Hey dudes. Last week Kurt Russell celebrated his 63rd birthday, so of course I celebrated with him by watching a few of his flicks. Specifically, Breakdown and Escape From New York. Obviously great movies, and ones that I had seen numerous times before. But something about this double feature really got me enamored with Russell and his ability to go from ultimate bad ass to ultimate everyman. So, let's take a few moments and remind ourselves just how fucking awesome Kurt Russell is.
To be clear though, I'd like to focus on Breakdown and Escape From New York. Neither one happened anywhere near the beginning or the end of his decades long career, and neither do they exemplify the full range of his ability. The man does it all. Comedy, drama, action, sci-fi, biography, disney. But there's something about these two roles that speak to me about all that is Kurt.
First, let's talk Escape From New York. Snake Plissken has a reputation that precedes him at every corner. To every criminal and authority figure he meets, it's acknowledged that this guy is something else. He has become so mythic, in fact, that almost everyone he meets thinks that he's already dead. It's interesting taking into account how much the film builds Snake's legend, giving hints into past missions. But fairly quickly, we learn that Snake isn't immortal or even particularly intimidating. Almost every threat he faces in the film go after him without intimidation. What we do find is that Snake is the ultimate self-preservationist. He is always able to escape a situation, but just barely. His entrance to New York is almost ruined by a shaky landing on top of the World Trade Center. He is somehow able to beat a gigantic warrior in a wrestling ring, despite having numerous injuries. And in the end, he is somehow able to get the President back safely just in time to stop war, as well as get the antidote to the virus he was given as motivation.
Snake is able to accomplish all of this not because he is superhuman, but because he is an asshole. As Kurt himself mused, Snake is an asshole, but not a dick. Snake's only concern is Snake. Snake simply doesn't give a shit. And it's that attitude that Kurt brings to the film that really elevates the character. I guess spoiler alert, but let's be real, you should have seen Escape From New York by now, but at the end of the film, Snake has the chance to do the right thing by his country. Instead, because the President was a dick towards him in a moment of vulnerability, Snake lets the President make a fool of himself in front of the entire world and potentially starts a new world war in the process.
It's so amazing that Kurt never plays him as heroic. Instead, he infuses an attitude that can only come across as bad ass.
And then somehow, he is able to do the exact opposite in Breakdown.
The plot and execution of Breakdown is so simple it hurts. During a cross country move a couple's new jeep breaks down. A seemingly nice trucker offers a ride to a pay phone ( it's 1997 after all) and the wife insists that she goes while the husband stays with the car suffering in the desert heat. Soon, the husband, played by Kurt, learns that his wife has been kidnapped and if he doesn't pay up a ransom she'll be dead.
The movie itself is unbelievably tense and feels a little too real. But the real joy is seeing Kurt play an everyman in a seemingly impossible situation. It's clear from the start that his character, Jeff, doesn't have a bad ass bone in his body. He is a normal guy, moving across country with his wife for a new job. As his situation becomes more dire, he reacts in a believable way, contacting the authorities at the first chance he gets and even retracing his steps to make sure he isn't overreacting.
It's an insane ride, and if you haven't seen Breakdown already, do so immediately as its on Netflix instant. Back to the point though, Jeff's motivation is more panic and desperation and love for his wife as opposed to Snake's simple self preserving ways, and Kurt brings both characters to life with great skill.
I only focused on these two roles simply because I just watched them, but they really don't begin to scratch the surface of how awesome Kurt Russell is. In terms of his bad ass characters, I feel like MacReady from The Thing is slightly more bad ass than Snake. But that's just me. Also, Jack Burton from Big Trouble in Little China is comedic bufoonery at its best. UGH, we haven't even mentioned Used Cars, Captain Ron, Tombstone, Overboard, Backdraft or Tango & Cash. TANGO & CASH! And yet there are still more not mentioned.
