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.
I'm guessing though that - having been produced pretty much simultaneously with the first part - it will share the initial installment's charms and weaknesses: more fresh humor than you'd expect, but maybe just a little too loud. LOTR did a good job for the most part of keeping the right balance between action adventure and introspective soul search. The first part of the Hobbit leaned too far into the action genre. We remain hopeful though that part 2 will redeem the franchise. But we'll see.
Otherwise, though, the field is pretty well revealed. Considering what's been already released, and screenings achieved by our secret sources, ahead of the general population, confidence oozes as we declare for the best movies of 2013 - or, rather, the best movie! Some will suggest that the decision is made by the people. They have cast their ballots with the laying down of their hard earned money.
The winner in this category would appear to be Iron Man 3, which this morning Box Office Mojo had listed as pushing $410 million Shekels gross. This fact, I confess, blows my mind. Who would have predicted that the star of The Pick-Up Artist and Two Girls and a Guy, or the purveyor of Larry Paul from the Ally McBeal show, would wind up being the superhero star of a megabuck successful action franchise? Not I. That's almost as weird as Tobey Maguire being the superhero star of a megabuck successful action franchise. Almost as weird.
But, gentle sirs (and ladies), by no means is The Best Movies of 2013 dot Net a democracy. We'll have none of that, here. We have our own esoteric and somewhat elitist standards, thank you. And, I assure you, bums in seats ain't it. We have to at least give honorable mention to a film that many will consider the best of the year. Sound City is a wonderful documentary that tells the story of one of the treasures of American rock and pop music. Tucked away in the San Fernando Valley, this remarkable studio, on the strength of its technical superiority became a recording Mecca for many of contemporary music's iconic figures.
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.
Instead, here at Best Movies of 2013, we're getting ahead of the curve and declaring the soul scorching Le Week-End as the best film of the year. No, it's not a foreign film (that would be as bad as declaring a doc best movie). The Frenchish sounding title denotes the location of the action, set in Paris. There a Brit couple, fantastically portrayed by amazingly still hauntingly beautiful Lindsay Duncan and the almost always compelling Jim Broadbent.
I really don't want to say too much about the story and its exquisite dialogue. It's so full of nuanced and subtle cruelty that it really has to be experienced firsthand to be appreciated. I'll just say, if you enjoyed Richard Linklater's moving Before Sunset series, try to imagine the last days of Jesse and Celine's deteriorating relationship, when all the clever quips and observations have degenerated into passive aggressive jousting. This is really something special.
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 there you go, officially unofficial, that's our story and we're sticking with it. Undoubtedly some other titles have received a well deserved not. Le Week-End, though, is our choice, with its dark, brooding, funny and cruel, dialogue that scorches the soul and maybe wells up a tear or two. That's our choice for the very best movie of 2013. And, if you think we're wrong, well, tell us why.
I'm guessing though that - having been produced pretty much simultaneously with the first part - it will share the initial installment's charms and weaknesses: more fresh humor than you'd expect, but maybe just a little too loud. LOTR did a good job for the most part of keeping the right balance between action adventure and introspective soul search. The first part of the Hobbit leaned too far into the action genre. We remain hopeful though that part 2 will redeem the franchise. But we'll see.
Otherwise, though, the field is pretty well revealed. Considering what's been already released, and screenings achieved by our secret sources, ahead of the general population, confidence oozes as we declare for the best movies of 2013 - or, rather, the best movie! Some will suggest that the decision is made by the people. They have cast their ballots with the laying down of their hard earned money.
The winner in this category would appear to be Iron Man 3, which this morning Box Office Mojo had listed as pushing $410 million Shekels gross. This fact, I confess, blows my mind. Who would have predicted that the star of The Pick-Up Artist and Two Girls and a Guy, or the purveyor of Larry Paul from the Ally McBeal show, would wind up being the superhero star of a megabuck successful action franchise? Not I. That's almost as weird as Tobey Maguire being the superhero star of a megabuck successful action franchise. Almost as weird.
But, gentle sirs (and ladies), by no means is The Best Movies of 2013 dot Net a democracy. We'll have none of that, here. We have our own esoteric and somewhat elitist standards, thank you. And, I assure you, bums in seats ain't it. We have to at least give honorable mention to a film that many will consider the best of the year. Sound City is a wonderful documentary that tells the story of one of the treasures of American rock and pop music. Tucked away in the San Fernando Valley, this remarkable studio, on the strength of its technical superiority became a recording Mecca for many of contemporary music's iconic figures.
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.
Instead, here at Best Movies of 2013, we're getting ahead of the curve and declaring the soul scorching Le Week-End as the best film of the year. No, it's not a foreign film (that would be as bad as declaring a doc best movie). The Frenchish sounding title denotes the location of the action, set in Paris. There a Brit couple, fantastically portrayed by amazingly still hauntingly beautiful Lindsay Duncan and the almost always compelling Jim Broadbent.
I really don't want to say too much about the story and its exquisite dialogue. It's so full of nuanced and subtle cruelty that it really has to be experienced firsthand to be appreciated. I'll just say, if you enjoyed Richard Linklater's moving Before Sunset series, try to imagine the last days of Jesse and Celine's deteriorating relationship, when all the clever quips and observations have degenerated into passive aggressive jousting. This is really something special.
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 there you go, officially unofficial, that's our story and we're sticking with it. Undoubtedly some other titles have received a well deserved not. Le Week-End, though, is our choice, with its dark, brooding, funny and cruel, dialogue that scorches the soul and maybe wells up a tear or two. That's our choice for the very best movie of 2013. And, if you think we're wrong, well, tell us why.
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