It's that time of year again! Because the dawn of a new year in film is upon us, I figured I'd share the films with which I'm most excited to see in 2014! (Please note that all release dates of the films could change). Here they are in alphabetical order:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Redford
I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of the Captain America comic. That's why I was pleasantly surprised when the 2011 film turned out to be so good. When I saw the first trailer for this highly-anticapted sequel, I have to admit to getting goosebumps. I really hope the story follows what is teased in the trailer -- particularly when Cap says, "I thought the punishment usually came after the crime," and, "This isn't freedom (pointing to the war machines and weapons), this is fear." For once, I'd love to see a major blockbuster address concepts such as this without going all "AMERICA! F*^% YEAH!!!" When it comes to comic book film adaptations, I think only Guardians of the Galaxy will give Cap a run for his money this year. Plus, with the inclusion of heroes Black Widow (Johansson) and Falcon (Mackie), and villain Winter Soldier (Stan) (which, if you know anything about comics and who the soldier is, then you knew right after watching the first film that he was destined to come back!), this film is shaping up to be epic. To be released: April 4, 2014.
Edge of Tomorrow
Directed by Doug Liman
Starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Kick Gurry, Charlotte Riley, and Lara Pulver
Originally based on the Hiroshi Sakurazaka 2009 novel All You Need is Kill, Edge of Tomorrow finds Tom Cruise throwing his hat in the sci-fi genre once again. The film's premise follows Lt. Col. Bill Cage (Cruise), somewhat of a bumbling desk soldier, who is dropped into battle against the ruthless, hard-to-kill Mimics -- an alien race that seems hellbent on taking over the earth. Within of his "suicide mission," Cage is killed. But he soon finds himself awakening to just hours earlier, before the battle. Cage is stuck in a time loop where he has time to get to know the enemies' techniques and become a better soldier. Along the way, he meets Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), a special forces soldier who Cage discovers is also stuck in a time loop, making her somewhat of a war hero. Directed by Doug Liman (Go, The Bourne Identity) and with a gaggle of supreme screenwriters -- including Steve Kloves (the Harry Potter films), Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), Tim Kring (NBC's Heroes), and Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci (Mission: Impossible III,Transformers, Star Trek), this film promises to have plenty of fast-paced action and, hopefully, some good writing! To be released: June 6, 2014.
The Equalizer
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Starring Denzel Washington, Chloe Grace Moretz, Haley Bennett, Melissa Leo, and Bill Pullman
Anyone who was a kid/teen/young adult in the mid-1980s might remember the 1985 TV show The Equalizer (starring Edward Woodward) about a retired CIA agent turned private investigator named Robert McCall who is available for hire if there is a problem one doesn't know how to solve. Screenwriter Richard Wenk (Vamp, 16 Blocks, The Mechanic, The Expendables 2) is writing the adaptation and with director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) teaming back up with star Denzel Washington as McCall, I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with it. Plus, the ultra-talented Chloe Grace Moretz's involvement helps the film's star power. To be released: September 26, 2014.
Gone Girl
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Fugit, Tyler Perry, and Kim Dickens
Ben Affleck has been on a roll lately. After a brief hiatus from Hollywood -- taking time to spend on his family -- he came back a stronger presence when he directed the movie adaptation of the Dennis Lehane novel Gone Baby Gone, then moving on to direct (and star in) The Town and last year's hit Argo, as well as improving his acting by taking roles in State of Play, The Company Men, and will next be seen as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the highly anticipated Batman vs. Superman. Now he's starring in director-who-can-do-no-wrong David Fincher's movie adaptation of the Gillian Flynn novel Gone Girl. Affleck will star as former journalist Nick Dunne, whose wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing shortly after they move from New York to Missouri. Was it Nick who was behind his wife going missing, or did she have a hand in her own fate? Both are deceptive and take the audience on a deceptive ride. To be released: October 3, 2014.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Directed by James Gunn
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Benecio Del Toro, John C. Reilly, and Glenn Close
This has been the big buzz release for 2014! Marvel's movie adaptation of a comic book series which hasn't seen much following. However, now, because of its ties to the broad Marvel cinematic universe -- and a dream cast -- the film. The team is basically formed by Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) to be more proactive in protecting the galaxy from major threats, as opposed to reacting to crises as they happen. There promises to be plenty of action and I can't wait to see what director James Gunn (Slither, Super) does with it. To be released: August 1, 2014.
The Hobbit: There and Back Again
Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, and Benedict Cumberbatch
After the impressive second installment of Jackson's Hobbit trilogy (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug), I'm ready for Smaug's razing of Lake-town! I have to admit that I was a little worrisome and skeptical of this extended trilogy when An Unexpected Journey was released. However, after Desolation, I'm all on-board! To be released: December 17, 2014.