Look, the point of this post is that Kurt Russell is fucking awesome. I assume you already knew this, but on the slight chance you didn't, wake up and begin righting your wrong.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Divergent, Part 1
Alright, so I saw Divergent for Cary Citizen tonight and I kind of really liked it. It's nowhere near as campy as Twilight nor as exciting and entertaining as The Hunger Games, but there was enough teen angst and pretty people to keep me involved in its much too long 140 minute running time. I don't feel like giving two reviews of the flick, but I really wanted to get a few thoughts out immediately about why I liked it. My full review, which will post Monday or Tuesday, will go into a bit more detail about the films many flaws. For now though, I'm drinking wine and I want nothing more than to admit how much Divergent gave me great satisfaction in pretending I'm not actually 27 years old, but any other age younger than that.
I have to bring up Twilight again. In short, I love Twilight. I love them all. As films I mean, because I can't read. This is who I am. I find them to be campy and wonderful, and New Moon is actually legitimately captivating in a way I can't really describe.
As I said before, Divergent isn't as campy as Twilight, but it isn't afraid to embrace what it is, which is silly young adult fodder. And that's fine! I like shit like that. I mean, it's pretty silly when during what is supposed to be a defining moment where our female protagonist is discovering who she is and where she fits in this dystopian world that an Elle Goulding song comes on just to make sure we know what she is feeling.
It's that use of pop songs as way of character development that really pushes Divergent over the edge for me. Where The Hunger Games attempts to actually carve out genuine characters and stakes, Divergent just wants to manipulate and entertain.
Ugh, I'm drunk and I don't feel like I'm getting my point across very well. I like that Divergent wants to keep things simple. I think Shailene Woodley is kind of wonderful and I had some sort of vendetta against Theo James, the film's main hunk, before I saw the film. Of course, he proved to be easy to watch and also physically capable in the action scenes.
For some reason I am drawn to these young adult adaptations. Maybe it's because of my refusal to grow up or maybe it's due to the fact that I'm some kind of piece of shit, but Divergent pulled me in despite it's flaws, and I'm excited to see if it tries go the serious route ala The Hunger Games or if it embraces the ludicrousness of its premise like Twilight.
Again, I'll have an actual, more sober review in a few days. But for now know this, I liked Divergent, and that's OK.
I have to bring up Twilight again. In short, I love Twilight. I love them all. As films I mean, because I can't read. This is who I am. I find them to be campy and wonderful, and New Moon is actually legitimately captivating in a way I can't really describe.
As I said before, Divergent isn't as campy as Twilight, but it isn't afraid to embrace what it is, which is silly young adult fodder. And that's fine! I like shit like that. I mean, it's pretty silly when during what is supposed to be a defining moment where our female protagonist is discovering who she is and where she fits in this dystopian world that an Elle Goulding song comes on just to make sure we know what she is feeling.
It's that use of pop songs as way of character development that really pushes Divergent over the edge for me. Where The Hunger Games attempts to actually carve out genuine characters and stakes, Divergent just wants to manipulate and entertain.
Ugh, I'm drunk and I don't feel like I'm getting my point across very well. I like that Divergent wants to keep things simple. I think Shailene Woodley is kind of wonderful and I had some sort of vendetta against Theo James, the film's main hunk, before I saw the film. Of course, he proved to be easy to watch and also physically capable in the action scenes.
For some reason I am drawn to these young adult adaptations. Maybe it's because of my refusal to grow up or maybe it's due to the fact that I'm some kind of piece of shit, but Divergent pulled me in despite it's flaws, and I'm excited to see if it tries go the serious route ala The Hunger Games or if it embraces the ludicrousness of its premise like Twilight.
Again, I'll have an actual, more sober review in a few days. But for now know this, I liked Divergent, and that's OK.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
All Is Lost
All Is Lost stars Robert Redford as a nameless man who is forced into survival mode while sailing alone across the ocean. In terms of pure plot, that's pretty much it. Despite its simplicity though, All Is Lost proves to be an intense and satisfying piece of work featuring a great performance by Redford.
The film opens with a narration by Redford, one of the films only pieces of dialogue, and he's presumably saying his final goodbye before dying. The narration implies great regret, about what though we never find out. We never even know Redford's characters name, in the credits he's simply listed as 'Our Man'. Director J.C. Chandor specifically leaves out any kind of back story, instead focusing on Our Man's fight for survival and letting the audience fill in the blanks with whatever clues he leaves.
