Jamie’s Top 12 Movies from 2013

MOVIES 2013

#1  Gravity

The reason why we watch movies is for that rush that you get in the theater when you see something you’ve never even imagined before.  I saw this movie in the theater, and after the first 10 minutes I was gripping my seat.  Awe inspiring, and breath taking. And I have no earthly idea how they filmed it.  Yes, some of the dialogue was silly and clunky, but this movie is why we spend money to go to the theater. 

#2 Frances Ha

This little black-and-white movie is the EXACT opposite as Gravity.  No other movie spoke directly to me in that late 20s-early 30s, not –a-kid but not-an-adult-yet  kind of way more than this.  I have told everyone who is younger than me that they must watch this film.  It really speaks to how as we get older we may not see our friends as much, but that doesn’t change how much you care about them.

#3 WOLF OF WALL STREET

This movie was like a spike of adrenaline right into your artery.  Scorsese and Leo (with a healthy dose of Jonah and a scoop of Matt McCon) are back and pushing the idea of a character study right to the edge.  The opulence, the excess, the late 90s ness.  Perfect tone, and right time for this type of flick.

#4 The Spectacular Now

My high school movie of the year.  The awkwardness of dating, drinking and caring about what other people think. A sweet movie that brought me back to what it felt to be in high school all over again.  A little melodramatic at times with the parent stuff (why do movies so rarely capture high school parents?), but I really enjoyed it.

#5 All is Lost

An unblinking, and captivating portrayl of a man lost at sea.  Redford is the only actor who could have pulled this off (maybe Paul Newman, but he’s dead).  He says about 4 word throughout the movie, but only an actor of his caliber and age could pull off a movie like this.  Think ‘Cast Away’ without the cheery ending.

#6 Place Beyond the Pines

Some movies go under noticed and under appreciated because they are released at the wrong time of year.  This movie was buried in the late spring, early summer time of Super Hero/Comic Book movies and got swallowed up.  It is a little long, but Ryan Gosling is really amazing and the way they wrap it up in the final half hour is really interesting. 

#7 Drinking Buddies

Can guys and girls just be friends? Olivia Wild and Jake Johnson (that guy from New Girl) work in a brewery, and drink.  The movie is just a little slice of life in their friendship, and how unsaid things can become glaringly obvious when just ignored. I feel these two are going to be around for a while.

#8 American Hustle

What can I say that hasn’t been said before?  The acting performances were amazing.  I liked how Amy Adams starts off the movie so strong, and then passes the actress baton to Jennifer Lawrence for her to finish down the final stretch.  J-Law is like an atom bomb in this movie. She steals every scene she is in, and you can’t take your eyes off her.  Too many people are down on this movie.  It’s a fun watch, and the hate has gone too far on this one.

#9 Fruitvale Station

Totally snubbed indie movie about the last day of Oscar Grant’s life.  Being from Oakland and having this case surround my life for so long gave me trepidations about seeing this movie, but after watching what Michael B Jordan did to make himself

#10 Prisoners

Another movie that got buried in the early spring, and snuck up on me.  Playing the father of an abducted girl, Hugh Jackman delivers the best performance of his career.  That and Jake Gylenhall is slowly becoming one of the best actors of the last 5 years.  And, I am prepared to argue this with anyone.

#11 Short Term 12

I love these slice-of-life type movies, especially the ones that are about growing up and becoming an adult.   This movie take place at a halfway house, and the lives of the workers and kids who live there.

#12 Blackfish

This doc makes you think about those animals kept in captivity soley for our enjoyment. 

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HONERABLE MENTIONS:

# Act of Killing (documentary)

This doc has staying power, it is the true story of the mass murder of communist citizens by Indonesian paramilitary troops.  The twist is that the director has the exact killers who committed the killings reenact them for a “movie” he is making.  These ex-murderers swell with pride as they recount their tales of horror, grinning to the cameras.  This is not an easy watch or a light movie, makes your stomach have that hollow empty feeling inside.

# Somm (documentary 2012)

An interesting doc about a group of four students studying for the Master Sommeliers certification that is pretty much the hardest test in the world.  The test includes a blind taste test (3 white, 3 red) where they have to explain what they taste and where exactly in the world the wine is from.  Really intriguing look behind the curtain on expensive wine tasting.

# Mud

Everyone revel in the year Matt McConnehey is having. Trust me. Its happening. Just breathe it in.

Haven’t seen yet: 

12 Years a Slave, Blue Jasmine, Inside Llewyn Davis, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers club, Catching Fire, Nebraska, Blue is the Warmest Color, August:Osage County, Her.

I have some work to do, gotta get back to my movies! 

Top movie of 2014: LEGO MOVIE! Everything is awesome!