Interstellar
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Wes Bentley, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Topher Grace, Ellen Burstyn, and John Lithgow
Christopher Nolan's next venture pits him back in sci-fi with this film about a newly-discovered space wormhole which a group of explorers and scientists travel through in order to transcend previous limitations on human space travel. The plot still remains somewhat nondescript but its buzz has got moviegoers excited seeing how Nolan is one of the new formidable filmmakers today. Plus, add a splendid cast, as well as writing by Nolan and his brother Jonathan Nolan, and you've certainly gotten my attention. To be released: November 7, 2014.
The Interview
Directed by Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen
Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Lizzy Caplan, and Randall Park
After having a so-so hit with their apocalypse-themed This is the End, BFF writing team Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen have teamed up to pen their own version of a CIA comedy thriller (think Argo meets Confessions of a Dangerous Mind meets Spies Like Us). In this movie, Rogen and buddy James Franco have teamed up once again to portray television talk show host Dave Skylark (Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Rogen), who get an interview with the dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong-un. Upon hearing the news of the interview, the CIA asks Skylark and Rapoport to assassinate Kim. Comedy ensues. To be released: October 10, 2014.
Into the Woods
Directed by Rob Marshall
Starring Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Christine Baranski, and Meryl Streep
Columbia Pictures first tried to have a movie made of this Broadway musical back in the early 1990s. Alas, despite dream casting (of some of the most well-known actors of that time), the production stalled and it was dropped. Flashforward 23 years later and Disney has picked it up, with the film's production being solidified when Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp both signed on. Director Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, Nine) was nabbed to adapt this musical which focuses on famous characters from Grimms' Fairy Tales (i.e., Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack (of the Beanstalk), Red Riding Hood, etc.), and is about a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) who are cursed by a witch (Streep) to be childless. In order to break the curse, they must embark into the woods to collect special objects so they can break the spell and start a family. To be released: December 25, 2014.
Maleficent
Directed by Robert Stromberg
Starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Juno Temple, and Imelda Staunton
I'm not the biggest Angelina Jolie fan, but I'm excited to see this one. Maleficent comes in a close second to the Evil Queen Stepmother (Snow White) as the most evil Disney villain, and to have Jolie play her is brilliant casting! I also really love the idea of Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora. I only hope that the writers don't make Maleficent too much of a sympathetic character seeing how her past will be explored in this film. To be released: May 30, 2014.
Million Dollar Arm
Directed by Craig Gillespie
Starring Jon Hamm, Lake Bell, Bill Paxton, Alan Arkin, Madhur Mittal, Suraj Sharma, and Bar Paly
In the tradition of inspirational sports movies like Invincible, Disney is releasing this biographical film about sports agent J.B. Bernstein (Jon Hamm), who takes an unconventional approach to recruiting for the major leagues by traveling to India and recruiting cricket players (Madhur Mittal, Suraj Sharma) to play baseball back in the States. I like sports films ... especially ones that push the unconventional. So this one is right up my alley! To be released: May 16, 2014.
The Monuments Men
Directed by George Clooney
Starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Bob Balaban, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, and Cate Blanchett
Based on the true story of specially-trained and -recruited art appraisers who were sent to Germany during World War II to save, restore and ship back priceless works of art that were seized by Adolph Hitler and his Nazi army -- as written in Robert M. Edsel's The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. The film brings back director Clooney and his writing partner Grant Heslov, along with a brilliant cast, to tell these soldiers' tales. For those who don't think art is important, it's movies like this that make me recall the famous quote by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II. When he was asked that the arts funding be cut in order to spend more money on the war effort, Churchill shot back, "Then what are we fighting for?" To be released: February 7, 2014.
Neighbors
Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Starring Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jake Johnson, and Lisa Kudrow
I think what makes this film seem so funny is the fact that Seth Rogen is a married guy with a baby and married to Rose Byrne! But, if you're into frat humor, this will seem hilarious. There's not much to pick up about the story from watching the trailer other than it's the two parents who play pranks on the college frat guys, soon engaging in an epic prank war. My only guess is that the parents are hoping to get the frat guys evicted so they don't have to see or tolerate their debaucherous ways anymore. Either way, count me in! To be released: May 9, 2014.
