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Well, with the new year now upon us, 2013's in the books and it's time to look at my top 10 films from the year. I watched quite a bit of stuff in 2013 and tbh, I found a lot of it pretty poor. That being said, there were certainly gems out there to be discovered, including the following HM's....
Nebraska, The Lone Ranger (seriously), Out Of The Furnace, I Declare War, The Spectacular Now and Blackfish.
Each of those has something really different to offer but they're all well worth checking out. Now, on to the real list and we start off with the only sequel (in a year FULL of them) that I felt was worthy of making an appearance...
10. Star Trek Into Darkness
The 2009 reboot of Star Trek totally ruled in bringing the old characters back to life for a new generation, and this sequel really amps things up in a great way. Not only are all the Enterprise crew more familiar with each other, the addition of the absolutely stellar Benedict Cumberbatch (who also has one of the best names ever) just makes things that much better.
9. Drinking Buddies
I first became aware of director Joe Swanberg through the film V/H/S, and while his segment wasn't one of my favourites you could certainly tell he had a style all his own. As it turns out, I didn't have to wait too long to see that style expand into something totally awesome, as Drinking Buddies is one of the best improvisational comedies I've seen in years.
8. Rush
Ron Howard's love letter to the glory days of Formula One racing is technically sound, expertly shot and wonderfully paced. However, all of that aside, the performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl make this movie something quite special. The film takes hold of you from the opening moments and never let's go. Oh and you also get to see that Tyrell chick from Game of Thrones in her panties so yeah, 'nuff said!
7. Frankenstein's Army
I didn't really love any mainstream horror this year, but as a super fan of the genre I'm always seeking out those smaller films that surprise and delight. Frankenstein's Army is surely one of those; just a non-stop thrill ride that seeks to top it's gruesome self at every turn. Claustrophobic, atmospheric, downright nasty; all equal total FUCKING awesomeness!
6. The Act of Killing
Technically released in 2012 but only in one country, The Act of Killing has qualified for this years Academy Awards which is why I can include it here. For good reason too, there was no other documentary this year that provoked such intense feelings and thoughts as this, the examination of real life mass murder through Hollywood-style re-enactments. Absolutely chilling to the core and a film that will stick with you for quite some time after.
5. The Kings of Summer
One thing I love more than anything else is watching young up and comers work together to create something truly special. No greater example of that exists in 2013 than The Kings of Summer, which is simply a treat to watch. This film also features one of my favourite performances from 2013, that being the work of former Hannah Montana actor Moises Arias as Biaggio. You could watch the movie just for him, but everyone else rules as well.
4. Blue Jasmine
I've been a Woody Allen fan for as long as I can remember, but lately I'd felt he was losing a step or two. Obviously Allen realized I felt this way and decided to totally prove me wrong by writing one of his best scripts since Hannah and Her Sisters. Featuring a bevy of characters that are all imbued with Allen's trademark fundamental flaws, there's just not a bad moment here and at this point I think the screenplay has to be the front-runner for the Oscar.
3. Only God Forgives
Nicolas Winding Refn continues to solidify his spot as one of the best directors in the world today and while it's certainly not for everyone, Only God Forgives is nevertheless one of the best movies of the year. This surreal take on the revenge flick is at its best when pulling no punches, something it does a lot of throughout. It features the usual solid Ryan Gosling performance and an absolutely off the charts one from Kristin Scott Thomas, who should seriously be nominated for an Oscar.
2. Gravity
I debated where to place Gravity on this list but in watching it again I realized that its impact hasn't lessened in the translation from big to small screen. Sandra Bullock turns in a performance that should get her some serious Oscar consideration but the real star here is director Alfonso Cuaron. Not only is this the best paced film I saw all year, it is also one of the most technically brilliant achievements in recent memory. Gravity makes you feel like you're in space, feel like you're right beside Bullock and Clooney, and that alone puts it on a totally different level than even the great space movies like Star Wars or 2001: A Space Odyssey.
1. Escape from Tomorrow
When I first heard about Escape from Tomorrow I was immediately intrigued. After all, what kind of filmmaker would have the audacity to film an entire movie, guerilla-style, in Walt Disney World and Disneyland? Well, the answer to that is of course Randy Moore, who not only did so but then managed to do the near-impossible and get it released without Disney suing his ass off! That alone should be enough to check it out, but the truth is, the movie itself is just wild. A total and complete mindfuck on nearly every level with an ending straight out of your favourite nightmare, Escape from Tomorrow has quickly become one of my all-time faves.
