The credit lists have been published, the award nominations have been announced, and the also-rans have begun to slip into memory. Therefore, it seems a bit anticlimactic for me to publish my top ten of the year. Of course, the official reason is that I waited until a) I had time and b) I had a chance to see a few more of the "Oscar"-y movies. There are still several that I haven't seen (12 Years a Slave, All Is Lost, The Book Thief and others), but I can share my thoughts on the ones that I did see. So, here ya go:
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two (AKA "Iron Man 3" and "Thor: The Dark World") - The more I think about what Marvel Studios has managed to do with its "Cinematic Universe", the more I think that the films are a significant as the Harry Potter films in terms of success to risk ratio. In addition, both of the newest additions to their library manage to entertain and surprise, which is very difficult for a superhero sequel to do. I can't wait to see this year's contributions, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and "Guardians of the Galaxy."
"Monsters University" - Not the best Pixar movie, but sure a lot of fun anyway. As much as I enjoyed "Despicable Me 2", "M.U. was far more deserving of an Oscar nomination, if for it's thoughtful message alone.
"Pacific Rim" - To quote the "Honest Trailer" treatment of this film, "It's either the dumbest smart movie ever made or the smartest dumb movie ever made. Either way, man, I can't wait to see it again."
"The Croods" - Do not underestimate the talent of director Chris Sanders. He's directed three films. None of them were expected to be much of anything and all three surprised audiences and critics alike with their heart, intelligence, and ability to find depth in seemingly shallow plots. "Lilo and Stitch", "How to Train Your Dragon", and now "The Croods." This is a streak of great films almost the equal of those of Brad Bird. Here's hoping it continues.
"Enough Said" - The plot of this film could've come from the most stereotypical romantic comedy. An awkward meet/cute, the quirky best-friend, the ridiculously contrived obstacle designed to separate our heroes, they're all there. However, what this film has that escapes the vast majority of rom-coms is a one two punch of great, realistic acting and thoughtful, understated dialogue. Even the side characters, which are usually the most grating aspect of these types of films, are richly developed and relatable. Of special note is the chemistry between the late James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Both performances are career cappers, especially that of Louis-Dreyfuss, who not only demonstrates a realistic ease with the comedy, but gracefully, heartbreakingly, and deftly handles the drama as well.
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" - Haven't read the books, but I was far more invested in this film than the first, as it switches from a less-grisly American take on "Battle Royale" to the revolution story it always wanted to be.
"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" - Yeah, I know it's different from the book, but.....Smaug. SMAUG! Quite simply, the most captivating villain of the year and the best looking dragon ever put on screen.
Now, to the top ten......
10. "The Way Way Back" - On the surface, "The Way Way Back" is just another quirky independent coming-of-age comedy, but more than most, this one has a fully committed cast (including the terrific Sam Rockwell, the always dependable Toni Collette, and the uncharacteristically heinous Steve Carrell), plus a sharp and witty script written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, both of whom built careers as comic actors, but became Oscar winners because of their writing skills. Loosely based on Rash's own youth, "The Way Way Back" is an entertaining look at the moments in life when we realize adults aren't perfect and we're capable of far more than we ever imagined and it stays with the viewer long after the closing credits roll.
9. "42" - This may not be the best sports movie ever made, but it's a solid biopic about one of the greatest sports figures in history, Jackie Robinson. This isn't the first, nor will it be the last film about the great baseball hall-of-famer, but it boasts two fantastic performances. One from Harrison Ford as the Dodger's owner Branch Rickey, who has his own personal and poignant reasons for wanting to desegregate professional baseball, and another from Chadwick Boseman, who brings a noble humanity to his portrayal of Robinson, a role that could have easily just been a reverent lionization.
8. "Philomena" - While "Philomena" doesn't have the lasting emotional impact of director Stephen Frears best films ("The Queen" still packs a wollop whenever I see it), but it does contain one of the best performances in Dame Judy Dench's career, which is saying a heck of a lot. Also, comic actor Steve Coogan delivers a solid portrayal of the reporter who helps Dench's Philomena Lee locate the son that was taken from her in her youth. A thought-provoking and moving film.
7. "Lee Daniels' The Butler" - This film was ridiculously and undeservedly shut out of the Oscar nominations, which is a shame. It's contains some of the best performances in recent memory, especially Forest Whitaker as the strong, long-suffering title character, a man who uses his skills as a humble butler to slowly change the world in the service of U.S. Presidents from the 50's to the 80's.
