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GHcool 
"Forever a curious character."
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 Posted - 01/10/2013 : 07:44:38
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The time has come once again to make your list of best films of 2013. Here are mine:
1. ParaNorman - What a triumph of animation this is! A great story with likable characters, beautiful art direction, state of the art photography, and very, very funny.
2. Argo ("Affleck's breakout movie production.") - The most taught thriller of the year directed with style and grace by Ben Affleck. The story would be thrilling if it were fiction, but the fact that it is (mostly) true and has some relevance to current events makes it all the more compelling.
3. The Gatekeepers - I have een no other documentary this year that has come close to the intensity of the political and historical analysis and displayed in this one. Very few movies have a story as well told as this one, while still also being a primary document for purposes of research and analysis.
4. Zero Dark Thirty ("Obama OK's Osama's KO.") - In a year full of incredibly difficult and complex stories, this one was perhaps the most risky. The editor in me needs to admire the skill in handling all this amazing footage and making it intelligible and exciting.
5. Frankenweenie ("The Curs of Frankenstein.") - Like ParaNorman, this is another great stop-motion macabre story about a misunderstood boy that has something important to to say about life and death. Danny Elfman's score is one of his best.
6. Brave ("Bravetart.") - ParaNorman was the most technologically advanced animated film of the year, but Brave comes close. The story is inspiring and the action is thrilling.
7. Silver Linings Playbook - Bradley Cooper is the big surprise here. I've only seen him in The Hangover, but in this one, he's fascinating. This year, Jennifer Lawrence gave what I thought was a great performance in a bad film (The Hunger Games) and now gives a greater performance in a great film.
8. The Impossible - See this one in surround sound or in the theaters because the sound design immerses you (no pun intended) in the action. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor are extraordinary as a European couple separated by the 2004 tsunami.
9. Samsara - Filmed in 70 mm film, this is one of the most beautiful films ever made. It is sort of like a prayer or a meditation on the ugliest and most beautiful sides of humanity in the 21st century. See it on the big screen if you get the chance.
10. Lincoln ("Inconvenient Booth causes gore.") - Daniel Day-Lewis has done some of the best performances in recent years, but this might be his best. Tommy Lee Jones also gives one of his best performances.
11. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ("Pre-Ring Serkis.") - These Tolkein films continue to be the state of the art in visual effects, photography, and sound design. New Zealand still looks great.
12. Wreck-It Ralph - Another great animated feature. The screenplay took what could have been a high concept, overlong Saturday Night Live skit and turned it into something strong and dramatic. The sound design was especially fun in this one combining the high octane realism of a Michael Bay movie with the low tech goofiness of Nintendo and somehow making it all feel like the same world.
13. Searching for Sugar Man - A documentary about great art, a great artist, and a country in disarray, and a time when these elements came together in a astonishing, unexpected way. I bought both of the albums of Rodriguez after seeing the film and play them often.
14. Flight ("Gorged Washington.") - A penetrating character study that is also a moral (and perhaps even religious) parable. Denzel Washington gives one of his best performances as an alcoholic pilot.
Other movies I admired include Amour, Anna Karenina, Cloud Atlas, The Dark Knight Rises, Hope Springs, Ted, and The Secret World of Arrietty.
I have not yet seen Amour, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, The Master, Silver Lining Playbook, Skyfall, or Zero Dark Thirty.
EDIT: I saw Django Unchained and it didn't make the cut. Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Impossible did. Amour made the "admirable mention" list. |
Edited by - GHcool on 03/10/2013 02:36:34 |
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randall 
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 01/13/2013 : 20:53:40
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| Surely you must mean 2012, but I love your annual overviews: please keep 'em coming! I think SILVER LININGS is over-rated and SUGAR MAN is under-rated; that's about all I'm sure of this season. But I really do enjoy reading your obviously better-informed opinions. Don't stop! |
Edited by - randall on 01/13/2013 20:59:59 |
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GHcool
"Forever a curious character."
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Posted - 01/14/2013 : 23:06:45
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quote:
Originally posted by randall
Surely you must mean 2012, but I love your annual overviews: please keep 'em coming! I think SILVER LININGS is over-rated and SUGAR MAN is under-rated; that's about all I'm sure of this season. But I really do enjoy reading your obviously better-informed opinions. Don't stop!
