Amph List your favorite movies of 2013

I for one absolutely adore Millions and think it to be Danny Boyle's best film to date.

 

More of you need to see The Book Thief. Beautiful movie.

 

Really. Huh. Okay. I like Shallow Grave and most of Sunshine a lot. But Trance just . . . fell flat to me. What in particular made you appreciate it so much?

 

I mean to use it as a detraction to argue that he is overrated. I hated 'Trance'.

 

This year so far, I'd go with:

The Conjuring
Evil Dead
Pacific Rim
Star Trek: Into Darkness
and You're Next

Of course, this could change over the next few weeks as more movies come out.

 

Oh, durr, I see what you mean now. Totally misread you for some reason.

 

I'm kinda sad that Prisoners was snubbed at the Golden Globes this year. At least give Jackman a nomination. That one was probably the best non-horror thriller of the year.

 

Oh, easily. I would have liked to see Gyllenhaal get a nomination. I thought he was really excellent.

 

Adding The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug to the list

 

Yeah that's what happened with True Grit. It wasn't nominated for any Golden Globes back in 2011, but the Oscars took care of that.

 

Okay, we're into the three star movies now. From this point on, you will have a good time at all the movies I post. We're out of the bad stuff now.

Good – “Sure, why not?”

All is Lost (2013) – J.C. Chandor - ***
Survivalist Redford, alone at sea .
Experimental film interests; emotionally distancing.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) – Marc Webb - ***
Peter Parker, Uncle Ben, Lizard.
Relax, you guys; worthy reboot.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986) – John Carpenter - ***
Truck driver faces ancient sorcery.
Witty; great action; kinda slight.

La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus (2013) – Mark Kendall - ***
Junked bus travels to Guatemala.
Slice of life documentary engrosses.

Captain Phillips (2013) – Paul Greengrass - ***
Somalian pirates kidnap ship captain.
Loses steam after first hour.

 

But I didn't have a good time at Amazing Spider-Man...

 

But Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone.

 

Of what I have seen.

1) Frozen
2) Catching Fire
3) Thor: The Dark World
4) The Great Gatsby
5) Iron Man 3
6) Oz the Great and Powerful

 

Desolation of Smaug is on the top of my list for 2013

 

Five more:


Good – “Sure, why not?”

Cutie & the Boxer (2013) – Zachary Heinzerling - ***
Artists’ create art, complicated marriage
Interesting, entertaining documentary about life.

Hannah Arendt (2012) – Margarethe von Trotta - ***
Eichmann trial inspires controversial book.
Compelling ideas overcome dramatic weaknesses.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) – Peter Jackson - ***
Dwarves, Hobbit on epic quest.
Cartoonish moments trouble likable movie.

In the House [Dans la Maison] (2012) – Francois Ozon
Creepy kid fascinates creepy teacher.
Creepy, but not that creepy.

Iron Man 3 [Iron Man Three] (2013) – Shane Black - ***
Tony Stark spins a tale.
The first two-thirds are great.

 

it's a great movie. both female leads are excellent but particularly Exarchopoulos. there is nothing cheap about this movie, it's all heartfelt. highly recommended.

 

okay, i'll check it out some time.

 

Good – “Sure, why not?”

Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013) – Lee Daniels - ***
Black butler serves eight presidents.
Surprisingly intelligent, great ensemble cast.

Monsters University (2013) – Dan Scanlon - ***
Mike, Sully learn life lessons.
Surprisingly mature; needs more laughs.

Now You See Me (2013) – Louis Leterrier - ***
Frustrated cop pursues criminal magicians.
Entertaining, entirely unbelievable, thrill ride.

Populaire (2012) – Rene Rogisard - ***
Klutzy secretary with surprising talent.
Deborah Francois is endearingly wonderful.

This is the End (2013) – Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg - ***
Celebrities ride out the apocalypse.
Best CGI penis in history.

 

Uhhhh did I even see five movies this year? Olympus Has Fallen (lolz), Star Trek Into Darkness, Man Of Steel, Gravity. I'll be seeing Desolation Of Smaauuuooooooog this weekend to make it a solid five.

 

Kechiche creeps me out too much for me to be able to watch it. Sometimes it's hard to leave the outside stuff at the door when you're watching a movie, and I don't think I could handle this one.

 

Good – “Sure, why not?”

To the Wonder (2012) – Terrence Malick - ***
Oklahoma backdrops a tumultuous relationship.
Poetic presentation of archetypal story.

The Wolverine (2013) – James Mangold - ***
Logan faces death, chooses life.
Atmospheric thriller with silly climax.

World War Z (2013) – Marc Forster - ***
Brad Pitt fights zombie pandemic.
Frenetic action covers occasional silliness.

Very Good – “You should go see it.”

About Time (2013) – Richard Curtis - *** ½
Time-traveler values love and family.
Unashamedly sappy, but effective romance.

Babel (2006) – Alejandro Gonzalez Innarritu . - *** ½
Four stories connect, span cultures.
Evocative stories, with weak connection.

 

I finally watched Frances Ha and I absolutely didn't understand the praise for it. Just as I was thinking that it was a mediocre, somehow-even-less-funny rehashing of Girls, the actor from Girls shows up playing the same exact archetypal jerkwad he plays on the show. I think people who enjoyed Frances Ha must not have ever heard of Lena Dunham or mumblecore, and those are the only reasons they find it even remotely watchable? I will say, it had one single redeeming quality in the fact that the protagonist actually, like, showed a tiny sliver of maturity and growth as a person at the end, which is the only thing that sets it apart from its kin.