When thinking about the themes of the films of 2018, part of me thought it was positivity, but when I look at my list, that’s clearly not the case. Two of the best superhero movies ever came out, hopefully signaling that genre has reached a more artistic plateau and it’s not just a fluke. There was a sudden resurgence of skateboarding. It was a GREAT year for documentaries, reflecting on powerful life stories with a realization of dreams or camaraderie in there somewhere. But inevitably my final theses were driven by the real-world context into which these movies were released.
First, I noticed a lot of stories celebrating outsiders who are ok with being outsiders, sometimes even proud. Occasionally this required fighting against oppression, occasionally it was just remaining isolated. We were finally treated to an abundance of characters who saw being unlike everyone else as a good thing. We should always celebrate that in ways both large and small, in fiction and nonfiction, on-screen and off. The second and most prominent theme of my personal list is that even when things are terrible, they can still be funny. I noticed a lot of great dark, weird comedies, which always strike a chord with me but may be even more effective now as reminders that we need to laugh at something in even the worst circumstances. Maybe reality has gotten so dark that anything is a pleasant break? it’s all absurd anyways, and any gentle reminder of that is nice. These thoughts are not deep revelations about film, but these movies are reminders it can be an escape or it can remind us all is not lost, even when showing us how it can be. It’s not an excuse to ignore what’s around us, but it can occasionally give us a bit more optimism. Enjoy my top thirteen (plus a bunch of honorable mentions) and let me know your thoughts!
0 Comments
2017 was a very weird year for a variety of reasons, both macro & micro. But a variety of circumstances let me spend more time in a movie theater than I ever have before. While it’s human nature to see current events and personal matters reflected in the art we consume, it seemed more difficult than ever to separate my own experiences, and what was happening in the world around us. This list is always a very personal interpretation, and I can’t stress enough that when doing this, I do not look for the best, just simply my favorites. In some cases they may align, but that’s not what I’m here for. I’m here to share my opinion and some great viewing experiences with others.
Having said all that, I did notice that a certain crop of films so clearly rose above the rest, that it was pretty easy to choose what made the list. With a few exceptions the order is more arbitrary than ever, as once you get into that top tier, the quality is stellar across the board. Now please enjoy my overly long and hopefully entertaining list of favorite films released in 2017. 2015 was a busy year for me, so I saw fewer films released in the past 12 months than I did in any of the 3 years prior. That didn’t stop a bunch of those I did see from having a very serious impact on me though. Whether it happens to be where I am in my life or just a coincidence these were all released close together, there were a lot of personal experiences at the movies for me this year.
I always caveat this list that these are by no means the ‘best’ films of the year, but simply my favorites. I feel like that had a much more significant impact on my choices this year as I was reading even more than usual into these characters’ lives and finding similarities with myself. In some cases it’s because I’ve been through something similar, but mostly it’s due to the way in which the emotion is handled so delicately or the emotions it evoked in me. I make no promises or guarantees for the quality of these films, except that I really enjoyed all of these and hope you also had a great year at the movies. There's also the consistency of a little levity in some very tough situations, which I seem to be gravitating towards even more than usual lately. I joked last year that a top 12 would be a CineMcCord tradition, so we're sticking to that completely arbitrary number that somehow works well for me each year, plus some honorable mentions and random other notes at the end. Please share your thoughts or comments with me if you have any. Enjoy! Sometimes a movie hits you just right, and you happen to be in a perfect mindset to relate. Whether or not that's the case for you, 'Anomalisa' is an incredible, moving, and hilarious achievement. However, seeing this film was an incredibly special & singular personal experience for me. On the surface 'Anomalisa' follows Michael Stone, who is speaking at a customer service conference in a Cincinnati hotel. He arrives the night before the conference and is clearly feeling very lonely, but not because he is away from his wife & kid. Being by himself is a chance to wallow in the emotional ruin he currently feels his life is. He attempts to connect with an old flame (who he didn't leave on good terms), but then assumes he is alone for the night and drunkenly stumbles up to his room. That's when he hears the voice of a woman he must meet and does everything he can to track her down and spend some time together. 