Thanks for correcting me about 2012/2013.
Sugar Man isn't under-rated. Everyone who actually saw the movie agrees with you and me that it is a great film. Its just that not many have actually seen it.
You flatter my ego by calling my opinions "better-informed." I'm better informed about my own opinions, but my opinions are no more valid than anyone else's. All I can do is recommend films I like to people who are like-minded. |
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 01/15/2013 : 21:26:01
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quote:
Originally posted by GHcool
quote:
Originally posted by randall
Surely you must mean 2012, but I love your annual overviews: please keep 'em coming! I think SILVER LININGS is over-rated and SUGAR MAN is under-rated; that's about all I'm sure of this season. But I really do enjoy reading your obviously better-informed opinions. Don't stop!
Thanks for correcting me about 2012/2013.
Sugar Man isn't under-rated. Everyone who actually saw the movie agrees with you and me that it is a great film. Its just that not many have actually seen it.
You flatter my ego by calling my opinions "better-informed." I'm better informed about my own opinions, but my opinions are no more valid than anyone else's. All I can do is recommend films I like to people who are like-minded.
OK, I'll deflate your ego, then. You and I appear to be like-minded. But not exactly. It's more like when I read Ebert: I don't always agree, but I always know where he's comin' from, so I make sure to pay attention. Same deal with you. End of kissyface, except to say I watched PARANORMAN today, and yer right again! |
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rabid kazook 
"Pushing the antelope"
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chazbo 
"Outta This Fuckin' Place"
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Posted - 02/01/2013 : 16:32:45
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I've seen only a few 2012 films, but there are 3 so far that I think are fantastic and haunting (though not very upbeat). In no order:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Oslo, August 31st
The Grey
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia - just watched this and thought it was beautifully filmed and superbly acted, with a simple yet quite profound story. I found the hints at a political context (Turkey's ongoing efforts to join the EU) interesting, even if I don't really know much about it.
Also recently saw ParaNorman with my kids. I think it edges out Pirates! for best animated film. I'm amazed at what Laika has accomplished.
Others range from good (Brave, The Hobbit) to awful (Prometheus, Dark Shadows).
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Edited by - chazbo on 02/14/2013 23:37:03 |
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 02/01/2013 : 22:26:21
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quote:
Originally posted by rabid kazook
Here is my top 12 for 2012 (so far)
http://postimage.org/image/6qpmjjbxf/
Dupieux screened 45 mins of WRONG COPS, a "chaptered movie" which emanates from WRONG, at Sundance this year. Regret to say I didn't make it. |
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 02/01/2013 : 22:27:27
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quote:
Originally posted by chazbo
I've seen only a few 2012 films, but there are 3 so far that I think are fantastic and haunting (though not very upbeat). In no order:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Oslo, August 31st
The Grey
Others range from good (Brave, The Hobbit) to awful (Prometheus, Dark Shadows).
I enjoyed both those latter two. Haven't seen THE HOBBIT yet. |
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rabid kazook
"Pushing the antelope"
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Posted - 02/02/2013 : 01:18:38
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quote:
Originally posted by randall
Dupieux screened 45 mins of WRONG COPS, a "chaptered movie" which emanates from WRONG, at Sundance this year. Regret to say I didn't make it.
The short+ trailer for Wrong Cops is online. It seems pretty fun.
So you've missed the Sundance '13 altogether? That's tough.
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 02/02/2013 : 22:12:44
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quote:
Originally posted by rabid kazook
quote:
Originally posted by randall
Dupieux screened 45 mins of WRONG COPS, a "chaptered movie" which emanates from WRONG, at Sundance this year. Regret to say I didn't make it.
The short+ trailer for Wrong Cops is online. It seems pretty fun.
So you've missed the Sundance '13 altogether? That's tough.
