Tag Archives: 2013 Films

2013 Films, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama

Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

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Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

Director-Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring-Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan

Scott’s Review #35

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Being a tremendous fan of the Coen brothers (Fargo, No Country for Old Men) I was eager to see their latest offering, Inside Llewyn Davis. The Coen’s have such a sense of quirkiness in their characters and while this film is not on the level of the aforementioned gems, it is a very good piece.

I love the cold, winter, Greenwich Village setting as struggling folk singer, Llewyn Davis (expertly played by Oscar Isaac) struggles over two weeks to land gigs and/or breaks while encountering many people who either thwart or help his chances of success.

Sadly, the film was all but ignored by the Oscar voters, but alas it is an enjoyable slice of life for a 1960’s artist.

As with most Coen brother films, it is cast with unique, interesting character actors in a bit but nuanced parts.

Oscar Nominations: Best Sound Mixing, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Male Lead-Oscar Isaac, Best Cinematography

2013 Films, Crime Drama, Drama, Martin Scorsese

The Wolf of Wall Street-2013

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The Wolf of Wall Street-2013

Director-Martin Scorsese

Starring-Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill

Scott’s Review #33

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Reviewed June 17, 2014 

Grade: A

Martin Scorsese’s latest offering is a tale of overindulgence, chaos, and debauchery in the world of stockbroking during the 1980s.

The film is superb.

It is a drug-filled, sex-filled, over-the-top, loud, testosterone fueled, frenetic extravaganza that works on so many levels. Humorous and mouth-dropping scenes occur throughout the film.

The casting is flawless- Leonardo Dicaprio and Jonah Hill deserve the praise and Oscar nominations heaped on them.

The supporting actors are perfect- Rob Reiner, Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, Kyle Chandler.

With Scorsese, you will receive an intelligent film, though very R-rated.

Similar in style to another of his masterpieces, Goodfellas, as it is narrated by the main character (Dicaprio).

Comparisons to the 1987 film Wall Street are silly. This film is much deeper, grittier, and frankly, much better.

Do not let the unfathomable running time of three hours discourage you- the time goes by very fast.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Martin Scorsese, Best Actor-Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Supporting Actor-Jonah Hill, Best Adapted Screenplay

2013 Films, Drama

August: Osage County-2013

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August: Osage County-2013

Director-John Wells

Starring-Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts

Scott’s Review #32

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Based on the play of the same name, August: Osage County is a family drama led by the incomparable Meryl Streep. The family reunites after the patriarch disappears and in no time drama and sniping ensue.

The setting of stifling hot Oklahoma is effective and lends a smothering, suffocating, aspect to the film, much like many of the characters. It’s a bleak, depressing film, and reminded me of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf or A Streetcar Named Desire in tone.

This film has exceptional acting all around, but especially Streep and Julia Roberts, as well as Chris Cooper and Margo Martindale. It’s a raw, angry movie, and the intensity builds throughout.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actress-Meryl Streep, Best Supporting Actress-Julia Roberts

2013 Films, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama

Nebraska-2013

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Nebraska-2013

Director-Alexander Payne

Starring-Bruce Dern, Will Forte

Scott’s Review #31

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Deservedly receiving a handful of Oscar nominations, Nebraska tells the story of a senior citizen, incorrectly convinced he has won a million dollars, determined to travel from Montana to Nebraska to collect the prize.

On the surface, this film sounds like a downer and the usage of black and white does wonder to set the atmosphere of coldness and bleakness in the wintry mid-west.

There are certainly moments of humor and little-known June Squibb is a delight as the saucy wife of lead character Bruce Dern, also wonderful as boozy, curmudgeonly Woody Grant.

There are a few unnecessary mid-western stereotypes, that are commonplace in director Alexander Payne’s films, but a heartbreaking, as well as comical experience, makes this film worth watching.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Actor-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Actress-June Squibb, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Male Lead-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Male-Will Forte, Best Supporting Female-June Squibb, Best First Screenplay (won)

2013 Films, Horror, Lowest Rated Films

I Spit on Your Grave 2-2013

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I Spit on Your Grave 2-2013

Director-Steven R. Monroe

Starring-Jemma Dallender

Scott’s Review #30

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: F

I have seen the original I Spit on Your Grave from 1978 (loved it) and the remake in 2010 (pretty good), this “sequel”, which has nothing to do with either of the others, is awful.

As horrific as the original was to watch, it was raw and the perpetrator’s motivations at least were clear and the subsequent revenge made sense. In this one the attacker’s torture and abuse for the sake of it with no rhyme or reason and some thinly brushed over “hating Americans” excuse.

