Forgive my delay, I was meaning to have this prepared prior to the Oscars, however sudden realities in life have left me tardy for delivery. However in a way it's good, now that the brouhaha of The Academy Awards have subsided, it's now time put a cap on what was to me a very good year for films. I was astonished how many times I went to the movies and actually found myself really enjoying what was put on screen. There were many highly original, and entertaining films, I found it difficult to make up a top ten list...I know many people say that, and it turns out it is difficult. How could I possibly compare a film like "Goon" to one like "Lincoln"? The truth is I can't, no one can, yet I was effected by them in different ways, what I can say for both of them is they left an indelible mark. Of course these aren't the best films, the title of this blog entry merely serves as tongue and cheek. I hope this list leads you to a film you might not have thought of seeing, or one you may not even have heard of, or perhaps will create a stirring debate. But let me say without further adieu, here is what I believed to be the best films of last year, and I hope you reflect upon them as I have.
1. Moonrise Kingdom A uniquely clever and funny film about first love, that only a filmmaker like Wes Anderson could make. Here, we are taken on a journey about two misfit kids who create a world of their own, while the rest of their universe is adamant to break them apart. Anderson populates his world with many of his familiar faces, and also adding new ones, but it's one that seems invented out of his whole imagination. He deals with themes as innocent and timely as young love, and the disappointment of adulthood. It's a wise, charming movie that completely surprised and delighted me.
2. Lincoln It was only after re-watching this film again, that I realized just how brilliant it really is. To call it merely a biopic would be to not give it justice. This is the story of what makes a great man great, we are shown Lincoln as a man of thoughtfulness and wisdom, who took his time to make the proper decision, we are shown this through the most eloquent speeches delivered this year in film, written by Tony Kushner, who if there was one man robbed at the Oscars, it was him. Peppered with a perfect ensemble of actors, and shining with quiet uplifting moments as only a man like Spielberg could do, "Lincoln" proves to be the great American movie it wishes to be.
3. Seven Psychopaths Writer/Director Martin McDonagh's sophomore effort after his brilliant "In Bruges", starts off as a meta story about a screenwriter with writers block, dealing with a friend who kidnaps dogs only to return them for reward money. After stealing a gangster's dog, they are on the run from the mob. Yes this is a movie that knows it's a movie, but it doesn't stop there. McDonagh is a unique voice full of humour and wisdom about the effects of violence, which gives this dark comedy a silver lining.
4. The Master A film that once it had me did not let go. I found this to be a meditation on a lost soul searching for purpose and meaning, and what happens when the truth you are told turns out to be false. Helmed by a Joaquin Phoenix's brilliant performance, with the help of Phillip Seymore Hoffman, and Amy Adams, "The Master" feels like a tragic-comedy about the utter emptiness of life.
5. Silver Linings Playbook With the exception of the two kids in "Moonrise Kingdom", there was not a screen couple I didn't root for more than Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. A romantic comedy with hyper speed screwball dialogue as if lifted from 40s Howard Hawks comedies and brought to modern days. Lawrence in particular brings memories of the danger and goofiness of Barbara Stanwyck. Proof that romantic comedies are still alive and well, let's hope they continue with this type of energy.
6. Django Unchained Quentin Tarantino's latest is a fury of blood, and violence set in the deep south. The twist of this film that sets it apart from his others is Tarantino seems to actually not shy away from the real life atrocities that slavery is responsible for. The revenge tale depicted here seems to come from a deep personal place all dolled up in his usual b-movie fantasies, but if this is all that he delivers, sign me up for more.
7. Take This Waltz A stirring modern film about a woman who is tempted by betraying her very loving husband. A film about longing for something you think you need, with the thought of its pure excitement and passion overtaking you. It leaves you with a refreshing ending that will surely have you talking and debating. As she did with her first film "Away from Her", Polley has demonstrated an awareness and keen understanding of human relationships plus giving out natural performances.
8. The Dark Knight Rises An operatic film in the guise of a super hero genre piece. A film that deals with betrayal, loss, forgiveness, and redemption. It is framed in a story about overcoming fear even when it's all around you. Yes the idea that this is a Batman movie does not make its message subtle, but by piling pop culture icons into it, the film becomes intriguing and subversive.
9. Goon Filled with as much violence and strong language as "Seven Psychopaths" and "Django Unchained" put together, this ode to the good old hockey game and the tough guys who run it serves as great satire. Sean William Scott surprises as a guy who can't skate but can throw a punch, he becomes the heart of the team, and sticks up for them as a big kid with a big heart would do if any of them were bullied. One of those comedies that may have more than meets the eye if looked at closely.
10. Cloud Atlas The most ambitious film of the year. I can't say it's perfect, yet it cannot be overlooked as so many people have this year. A film about time, space, and connection. It splits genres from exciting sci-fi, 70s crime movies, British Black comedy, and costume drama. It's weaved and edited together with very old fashioned precision, one might think of D.W. Griffith's silent classic "Intolerance" which I saw for the first time right before seeing this. It lost a lot of money, very few people saw it, and most critics loathed it, a perfect recipe for a cult revival....here's hoping.
As I have said, this has been a great year for movies, I didn't have room to name they all on my top ten, yet here's a few more titles, I simply couldn't leave out.
The Deep Blue Sea which has the most dreamlike opening of any film this year plus a terrific performance by Rachel Weiz.
Bernie Richard Linklater's oddball comedy about a man convicted of murder even though his entire community loves him, featuring Jack Black's best performance.
Zero Dark Thirty Kathryn Bigalow's account of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden with a terrific central performance by Jessica Chastain
To Rome with Love I would agree with one critic who said if this film were done by a no name filmmaker and not Woody Allen, this film would be called a masterpiece. Just goes to show how we sometimes take Allen for granted, no matter he'll have a new film this year no doubt.
Flight A towering performance by Denzel Washington is one of the reasons to admire this film, but it also contains the most eye opening, nerve shattering sequence of the year, yes I'm talking about that plane crash, and it's not even an action movie.
Paperman This is an animated short, that played before "Wreck it Ralph". I saw "Wreck it Ralph" and enjoyed it, but "Paperman" is the film that I remembered the most.
Skyfall James Bond lives in an era where sophistication no longer reigns, yet this proved to be a grippin action movie with a nice Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem making a nice cat and mouse duo, plus you'll be humming Adele's song long after the credits roll.
Chronicle A terrific compact genre piece playing on the Super Hero mystique but only in a much more real world.
The Avengers The other side of the Super Hero coin, with some great one-liners.
Cabin in the Woods That Avengers guy Joss Whedon sure knows how to subvert a genre. This one is a meta horror movie with a funny and clever twist.
Argo A killer story, with a Hollywood twist. The opening sequence of this film is wonderfully directed.
Looper A great Sci-fi noir
Premium Rush An killer exercise in genre.
Beasts of the Southern Wild A great naturalistic fable about a poverty stricken sick father, and her ever tough, and resourceful daughter.
There are others, I am sure, but I think that's a nice little capper on the year. Again, I hope you see some if not most of these films. Am I wrong, am I completely out of left field? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Here's hoping 2013 is even better.
No comments:
Post a Comment