'Room' is an astonishing film. The story is engrossing, but it works because it avoids the issues inherent in adapting material this dark. Anything with characters who experience kidnapping, rape & PTSD (among other horrors) is sure to be emotional, but the actors and filmmakers handle them appropriately without wallowing in despair. They kept a tight grip on my emotions from almost the first shot, but because the emotional releases are more uplifting than expected, it is not painful to sit through. I'll avoid getting too far into the plot as I usually prefer to go into a film knowing as little as possible, but the first act is integral to understanding how carefully this film treads in difficult territory. It begins in the titular room with Ma & her son Jack as we live with them for a few days and they remain confined to a small space in an unknown location. We learn their routine and see how they manage to survive, making it very clear this is the only situation Jack has ever known, and the only thing to break their routine are Sunday visits from the mysterious Old Nick (the obvious assumptions an audience makes about the terrible relationship with him are all correct). These introductory scenes so carefully capture the intense connection between our two leads, far beyond a normal mother-son relationship. Being the only person you spend time with for 5 years (or your entire life in Jack's case) creates a terrifying but fascinating dynamic that includes an animal-like reliance on & defense for this coupling. They so adore each other, but Ma - having clearly known a world beyond this one - gets understandably frustrated with her son, but moreso their situation. Well, this is much later than I wanted – but here are my favorite films of 2014. I’ll skip the introduction of the year overall as the themes clearly come out in the films listed. Remember these are not the best films, but merely my favorites – the ones that struck me at the time and have continued to stay with me since I’ve seen them. The reason it's 12 is because I found excuses to do that the past 2 years running, so why not make it a CineMcCord tradition? 12) The Lego Movie Phil Lord & Chris Miller have further solidified themselves as the saviors of terrible premises by creating a hilarious & inspiring film with only the titular interlocking brick toys to build on (sorry, but hilarious wordplay seemed appropriate). To craft a story that feels relevant to the nature of Legos and in a lot of ways criticizes the company’s modern strategy that bows to licensing and pre-planned sets was a stroke of genius that provided one of the better comedic screenplays in recent memory. Even the need to tie-in the endless licensing available to them didn’t hurt the film, even finding a way to bring a wholly original Batman to life. Fun, fun, fun & a surprising third act made this February surprise stick with me all year. I’m very skeptical that the impending sequels & spin-offs can come close to these heights, but who would have thought we’d have even one good, let alone great, Lego movie? 11) The One I Love A fascinating love story about what happens when a relationship begins to fall apart and a couple finds a fantastical experience while trying to save their marriage. It’s great that the characters immediately discuss the abnormal circumstances that appear on their prescribed marriage retreat, allowing the film to explore a sci-fi trope with striking emotional reality. Compromises are made, grievances are aired, moral quandaries are explored and relationships are dissected in this very original take on marital dysfunction. Too often audiences can easily outsmart the characters in similar films, but this proves the opposite is also possible, with a plot that stays ahead of you through the end. 10) Begin Again Begin Again might be a case study for me on the power of lowered expectations. I wasn’t sure I would ever watch this film, but when I finally did I wasn’t expecting to be charmed in way few movies can. Begin Again shares a lot with writer/director John Carney’s ‘Once’ as a quasi-musical centered on the platonic relationship of a male/female duo. Celebrating not only music but also New York City’s musical atmosphere brings this relatively simple story of a producer’s redemption to life. Mark Ruffalo and Kiera Knightley are perfectly cast, playing to the endearingly cynical strengths of both, with a very strong supporting cast helping out. Like a lot of other films this year (and on this list), ‘Begin Again’ follows characters who love music and celebrates that. 9) Winter Sleep A darkly funny & philosophical film from Turkey, Winter Sleep follows a wealthy, generous man as he gets pulled into more details of his seemingly accidental philanthropic habits. Reviewing relationships with poor tenants, a recently divorced sister, a young wife and her male friend who is poor but more understanding and generous with his time, the aging man begins to realize he may not be as appreciated as he believes he should be. As a 3 ½ hour, but well paced film, Winter Sleep gives its characters the opportunity to discuss heavy topics such as the nature of evil in extended scenes that let some incredible performances breathe. A tense finale brings new life to his wife and shows the true nature of the relationship – proving that everyone is trying to be nice, but is a little too proud to expect absolutely nothing in return. 