Furthermore, the “revenge” pales in comparison to what the victim endures so there is no winning moment.

Unsurprisingly, there are plot holes galore, for example, the attackers can transport the victim to another country with no passport, customs, etc.

Fail!

2013 Films, Adventure, Drama

Captain Phillips-2013

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Captain Phillips-2013

Director-Paul Greengrass

Starring-Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi

Scott’s Review #28

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B

Captain Phillips is an intense, gripping, action/adventure/thriller type film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

As much as I enjoyed the film, I do not think a nomination for the top honor is warranted. I feel like I have seen this type of film many times before and the underlining tone of “USA- good, other countries- bad”, whether intentional or unintentional, distracted me.

Another distraction I noticed was that all the protagonists are white whereas all of the antagonists are African. This is based on a true story, yes, but it seems to be glorified.

I felt like the target audience had to be older, white, conservative men, who would surely revel in this type of film.

To be fair, Tom Hanks is great and his performance during the last 15 minutes of the movie should have cemented him an Oscar nod.

The main villain, played by a complete unknown, Barkhad Abdi, was excellent, especially considering the actor had no acting experience. What a big break!

Overall, interesting, exciting experience, but falls short of the Oscar glory.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor-Barkhad Abdi, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing

2013 Films, Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Romantic Comedy, Romantic Comedy

Don Jon-2013

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Don Jon-2013

Director-Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Starring-Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julianne Moore

Scott’s Review #27

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

 I did not expect this film to be as good as it is.

Frankly, I was expecting a by-the-numbers romantic comedy.

Written, directed by, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, it tells the story of a twenty-something New Jersey bartender who is addicted to porn despite receiving all the female attention he can imagine.

Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore play two completely different women in his life.

The film contains stereotypical, though hilarious and spot-on, New Jersey trademarks. Tony Danza is brash and effective as the father.

In the last 30 minutes, the film turns into a wonderful, yet hardly sappy or traditional, love story that makes this film a positive experience.

Gordon-Levitt is a breath of fresh air and a young Hollywood talent getting his due.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay

2013 Films, Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy, International, International Comedy

I’m So Excited-2013

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I’m So Excited-2013

Director-Pedro Almodovar

Starring-Antonio de la Torre, Hugo Silva

Scott’s Review #25

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B-

The latest offering by superb Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar, who directed the brilliantly disturbing The Skin I Live In a few years ago, returns with a vast departure and delves into a campy, lighthearted, yarn about a group of passengers and crew aboard a troubled flight.

The group turns to booze and drugs to console themselves and a circus ensues. Someone had described this as the gay Airplane! and that is certainly fitting. Everyone on board is gay, bi-curious, or otherwise sexually confused and the one-liners keep coming.

The premise sounds hysterical, but sadly, the film did not live up to expectations.

FYI: I felt Airplane! was overrated.

Some funny moments, but the “over the top-ness” was too much to take remotely seriously and somehow did not hold my attention throughout.

Not Almodovar’s best work by a longshot.

2013 Films, Horror, Independent, Independent Horror

All Hallows’ Eve-2013

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All Hallows’ Eve-2013

Director-Damien Leone

Starring-Katie Maguire

Scott’s Review #19

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Reviewed March 25, 2014

Grade: B+

All Hallows’ Eve is an above-average, low-budget, independent horror film from 2013 reminiscent of the wonderful Showtime series Masters of Horror.

The film has the main story, then divided into three tales, and finally all meshing together, which was very effective. A babysitter and her two charges find an old VHS tape and, of course, watch it. Three short films are on the tape.

The antagonist of the film is a horrific supernatural clown that reminded me of Pennywise from “It”. The motivations of the clown are not explained, nor is that necessary.

One of the three stories feels out of place, but the other two are excellent.

Anyone looking for some late-night fright would do well watching this creepy little film.

2013 Films, Thriller

The Counselor-2013

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The Counselor-2013

Director-Ridley Scott

Starring-Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt

Scott’s Review #18

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A-

The Counselor is a star-studded, unique, drug trafficking thriller set in Mexico and Texas. The film has met with some level of debate as some seemed to either love it or hate it. There appears to be a case made that those who hated it did not understand the movie.

It is not a “by the numbers” or “predictable” popcorn film. It’s much better than that. It’s a thinking man’s movie. I saw shades of Quentin Tarantino’s influence and parts were reminiscent of the wonderful TV series “Breaking Bad”.

There are intersecting stories and heavy acting talent (Fassbender and Diaz are the standouts). I feel this is Cameron Diaz’s best role and wish she would go edgy more often.

