We'll concede off the top that "best" isn't exactly a scientific term. It depends who you ask. Then of course not all the contenders are in. And we admit we still haven't caught the second part of The Hobbit yet. So, a little hedging of one's bets is called for.
We're going to go out on a limb, though and anticipate that - since they were produced more or less simultaneously - part 2 will share the first installment's virtues and vices: which is to say, somewhat fresher humor than was expected, but a tad excessive on the action front. Lord of the Rings mostly did well striking the right balance between action and introspection. (You know, all that dark night of soul, battling the evil within, stuff.) Part one of the Hobbit erred too much in the direction of the action genre. Hope reigns supreme though that the second part will recover the initial recipe of the franchise's success. The jury is still out.
Nevertheless, taking account of those movies that have been released, as well as our secret advance screenings, we are confident declaring our choice for the best movie of 2013! Now, some will say that majority rules. The people have voted with their hard earned dollars. There may be something to be said for that.
So, in a sop to populism, we will acknowledge that in this category the winner is Iron Man 3. This morning Box Office Mojo had it listed as running up into the territory of $410 million Shekels in box office grosses. And, I can't resist just a brief digression of personal amazement. Honestly, who ever would have predicted that the protagonist of The Pick-Up Artist and Two Girls and a Guy, or the persona of Larry Paul from Ally McBeal , would be the superhero star of a megabuck action franchise? Well, sure fooled me. That's almost as nuts as little Tobey Maguire being the superhero star of a megabuck action franchise. And that could never happen, right?
Well, be all that as it may, this movie watchdog is no democracy. We've got our own idiosyncratic ways of choosing the best movies. And behinds-in-seats is not it. I certainly would be sympathetic you anyone who insisted that the delightful and intriguing Sound City in fact deserved the honors. This great documentary reveals the story behind the story, giving us the scoop on one of the best kept secrets in American popular culture. Hidden away in the San Fernando Valley, amid ramshackle warehouses, an extraordinary studio, with amazing technical capacities, became a recording shrine for iconic names among American pop and rock musicians.
Those ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Neil Young, to Nirvana and Metallica made the trek to the studio so far off the beaten track. The film tells the story of the studio through the eyes of those whose music was so influenced by its contribution to the contemporary music sound. This is really a great movie experience. However, really, we're not going to be so namby-pamby as to name a doc best movie of the year. Come on, now.
No sir, here at Best Movies of 2013, we're leading the charge, of what we expect to be a critical avalanche and making it official (unofficially) that our best movie of the year is Le Week-End. Don't worry; it's not one of those obscure, self-indulgent foreign films. (Heck a documentary would be better than that.) The French flavored name refers to the setting, in Paris. There we find a British couple on the last legs of their relationship. The performances are brilliantly acted by the still exquisitely beautiful Lindsay Duncan and the heart-breaking dowdiness of Jim Broadbent.
It would be a shame to give too much away. The dialogue is too die for, with all its bite and subtle insinuation. Let's just say, if you enjoyed Richard Linklater's Before Sunset series, just try picturing the barbs and retorts that might be forthcoming from Jesse and Celine in the twilight of their relationship. Then you'll have some idea.
Also in need of special recognition is the magnificent supporting performance of Jeff Goldblum. In the twilight of his career he has become something of a master at there richly textured, ambiguous character roles. The one in Le Week-End doesn't rival his darkly menacing portrayal in Igby Goes Down, but it's a memorable performance. Indeed, I suspect it is one we'll all look back upon fondly when reflecting on the tall guy's great career.
And so, now you know, the die is cast, the truth is told, our favorite for 2013 is revealed. Or, anyway, that's our story and we're sticking to it. Unquestionably, there were some other excellent offerings, which have received a well deserved not. Le Week-End, with its dark and brooding, funny and cruel, rich dialogue, that scorches the soul even as it may well up a tear or two, is our pick for the best of the best movies of 2013. If you think we're wrong, let us know why.