Non-Stop
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery, Bar Paly, Anson Mount, and Lupita Nyong'o
With Liam Neeson starring, there are already many comparisons to Taken. Call it what you will. I don't care 'cause it's got Neeson in it! This time, Neeson portrays U.S. federal air marshal Bill Marks, who is on an international flight from New York to London and receives threatening text messages stating a passenger will be killed every 20 minutes unless $150 million is transferred to a special account. Marks tries to figure out who is behind the operation until it is discovered that the account is under his name and people think he is the hijacker. To be released: February 28, 2014.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Directed by Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller
Starring Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eva Green, Jaime King, Ray Liotta, Mickey Rourke, and Bruce Willis
Originally slated for release in 2013, this follow-up to the hit 2005 film Sin City was pushed back to 2014 because of production issues and not wanting to release the film at the same time as director Robert Rodriguez's other sequel due out -- Machete Kills. This film and its stories are based on comic book writer Frank Miller's stories "A Dame to Kill For," "Just Another Saturday Night," and two new, original stories -- "The Long Bad Night" and an untitled story. To be released: August 22, 2014.
Welcome to Yesterday
Directed by Dean Israelite
Starring Sam Lerner, Ginny Gardner, Jonny Weston, Allen Evangelista, and Sofia Black-D'Elia
Probably one of my cheesiest picks, I know! BUT I actually like the whole "found footage" effect in films like this (see Cloverfield and Chronicle). And I'm definitely a sucker for time travel movies. So this kinda gets me excited. I might wait for DVD, but it still should probably be entertaining. To be released: February 28, 2014.
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Halle Berry, Evan Peters, and Shawn Ashmore
X-Men: First Class was probably the best Marvel film (well, until The Avengers came along). It definitely surpassed any of the previous X-Men films. And I was excited at the direction with which director Matthew Vaughn was taking it. That's why I was ever-so-slightly disheartened when I found out that Vaughn was not going to direct the sequel, but, rather original X-Men director Bryan Singer would. I wasn't too crazy about Singer's take on the mutants; in fact, I felt it was too "quiet." It was cool to see the characters on screen in such a fashion, yet the story wasn't too impressive. X-Men 2 was a much better film. Nevertheless, after watching the trailer, my faith is restored. Especially when I found out the filmmakers are lifting the Days of Future Past storyline from the comics. Great story! Can't wait to see it! To be released: May 23, 2014.
The following films are what I consider the best released this past year. They are in alphabetical order.
12 Years a Slave
This film is long overdue! Director Steve McQueen turns a vicious slavery tale into a somewhat beautiful aesthetic and moving tale. Chiwetel Ejiofor hands in what I consider the best performance of the year (and, yes, even above Matthew McConaughey's role in Dallas Buyers Club). Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong'o both turn in wonderful supporting roles as well. The only slavery film that has come this close to reality was John Singleton's 1997 film Rosewood -- although, even though the film is based on the true story of the 1923 racist lynch mob that destroyed an African American community, that film still has somewhat of a "Hollywood touch" to it. With this film, McQueen has really earned his place amongst some of the great contemporary directors. Also, Hans Zimmer's score is haunting, beautiful, gripping and frightening all at once -- one of the best scores I've heard in a while!
In this film, Ejiofor's Solomon Northup is completely robbed of his freedom, only to be shuffled from master to master -- mostly due to his rebellious nature -- and trying not to get himself killed. Along the way, he meets the hard worker Patsey (Nyong'o), who is also mistress to their alcoholic slave-owning master Epps (Fassbender). This is a film that needed to be made. Not only because it addresses racial issues, but also, in general, inequality issues -- a topic that is ever-so-present today.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: When a large group of slaves are first introduced to their new master Edwin Epps (Fassbender), who reads from the Bible/Scripture of Luke 12:47, to justify slavery. And Northup is freed.
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Chadwick Boseman gives an outstanding performance as the legendary Jackie Robinson! I didn't think I would be that impressed by this film, but the story of Robinson's struggle is brave and heartfelt. It is a testament to the strength of his character. All performances here are great and the film is a landmark amongst others of its ilk this year -- namely, The Butler and 12 Years a Slave. It's easy to see why the man is considered a hero by many. He had to swallow a lot of pride and anger to lead the way for other men of color. And the world is all the better for him.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: When Robinson asks Major League executive Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) if Rickey wants a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back against the taunts and physical threats of teammates and other baseball players and coaches. To which Rickey replies, "I want a player who's got the guts not to fight back!" This enlightens Robinson to use tolerance and restraint as opposed to violence and revenge. Throughout the film, when Robinson comes against these taunts which would cause most of us to fly into a rage, Robinson keeps his cool.
American Hustle
David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook was so good I couldn't wait for his next film -- especially when I heard he was getting Bradley Cooper and the uber-cool Jennifer Lawrence to star, as well as a previous star of his film The Fighter (Christian Bale). I was not disappointed. American Hustle, loosely based on the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late 1970s/early 1980s, follows FBI agent Richie (Cooper) as he forces two con-artists, Irving (Bale) and Sydney (Amy Adams), into trying to prove Camden, New Jersey's mayor (Jeremy Renner) is corrupt and illegally using Mafia money. There is no surprise with this roster of actors that the acting is superb and the story does have its twists. This was one of the few Christmastime releases I enjoyed. I'm a little surprised that I've liked Russell's latest films as I was not too crazy for any of his earlier work (Flirting With Disaster, Three Kings, and I Heart Huckabees). If you're a fan of any of these actors and Scorcese films, I recommend this one.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Irving comes clean.
Blackfish
When the tragic death of SeaWorld Killer Whale (Orca) trainer Dawn Brancheau in February 2010 by one of the killer whales, Tilikum, occurred, people were shocked. Well, after watching this documentary, you won't be surprised anymore. In fact, you'll be downright saddened and angry. This is a documentary about an immoral group of creatures: SeaWorld executives. I know, I know. But SeaWorld gives those animals a good life, and, besides, those animals don't have any real feelings. Well, I've got a movie I think you should see. This doc follows the history of capturing killer whales (particular Tilikum and his history) as well as the previous "accidents" of orca trainers with their animals. This film is just proof positive why documentaries are just as important as -- if not more so -- the news media, especially in this age of poor, oftentimes biased reporting.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: When one of the fishermen who caught Tilikum (as a calf) described (and video is shown) of Tilikum's pod (family) crying and calling out to him as he was being taken away by the fishermen.
Captain Phillips
It should be no surprise by now that Tom Hanks is a great actor and puts out great films -- especially when teamed up with a great director and writer(s). In this case, the story is based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama, adapted by Billy Ray (Breach, The Hunger Games), and directed by Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Supremacy). Phillips is one of those films where even though the viewer knows what's going to happen, the events onscreen nevertheless keep you on the edge of your seat with an intensity that is exceptional storytelling. What is even better is that Greengrass chose to get no-name actors (and real-life Somalis) to portray the hijackers (Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali), adding to the authenticity and believability of the actors. I have to admit that I'm not a guy who's usually impressed by military actions but what the Navy SEALs accomplish in this film is amazing! And it's true to how they actually saved Capt. Phillips. By the end of the film, the viewer is just as emotionally drained after the past two+ hours as Hanks, and Hanks' acting in the final scene is just one pure example of why he's considered one of the best in his craft. MEMORABLE MOMENT: Near the end of the film with the Navy SEAL mission to save Phillips in an almost-inescapable situation, and Hanks' emotional response in the med bay.
Let's hear it for rom-com that does not follow the usual formula with which movies of this genre typically use! Writer/director/actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in his first role as writer/director, stars as Jon Martello, an Italian-American man who loves his women and his porn. Most women he has sex with, he immediately leaves afterward. Then, one day, he meets Barbara (Scarlett Johansson) and he falls hard for her. She talks him into waiting to have sex and he tolerates her love for rom-coms, which he finds completely annoying because he finds them unrealistic. When Barbara finds out Jon is addicted to porn, their relationship comes into trouble. Now, I know what you're thinking -- you think you know where this is going to go because of the usual formula that Hollywood rom-coms (romantic comedies) have shoved down viewers' throats for the past 34 years or so. But ... you would be wrong. What starts out as looking and sounding (oh, the cussing!) like a Jersey Shore wannabe film turns into a film with undercurrents of philosophical meanings and metaphorical moments -- all wrapped up in an independent Hollywood package. An especially interesting turnaround is the metaphor about how Jon believes all rom-coms are the same and unrealistic, but he fails to realize that porn falls into the same category. This aspect runs parallel with the solitude in Jon's lifestyle throughout most of the film; most activities he does keep him alone and it isn't until Jon truly feels a connection that he begins to connect with others. The film features a great cast -- Tony Danza, Julianne Moore, Glenne Headly, and Brie Larson -- and proves that Gordon-Levitt is a new triple threat force to be reckoned with!
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Jon's sister's (Larson) words of wisdom, and Jon's final confrontation with Barbara.
As a father, it's pretty much a given that you're going to start inadvertently memorizing all Disney movies and characters. Luckily, for me, I don't mind Disney films -- in fact, I'm quite damn fond of 'em -- especially the way Disney makes them now! Whereas Brave centered around mothers and daughters, Disney's latest, Frozen, is about sisters. Based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale The Snow Queen, Disney's adaptation is about sisters Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) who grow up close at first, but, after an accident, become estranged. When Elsa ends up placing her kingdom in eternal winter, it is up to little sister Anna to seek her out and try and get Elsa to stop the curse. What is so beautiful about this story is the many metaphors racing throughout the story. Elsa's "talent" is representative of anyone who is different; and the love in the film is a love that is more important than some romantic "true love's kiss" kind of love -- it's unconditional love. With films such as Up, Wreck-It Ralph, Wall-E, Tangled, Toy Story 3, Brave, and Frozen, Disney has proven that they are no longer merely a movie producer of "kids movies." Their stories are some of the most heartfelt, well-written and -plotted I've seen in recent years.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Anna's act of true love.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Director Peter Jackson's first act of his Hobbit trilogy, An Unexpected Journey, fell flat for me and did not make my "best of 2012" list. Fortunately, with Smaug, Jackson gets back on track to what made his Lord of the Ring films so great and fun. I would easily see (and buy) an extended version of this film! The addition of the love triangle between Legolas, Turiel, and Kili doesn't really bother me as it did not take central focus of the story (not yet, anyway!), and the addition of Gandalf's visit to Dol Guldur is very welcomed as I greatly approve of Jackson's tying this film series to his masterpiece LOTR series. As for the dragon Smaug, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, he met every expectation I had; then again, I'm a little biased because, when it comes to Cumberbatch, I'm a BIG fan of his (if you have not seen his Sherlock on BBC yet, I immediately order you to Netflix, rent, or buy the first two seasons)!
To me, whereas the only real highlight of Journey was the meeting between Bilbo (Freeman) and Gollum (Serkis); in Smaug, the highlight was the barrel river ride/fight scene. Seeing Legolas in action was a sight to behold just like in the LOTR films, and even seeing what fighting these dwarves could do in such a tight situation gave me a newfound respect for them and The Hobbit franchise. Up until this movie, I found the movie series and the book to be not that impressive simply because I didn't quite care for the dwarves or their plight. To me, I had the same belief that Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt), the "skin-changer," has: "I do not care much for dwarves. They do not think of anything that they feel is beneath them." But this film has finally returned to the magic that made the LOTR films so great! This is one of the few blockbusters I was really wowed by this year! MEMORABLE MOMENT: The barrel river ride/fight scene!
The Impossible
Based on the Alvarez's -- a family of four -- harrowing real-life story of their experience during the 2004 earthquake and tsunami that hit Phuket, Thailand, the day after Christmas. In this film, the family's nationality was changed from Spanish to British, but it makes no difference. If you see any film that emotionally guts you, it's this one. The action, terror and drama never subside in this film, and, by the end, you feel like you've gone on a major emotional rollercoaster. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor are both superb (as usual), but one of the major heavy hitters here is 14-year-old actor Tom Holland, who plays Lucas, the oldest of the sons. The film is a beautiful testament to the fragility of life and the fact that we are all here to help one another. You can only watch this film in awe, while realizing that life is a gift and beautiful. A powerful movie!
MEMORABLE MOMENT: The tsunami hits.
Let the Fire Burn
Truly one of the most captivating documentaries I've had the pleasure of watching! Director Jason Osder takes previously unreleased archival footage, new footage, and public hearing meeting footage, and edits it together to make a masterpiece of documentary cinema. The film centers on the May 13, 1985, assault on a radical group called MOVE in a Philadelphia neighborhood, which created a six-alarm blaze, destroying 61 homes, and killing 5 children and 6 adults. What's worse is that the blaze was started -- and allowed to persist -- by Town officials and police. This documentary perfectly captures how intolerance, prejudice and fear can lead to incredible violence. It is a bipartisan film that focuses on the wrongdoings of both sides -- the town and police officials, and the MOVE members. I could not take my eyes off of every interview and scene presented -- even though they were recorded some 28 years ago! The music is powerfully affective and this documentary is essential viewing about a tragedy in America's history which most in this country either have no knowledge of, or have completely forgotten!
MEMORABLE MOMENT: When the evidence is presented that the police commissioner intentionally did not convey to the Fire Chief to extinguish the blaze, therefore causing the death of innocent lives and the destruction of several innocent neighborhood residents' homes.
Man of Steel
So this is it. The moment all Superman fans have been waiting for since it was revealed that Dark Knight trilogy helmsman Christopher Nolan and director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen) were rebooting the franchise. Of course, Man of Steel is better than any current standalone Marvel Comics movie (i.e., Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, The Wolverine, or any of the Iron Man trilogy). But the question most people may ask is: "Is it better than The Avengers?" More on that in a moment.
If you were to think more about Superman's plight, you'd see that he doesn't have it so easy either. There are many philosophical complexities and moral dilemmas presented in Superman's stories. Man of Steel features all of these complexities of Kal-El's existence:
1) The knowledge that despite his love for humans and his feeling of being one, knowing he will always be an outsider -- check!
2) The knowledge that any time an alien comes to defeat him or make him suffer, it is his mere presence on Earth that brings them there so he believes any destruction or human casualty is his fault -- check! 3) The knowledge that any small physical reaction could lead to instant disaster and would garner great scrutiny and fear from the humans he so loves -- check! 4) Having to truly sacrifice those he loves the most ... even meaning letting loved ones die for the "greater good" -- check! 5) Being solely opposed to killing ... no matter good or evil -- check!
It has been reported that the "controversy" (if that's what you want to call it) of Man of Steel particularly touches on two aspects of the film. One involves that last bullet point I just mentioned. The other is the destruction of Metropolis at the end of the film when Superman (Henry Cavill) fights General Zod (Michael Shannon) and his Kryptonian cronies -- an inevitable result considering a bunch of super-powered alien beings are there to take over the planet and trying to kill Superman (this is definitely no Superman II where Superman flies away to avoid destruction and human casualties). The fact that the destruction of a city is even an issue proves that critics and audiences are merely nitpicking for any negative criticism they can find. What would one expect when a group of beings with the same superpowers as Superman -- but with no morals -- and determined to rule Earth, come here? Also, was there a lot of this nitpicking when The Avengers, Watchmen, Transformers 3, or G.I. Joe were released (and that doesn't include all of the numerous alien-related films where New York is destroyed)? Did their destruction of a city sully the film's worth? Besides, if you want to get into semantics, then you have to remember that Superman has unlimited strength and can move at the speed of light, so I'm sure the city could be rebuilt in no time. Besides, if it weren't for the heavy action you expect from a Superman film, then those same critics who are moaning about the destruction of a city would be saying how little action there was in the film (remember what most people said about Bryan Singer's 2006 Superman Returns?).
So ... onto the question I originally posed: Is Man of Steel better than The Avengers? Yes. And I'll tell you why. Basically the same type of threat that was in The Avengers (i.e. a demigod being attempting to have alien beings take over Earth, starting with a major city) is the same threat in Man of Steel. The one major difference? The threat that took an entire superhero team (and a few random regular humans) to diffuse in The Avengers took only one man (and a few random regular humans) in Man of Steel! But it's just not that. Man of Steel takes the audience into every aspect of Superman's character (his birth and more background into his birth parents and home planet, his formative years, and his reclaiming his heritage and powers), and also injects some of the new origin material that has inhabited the comics for the past few years. The scope is massive and Snyder pulls it off without making the audience roll their eyes. To say this is not your grandfather's or father's Superman is a huge understatement! Man of Steel introduces the audience to the contemporary Superman. Nolan and screenwriting partner David S. Goyer inject more of the alien world and technology of Krypton into the story, which is necessary seeing how the main hero and villain(s) are alien (Kryptonian) and this is an origin story. The film explores both Clark's farm-bred past and his isolated present, which is what makes the story so great. Unlike Avengers, which would not have worked if not for each character (save Hawkeye and Black Widow) having their own respective movie before its release, Man of Steel shows both Kal-El and Zod's background, almost making Zod a character with which to sympathize. In fact, there is a bit of art imitating life when it comes to Zod's views as well as the reason behind Krypton's fate. But I cannot go into those points without giving away the story. I believed an updated cinematic origin and retelling of Superman was long overdue, and Nolan, Snyder and company have greatly succeeded! The acting is well-done, the writing is stellar (with plenty of quotable lines), there is plenty of action (at least enough of what a fan would expect from a Superman movie), and every major complexity of Kal-El's life is conveyed in all of its bittersweet glory.
It should be pointed out that if Nolan & company did a somewhat "traditional" origin story -- the same one all audiences have seen over and over again -- critics and audiences alike would be quick to point it out and complain about how unoriginal and ho-hum the film would be. If there are two things that Man of Steel is not, it's unoriginal and ho-hum! If Man of Steel is the beginning franchise in what DC Comics Films will be offering, we're in for one hell of a fun, imaginative, heartfelt, cool ride! Man of Steel is the best big movie of the summer and the best action film I've seen so far this year!
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Superman versus the Kryptonians in Smallville. And Jonathan's sacrifice. It's hard to choose because there were so many moments that gave me chills.
Now You See Me
To be honest, this movie was not some wonderfully clever script or deep, meaningful story -- just a fun, entertaining film to watch. There are plot twists aplenty in this heist comedy-action-mystery directed by Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans) -- a director with which I am not a big fan. Nevertheless, the cast is wonderful with Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Melanie Laurent, and Dave Franco. The use of magic and deception -- along with the plot twists -- keep my mind guessing and the story never stalls. Not many films can do that, and, for that, as well as having more of a story than I thought it would, this film makes the list.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: When Dave Franco and Mark Ruffalo get in a tussle.