It's interesting to compare All Is Lost with Gravity, both are extremely simple survival tales on the surface, where one takes place in space and the other on the ocean. Of course, technically speaking, neither are simple but the executions of both make it seem that way. I've heard some rumbling that a lot of people thought Sandra Bullocks back story in Gravity felt a little forced and unnecessary, as many felt that being stranded in space was reason enough to get back to earth. I personally didn't mind it, but I liked seeing All Is Lost go the other route.
From beginning to end, Our Man remains calm and reacts realistically to every situation handed to him, revealing only once any ounce of frustration by dropping a much deserved "FUCK!" when the situation absolutely calls for it.
The few moments of action in the film are tense and palpable, while also feeling small and claustrophobic. All of the worst moments are filmed either inside the boats' cabin or inside the life raft. Even more impressive is the fact that it appears that Redford did as many of the stunts as possible. Not bad for 78 years old.
The real magic of his performance though is in the details. Like his opening narration, it seems that Our Man is filled with some great regret. It's not exactly there in every moment, but as things seem to get worse with every passing moment, it seems clear that he wishes he had said or done more. It's a beauty of a performance that I wish had gotten just a little more attention than it did last year.
Not the same roller coaster ride that Gravity delivers, All Is Lost instead goes smaller in both scale and amount of actors and proves to be just as tense and satisfying, albeit in much different ways. It doesn't hurt that Redford proves once more why he is such a legend in the medium. In short, see All Is Lost, see it now.
The film opens with a narration by Redford, one of the films only pieces of dialogue, and he's presumably saying his final goodbye before dying. The narration implies great regret, about what though we never find out. We never even know Redford's characters name, in the credits he's simply listed as 'Our Man'. Director J.C. Chandor specifically leaves out any kind of back story, instead focusing on Our Man's fight for survival and letting the audience fill in the blanks with whatever clues he leaves.
It's interesting to compare All Is Lost with Gravity, both are extremely simple survival tales on the surface, where one takes place in space and the other on the ocean. Of course, technically speaking, neither are simple but the executions of both make it seem that way. I've heard some rumbling that a lot of people thought Sandra Bullocks back story in Gravity felt a little forced and unnecessary, as many felt that being stranded in space was reason enough to get back to earth. I personally didn't mind it, but I liked seeing All Is Lost go the other route.
From beginning to end, Our Man remains calm and reacts realistically to every situation handed to him, revealing only once any ounce of frustration by dropping a much deserved "FUCK!" when the situation absolutely calls for it.
The few moments of action in the film are tense and palpable, while also feeling small and claustrophobic. All of the worst moments are filmed either inside the boats' cabin or inside the life raft. Even more impressive is the fact that it appears that Redford did as many of the stunts as possible. Not bad for 78 years old.
The real magic of his performance though is in the details. Like his opening narration, it seems that Our Man is filled with some great regret. It's not exactly there in every moment, but as things seem to get worse with every passing moment, it seems clear that he wishes he had said or done more. It's a beauty of a performance that I wish had gotten just a little more attention than it did last year.
Not the same roller coaster ride that Gravity delivers, All Is Lost instead goes smaller in both scale and amount of actors and proves to be just as tense and satisfying, albeit in much different ways. It doesn't hurt that Redford proves once more why he is such a legend in the medium. In short, see All Is Lost, see it now.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Top Ten of 2013
Hey dudes, here's another one of my top ten lists that's 3 months late. Actually, this one is a little later than usual. As my own personal rule, I try to make my list before the Oscars take place since it usually takes me that long to get caught up not just on the nominated films, but also ones that I just plain missed. Hell, I still haven't seen quite a few, like Short Term 12 or All is Lost. I plan on it, but you know, whatever.
2013 was kind of a ridiculously good year for movies which meant that making this list was more than a little difficult. I mean, we had Prisoners, Spring Breakers ( LOOK AT MY SHIT!), Mud, The Last Stand, Iron Man 3, Drinking Buddies, Prince Avalanche, Rush, Captain Phillips, Riddick, Before Midnight, The Place Beyond The Pines, Pacific Rim and The Way, Way Back. Shit man, and those are just a few of the good ones.
Before getting into the top then though, I would like to talk about a few that missed the list, but only just.