We're going to go out on a limb, though and anticipate that - since they were produced more or less simultaneously - part 2 will share the first installment's virtues and vices: which is to say, somewhat fresher humor than was expected, but a tad excessive on the action front. Lord of the Rings mostly did well striking the right balance between action and introspection. (You know, all that dark night of soul, battling the evil within, stuff.) Part one of the Hobbit erred too much in the direction of the action genre. Hope reigns supreme though that the second part will recover the initial recipe of the franchise's success. The jury is still out.
Nevertheless, taking account of those movies that have been released, as well as our secret advance screenings, we are confident declaring our choice for the best movie of 2013! Now, some will say that majority rules. The people have voted with their hard earned dollars. There may be something to be said for that.
So, in a sop to populism, we will acknowledge that in this category the winner is Iron Man 3. This morning Box Office Mojo had it listed as running up into the territory of $410 million Shekels in box office grosses. And, I can't resist just a brief digression of personal amazement. Honestly, who ever would have predicted that the protagonist of The Pick-Up Artist and Two Girls and a Guy, or the persona of Larry Paul from Ally McBeal , would be the superhero star of a megabuck action franchise? Well, sure fooled me. That's almost as nuts as little Tobey Maguire being the superhero star of a megabuck action franchise. And that could never happen, right?
Well, be all that as it may, this movie watchdog is no democracy. We've got our own idiosyncratic ways of choosing the best movies. And behinds-in-seats is not it. I certainly would be sympathetic you anyone who insisted that the delightful and intriguing Sound City in fact deserved the honors. This great documentary reveals the story behind the story, giving us the scoop on one of the best kept secrets in American popular culture. Hidden away in the San Fernando Valley, amid ramshackle warehouses, an extraordinary studio, with amazing technical capacities, became a recording shrine for iconic names among American pop and rock musicians.
Those ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Neil Young, to Nirvana and Metallica made the trek to the studio so far off the beaten track. The film tells the story of the studio through the eyes of those whose music was so influenced by its contribution to the contemporary music sound. This is really a great movie experience. However, really, we're not going to be so namby-pamby as to name a doc best movie of the year. Come on, now.
No sir, here at Best Movies of 2013, we're leading the charge, of what we expect to be a critical avalanche and making it official (unofficially) that our best movie of the year is Le Week-End. Don't worry; it's not one of those obscure, self-indulgent foreign films. (Heck a documentary would be better than that.) The French flavored name refers to the setting, in Paris. There we find a British couple on the last legs of their relationship. The performances are brilliantly acted by the still exquisitely beautiful Lindsay Duncan and the heart-breaking dowdiness of Jim Broadbent.
It would be a shame to give too much away. The dialogue is too die for, with all its bite and subtle insinuation. Let's just say, if you enjoyed Richard Linklater's Before Sunset series, just try picturing the barbs and retorts that might be forthcoming from Jesse and Celine in the twilight of their relationship. Then you'll have some idea.
Also in need of special recognition is the magnificent supporting performance of Jeff Goldblum. In the twilight of his career he has become something of a master at there richly textured, ambiguous character roles. The one in Le Week-End doesn't rival his darkly menacing portrayal in Igby Goes Down, but it's a memorable performance. Indeed, I suspect it is one we'll all look back upon fondly when reflecting on the tall guy's great career.
And so, now you know, the die is cast, the truth is told, our favorite for 2013 is revealed. Or, anyway, that's our story and we're sticking to it. Unquestionably, there were some other excellent offerings, which have received a well deserved not. Le Week-End, with its dark and brooding, funny and cruel, rich dialogue, that scorches the soul even as it may well up a tear or two, is our pick for the best of the best movies of 2013. If you think we're wrong, let us know why.
About the Author:
Mickey Jhonny regularly writes on television and popular culture. Learn about a popular culture phenomenon in his great piece on The Walking Dead Fanfiction.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét