Category Archives: 2013 Films

2013 Films, Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, New York City

Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

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Inside Llewyn Davis-2013

Directors Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring Oscar Isaac

Scott’s Review #35

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Being a tremendous fan of the Coen brothers (Fargo-1996, No Country for Old Men-2007), I was eager to see their latest offering, Inside Llewyn Davis (2013).

The Coens have such a sense of quirkiness in their characters, and while this film isn’t on the level of their other gems, it’s still a 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 or breaks, encountering many people who either thwart or help his chances of success.

Sadly, the film was ignored by the Oscar brethren, but it tells a slice-of-life story of a 1960s artist.

As with most Coen Brothers 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, Biography, Comedy, Crime Drama, Dark Comedy, Drama, Epic

The Wolf of Wall Street-2013

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The Wolf of Wall Street-2013

Director Martin Scorsese

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

Scott’s Review #33

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Reviewed June 17, 2014 

Grade: A

Martin Scorsese’s latest offering, The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), 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, jaw-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, and Kyle Chandler.

With Scorsese, you get an intelligent film, though it’s very R-rated.

It’s similar in style to another of his masterpieces, Goodfellas (1990), 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, Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama

August: Osage County-2013

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August: Osage County-2013

Director John Wells

Starring Meryl Streep

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 (2013) is a family drama/dark comedy led by the incomparable Meryl Streep.

The family reunites after the patriarch disappears, and drama and sniping ensue quickly.

The stifling-hot Oklahoma setting works well and adds a smothering, suffocating feel 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 (1966), or A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) in tone.

This film has exceptional acting all around, 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, Black & White, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

Nebraska-2013

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Nebraska-2013

Director Alexander Payne

Starring Bruce Dern

Scott’s Review #31

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Deservedly earning a handful of Oscar nominations, Nebraska (2013) tells the story of a senior citizen who mistakenly believes he has won a million dollars.

He is determined to travel from Montana to Nebraska to collect the coveted prize.

On the surface, this film sounds like a downer, and the black-and-white cinematography does wonders to set an atmosphere of coldness and bleakness in the wintry Midwest.

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

A few unnecessary Midwestern stereotypes, commonplace in director Alexander Payne’s films, make this a heartbreaking, comical experience 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: 1 win-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

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 and loved it.

The 2010 remake was pretty good, but 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, the perpetrator’s motivations were clear, and the subsequent revenge made sense.

In this one, the attacker’s torture and abuse is merely 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, Action, Biography, Thriller

Captain Phillips-2013

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Captain Phillips-2013

Director Paul Greengrass

Starring Tom Hanks

Scott’s Review #28

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B

Captain Phillips (2013) is an intense, gripping action thriller nominated for Best Picture.

As much as I enjoyed the film, I do not think a nomination for the top honor is warranted.

I have seen this type of film many times before, and the underlying tone of “USA- good, other countries- bad”, whether intentional or unintentional, distracted me.

Another distraction was that all the protagonists are white, whereas all the antagonists are African.

This is based on a true story, but it seems glorified.

The target audience must have been older, white, conservative men, who would revel in this type of film.

Tom Hanks is great, and his performance during the final fifteen minutes of the movie should have cemented him an Oscar nod instead of the film.

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, an interesting, exciting experience, but 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, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama, Independent Romantic Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Drama

Don Jon-2013

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Don Jon-2013

Director Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore

Scott’s Review #27

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

 I did not expect Don Jon (2013) 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 effective as the brash father.

In the last thirty minutes, the film turns into a wonderful, yet hardly sappy or traditional, love story that makes Don Jon (2013) a positive experience.

Gordon-Levitt is a breath of fresh air and a young Hollywood talent getting the recognition he deserves.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay

2013 Films, Camp, Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy, International, International Comedy, Spanish

I’m So Excited-2013

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I’m So Excited-2013

Director Pedro Almodovar

Starring Javier Cámara, Antonio de la Torre

Scott’s Review #25

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 (2011) a few years ago, returns with a vast departure.