Prisoners
The best crime thriller of the year! If there was any justice Hugh Jackman would have gotten nominated for an Academy Award/Oscar for his role in this film, and the film itself would've been nominated for best picture. Prisoners is about the abduction of two young girls and the families, detective (Jake Gyllenhaal), and suspects involved. This is director Denis Villeneuve's first American film and writer Aaron Guzikowski's second feature film, and, wow, what a film for beginners! The film has its fair share of twists and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat -- even more so than You're Next -- as well as guessing who took the kids and if the kids are even still alive. As a parent, these types of films are difficult to watch because the topic of abducted children hits too close to home; one can't help but think the worst. However, I was very impressed by this film! All of the performances are powerful, and the story just works. The great aspect to this story is that it makes the viewer question his/her values and morals. It makes you ask yourself the question How far would I go to find my kid? And How far is too far?
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Keller (Jackman) figures it all out.
Saving Mr. Banks
This was probably one of my most favorite of the year. Even though the scene near the end of the film portraying Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) as weeping because of her facing up to what happened to her father, which was not the case in real life; Travers wept because she did not approve of the Disney film version of her books. Nevertheless, the drama works for this film and Thompson's performance as well as Tom Hanks' portrayal as Walt Disney are nothing short of fantastic. The story of Disney adapting Ms. Travers' Mary Poppins is no surprise who know the history of the production on the 1964 film. But for those who don't know, they would be surprised to find out that Travers was not enthused at all at having her creation made famous by Disney, and she was quite difficult to work with. The acting, directing, music and story all mix together splendidly, while also getting a big glimpse into Travers' childhood. Ironically, this film is one of my favorites this year, right up with another Hanks film (Captain Phillips).
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Disney pays Travers a visit in London. And Ms. Travers thinks of her father while viewing the film Mary Poppins.
Short Term 12
Writer/director Destin Cretton (who is mostly known for his short films) has hit one out of the park with this film! The story -- about a group foster home supervisor (Brie Larson) and her struggles with both the kids' issues as well as her own -- leaves the viewer with many feelings, most of which stem from the oftentimes pain and difficulty one has to go through when it comes to love and healing ... but without being pretentious or falling into that genre of "troubled-kids-who-just-need-an-inspiring-teacher-who-believes-in-them" (i.e. Dangerous Minds, Stand and Deliver, Lean on Me). I can't gush enough about how great the story and Larson are in this film. Hopefully, it will be an Oscar contender.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), one of the foster kids, sharing the children's story she wrote.
Star Trek Into Darkness
This one was really good, but it barely made my list. If the writers of the new re-booted Star Trek franchise had not have set up the time travel loop like they did in the first installment, then I would've hated this movie. Basically, it's Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (so those of us who remember viewing the original will see the many aspects J.J. Abrams and his writers lifted from that film), but also being a prequel to that film. Nevertheless, it's action-packed, well-acted (especially with the inclusion of Benedict Cumberbatch), and has a cool story that lives up to its equally awesome trailer. I also enjoy the way the crew is sort of splintered in this sequel; there had to be some way to show that this crew works their best when they work together. Yes, it's a popcorn action flick, but it's one of the few good ones in 2013.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Harrison's (Cumberbatch) revelation as to who he really is. And the fight of Spock vs. Harrison.
TWA Flight 800
Of all the documentaries I watched this year, this one may very well be the most important, angering, and heartrending I've seen. The film follows independent investigator and physicist Dr. Tom Stalcup as he enlists the assistance of actual National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators who worked on the crash of TWA Flight 800 when it happened. After much in-depth research and hundreds of eyewitness interviews, they come to the conclusion that Flight 800 did not crash as a result of a mechanical failure or malfunction of the fuel tank, but rather because of a missile attack. Most may say it sounds crazy or use that "c" word, but, trust me, just watch this once and you'll seriously by questioning what the public was told then, and is still told today. A powerfully intense documentary that will keep you thinking about it for several days, weeks after watching it.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: The FBI and NTSB get help from the CIA (in the form of producing a video broadcast) trying to explain how several people saw lights ascend toward the plane (the video says the light was not ascending, but rather it was a part of the plane descending) and how "there was no conspiracy." And eyewitness proof of FBI's altering of evidence. And the investigators present their new findings to some of the family members of the victims of the Flight 800 crash.
Warm Bodies
The last (sort of) horror film on my list, albeit it's more of a black romantic comedy rather than a horror film, but it deals with zombies, so I'll run with "horror romantic comedy." Warm Bodies, based on the 2010 novel by Isaac Marion, is basically William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet with a zombie spin. The film centers around zombie R (Nicholas Hoult), who narrates his thoughts and feelings since he cannot talk. He ends up falling in love with human Julie (Teresa Palmer) and, after R saves Julie's life, the two end up spending time together ... but in a guarded way since, you know, R is a zombie. I like that the film's story doesn't take itself too serious but gives out a meaningful message of two different races getting along for the common good. A fun film that's sharp, witty, full of action and snarky romance.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: The cool concept that zombies can experience their victims thoughts and feelings when consuming their brains. Gross, but interesting.
