Forget an intro, let's get right to it...
#25. Spring Breakers
A
group of bored college girls looking to let loose take a trip to St.
Petersburg for Spring Break where they quickly get acquainted with
Alien, an eccentric Riff Raff-esque rapper and wannabe Scarface, boldly
played by James Franco. Things get crazy. Crazier than you'd expect. The
debauchery and raunchiness is pushed so far to the point that it turns
grim, uncomfortable, and ugly. In an interesting juxtaposition, the
cinematography is absolutely beautiful throughout. The usage of
slow-motion, artfully choreographed scenes and the vibrant palette of
colors make each frame look like a euphoric postcard. And the cast notably
includes Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens, two former Disney stars. Is
it a satire? A commentary about the generation? A shock-fest? A
cautionary tale? A dumb teen movie? A little bit of each? Are we
thinking about it too much? I think that's a good thing.
#24. Prisoners
Even at 140 minutes,
Prisoners,
a relentless suspense thriller, seems to cruise due to its escalating
tension and high stakes scene-by-scene. Keller's (Hugh Jackman) child
has gone missing, and there's an elusive serial killer on the lose. A
creepy Paul Dano is the alleged subject, but there isn't enough evidence
to convict him.
Jake Gyllenhaal heads the twisty investigation as the obsessive
Detective Loki (a distracting name if you were looking forward to the
next Thor movie). The strong performances all around bolster this
weighty and morally complex story, and the stark and cloudy atmosphere
is almost suffocating as we hope for some type of resolution, if at all
possible.
#23. Kon-Tiki
The
most expensive film in Norway's history re-creates the true story of
Thor Heyerdahl (another distracting name if you were looking forward to the new Thor movie), an ethnographer with a taste for adventure, and his 1947
voyage across the ocean from Peru to Polynesia on a primitive raft.
Thor, set on proving his radical theory that Polynesia was populated by
settlers from South America rather than Asia, rounds up a crew of
wide-eyed hopefuls to accompany him on the peril filled expedition. It's
a story of tenacious determination, and the painfully ironic ending
was unfortunately altered for the U.S. release, so make sure to choose
the original Norwegian cut.
#22. Mama
Andrés
Muschietti's feature debut revolves around a couple that adopts their
two young nieces who were abandoned in a forest shack and mysteriously
guarded by a wrathful presence. With touches of influence from producer
Guillermo del Toro,
Mama presents itself as a dark and haunting
fairytale, and the film is injected with emotion and compassion for its
characters, a rare feat for most modern horror films.
#21. Fruitvale Station
Based
on the story of Oscar Grant, a young unarmed man slain by a police
offer,
Fruitvale Station offers up a glimpse into the 22-year-old's life
- the good and bad. Michael B. Jordan is superbly well-rounded in this
role, and the film's grainy Instagram-like look creates a timely effect
for an incident that was caught on cell phone video. The narrative takes
place over the course of one day, focusing on Grant's relationships
with his girlfriend, daughter, mother, and friends. Each moment adds
magnitude to the impending tragic outcome.
#20. Pacific Rim
Massive robots controlled directly by human memories VS. gigantic destructive creatures that emerge from the depths of the sea. Operating as an homage to monster movies, and an ode to smashing stuff, Guillermo del Toro's
Pacific Rim delivers on its wild and entertaining premise. But it also manages to be a big Summer action film with impressive CGI and battle sequences that pack a spectacular punch without coming off as humdrum and soulless.
#19. The Conjuring
The Conjuring is an old-school ghost/possession story that recalls past haunted house classics in the best ways possible, and although it doesn't necessarily bring anything new to the genre, it reaffirms why horror films can be so riveting. The direction is meticulous and the chills are effective--built from dread and suspense without getting too over-the-top. The performances are convincing, and opposed to a lot of other horror flops, you don't feel the need to strangle any annoying characters with your own hands. There's always a phenomenal appeal to sitting in a dark room, staring at a screen, and getting the crap scared out of us. Oh, and that creepy doll.
