Count Down 100 Movies from 2013 (Multiple users) Tele page 20

[Hiccup]

Blackfish was eye-opening. Second most eye-opening film of 2013 after 12 Years A Slave. 

[Hiccup]

#12. Pacific Rim

 

Review- Breathtaking visual effects, excellent 3D, and a thrilling premise, Pacific Rim rises as one of the best science fiction blockbusters in a long time. I liked how the film was serious yet had humor to it (Charlie Day was fantastic). All the actors did a great job in the film. I think the thing I loved the most about it was the stunning visuals. The monsters were fun and each different. The score was really good and one of the few film scores I have actually bought. Too bad this didn't do well domestically. it deserves more. 

[Hiccup]

#11. Monsters University

 

Review- Monsters University had a lot to live up too. Monsters Inc is the third best Pixar film to date (following Toy Story 3 and Up) so I am kind of surprised how Monsters University made it on my chart. Early in the year I would have thought this would be locked in the Top 5 but as its released day approached I began to doubt the films potential and definitely was thinking a sub 20 on the Top 25. I wasn't blown away by Monsters University mostly because it just didn't carry the deep script and story Pixar is known and loved for. However the story was delightful and fun especially for a college aged person like me. The animation is the best for the year hands down. I loved the variety for monsters Pixar created. Monsters University has shown me that Pixar is capable of producing good sequels. 

Edited January 31, 2014 by Hiccup

[Hiccup]

Guess the Top 10!

 

3 of the films grossed over 200M

 

2 of the films grossed less than 50M

 

3 of the films are Best Picture candidates

 

1 of the films is negative on RT

 

3 are sequels

 

4 are based of actually events

 

Good luck!

[Hiccup]

#10-#6 will be revealed tomorrow morning!

 

Stay tuned and discuss

[Michael Gary Scott]

What, you didnt like Saving Mr. Banks?

havent seen it yet

[Jack Nevada]

Okay, that's it for today. Come back tomorrow for some more movies as we get closer to the top 10. 

[tawasal]

Did you like it? I try to get a few of these out later tonight.

Yeah, I did like it. Would also make my top 30. 

[Jack Nevada]

18. Behind the Candelabra

 

Well, I'm breaking my own rules and putting Behind the Candelabra on the list anyway. I'm glad I did. This is one of the funniest, darkest and most entertaining biopics I've seen, with flawless performances from Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. It's essentially a horror story of obsession and ownership done with a wicked sense of humor and directorial flair. This is supposed to be Steven Soderbergh's final movie before his retirement. If it is true, he really went out on a high note. Shame you lot didn't get to see this in theaters, btw.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Jack Nevada

[Jack Nevada]

17. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

 

Hunger Games, the surprise hit of 2012, was already an exciting and smart piece of sci-fi, but the hugely satisfying sequel Catching Fire (which went on to outgross the original by 12M) is on a whole another level. It's obviously not quite up there, but The Empire Strikes Back comparisons some people have been making aren't far fetched: it is bigger, better, darker and more complex than the original in every possible way. They not only make the setpieces more spectacular, but also take the satirical elements, which were already present but underutilized in the first one, into a more chilling and genuinely grim territory, which I liked very much.

 

The movie also boasts Jennifer Lawrence's most impressive performance yet. She really makes Katniss into one of the most compelling heroines in cinema. 

 

Outstanding. 

Edited January 30, 2014 by Jack Nevada

[Jack Nevada]

16. Pacific Rim

 

Pacific Rim is probably the most beautiful, lovingly made "giant robots smashing giant monsters" movie we're going to see in a very long time. Yes, it's cheesy and earnest and silly, but it's just that lack of cynicism that makes it one of the best blockbusters of recent years. It's handsomely crafted from the stunning production design to the city-destroying action scenes, with Guillermo Del Toro at the height of his creative powers. He totally knows what he's doing and never puts a foot wrong. 

Edited January 31, 2014 by Jack Nevada

[Jack Nevada]

15. The Conjuring

 

I'm not really a big horror fan, but I do know a great horror movie when I see one. The Conjuring is a great horror movie. You've heard me bang on about 2012's Sinister, which I still think is a superior movie, but The Conjuring is not far behind. It's brilliant.

 

The Conjuring is from director James Wan, who started his career with Saw (which I haven't seen), and then in 2011 went on to make the frankly mediocre Insidious, a movie that peaked during its opening credits. Incidentally, the sequel Insidious: Chapter Two, which also came out last year, is far better than the original and along with The Conjuring demonstrate just what a master craftsman Mr. Wan has become since Insidious. 

 

Wan directs with incredible accuracy but his films don't come across as labored. His sense of timing is perfect. And horror is most definitely about timing. Just look at the scene where Lili Taylor plays hide-and-clap with the youngest daughter, and the big burly man-hands come out of the wardrobe, clapping. That sent a shiver down my spine. The Conjuring is full of creepy little moments like that, not to forget big scares throughout. I have never jumped as much as watching this on the big screen. I was alone on the balcony at a late night screening. It was great. 