The Way, Way Back
Screenwriters/actors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (who also wrote the wonderful movie adaptation of Alexander Payne's The Descendants) have written one of the best films of the year! But it wasn't that easy getting their story to screen; it took years to find a distributor for the film. Luckily, for the movie-going audience, Fox Searchlight picked it up, and even though it was released in mid-summer to mostly limited theaters, it proves that some of the best films are rarely seen ... or widely distributed. The film centers around 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James), who is on his way to a small resort town for summer vacation with his mother Pam (Toni Collette), her jerk of a boyfriend Trent (Steve Carell), and the boyfriend's daughter Steph (Zoe Levin). Feeling alienated and awkward, Duncan does not quite fit in anywhere ... until he meets Owen (Sam Rockwell), the owner/operator of a local water park. One of the reasons I was especially drawn to this film was because I deeply relate to the Duncan character in how shy and awkward he is around others; I was the same way when I started high school. It wasn't really until I started work at an amusement park that I really started coming out of my shell and feeling like I belonged. This coming-of-age film has a special heart to it -- with superb acting, a great soundtrack and quite a bunch of laugh-out-loud moments.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Duncan confronts Trent at a party. And Owen has a heartfelt moment with Duncan.
You're Next
A film that some may categorize as horror but I'd list it more as a thriller. Newcomer director Adam Wingard (V/H/S) and writer Simon Barrett (V/H/S) have hit one out of the park with this starts-off-being-a-slasher film that quickly transforms into a thriller/suspense/survivalist flick! Die Hard fans rejoice! Only, instead of a high-rise building, it's a giant backwoods mansion that the victims must survive. The movie is simple. A family comes together for the parents' 35th anniversary, only things go awry when someone starts killing off the guests. Sounds like every other story we're used to seeing; however, things change for the killer when one of the guests starts fighting back. I have to say -- this is a film where the pacing doesn't rest, the music is creepy and intense (think cheesy 1980s synth, but it's cool!), and the twists and turns in the story keep the audience guessing and satisfied. The best thriller of the year!
MEMORABLE MOMENT: The blender gets put on puree.
MATT'S BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2013:
The worst film of 2013, by far, is Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim! But, I sort of figured that would be the case; I'm only happy I didn't pay to see it in the theater or to rent (I watched it at my brother-in-law's house). So I have to list the one film that I was most disappointed in this past year. A film I thought would be good but was one big flop! And here it is:
A Good Day to Die Hard
Remember when John McClane (Bruce Willis) was cool? Yeah, me too. I even remember seeing the kick-ass trailer for this film and getting so excited! That's why I was so pissed off, disheartened and sick all at once upon viewing this lame sequel to the impressive 2007 fourth installment Live Free or Die Hard. What's especially lame about this installment (besides the story's main threat/MacGuffin) is the way McClane -- one of the coolest, toughest characters created -- is written and portrayed. They make Willis' McClane out to be some lame, old fogey, while making McClane's son Jack (Jai Courtney) the new badass. Blasphemy! What the viewer starts off thinking, "OK. This will be a father-son adventure flick like Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his dad, Henry (Sean Connery), in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," turns out to be just the opposite -- plain awful. John McClane says stupid things that are supposed to be funny (I guess?), but they just leave those of us who saw the first Die Hard puke a little in our mouths.
The Die Hard movies have always had action sequences that are hard to swallow (remember in Live Free or Die Hard when McClane drives a car into a flying helicopter?), and I've always taken these sequences with a grain of salt. But A Good Day to Die Hard's action scenes are too much to stomach. Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe a man can live through being thrown at full force from a helicopter high in the air, through a large plate-glass window and onto a hard, cement floor, and then not have any broken bones. Maybe he can survive exposure to an area of Chernobyl in Pripyat, Ukraine (an area that Ukrainian officials says won't be habitable for another 20,000 years!) ... even without the special contraption to keep away the lethal radiation. Maybe it's just me, but these sequences (and more), as well as the transformation of McClane into a lame fogey, are too much to take. During the film, there were numerous times I was insultingly chuckling at how bad the scenes were and rolling my eyes. Plus, add on to it that the overall story simply isn't that good, and this movie is a stinker. But what's worse is -- as opposed to the Voltron rip-off story of Pacific Rim -- A Good Day to Die Hard had such great potential! Willis has hinted that there may be another Die Hard installment in the future, and as a die-hard fan, for his sake, I only hope the writers get it right next time!