#18. Her
Spike
Jonze's thoughtful depiction of the very near future revolves around
Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) and his love relationship with his operating
system--Yes, his OS1 with a conscience (voiced exceptionally by Scarlett
Johansson). It sounds absurd, but it isn't that far off. And it's a
premise that could've easily gone gimmicky or even condescending, yet it forms an immensely focused and humane exploration of the relationship
between people and technology, people connecting (or not connecting) with people, loneliness, and the strained idea of
perfection. The script is sharp and provocative, and Joaquin Phoenix
pulls off this unique part with grace.
#17. Nebraska
It's
the case of a crotchety old man (Bruce Dern) who is convinced he's won a
million dollar sweepstakes. His son (Will Forte), knowing it's a scam,
reluctantly takes his father on a road-trip from Montana to Nebraska to
"claim" the prize.
The film is humorous in its deadpan representations of Midwestern
personalities, and the black & white aesthetic gives the hilly
and
farm landscapes a fitting sparseness. Bruce Dern is great as the gimpy
and slightly senile, but determined lead.
Nebraska is a fairly straightforward course, but the end result is profoundly sweet and prosperous--lottery winner or not.
#16. Don Jon
Don Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a shallow and self-involved porn addict. Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson) is a sentimentalist, viewing the world through romantic comedies and Channing Tatum movies. After the initial sparks fly between these two, a crucial disconnect arises and their unreal expectations implode. Amusing and observational,
Don Jon is an impressively even-handed character study on how the media skews our perceptions and lifestyles. It unravels our darkest secrets, mocks conventional relationships, and throws awkward moments in the face for the first 45 minutes, eventually shifting into a slightly clumsy but well-intended and meaningful conclusion. All of this crowns
Don Jon as either the worst or best movie to see on a first date.
#15. Star Trek Into The Darkness
The sequel to 2010's successful update of the
Star Trek series,
Star Trek Into Darkness
is even more exhilarating this time around. The film kicks into gear
from the get-go and never loses its power. The rousing action takes you
on a thrill ride, the dialogue is sharp, and there's an earnest core
with matters of sacrifice and friendship that often go beyond logic. You
don't have to be a Trekkie to appreciate this film, in fact, I hear it
might be best if you aren't.
#14. Inside Llewyn Davis
The Coen brothers return with this melancholy period piece about a talented but struggling folk musician in the 1960s. Llewyn Davis is a couch-hopper and money-borrower, and everything in his life is a mess. The film is a depressing slice of giving up on dreams, and not so much a profile of a diminishing career as it is the fade of a career that never was. Oscar Isaac gives an impressive performance as the title character, and the music is beautiful throughout, acting as an outlet of pain rather than celebration. Also, the cat(s) deserve an Academy Award.
#13. 12 Years A Slave
Adapted
from an 1853 memoir of the same name,
12 Years A Slave is a brutal
portrait of slavery witnessed by Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who
was kidnapped and sold around to various plantations in New Orleans. It
isn't easy to watch, and it's not supposed to be. The film provokes
winces as the tortured protagonist and his cohorts endure godawful
cruelty. The unwavering treatment of the subject matter represents a
dark chapter in America's history, and the harrowing scenes and stunning
performances mount a powerful achievement in filmmaking.
#12. Dallas Buyers Club
Set
in the 80's,
Dallas Buyers Club tells the real-life story of Ron
Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), a devil-may-care, drug-addled sex friend
who is diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live. Unhappy
with his medical treatment, he seeks out alternative remedies to combat
the disease and begins his own operation of importing and distributing
the medicines illegally. Woodroof, a bigot, reluctantly teams with Rayon
(Jared Leto), a transgender also on the verge of dying, in order to
extend the business. Ron and Rayon operate against authority, fight for
their health, and help many others in the process. McConaughey and Leto
give the best performances of their careers in these amazingly
transformative roles, making
Dallas Buyers Club an unforgettable
experience.