 

The movie also has a pretty good script and characters I actually cared about, played by proper actors. So that combined with the satisfying scares, the sharp directing and huge entertainment value makes it fully deserving of its #15 spot on my list. 

Edited January 31, 2014 by Jack Nevada

[Hiccup]

#10. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

 

Review: Sequels are rarely better than the original film and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues accomplishes this feat. I almost passed out twice in the film from laughing so hard and I am a person who rarely laughs out loud in movies. I loved the awkward humor throughout the film and I like how the played up Brick's role in the movie. I saw it three times in theaters and have yet to get bored and not laugh my ass off. The film clearly plays to its already specific established audience so I am not that surprised it wasn't a smashing 150M+ hit like people thought. It is a great film and is the best comedy of the year. Definitely check it out! The ending battle will give you an orgasm with all the cameos. I think I pissed myself with excitement and joy when the cameos appeared. 

[Hiccup]

#9. Captain Philips

 

Review: I didn't think this film would be as good as I thought it was when I went to see it in theaters. The acting is beyond amazing and the script and story will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is very suspenseful for a film based off an actual event. This definitely needs to win Best Adopted Screenplay. The film grabs your attention immediately and holds it throughout the entire film. I didn't find a dull moment. I am pissed Tom Hanks was not nominated for Best Actor because I think he deserves at least a nomination...maybe not a win though. 

Edited January 31, 2014 by Hiccup

[baumer]

Great write up for Anchorman.  Very astute.  I am one of those who thought it would do 150 but you are right, the humour is very secular and kind of esoteric.  So even though there are a lot of us who love it, it never really blew up the way I thought it would.

[Hiccup]

Great write up for Anchorman.  Very astute.  I am one of those who thought it would do 150 but you are right, the humour is very secular and kind of esoteric.  So even though there are a lot of us who love it, it never really blew up the way I thought it would.

 

Before the movie came out I was definitely on the +150 boat too (I think I was saying 180-190M?) but after I saw it on midnight my opinion changed. 

[baumer]

Nice job so far, Jack.  I enjoy reading your opinions, even if I don't agree with all of them.

[Hiccup]

#8. Despicable Me 2

 

Review: Basically a repeat of what I said about Anchorman 2 and sequels, Despicable Me 2 is the best animated film of 2013 hands done. I absolutely loved the film! It had a terrific storyline and the animation is amazing for the tiny budget. I am surprised how they can pull it off. The humor is spot on and doesn't get too degrading or childish. The ending when the minions sing I Swear before the wedding had me, my friend, and my brother gasping for air because we were laughing so hard. This was the most fun and entertaining film of 2013 easily. I am so delighted that Universal managed to pull of what I consider the second best animated sequel of all time (After Toy Story 2..I mean what can beat Toy Story ). Congrats Universal! Don't f*ck up Despicable Me 3 or The Minions

 

[Jack Nevada]

14. Spring Breakers

 

I have never seen a movie like Spring Breakers before. I've seen it three times now and I'm still not quite sure what to think about it. But the thing is, I keep coming back to it. It's fascinating.

 

Spring Breakers is a grotesque but often strangely beautiful nightmare of jiggling bodies, urine, drugs, neon colors and violence, that can be seen as just a booty shaking movie with some guns or a critique on materialism and how over-sexualized our society has became, and the pressures it creates for girls. The four main girls in the movie (played by Selena Gomez, Rachel Korine, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson) are on one hand independent young women doing what they want to do, but it's just strange seeing one of them writhing on the ground in her bikini, singing "You're not getting this pussy" to a group of fratboys. It's like these kids are just repeating stuff from porn films without really knowing what they're doing. Another shot that stuck with me was from the opening sequence with a bunch of guys holding beer bottles to their crotches and "peeing" on naked girls. All of this could be seen as too obvious and a form of puritanical finger-wagging, which it most definitely is to a certain degree, but I think its timely and quite effective, and director Harmony Korine definitely gets his point across. 

 

I have to mention James Franco. He gives one heck of a memorable performance as the ratty wigger Alien who bails the girls out of jail after yet another drug fueled bacchanal. Alien is a loser and a weak mean hiding behind his grills, his guns and the rest of his "sheeeit" like he proudly announces in one of the best scenes of the movie. Franco is also the star of one of the highlights of last year, the destined-to-be-classic Britney Spears montage. 

 

Rarely does a movie manages to baffle, shock me and fascinate me as much Spring Breakers does. I will be seeing it again. 

Edited January 31, 2014 by Jack Nevada

[Ezen Baklattan]

Great list, Jack. I really like your crisp write ups and strong film choices.