So there you have it kids, the Fuji Top Ten for 2013. As always, agreeing or disagreeing is welcomed with comments and I wish you all a wonderful movie watching 2014!
Nebraska, The Lone Ranger (seriously), Out Of The Furnace, I Declare War, The Spectacular Now and Blackfish.
Each of those has something really different to offer but they're all well worth checking out. Now, on to the real list and we start off with the only sequel (in a year FULL of them) that I felt was worthy of making an appearance...
10. Star Trek Into Darkness
The 2009 reboot of Star Trek totally ruled in bringing the old characters back to life for a new generation, and this sequel really amps things up in a great way. Not only are all the Enterprise crew more familiar with each other, the addition of the absolutely stellar Benedict Cumberbatch (who also has one of the best names ever) just makes things that much better.
9. Drinking Buddies
I first became aware of director Joe Swanberg through the film V/H/S, and while his segment wasn't one of my favourites you could certainly tell he had a style all his own. As it turns out, I didn't have to wait too long to see that style expand into something totally awesome, as Drinking Buddies is one of the best improvisational comedies I've seen in years.
8. Rush
Ron Howard's love letter to the glory days of Formula One racing is technically sound, expertly shot and wonderfully paced. However, all of that aside, the performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl make this movie something quite special. The film takes hold of you from the opening moments and never let's go. Oh and you also get to see that Tyrell chick from Game of Thrones in her panties so yeah, 'nuff said!
7. Frankenstein's Army
I didn't really love any mainstream horror this year, but as a super fan of the genre I'm always seeking out those smaller films that surprise and delight. Frankenstein's Army is surely one of those; just a non-stop thrill ride that seeks to top it's gruesome self at every turn. Claustrophobic, atmospheric, downright nasty; all equal total FUCKING awesomeness!
6. The Act of Killing
Technically released in 2012 but only in one country, The Act of Killing has qualified for this years Academy Awards which is why I can include it here. For good reason too, there was no other documentary this year that provoked such intense feelings and thoughts as this, the examination of real life mass murder through Hollywood-style re-enactments. Absolutely chilling to the core and a film that will stick with you for quite some time after.
5. The Kings of Summer
One thing I love more than anything else is watching young up and comers work together to create something truly special. No greater example of that exists in 2013 than The Kings of Summer, which is simply a treat to watch. This film also features one of my favourite performances from 2013, that being the work of former Hannah Montana actor Moises Arias as Biaggio. You could watch the movie just for him, but everyone else rules as well.
4. Blue Jasmine
I've been a Woody Allen fan for as long as I can remember, but lately I'd felt he was losing a step or two. Obviously Allen realized I felt this way and decided to totally prove me wrong by writing one of his best scripts since Hannah and Her Sisters. Featuring a bevy of characters that are all imbued with Allen's trademark fundamental flaws, there's just not a bad moment here and at this point I think the screenplay has to be the front-runner for the Oscar.
3. Only God Forgives
Nicolas Winding Refn continues to solidify his spot as one of the best directors in the world today and while it's certainly not for everyone, Only God Forgives is nevertheless one of the best movies of the year. This surreal take on the revenge flick is at its best when pulling no punches, something it does a lot of throughout. It features the usual solid Ryan Gosling performance and an absolutely off the charts one from Kristin Scott Thomas, who should seriously be nominated for an Oscar.
2. Gravity
I debated where to place Gravity on this list but in watching it again I realized that its impact hasn't lessened in the translation from big to small screen. Sandra Bullock turns in a performance that should get her some serious Oscar consideration but the real star here is director Alfonso Cuaron. Not only is this the best paced film I saw all year, it is also one of the most technically brilliant achievements in recent memory. Gravity makes you feel like you're in space, feel like you're right beside Bullock and Clooney, and that alone puts it on a totally different level than even the great space movies like Star Wars or 2001: A Space Odyssey.
1. Escape from Tomorrow
When I first heard about Escape from Tomorrow I was immediately intrigued. After all, what kind of filmmaker would have the audacity to film an entire movie, guerilla-style, in Walt Disney World and Disneyland? Well, the answer to that is of course Randy Moore, who not only did so but then managed to do the near-impossible and get it released without Disney suing his ass off! That alone should be enough to check it out, but the truth is, the movie itself is just wild. A total and complete mindfuck on nearly every level with an ending straight out of your favourite nightmare, Escape from Tomorrow has quickly become one of my all-time faves.
So there you have it kids, the Fuji Top Ten for 2013. As always, agreeing or disagreeing is welcomed with comments and I wish you all a wonderful movie watching 2014!
