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.
Between though what's been released and what our secret sources have given us access to ahead of the gen-pop, we feel comfortable in declaring for the best movies of 2013 - or, more precisely, the best movie! One criterion of course is to let the people have their say. They vote with their hard earned dollars and that at least deserves honorable mention.
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, no, this is no democracy here at The Best Movies of 2013. We're going to evaluate on something more than merely bums in seats. It's quite possible that the best movie of the year actually was the delightful and intriguing Sound City. This documentary tells the story of one of the best kept secrets of both American rock and the San Fernando Valley. Tucked away discreetly amid rows of ramshackle warehouses, this extraordinary studio, on the strength of its technical excellence would win its way into a legendary place within the subculture of American pop and rock stars.
The list runs from Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young to Nirvana and Metallica. The film tells the story of this off the beaten track studio whose acoustic excellence transcended its sketchy setting, through the perspective and experience of those who were so influenced by its contributions to the music of our time. If you have any great appreciation for contemporary music, you won't go wrong choosing this viewing opportunity. Best movie of the year, though? Come on. You know we're not so namby-pamby as to select a documentary as number one. Sheesh
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.
It would be a shame to give too much away. The dialogue is too die for, with all its bite and subtle insinuation. Let's just say, if you enjoyed Richard Linklater's Before Sunset series, just try picturing the barbs and retorts that might be forthcoming from Jesse and Celine in the twilight of their relationship. Then you'll have some idea.
Also needing special mention is the supporting role provided by Jeff Goldblum, another stellar contribution to his later career forte. This one still hasn't equaled the dark menace of his great contribution to Igby Goes Down, but it's still a pretty great performance. One for which I suspect the tall guy will long be remembered.
So, that's our story and we're sticking with it. There were some other really good movies in 2013, which have received a well deserved not. It is though Le Week-End, dark and brooding, funny and cruel, scorching the soul and maybe welling up just a tear or two, which is our pick 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.
Between though what's been released and what our secret sources have given us access to ahead of the gen-pop, we feel comfortable in declaring for the best movies of 2013 - or, more precisely, the best movie! One criterion of course is to let the people have their say. They vote with their hard earned dollars and that at least deserves honorable mention.
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, no, this is no democracy here at The Best Movies of 2013. We're going to evaluate on something more than merely bums in seats. It's quite possible that the best movie of the year actually was the delightful and intriguing Sound City. This documentary tells the story of one of the best kept secrets of both American rock and the San Fernando Valley. Tucked away discreetly amid rows of ramshackle warehouses, this extraordinary studio, on the strength of its technical excellence would win its way into a legendary place within the subculture of American pop and rock stars.
The list runs from Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young to Nirvana and Metallica. The film tells the story of this off the beaten track studio whose acoustic excellence transcended its sketchy setting, through the perspective and experience of those who were so influenced by its contributions to the music of our time. If you have any great appreciation for contemporary music, you won't go wrong choosing this viewing opportunity. Best movie of the year, though? Come on. You know we're not so namby-pamby as to select a documentary as number one. Sheesh
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.
It would be a shame to give too much away. The dialogue is too die for, with all its bite and subtle insinuation. Let's just say, if you enjoyed Richard Linklater's Before Sunset series, just try picturing the barbs and retorts that might be forthcoming from Jesse and Celine in the twilight of their relationship. Then you'll have some idea.
Also needing special mention is the supporting role provided by Jeff Goldblum, another stellar contribution to his later career forte. This one still hasn't equaled the dark menace of his great contribution to Igby Goes Down, but it's still a pretty great performance. One for which I suspect the tall guy will long be remembered.
So, that's our story and we're sticking with it. There were some other really good movies in 2013, which have received a well deserved not. It is though Le Week-End, dark and brooding, funny and cruel, scorching the soul and maybe welling up just a tear or two, which is our pick for the very best movie of 2013. And, if you think we're wrong, well, tell us why.
About the Author:
Mickey Jhonny regularly writes on television and popular culture. Learn about a popular culture phenomenon in his great piece on The Walking Dead Fanfiction.
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