6. "Frozen" - The song score of "Frozen" isn't the insta-classic kind like that of "Beauty and the Beast", but the music is certainly fun and the story one of the most innovative, yet traditional takes on a fairy tale film that Disney's come up with in decades. Changing from a standard "true love's kiss" kind of story to a tale of female empowerment and sisterly bonding, "Frozen" is a film that will be treasured by many for ages.
5. "Saving Mr. Banks" - The biggest oversight in the Oscar nominations this week, for me at least, was the lack of recognition for Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers in "Saving Mr. Banks." Ms. Travers, a character that, as written, is cold, aloof, and completely off-putting, is given a complexity by Thompson that makes her seem positively heroic as she fights against Walt Disney (terrifically played by Tom Hanks) to protect her dear Mary Poppins. Some of the suppositions about Travers real-life inspirations may not be grounded in verifiable fact, but it makes for engaging and inspiring film making.
4. "Blue Jasmine" - I've never made a secret of the fact that I find most of Woody Allen's early work to be over-rated. However, between "Midnight in Paris" and "Blue Jasmine", his later work is winning me over. While "Midnight in Paris" was a fanciful look at the myth of nostalgia, "Blue Jasmine" is a heartbreaking take on the myth of happiness in wealth. The commercials might have made it look like a sharp, comedic look at the battle of the classes, "Blue Jasmine" is far darker, with a devastating performance by Cate Blanchett as an intelligent woman losing her mind thanks to memories of a failed marriage and a dependence on medicated escape. With Emma Thompson out of the Oscar race, this one has Blanchett's name written all over it.
3. "Star Trek Into Darkness" - You might disagree, and that's your prerogative, but the oddly titled "Star Trek Into Darkness" was an ideal follow up to JJ Abrams 2009 franchise re-boot. Sure, he could have easily taken the cast into a totally new direction with new aliens, but by revolving the story around characters well-known to fans of the original Star Trek cast, Abrams continued to explore the complex consequences of starting up a new timeline, most interestingly the changes in character found in Kirk and Spock as a result of their changed lives in the previous film. Now that Abrams has been handed the keys to a "galaxy far, far away" too, it may be the first time that I've enjoyed a Star Trek film so much that it makes me beyond excited to see the next Star Wars movie.
2. "Captain Phillips" - Let me be clear. This is not a film I'll watch every weekend. It's gut-wrenchingly emotional and almost unbearably intense, but it's an amazingly taut look at the real-life kidnapping of a freighter captain by Somali pirates. The final 15 minutes contain the best acting ever in Tom Hanks career. Let that set in. Truly an outstanding film.
1. "Gravity" - Quite simply, "Gravity" is unlike any film I've ever seen before. Sure, it has moments similar to "2001" and "Apollo 13", but as directed by Alfonso Cuaron and terrifically acted by Sandra Bullock, it almost feels like there just happened to be a camera floating in space that fortuitously captured the extraordinary events depicted. In addition, there was no film that stayed with me longer after the viewing this year. Truly, a film that through the dedication and vision of its makers reminds us all the type of rare magic that can happen on the big screen.
So, that's 2013. As a look ahead, here are the ten movies that I'm most looking forward to in 2014:
10. Muppets Most Wanted - because....Muppets!
9. Big Hero 6 - Disney animation takes on a Marvel property. Should be interesting.
8. The Monuments Men - I was bummed when this one was moved from 2013, but I love the cast and the true-story premise.
7. The Hobbit: There and Back Again - As much as the 2nd film differed from the book, it did set things up perfectly for a hugely eventful final chapter.
6. Captain America: The Winter Solder - The elevator scene shown in the preview was the best action scene I saw last year. Can't wait to see if the rest of the movie matches up.
5. Into the Woods - Though I'm a little nervous about this one, if they hit it out of the park it will be one of the best movie musicals ever.
4. Interstellar - Christopher Nolan does sci-fi. 'Nuff said.
3. How to Train Your Dragon 2 - A sequel to one of the best non-Pixar animated films of the last 20 years. Lots of potential here.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy - Marvel does sci-fi/comedy, plus one of the most unique casts for a big-budget tentpole film ever. Great or horrible, it certainly won't be boring.
1. X-Men: Days of Future Past - Every bit of info that comes out just feels epic. Also, it's about time that Bryan Singer had another mega-hit.
Thanks for reading. Here's looking forward to another great year at the movies!