#11. Enough Said
Eva
(Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Albert (James Gandolfini), both divorced and
soon to be empty-nesters, meet at a party one night and begin to date
shortly after. The middle-aged couple display a fresh chemistry and new
beginning as their lives are met with turning points. But things get
messy when Eva, a masseuse, befriends Marianne (Catherine Keener), one
of her clients who just happens to be Albert's ex-wife. As if that isn't
bad enough, Marianne constantly loathes Albert and uses Eva has her
vent outlet. Eva gets caught in quite the dilemma. The excellent script
carries a charming wit and frankness, and the path it takes is genuinely
touching and bittersweet.
#10. American Hustle
Yo, I heard you like con artists so we hired some con artists to con other con artists into... Wait, what? Anyway,
American Hustle, set in the 70s, is the story about a couple of con artists (played by
Christian Bale and Amy Adams) that get pinched and are forced to
cooperate with an FBI operation, lead by an eccentric agent (Bradley
Cooper).
The whole film is chaotic, energetic, and fittingly flashy. It remains refreshingly unpredictable to the very end, and also has more of a
Goodfellas-esque vibe than expected (not complaining). The cast is top-notch, and the twist-filled story of deception ruffles quite a few man-perms. David O. Russel is on a roll.
#9. The Wolf of Wall Street
This movie is Kanye West's
Yeezus album in movie form. From all the chest-beating to the shouting, it's a noisy and abrasive, over-the-top drug/sex/money/power/ego-fueled train that rampages over you and never lets up. Dicaprio leads the pack in his wildest career performance as the corrupt, out-of-mind stockbroker. Scorsese dabbles in his usual themes, but this time it's much more offensive, un-PC, and unbridled in all of its excesses. It demands attention even with its 3-hour length. I'm not sure if this much coke has been snorted on screen since Scarface.
#8. This Is the End
This Is The End is an apocalyptic comedy about a group of friends holed up in a mansion while God knows what is going on outside. It stars current comedy staples; Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, and Danny McBride (and a plethora of cameos) playing parodies of themselves. The film is bizarre, incessantly entertaining, full of surprises, and it induces laughter that might make your stomach sore and leave you gasping for breath. It's the best straight-on comedy of the year.
#7. The Place Beyond The Pines
Pines is a dense crime saga that involves a rebellious bank robber, a cop caught in the dilemmas of a corrupt system, and their two outcast sons in high school. The stellar cast includes Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta, and a couple of young up-and-comers. It's a look at fate, the relationships between fathers and sons, and how past events can rupture the present. The narrative spans over three time periods from the point of view of various characters, sort of functioning as three different movies--three really fascinating ones.
#6. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Picking up right where An Unexpected Journey
left off, the story continues with the company of Bilbo, the Dwarves,
and (sometimes) Gandalf, making their way to the Lonely Mountain where
the terrifying dragon, Smaug dwells. The films sweeps you off your feet
with its amazing visuals and enthralling setpieces. The action sequences
are impeccably choreographed, and the pacing is reminiscent of The Two
Towers, intercutting between escalating narratives. It's satisfying for
readers of the book, as Peter Jackson leaves no stone unturned. There
are even a couple of additions, most notably the brand new, standout character, Tauriel. When you compare The Desolation of Smaug to other adventure/fantasy films from this year, it dwarfs them in size.
#5. Captain Phillips
Based on the account of Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking of a U.S. container ship by Somali Pirates,
Captain Phillips is an intense and emotionally exhausting piece of cinematic excellence. Appropriately in the hands of Director Paul Greengrass, a specialist in stark recreations of real-life events, the film is raw and gritty. The jerky, center-of-action camera establishes itself as if it were the eyes of a character on the ship. The script carefully complicates matters with a sociopolitical edge, never condoning the attacks--but humanizing the antagonists and depicting the desperation of their environment. Barkhad Abdi, a first-time actor, turns in a commanding performance as the head of the pirate crew. And despite the shaky accent, Tom Hanks' portrayal of Phillips evolves from solid to magnificent as the situation becomes more treacherous.