No, I was at Sundance again this year, as my butt can attest. I just didn't catch the work-in-progress Dupieux. I saw 16 flix in 4 days. I'm almost finished with my hip-shot capsule reviews and will post them here when I'm done. I actually write them more for myself than for you, just so I can remember my immediate reaction... |
Edited by - randall on 02/02/2013 22:21:46 |
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 02/03/2013 : 01:59:19
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quote:
Originally posted by GHcool
The time has come once again to make your list of best films of 2013. Here are mine:
1. ParaNorman - What a triumph of animation this is! A great story with likable characters, beautiful art direction, state of the art photography, and very, very funny.
2. Argo ("Affleck's breakout movie production.") - The most taught thriller of the year directed with style and grace by Ben Affleck. The story would be thrilling if it were fiction, but the fact that it is (mostly) true and has some relevance to current events makes it all the more compelling.
3. Frankenweenie ("The Curs of Frankenstein.") - Like ParaNorman, this is another great stop-motion macabre story about a misunderstood boy that has something important to to say about life and death. Danny Elfman's score is one of his best.
4. Brave ("Bravetart.") - ParaNorman was the most technologically advanced animated film of the year, but Brave comes close. The story is inspiring and the action is thrilling.
5. Silver Linings Playbook - Bradley Cooper is the big surprise here. I've only seen him in The Hangover, but in this one, he's fascinating. This year, Jennifer Lawrence gave what I thought was a great performance in a bad film (The Hunger Games) and now gives a greater performance in a great film.
6. Samsara - Filmed in 70 mm film, this is one of the most beautiful films ever made. It is sort of like a prayer or a meditation on the ugliest and most beautiful sides of humanity in the 21st century. See it on the big screen if you get the chance.
7. Lincoln ("Inconvenient Booth causes gore.") - Daniel Day-Lewis has done some of the best performances in recent years, but this might be his best. Tommy Lee Jones also gives one of his best performances.
8. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ("Pre-Ring Serkis.") - These Tolkein films continue to be the state of the art in visual effects, photography, and sound design. New Zealand still looks great.
9. Wreck-It Ralph - Another great animated feature. The screenplay took what could have been a high concept, overlong Saturday Night Live skit and turned it into something strong and dramatic. The sound design was especially fun in this one combining the high octane realism of a Michael Bay movie with the low tech goofiness of Nintendo and somehow making it all feel like the same world.
10. Searching for Sugar Man - A documentary about great art, a great artist, and a country in disarray, and a time when these elements came together in a astonishing, unexpected way. I bought both of the albums of Rodriguez after seeing the film and play them often.
11. Flight ("Gorged Washington.") - A penetrating character study that is also a moral (and perhaps even religious) parable. Denzel Washington gives one of his best performances as an alcoholic pilot.
Other movies I admired include Anna Karenina, Cloud Atlas, The Dark Knight Rises, Hope Springs, Ted, and The Secret World of Arrietty.
I have not yet seen Amour, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, The Master, Silver Lining Playbook, Skyfall, or Zero Dark Thirty.
EDIT: I saw Django Unchained and it didn't make the cut. Silver Linings Playbook did.
I liked WEENIE and PARANORMAN too...you must not have seen the splendid Aardman stop-motion THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS. It belongs in the 2012 Hall of Fame too. |
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BaftaBaby
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 02/03/2013 : 09:39:42
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quote:
Originally posted by randall
I liked WEENIE and PARANORMAN too...you must not have seen the splendid Aardman stop-motion THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS. It belongs in the 2012 Hall of Fame too.
Ooo aarrr, me hearties - Pirates is terrif! Especially the arrival of the whale  Ooo aaarrrdman!!
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rabid kazook
"Pushing the antelope"
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Posted - 02/03/2013 : 17:12:02
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quote:
Originally posted by randall
No, I was at Sundance again this year, as my butt can attest. I just didn't catch the work-in-progress Dupieux. I saw 16 flix in 4 days. I'm almost finished with my hip-shot capsule reviews and will post them here when I'm done. I actually write them more for myself than for you, just so I can remember my immediate reaction...
Oh I thought you wouldn't miss it.
I'm looking forward to the capsules.
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chazbo
"Outta This Fuckin' Place"
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Posted - 02/04/2013 : 05:44:00
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quote:
Originally posted by randall
I liked WEENIE and PARANORMAN too...you must not have seen the splendid Aardman stop-motion THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS. It belongs in the 2012 Hall of Fame too.
