Best & Worst Films of 2013
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014 Best & worst films of 2013 ith the Oscars approaching fast, Hollywood is busy from Boston so I’m qualified to judge. The accent went over- “Kick-Ass 2 but Tequan Richmond’s performance as the thinking about the best pictures, directors, actors, board and should’ve been thrown there too. D.C. sniper was absolutely riveting, devastating and ulti- Wactresses and screenplays. But what about the mately haunting. Seeing Lee Boyd Malvo slowly fall under intangibles - the movie moments and details that encom- 4. ‘Don Jon’ the spell of John Allen Muhammad, it felt like we were spy- pass the year in film? Without proper industry yearbooks, Writer-director Joseph Gordon-Levitt spiced up this ode to ing on the real killers. This young actor is one to watch, as here’s a list of superlatives and unconventional awards that modern romance with titillating-yet-tasteful love clips that he’s definitely going places. serve as an alternative to the buttoned-down Oscars. helped us understand the protagonist’s addiction and how it There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started ... impacts his approach to relationships. Between its Sundance 7. ‘Adore’ debut and its theatrical release, JGL strategically toned down “Movie 43 was easily the worst comedy of the year, but 1. ‘12 Years a Slave’ the images without diminishing their undeniable power. that’s only because “Adore” is supposed to be a drama. The only scene that rivaled this was when Solomon Naomi Watts and Robin Wright play mothers. Does that (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is left hanging from a tree branch, his feet 5. ‘The World’s End’ sound funny, because trust me, it is. I was one of many scampering on the ground to support his weight. But seeing Most folks would cite “Pacific Rim” for its battles between audience members who couldn’t help but laugh through- the pain in Lupita Nyong’o’s eyes as her slave master jaegers and kaijus, or superhero movies such as “Man of out its Sundance debut. I have no idea what director Anne (Michael Fassbender) forces Solomon to give her a brutal Steel” or admittedly impressive bullet train sequence from Fontaine or either of these fine actresses were thinking, whipping was so uncomfortable that I had to watch the “The Wolverine,” but I preferred the less epic confrontations though I’m sure Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville clouds of pink mist erupt through my fingers. such as Julia Roberts tackling Meryl Streep in “August: Osage didn’t hesitate to sign on. County,” Will Forte punching Stacy Keach in “Nebraska” and 2. ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ Leonardo DiCaprio wrestling a phone from Jonah Hill in “The 8. ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ With his perfect cheekbones, sparkling doe eyes and slim, Wolf of Wall Street.” Still, there was no better melee than the I’m not sure whether Martin Scorsese’s intention behind feminine physique, the Thirty Seconds to Mars singer was bathroom brawl in Edgar Wright’s “The World’s End,” in the Lemmon scene was to make you laugh or swear off simply born to play this role. Not only did he talk the talk which Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine and Eddie drugs forever, but regardless, it is entertaining as hell. I and walk the walk, but Leto played a better woman than Marsan take on a group of robots. Impeccably choreo- don’t have any experience with quaaludes but it’s safe to some real actresses this year. graphed, featuring solid action and a great sense of humor, say that Leonardo DiCaprio nails the powerful effect they this was an unexpected highlight of the year. have on motor skills. DiCaprio proved himself adept at 3. ‘Captain Phillips’ physical comedy as he crawled like a drooling baby behind In a near-flawless movie, the only drawback was this dis- 6. ‘Blue Caprice’ the wheel of his luxury car. While audiences have mostly tracting choice from the two-time Oscar winner, and I’m Chloe Moretz’s Hit-Girl garnered a lot more attention for laughed, I viewed the scene as a sad indictment of DiCaprio’s criminal behavior. The fact that the scene is open to multiple interpretations means Scorsese has suc- ceeded in his quest to make the audience question Jordan Belfort’s actions. 9. ‘The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman’ Legend has it that method actor Shia LaBeouf actually dropped acid to enhance his performance in this scene, but it’s really difficult to convey the effect that mood-alter- ing substances have on people in a movie. It almost always comes across as forced, because we’re not experiencing the scene as the characters are, so it’s our perception that comes off as skewed rather than theirs. 10. ‘Behind the Candelabra’ “Sightseers” stars Steve Oram and Alice Lowe may kill me over this selection but what can I say? The tenderness between Douglas and Damon was wonderful and the May- December duo had fabulous chemistry. Credit Steven Soderbergh for not only thinking of this inspired casting, but having the ability to convince these actors to do it, and finally, for pulling it all off with wondrous results. 11. ‘The Kings of Summer’ Biaggio was the McLovin of 2013. At first, Nick Robinson and Gabriel Basso aren’t sure why this lovable weirdo is tagging along on their journey to manhood, but by the end of the film, it’s Arias who has stolen every scene. Biaggio was easily one of the standout characters in a year full of memorable ones. 12. ‘The Call’ In real life, superheroes aren’t going to save you, and neither is Mark Wahlberg. If you’re in danger, you’re going to call 911, and it’s going to be someone like Halle Berry (but definitely not her) on the other end of the phone. This throwback to the efficient suspense thrillers from the ‘90s boasted a brave female hero who went above and beyond her job requirements to help a young girl in need and dis- pense justice as she saw fit. You’ll never look at 911 opera- tors the same way again. 13. ‘This Is the End’ As much as I enjoyed the unique friendship between Steve Jobs and Woz in “Jobs,” the guys in “The World’s End” and mismatched partners Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy in “The Heat,” these guys were willing to die for each other and it’s that selflessness that ensured both were accepted into Heaven..