There are three brilliantly well-done scenes (motorcycle, Brad Pitt on street, and landfill scene) that are as disturbing as they are artistic. There are some plot holes, but in this case, that can be overlooked.

It’s not simply an action film, but a character-driven one.

The viewing of this film is a unique experience.

2013 Films, Best Documentary Feature Oscar Winners, Documentary

20 Feet from Stardom-2013

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20 Feet from Stardom-2013

Director-Morgan Neville

Starring-Bruce Springsteen, Sting

Scott’s Review #17

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B

Must-see for any lover of popular/rock music as so many songs have background singers that nobody realizes let alone knows their names.

It is said that many of them didn’t do much “past their day”, but Hollywood is littered with thousands of broken dreams. Nice that some of them still perform to this day.

A reality check in the documentary that was brought up many times is that you need to be egotistical and narcissistic to be in the spotlight. Makes you look at many of the big stars a bit differently.

Sometimes they are not so nice when the cameras are not rolling and have tremendous egos.

No names were revealed-this is an interesting documentary to watch.

Oscar Nominations: Best Documentary-Feature (won)

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Documentary Feature (won)

2013 Films, Best International Film Oscar Winners, Independent, Independent Drama, International, International Drama

The Great Beauty-2013

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The Great Beauty-2013

Director-Paolo Sorrentino

Starring-Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone

Scott’s Review #16

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A

The Great Beauty is an Italian film and winner of the 2013 Best Foreign Language Oscar and, in my opinion, well deserved.

The film is hardly conventional- it is thoughtful, character-driven, and quite Fellini-influenced.

It takes some time to get into- the first thirty minutes are mostly people dancing and partying wildly.

Set in present-day Rome, it tells the story of a successful 65-year-old journalist who reflects on his life, past and present. The themes of loss and loneliness are explored, and while cynical, are not a downer.

Quite the contrary, as one party after another, is thrown and the nightlife and excesses of Rome are the centerpieces of the film.

A main aspect of The Great Beauty is that all the money and success in the world does not measure happiness- an aspect many people forget.

The main character loses people close to him and many of his wealthy friends are bored and alone. This film is about life and its complexities.

It left me thinking long after the credits rolled and that is a huge testament to its power. Rarely, a film like this comes along any longer.

I felt like I was watching a masterpiece.

Oscar Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film (won)

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best International Film

2013 Films, Independent, Indie Adventure

All is Lost-2013

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All is Lost-2013

Director-J.C. Chandor

Starring-Robert Redford

Scott’s Review #4

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Reviewed June 16, 2014

Grade: D

The accolades heaped on this film from 2013 escape me.

Some felt that this was Robert Redford’s late in life masterpiece. I’ve never found him to be a great talent as an actor, and while not horrible in this film, it is certainly not the Oscar-worthy performance being bandied about.

Many actors would play this role better- Tom Hanks, Sean Penn come to mind.

Beyond the performance, there are facets of the film that are unexplained (how did he become shipwrecked? Why did ships pass by not noticing him? who is he???).

Much of the movie dragged and a feeling of having seen this film many times before kept gnawing at me, albeit without a one-person cast, which I give it respect for.

But castaway, shipwreck movies have been around since the beginning. It had the standard plot developments of this type of film- broken equipment, sharks, storms, which made it feel quite contrived.

Fail.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Director-J.C. Chandor, Best Male Lead-Robert Redford, Best Cinematography

2013 Films, Adventure

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire-2013

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire-2013

Director-Francis Lawrence

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson

Scott’s Review #1

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Reviewed June 16, 2014

Grade: B-

I confess to not having read any of the Hunger Games books, so I am critiquing the film on its film merits only with no knowledge of the books.

Interestingly, I graded the first Hunger Games film a B- and that is what I am giving this one, almost for the same reason.

The first hour of the film sets up the second hour, but it is unnecessarily drawn out. In fact, at times it’s slightly dull. The meat of the film then takes off and the film is quite good though the film still does not completely hold my attention throughout.

First and foremost, Jennifer Lawrence is the best part of the film- she has the charisma and likability to carry it off. The chemistry between the two leads (Lawrence and Hutcherson) is there so there is certainly rooting value for the couple.

The third part of the triangle is weak (Liam Hemsworth has far too little screen time to make him a viable rooting factor).

Donald Sutherland is wonderful as the evil President, but Philip Seymour Hoffman seems to phone in his performance and the character is not all that intriguing.

The mood of the film and visuals (fog, train sequences) are great there is modern darkness to the film, and the premise and wondering who will die next during the games are interesting.

The somewhat twist at the end was effective.

To summarize nice characters/acting, great looking film, mediocre story, and slow pacing in the first act.