First up, The Wolverine. Let's be real, this movie fucking rules. Jackman is as committed and ripped as ever, with a storyline based on one of the mutants' most beloved tales from the comics. Director James Mangold gleefully shows off Logan in full berserker rage mode numerous times in The Wolverine, something that was only ever hinted at or shown once a film. Also, the director's cut is something of a rarity these days, an alternate cut of the film that actually improves on the theatrical version. It's only about 10 or so minutes longer, but we get an extended blood bath of a fight between Logan and some ninjas as well as the Wolverine saying 'fuck' a few more times. Seriously though, Mangold made a really solid Wolverine flick filled with great action and probably the best performance Jackman has given as the regenerating mutant. If this turns out to be the final solo film for him, it will certainly be one that left us wanting more.
Next up is 12 Years A Slave, one of the most brutal, haunting and honest depictions of slavery in America that's ever been put on film. Pretty much everything about this movie is great, and I'm genuinely glad it won Best Picture at the Oscars. If anything, I'm a little disappointed Paul Dano didn't get a little more love. Everyone who was nominated and/or won absolutely deserved their accolades, but Dano is a master of all things despicable, and he really made my skin crawl, more so even than Michael Fassbender's character. No matter though, the film is great and will long be remembered as a great piece of work.
Ok, so this one hurt. I really wanted this one in the top ten. Pain & Gain is the kind of movie that's basically made specifically for me. First off, it's directed by Michael Bay. Second, it stars Dwayne The Rock Johnson, no quotations required. Typically, I wouldn't need much else, but my man Bay decided to throw in Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris and a so unbelievable but it's true storyline that I really didn't have a choice but to love it. In fact, this review sums up my feelings pretty well.
Ok, the moment most of you don't care about. Here are my ten favorite movies from 2013.
10. This Is The End- Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the writers and star of Superbad and Pinapple Express, make their directing debut with one of the most insane, star studded, and smartest comedies of the year. Basically, a bunch of famous people gather at James Franco's house for a party, and the end of days begins. Everyone is the movie plays themselves, or at least a version of themselves, a fact that was unfortunately lost on a lot of people I know who didn't like the movie, but they were stupid so who cares. Rogen and Goldberg display great confidence as comedy directors, but their strength lies in their writing abilities. This Is The End really swings for the fences and goes to some genuinely weird places, but thanks to a lot of great jokes and a recurring theme of friendship that has popped up in just about all of their scripts, the film proves to be their best collaboration yet, and I can't wait to see that else they have up their sleeve.
9. Inside Llewyn Davis- Ah, the Coens. This is actually the only movie on the list that I haven't seen more than once. However, the Coens' ode to giving up on your dream has stayed with me nevertheless. Honestly, I need to see the film again before I can even think about doing a write up that will do the movie justice, but I couldn't ignore the effect the film had on me. Once again, the Coens' have cast the movie perfectly, with Oscar Isaac leading the way with an already criminally underrated performance as Llewyn Davis. If you haven't already, see this immediately.
8. The World's End- Oh hey, that other comedy about the end of the world. Edgar Wright re-teams with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost to finish their Cornetto Trilogy and the result is the trio's most accomplished work to date. Look, Shaun of the Dead is pretty much perfect, but I think in time The World's End will prove to be the best of the three. Like This Is The End, all three cornetto films had a strong friendship theme running through them, but none more so than The World's End. As per usual with Wright's films, it took me a second viewing to discover just how touching and rich with character detail The World's End is. Now, here's to a year plus wait to the inevitable awesomeness that is Ant-Man.
7. You're Next- You guys, this is a great fucking horror movie. I saw it in a huge theater with maybe 4 other people in attendance and it was still one of my favorite movie-going experiences of 2013. Granted, no else in the theater seemed to like it as much as I did, but fuck them. I know a lot of people who thought the hype train kind of killed this movie, and I think I can see why. The movie doesn't really bring anything new to the table. In fact, it's a pretty standard home invasion movie in terms of plot. However, the film delivers with its extremely dry sense of humor and a group of talented actors that make the characters more than just the next victim. Not to mention this flick features one of the most badass female characters in recent memory. Get over the hype and enjoy You're Next for what it is: one of the most fun slasher flicks in a long, long time.