#4. The Way Way Back
The Way Way Back is a humorous and heartwarming coming-out-of-shell story about Duncan, an awkward teen who takes a trip with his mom and her new conniving boyfriend (played by Steve Carrell in an unusually unlikable role) to a family beach house for the summer. The film is bright and sunny on the outside, but there are bubbling conflicts that add an emotional undercurrent. Luckily, Duncan finds a getaway to a local waterpark where he meets the manager, Owen (Sam Rockwell), a charismatic slacker who takes on the role of mentor. The spunky screenplay encompasses an abundance of edgy hilarity, poignant moments, and some uplifting themes about self-worth. And I won't give too much away, but there's an immaculate, crowd-pleasing finale.
The Way Way Back is familiar to lots of other coming-of-age classics, but when it's done this damned well, it's nice to embrace the familiar.
#3. Gravity
Space
is gorgeous, but you don't want to be stranded in it. After their
shuttle is wrecked, Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalsky
(George Clooney) are cut off from all connections and faced with the
nearly impossible task of navigating the vastness of space in order to
get back home. Alfonso Cuarón's
Gravity is
the best usage of 3D up until this point. The rotating camerawork makes
use of the entire plain, maneuvering around the astronauts and through
the vessels, immersing the viewer. And of course, there's the flying
space debris. Sandra Bullock gives a bravado performance at the center
of the story, and George Clooney, well, is pretty much George Clooney in
a spacesuit. At the surface, the film is a visceral experience about
astronauts reacting to disaster, but there are just enough elements to
keep it from being only that. The reveals about Stone's personal life
add even more investment, and there's an engaging exploration of human
spirit when all hope is gone and you're completely alone... Seriously.
Gravity is a contemporary Blockbuster at its very best and it will surely impact the future of cinema.
#2. Short Term 12
An honest and unflinching film about a foster home for at-risk teens,
Short Term 12 is full of quiet, intimate details, as well as full-blown moments of devastation. The astounding cast and efficient script enrich these characters with immense depth in short amounts of time, and the challengingly melancholy circumstances unfold with moving and organic resonance. Grace (Brie Larson), the dedicated and fragile supervisor of the center, battles with her own troubled past and an unsure future, while also dealing with the ever-present relationships with the kids she cares so much about. Brie Larson yields the most intricate and nuanced performance of the year, and
Short Term 12 envelops compelling scenes that will water your eyes, tear your heart apart, and even make you smile.
#1. Mud
Deep in the Arkansas Delta, the film’s young and tough protagonist Ellis (Tye Sheridan) lives in a houseboat with his quarreling parents. One day, Ellis and his foul-mouthed buddy, Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) take an excursion to a small island in the Mississippi river. There, they discover a boat stuck up in a tree, a very intriguing sight, particularly when they find out it’s recently been occupied. Before their departure, the boys run into a murky and rugged character that appropriately goes by the name of Mud.
Skin glistened in sweat and dirt, Mud (Matthew McConaughey) wins the boys over with his mystique and likable quirks, but we get the feeling that he can’t be fully trusted. Mud speaks poetically about his long lost love, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), and inspired by the story, the boys agree to help them reunite. This becomes an escape for Ellis and a dynamic change from his parents’ oncoming divorce. But of the course, their elaborate scheme doesn’t pan out so cleanly, and things get especially complicated when the boys realize that Mud is a Wanted Man for reasons depending on whom you ask.
Matthew McConaughey is stellar in this film. After stepping away from his generic romantic comedy characters, he’s recently delved into a heap of impressively audacious roles that have created a sort of McConaughey renaissance. Tye Sheridan also proves to be a talented force with his naturally multidimensional performance, giving way to a bright future.
Director Jeff Nichols establishes himself a rising name in the film world. His careful consideration of powerful and cohesive visuals, passionate storytelling, and ability to generate great performances from his cast, make this film a must-see. The open-window cinematography vividly captures every little leaf crinkle, water droplet, and land crevice—to the point where you might feel like taking a shower after you watch this film.
Mud is so thematically rich and full of symbolic connections between the terrain of the setting and its characters throughout the story. While Ellis hears swirling and conflicting information from everyone around him, he eventually carves out his own path, and even though he witnesses all the relationships of those close to him crumble, there remains a sweet hopefulness of possibilities as vast as the winding, divergent river.