I forgot about Pirates! Band of Misfits. That has my vote for best animated film of 2012, though I haven't watched Frankenweenie or Paranorman yet.
I have to say I like the UK title (The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!) better than the US version. It's funnier, but I guess distributors here thought that the idea of pirates and scientists together wouldn't attract many youngsters. I don't think the movie did that well over here anyway...
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 02/04/2013 : 15:40:52
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quote:
Originally posted by rabid kazook
quote:
Originally posted by randall
No, I was at Sundance again this year, as my butt can attest. I just didn't catch the work-in-progress Dupieux. I saw 16 flix in 4 days. I'm almost finished with my hip-shot capsule reviews and will post them here when I'm done. I actually write them more for myself than for you, just so I can remember my immediate reaction...
Oh I thought you wouldn't miss it.
I'm looking forward to the capsules.
http://tomdup.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/my-sundance-2013/ |
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GHcool
"Forever a curious character."
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Posted - 02/11/2013 : 00:22:22
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quote:
Originally posted by randall
quote:
Originally posted by GHcool
The time has come once again to make your list of best films of 2013. Here are mine:
1. ParaNorman - What a triumph of animation this is! A great story with likable characters, beautiful art direction, state of the art photography, and very, very funny.
2. Argo ("Affleck's breakout movie production.") - The most taught thriller of the year directed with style and grace by Ben Affleck. The story would be thrilling if it were fiction, but the fact that it is (mostly) true and has some relevance to current events makes it all the more compelling.
3. Frankenweenie ("The Curs of Frankenstein.") - Like ParaNorman, this is another great stop-motion macabre story about a misunderstood boy that has something important to to say about life and death. Danny Elfman's score is one of his best.
4. Brave ("Bravetart.") - ParaNorman was the most technologically advanced animated film of the year, but Brave comes close. The story is inspiring and the action is thrilling.
5. Silver Linings Playbook - Bradley Cooper is the big surprise here. I've only seen him in The Hangover, but in this one, he's fascinating. This year, Jennifer Lawrence gave what I thought was a great performance in a bad film (The Hunger Games) and now gives a greater performance in a great film.
6. Samsara - Filmed in 70 mm film, this is one of the most beautiful films ever made. It is sort of like a prayer or a meditation on the ugliest and most beautiful sides of humanity in the 21st century. See it on the big screen if you get the chance.
7. Lincoln ("Inconvenient Booth causes gore.") - Daniel Day-Lewis has done some of the best performances in recent years, but this might be his best. Tommy Lee Jones also gives one of his best performances.
8. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ("Pre-Ring Serkis.") - These Tolkein films continue to be the state of the art in visual effects, photography, and sound design. New Zealand still looks great.
9. Wreck-It Ralph - Another great animated feature. The screenplay took what could have been a high concept, overlong Saturday Night Live skit and turned it into something strong and dramatic. The sound design was especially fun in this one combining the high octane realism of a Michael Bay movie with the low tech goofiness of Nintendo and somehow making it all feel like the same world.
10. Searching for Sugar Man - A documentary about great art, a great artist, and a country in disarray, and a time when these elements came together in a astonishing, unexpected way. I bought both of the albums of Rodriguez after seeing the film and play them often.
11. Flight ("Gorged Washington.") - A penetrating character study that is also a moral (and perhaps even religious) parable. Denzel Washington gives one of his best performances as an alcoholic pilot.
Other movies I admired include Anna Karenina, Cloud Atlas, The Dark Knight Rises, Hope Springs, Ted, and The Secret World of Arrietty.
I have not yet seen Amour, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, The Master, Silver Lining Playbook, Skyfall, or Zero Dark Thirty.
EDIT: I saw Django Unchained and it didn't make the cut. Silver Linings Playbook did.
I liked WEENIE and PARANORMAN too...you must not have seen the splendid Aardman stop-motion THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS. It belongs in the 2012 Hall of Fame too.
I have seen Pirates. I liked it a lot, but not as much as I liked the other films I listed. |
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Best Films of 2012