6. Man of Steel- I fucking love this movie. I've said it since the first viewing, and somewhere in between I kind of had second thoughts. I never gave up on loving it, but I was very aware of the films faults. I still don't think it reaches the heights of even Batman Begins, but I think the film gets a lot right. Also, I'm just glad we got to see Superman on screen again. I know some would argue otherwise, saying that Superman never really saves anyone here, given that that's what he's known for. I can't argue that their wrong. I mean, he saves the world and all, but the great thing about Superman is that when he's not fighting supervillains, he's saving cat's from trees. No job is too small for Superman. That's just who he is, and I love him for it. I think Zack Snyder knows that, too. He just wanted to show us how that man learns that no job is too small. I could be completely wrong too, but it would make for great sequel fodder to show the Man of Steel learning from all the damage he caused during his fight with Zod. Will that happen? I have no idea, but I loved Henry Cavill's take on the character and I loved seeing a more alien version of Krypton. My favorite on screen iteration will always be Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie from 1978 with Christopher Reeve and I have a whole lot of love for Superman Returns too. Still, I love Man of Steel and even if the sequel screws it all up, and it might, I'll still have this action packed take on the iconic character to enjoy.
5. Her- Ugh, I still have a hard time putting into words just how much I loved this movie. It's basically a great exercise in learning from the love you lost and using that to move forward. The film itself isn't that simple, but that's the beauty of it. Look, just watch this movie. It's a Spike Jonze movie about a guy who falls in love with his operating system. Come on.
4. Gravity- I love it when big, expensive movies get it right. And I don't just mean be entertaining either. It doesn't hurt to have a genuine master behind the camera like Alfonso Cuaron, not to mention a huge bag of charisma and acting talent filled with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. Gravity was a movie that's meant to be seen on the big screen, but somehow still works on the small one. I can't verify it, but I'm sure being stranded in space might be fucking terrifying, and Cuaron realizes that fear brilliantly.
3. Fast & Furious 6- How has this franchise become so amazing? Oh yea, Justin Lin and his amazing eye for all things ridiculous and action related. Lin's love of this series bleeds through on every frame, and I'm going to have a hard time accepting anyone else at the helm. Not only has he raised the stakes in term of action with each entry, but he's insisted on maintaining a continuity with story and characters and its theme of family above all else that I can't help but find myself rooting for these guys every time.
2. About Time- This movie has officially replaced The Notebook and 13 Going on 30 as my favorite romantic anything. Don't fret, I still love The Notebook, and I'll probably revisit it most when I'm an emotional wreck for any reason, but About Time is one of the sweetest, most sincere movies I've ever seen. No other film from 2013 gave me such an emotional reaction. It's so rare to have a romantic comedy that depicts a normal couple that has typical problems that they deal with and resolve with actual communication and patience. It's just a minor plot point that the male lead just so happens to able to travel through time. It's a great set up, really, and the film actually becomes more of a father-son bonding flick than a straight romantic comedy, and I really can't recommend it enough. Does that make me a hopeless romantic? No. But watch it anyway.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street- What a fucking insane movie. The drugs, the sex, the depravity. I loved it all. Scorsese kind of outdid himself here. Time will tell just how high this will rank among his filmography, but for now it's at least a close second for my personal favorite DiCaprio/Scorsese collaboration behind The Aviator. So much has already been said about this movie that I can't really add much, other than it's an absolute must. DiCaprio gives a performance that goes from straight dramatic to downright physical comedy gold. Also, Jonah Hill masturbates publicly. Hilarious, profane, and it features Matthew McConaughey in a year that was full of Matthew McConaughey. In short, The Wolf of Wall Street was my favorite movie of 2013.
So there it is. Feel free to judge, as I hope you all will.
I'm seeing some movies for Cary Citizen this month, but I'm also seeing Need For Speed for myself, so I'll come back here and say things about that movie.
Until then, suck it.
2013 was kind of a ridiculously good year for movies which meant that making this list was more than a little difficult. I mean, we had Prisoners, Spring Breakers ( LOOK AT MY SHIT!), Mud, The Last Stand, Iron Man 3, Drinking Buddies, Prince Avalanche, Rush, Captain Phillips, Riddick, Before Midnight, The Place Beyond The Pines, Pacific Rim and The Way, Way Back. Shit man, and those are just a few of the good ones.