8) Force Majeure Another darkly funny foreign film - this one from Sweden - Force Majeure tackles themes of human nature and self-preservation. We all like to think we would do the noble thing & help others (especially family) in a moment of extreme danger, but what would happen if that instinct was tested and we failed? As an exploration of these effects on one man and his family while on a ski trip in the French Alps, Force Majeure is one of the most uncomfortably honest films I saw last year. To also mine humor out of this situation is a delicate balance, but through the father’s denial, reactions by friends and a subtle judgment on masculinity/societal expectations this film provides many cringe-worthy laughs while causing us to reflect on ourselves. 7) Inherent Vice I’m very happy I read Thomas Pynchon’s novel before seeing this film, but I will forever be curious of how much it impacted my reaction to the film. This is a weird, funny, distracted (not meandering) and fascinating film unlike almost anything I have ever seen. Paul Thomas Anderson brought the spirit of Pynchon and his Doc Sportello to every piece of this film, allowing his drug-fueled haze and paranoia to subvert expectations of what a film should do. Maybe I loved it because I could still fill in some of the plot mechanics, but it’s an amazing feat of performances, humor, thrill, and especially tone that will only improve with age. Whether seen as a series of unforgettable characters or simply brilliant scenes, there is too much here to be unpacked in a single viewing and this is the one I'm sure I'll regret not placing higher on this list. I’ve mentioned before, and now say it again: 2013 was a fantastic year for films, and not just big screen films but “filmed entertainment”, including an impressive group of TV programs (that list is coming). If you make an effort to find them (and living in New York, that’s not difficult), there is always something good out there to make that effort worthwhile. I’ve seen around 100 films released this year, and think I’ve seen all the possible contenders for this list of FAVORITE FILMS OF 2013. But you never know. Something I missed may become a favorite when I get around to seeing it. So this is my list, as of right now. Once again, I emphasize that these are MY FAVORITES – those that stood out to me from all the films I’ve seen—and may not be the “best of 2013” by popular acclaim. I was going for a TOP TEN, but couldn’t make up my mind, so 12 seems to be my number this year (appropriate given two of the films that made the list), plus a lot of non-ranked honorable mentions. Apparently, I have become much more of a romantic.
Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight is the most astonishing set of films I have ever seen. They are consistently fascinating character studies that seem like documentaries. As far as on-screen relationships and chemistry go, I cannot think of any more realistic than that of Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy. We have witnessed Jesse & Celine's relationship 3 times over 18 years seemingly without missing a moment in between. There is never any hesitation when believing this relationship as we witness pivotal evenings consisting mostly of lengthy discussions that evolve from getting to know each other to attacking each other at the deepest, most personal levels. To say that what Richard Linkalter, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy have accomplished over the past 20 years is fantastic is nothing new (as long as you even knew these films existed), but by retaining a sense of optimism no matter what, they have also managed to inspire me and I don't doubt many others have had the same reaction.
Here is where I am going to get very personal in my reaction to this film. So if you're uninterested, please just go see all three of these magical films and allow them to effect you. They are simply wonderful. _2012 was a great year for film. I saw more movies than in any previous year, only one of the big year end group disappointed, and I still have not seen everything I wanted to. There are a few that could very well make this list after I see them (Seven Psychopaths, Cloud Atlas, Ruby Sparks, Killing Them Softly), but I wanted to publish my thoughts as early in the year as possible. I am not a professional writer, and I’m assuming most people reading this will know me personally, so be nice. I wanted to do 10, but as you’ll see, I have trouble excluding things, so there are 11 and another 10 honorable mentions. These are my favorite films of 2012, but in no way does that mean they were the best films of 2012.
