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lukebemand-blog · 11 years ago

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Bemand's Top Ten Films of 2013

Tonight, The Oscars are upon us. And after a year hiatus, I have deemed it an appropriate time for the return of my annual “Top Ten Films of the Year” list.

10. The Croods: “The Croods” was the best-animated film of the year. Most people have given that title to Disney’s “Frozen”, and it would be surprising if that didn’t win “Best Animated” tonight at the Oscars. To me, there was nothing unique or special about “Frozen”. It was a movie based on the topic of… snow. Which, in Disney’s defense is a topic we can all relate to in the winter. Sigh. Anyway, it’s a typical Disney movie showing young girls that if they’re pretty and rich they can be a princess. I ask to you Disney, in a society of Kardashian's and Hilton's, do we really need more princesses as role models for young women? "The Croods" protagonist, voiced by “relatable, but hot common American girl” Emma Stone is much more interesting. She hunts her own food, and is a badass, who sees value and love in her family even though at times she’s embarrassed by them. Seems like a cooler role model to me. Also, Nic Cage voices the cave-dad, who remains the role model for most young American men…

9. Blackfish: Have you ever been to Seaworld? YOU’RE A MONSTER. No but really this documentary is different from unhealthy fast food docs where when you watch you say “oh man McDonalds chicken looks like pink paste, I’ll never eat there again!” and then the next time you’re stoned driving past one at 3 am you and your buds reluctantly stop. No, when you watch “Blackfish” you say “holy shit I am never going to take my kids to Seaworld” and you actually won’t. It starts as what seems like a straight forward documentary of the Seaworld trainer who was killed by an Orca named Tillicum, and then goes on to tell an immensely interesting and emotional true story that leads up to that moment. The sympathetic character becomes the one that was originally set up as the monster as opposed to the victim, and it’s fascinating to watch that happen throughout the film.

8. Captain Phillips: Tense, gripping direction and an as always solid performance from Tom Hanks, who once more manages to get in a scene where he pees in a major motion picture. Does Tom Hanks have a stipulation in his contracts that demands he pees at least once in every film he’s in? If you think that is a joke, then I ask you, sir or ma’am, name a Tom Hanks film where he doesn’t pee. Chew on that.

7. The World’s End: Another intelligent, funny, well directed film from Edgar Write. To say “if you liked ‘Shaun of the Dead’, then you will like this film” would be lazy because, really, who doesn’t like “Shaun of the Dead”? But it is similar in regards to the well-choreographed action scenes, and funny, seemingly random lines that always wind up as foreshadowing for something later in the film. Edgar Write’s films balance comedy, action and real emotion better than most directors today, and he delivers another seriously entertaining one here.

6. Dallas Buyers Club: It isn’t the fact that Matthew McConaughey lost nearly 40 pounds for this role that makes his performance stand out. It’s his hypnotizing, brilliant acting as a homophobic Texas cowboy who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 coupled with Jared Leto’s performance as a transgender heroin addict. Their chemistry and powerhouse acting is what drives the film and makes it one of the year’s best.

5. 12 Years A Slave: This film was one of the last films of the year that I got around to watching. After reading and hearing about how difficult it can be to sit through, I can’t say I was exactly excited to see it. But with all the buzz about it, and the fact that it very likely will win “Best Picture”, I felt I would be doing a disservice to myself, and this most prestigious list, to not see it. And… I can’t exactly say that I want to see this film again. But I suppose the fact that you don’t want to experience a movie about slavery multiple times is appropriate. It is being called “the best movie about slavery” and while I can’t really put it on my “Slavery Films” shelf and nod and say “it is the best among them”, it certainly seems to be the most poignant, brutal take on the subject. The raw emotion that it evokes throughout the film is undeniable and the acting is incredible, especially Michael Fassbender’s turn as a sadistic Southern plantation owner. Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely a powerful and haunting film.

4. Wolf of Wall Street: Boofing cocaine, and white-collar crimes man. Who would have thought Scorsese and DiCaprio would have teamed up for a really long, really entertaining film? Turns out, everyone. And we were right.

3. Inside Llewyn Davis: I will admit if you are a musician and have slept on your fair share of couches, this movie is a must see. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is one of the best films of the year, and probably my favorite “following a musician around” story I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t pin an underdog against the world and watch him beat the odds and become successful. It puts you right “inside” ;) a seemingly recurring cycle of this musicians life, where things don’t get better, they just go on. It is appropriately melancholy, but what stood out to me were the musical performances. Rather than most musician centric films where we are given clips and tastes of the music, every song that is played is filmed in entirety. It develops the emotion, honesty and music in a way most films about musicians simply fail to do. And with all the expected Cohen brothers’ quirks and eccentric characters, it is a film that stays with you.

2. Gravity: “Gravity” was without a doubt the most enjoyable experience I had a movie theater this year. Rather than movies I went in to see with a great deal of excitement and came out bowing my head in shame and dragging my empty popcorn boxes (The Hobbit and Anchorman: Why?) this movie delivers on all fronts. It encapsulates why seeing movies in theaters are an experience vs. viewing them from the couch at home. Clearly the best use of 3D in a film yet, the cinematography is draw dropping to say the least. With the vast landscapes of space and stunning images of Earth from above as a backdrop, this film completely transports you somewhere else. Like, you know, what movies are supposed to do.

1. Her: The more I thought about it, the more clear it became to me that this was my favorite film of the year. “Gravity” was an encapsulating experience, but my desire to watch it again at home is very minimal. If you are unfamiliar with the plot of “Her”, it is set in a not too distant future where a man falls in love with an expansively intelligent computer operating system. Seems simple, albeit odd, enough, but Spike Jonze manages to weave one of the most honest, authentic love stories ever told at a time when it is most relevant. I can’t help but think of “Wall-E” and how through innocent, emotion and beautiful story telling we actually bought into it and it felt more real than most of the sappy “timeless romance stories” Hollywood churns out in time for Valentines Day. Joaquine Phoenix gives the best performance of the year, hands down. Unfortunately, he probably won’t win “Best Actor”, because Matthew McConaughey underwent a “transformation” or whatever (not to say he wasn’t also brilliant) but come on, Phoenix falls in love with a COMPUTER and we believe every bit of it. After watching this film, the next time you get on the train and see everyone looking down at their phones it will bring a smile to your face, which probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

And there they are. I welcome any feedback or comments! Feel free to re-blog and comment, or email at [email protected].

#oscars #toptenfilms #2013

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