Before getting into the top then though, I would like to talk about a few that missed the list, but only just.
First up, The Wolverine. Let's be real, this movie fucking rules. Jackman is as committed and ripped as ever, with a storyline based on one of the mutants' most beloved tales from the comics. Director James Mangold gleefully shows off Logan in full berserker rage mode numerous times in The Wolverine, something that was only ever hinted at or shown once a film. Also, the director's cut is something of a rarity these days, an alternate cut of the film that actually improves on the theatrical version. It's only about 10 or so minutes longer, but we get an extended blood bath of a fight between Logan and some ninjas as well as the Wolverine saying 'fuck' a few more times. Seriously though, Mangold made a really solid Wolverine flick filled with great action and probably the best performance Jackman has given as the regenerating mutant. If this turns out to be the final solo film for him, it will certainly be one that left us wanting more.
Next up is 12 Years A Slave, one of the most brutal, haunting and honest depictions of slavery in America that's ever been put on film. Pretty much everything about this movie is great, and I'm genuinely glad it won Best Picture at the Oscars. If anything, I'm a little disappointed Paul Dano didn't get a little more love. Everyone who was nominated and/or won absolutely deserved their accolades, but Dano is a master of all things despicable, and he really made my skin crawl, more so even than Michael Fassbender's character. No matter though, the film is great and will long be remembered as a great piece of work.
Ok, so this one hurt. I really wanted this one in the top ten. Pain & Gain is the kind of movie that's basically made specifically for me. First off, it's directed by Michael Bay. Second, it stars Dwayne The Rock Johnson, no quotations required. Typically, I wouldn't need much else, but my man Bay decided to throw in Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris and a so unbelievable but it's true storyline that I really didn't have a choice but to love it. In fact, this review sums up my feelings pretty well.
Ok, the moment most of you don't care about. Here are my ten favorite movies from 2013.
10. This Is The End- Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the writers and star of Superbad and Pinapple Express, make their directing debut with one of the most insane, star studded, and smartest comedies of the year. Basically, a bunch of famous people gather at James Franco's house for a party, and the end of days begins. Everyone is the movie plays themselves, or at least a version of themselves, a fact that was unfortunately lost on a lot of people I know who didn't like the movie, but they were stupid so who cares. Rogen and Goldberg display great confidence as comedy directors, but their strength lies in their writing abilities. This Is The End really swings for the fences and goes to some genuinely weird places, but thanks to a lot of great jokes and a recurring theme of friendship that has popped up in just about all of their scripts, the film proves to be their best collaboration yet, and I can't wait to see that else they have up their sleeve.
9. Inside Llewyn Davis- Ah, the Coens. This is actually the only movie on the list that I haven't seen more than once. However, the Coens' ode to giving up on your dream has stayed with me nevertheless. Honestly, I need to see the film again before I can even think about doing a write up that will do the movie justice, but I couldn't ignore the effect the film had on me. Once again, the Coens' have cast the movie perfectly, with Oscar Isaac leading the way with an already criminally underrated performance as Llewyn Davis. If you haven't already, see this immediately.
8. The World's End- Oh hey, that other comedy about the end of the world. Edgar Wright re-teams with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost to finish their Cornetto Trilogy and the result is the trio's most accomplished work to date. Look, Shaun of the Dead is pretty much perfect, but I think in time The World's End will prove to be the best of the three. Like This Is The End, all three cornetto films had a strong friendship theme running through them, but none more so than The World's End. As per usual with Wright's films, it took me a second viewing to discover just how touching and rich with character detail The World's End is. Now, here's to a year plus wait to the inevitable awesomeness that is Ant-Man.
7. You're Next- You guys, this is a great fucking horror movie. I saw it in a huge theater with maybe 4 other people in attendance and it was still one of my favorite movie-going experiences of 2013. Granted, no else in the theater seemed to like it as much as I did, but fuck them. I know a lot of people who thought the hype train kind of killed this movie, and I think I can see why. The movie doesn't really bring anything new to the table. In fact, it's a pretty standard home invasion movie in terms of plot. However, the film delivers with its extremely dry sense of humor and a group of talented actors that make the characters more than just the next victim. Not to mention this flick features one of the most badass female characters in recent memory. Get over the hype and enjoy You're Next for what it is: one of the most fun slasher flicks in a long, long time.