He delves into a campy, lighthearted yarn about a group of passengers and crew aboard a troubled flight in I’m So Excited (2013).

The group turns to booze and drugs to console themselves, and a circus ensues.

Someone described this as the gay Airplane! (1980), and that is 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 does not measure up to expectations.

FYI: I felt Airplane! was overrated.

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

Not Almodóvar’s best work by a long shot.

2013 Films, Horror, Horror Anthologies, 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 (2005-2007).

The film has a main story, then splits into three tales, and finally they all mesh together, which is very effective.

A babysitter and her two charges find an old VHS tape and, of course, watch it.

The tape contains three short films.

The antagonist is a horrific supernatural clown that reminds me of Pennywise from “It”. The clown’s motivations aren’t explained, and that’s not necessary.

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

Anyone looking for some late-night fright should watch this creepy little film called All Hallows’ Eve (2013).

2013 Films, Action, Crime Thriller, Thriller

The Counselor-2013

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The Counselor-2013

Director Ridley Scott

Starring Michael Fassbender

Scott’s Review #18

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A-

The Counselor (2013) is a star-studded, unique drug-trafficking thriller set in Mexico and Texas.

The film has sparked debate, with viewers either loving it or hating 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 (2008-2013).

The storylines intersect; the talent is strong, and Fassbender and Diaz stand out. This is Cameron Diaz’s best role a, and I wish she would go more edgy often.

Three brilliantly done scenes (motorcycle, Brad Pitt on the street, and the landfill scene) are as disturbing as they are artistic.

Some plot holes can be overlooked.

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

The viewing of The Counselor (2013) 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 Darlene Love

Scott’s Review #17

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Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B

20 Feet from Stardom (2013) is a must-see for any lover of popular/rock music since 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.

It is nice that some of them still perform to this day.

A reality check in the documentary brought up many times is that you should be egotistical and narcissistic to be in the spotlight.

It 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: 1 win-Best Documentary-Feature (won)

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Documentary Feature (won)

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

The Great Beauty-2013

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The Great Beauty-2013

Director Paolo Sorrentino

Starring Toni Servillo

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 follows a successful sixty-five-year-old journalist as he reflects on his life, past and present.

The film explores themes of loss and loneliness, and while cynical, it is not a downer.

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

A main aspect of The Great Beauty is that all the money and success in the world do not measure happiness, something that 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 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: 1 win-Best Foreign Language Film (won)

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best International Film

2013 Films, Adventure, Drama, Independent, Independent Adventure, Independent Drama

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 All Is Lost from 2013 escape me.

Some felt that this was Robert Redford’s late-in-life masterpiece.

I’ve never found him a great actor, and while he’s not horrible in this film, it is not the Oscar-worthy performance being bandied about.

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

Beyond the performance, the film leaves facets unexplained. How did he become shipwrecked? Why did ships pass by not noticing him? Who is he?

Much of the movie drags, and a feeling of having seen this film many times before kept gnawing at me. I do give the film credit for containing only one cast member.

But castaway and shipwreck movies have been around since the beginning. They all have the standard plot developments- broken equipment, sharks, and storms- which makes it quite contrived.

Fail.

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

2013 Films, Action, Adventure

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire-2013

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire-2013

Director Francis Lawrence

Starring Jennifer Lawrence

Scott’s Review #1

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Reviewed June 16, 2014

Grade: B-

I confess I haven’t read any of the Hunger Games books, so I am critiquing the film on its own merits only, with no knowledge of the books.

Interestingly, I graded the first Hunger Games (2012) film a B-, and I am giving this one almost the same grade for the same reason.

The first hour sets up the second hour, but it drags on unnecessarily. At times it’s slightly dull.

The meat of the film then takes off, and it’s quite good, though it still doesn’t completely hold my attention throughout.

First and foremost, Jennifer Lawrence is the best part. She has the charisma and likability to carry it off.

The chemistry between the two leads (Lawrence and Hutcherson) is there, so the couple is worth rooting for.

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 it in, and the character isn’t all that intriguing.

The mood of the film and visuals (fog, train sequences) are great because there is modern darkness, 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.