June Vincent plays the evil wife of Wallace Ford, who convinces him to fake his death to collect insurance money. He goes into hiding in another town, then wonders why she is taking so long to collect the money and join him. He soon discovers she has plans to run away with the money---and her new young boyfriend. It was watchable but obvious. GRADE----D+
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