6. Man of Steel- I fucking love this movie. I've said it since the first viewing, and somewhere in between I kind of had second thoughts. I never gave up on loving it, but I was very aware of the films faults. I still don't think it reaches the heights of even Batman Begins, but I think the film gets a lot right. Also, I'm just glad we got to see Superman on screen again. I know some would argue otherwise, saying that Superman never really saves anyone here, given that that's what he's known for. I can't argue that their wrong. I mean, he saves the world and all, but the great thing about Superman is that when he's not fighting supervillains, he's saving cat's from trees. No job is too small for Superman. That's just who he is, and I love him for it. I think Zack Snyder knows that, too. He just wanted to show us how that man learns that no job is too small. I could be completely wrong too, but it would make for great sequel fodder to show the Man of Steel learning from all the damage he caused during his fight with Zod. Will that happen? I have no idea, but I loved Henry Cavill's take on the character and I loved seeing a more alien version of Krypton. My favorite on screen iteration will always be Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie from 1978 with Christopher Reeve and I have a whole lot of love for Superman Returns too. Still, I love Man of Steel and even if the sequel screws it all up, and it might, I'll still have this action packed take on the iconic character to enjoy.
5. Her- Ugh, I still have a hard time putting into words just how much I loved this movie. It's basically a great exercise in learning from the love you lost and using that to move forward. The film itself isn't that simple, but that's the beauty of it. Look, just watch this movie. It's a Spike Jonze movie about a guy who falls in love with his operating system. Come on.
4. Gravity- I love it when big, expensive movies get it right. And I don't just mean be entertaining either. It doesn't hurt to have a genuine master behind the camera like Alfonso Cuaron, not to mention a huge bag of charisma and acting talent filled with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. Gravity was a movie that's meant to be seen on the big screen, but somehow still works on the small one. I can't verify it, but I'm sure being stranded in space might be fucking terrifying, and Cuaron realizes that fear brilliantly.
3. Fast & Furious 6- How has this franchise become so amazing? Oh yea, Justin Lin and his amazing eye for all things ridiculous and action related. Lin's love of this series bleeds through on every frame, and I'm going to have a hard time accepting anyone else at the helm. Not only has he raised the stakes in term of action with each entry, but he's insisted on maintaining a continuity with story and characters and its theme of family above all else that I can't help but find myself rooting for these guys every time.
2. About Time- This movie has officially replaced The Notebook and 13 Going on 30 as my favorite romantic anything. Don't fret, I still love The Notebook, and I'll probably revisit it most when I'm an emotional wreck for any reason, but About Time is one of the sweetest, most sincere movies I've ever seen. No other film from 2013 gave me such an emotional reaction. It's so rare to have a romantic comedy that depicts a normal couple that has typical problems that they deal with and resolve with actual communication and patience. It's just a minor plot point that the male lead just so happens to able to travel through time. It's a great set up, really, and the film actually becomes more of a father-son bonding flick than a straight romantic comedy, and I really can't recommend it enough. Does that make me a hopeless romantic? No. But watch it anyway.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street- What a fucking insane movie. The drugs, the sex, the depravity. I loved it all. Scorsese kind of outdid himself here. Time will tell just how high this will rank among his filmography, but for now it's at least a close second for my personal favorite DiCaprio/Scorsese collaboration behind The Aviator. So much has already been said about this movie that I can't really add much, other than it's an absolute must. DiCaprio gives a performance that goes from straight dramatic to downright physical comedy gold. Also, Jonah Hill masturbates publicly. Hilarious, profane, and it features Matthew McConaughey in a year that was full of Matthew McConaughey. In short, The Wolf of Wall Street was my favorite movie of 2013.
So there it is. Feel free to judge, as I hope you all will.
I'm seeing some movies for Cary Citizen this month, but I'm also seeing Need For Speed for myself, so I'll come back here and say things about that movie.
Until then, suck it.
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