1) Django Unchained · A brutal movie about slavery in the South and the one word to describe it is “fun”; even coming from Tarantino, that’s a surprise. I spent more time in theaters this year than ever before, and this was by far the best experience I had. Tarantino makes everything so ridiculously and perfectly over-the-top, while never taking the subject lightly (in my opinion), and somehow balances the tone. All of the performances are great, especially Waltz and Jackson (although I think Foxx should be getting more credit than he has been). All in all, this was my most anticipated movie of the past few years and it managed not to disappoint, so it found its way to the top. 2) Safety Not Guaranteed · Anyone who knows me probably won’t find it surprising that I loved this movie, as it is a charming little indie starring a bunch of actors from TV, led by Aubrey Plaza! I love her so much, but I was still surprised by how much I loved this movie. It really goes for it whenever it needs to, and is a fun ride the entire time. The ensemble has great chemistry, and all of them get a chance to really shine in different scenes. Mark Duplass gets to do something he never gets to do on The League (but he did in some of his films), which is be sincere, and he’s great at it. Plaza takes her usual snarky character, but there is some legitimate tragedy there, and she actually gets to care a little bit. Heartfelt sincerity is not usually a trademark of my favorite movies, but it works perfectly here. 3) Holy Motors · What to say about Holy Motors? A weird little French film from Leos Carax, with an astonishing lead performance from Denis Lavant. If I have called any other performance versatile then that is a joke compared to this. This movie could be taken as a series of homages, but it is so much more than that, as I believe the focus lies in identity, and what it really means. There are certain ‘scenes’ that work better than others, but once you get into it, it is mesmerizing and never boring. Literally anything can happen, and when Monsieur Oscar is leading a large band of accordions, I don’t think I had a bigger smile on my face all year (at least at the movies). 4) Zero Dark Thirty · Now this is probably the most well made movie of the year but not my favorite, as it doesn’t seem to know the word ‘fun’ exists until Chris Pratt and Joel Edgerton show up. But even then, aside from a few throwaway lines this is a by-the-book procedural made by some of the best in the business that does not pull any punches (literally) to show what parts of our government have (supposedly) been up to for the past 10 years. However you feel about torture, this movie does not persuade you one way or the other, it just presents some of the brutal techniques that are a fact of history. This movie does not hold your hand in any way, and asks you to pay attention, while expecting you to bring in a fair amount of knowledge already. It can be confusing (I immediately felt the need to re-watch it) but all of the richest films are. This one will stand the test of time no matter what Washington has to say about it. 5) The Intouchables · Another French film, but one that is much more familiar, yet executed beautifully. I had heard such good things, but for some reason my expectations were still low going in. I was immediately taken in by the hysterical and fun opening scene/credits, and was fully on-board after that. It seems at any moment it could get sentimental and weepy, but the movie never takes itself too seriously, even when it does take a detour from simply being charming to really diving into the characters. Omar Sy challenges Christoph Waltz for most charming performance of the year, and I think he may take it considering he isn’t – Spoiler Alert! – killing people throughout the entire film. 6) Searching For Sugar Man · In a year of great documentaries (especially considering how many I still need to see), this one stood above the rest for me. It is about an extremely humble and talented man who made music that only got the reception it deserved in South America. He became a mythical figure there, as popular as Elvis or The Beatles, with only an album cover and some confusing credits to serve as a biography. Searching For Sugar Man is exciting, satisfying, and mystifying, all while telling an unbelievably compelling story. Don’t read anything about the artist Rodriguez before you see this movie though, as the journey is half the fun. Plus, if I didn’t make this clear already, the music is fantastic. 7) Silver Linings Playbook · Another formulaic movie that acknowledges that fact, and rises above it. David O’ Russell gets right in the actors’ faces and it actually works because he lets you see when Bradley Cooper is trying so hard not to snap, or trying to ignore that he already has. He and Jennifer Lawrence have a great, but extremely tense, chemistry that the whole movie rests upon, and they’re both fantastic in it. A great supporting cast with Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver leading the way (plus a surprising return from Chris Tucker) rounds out what is probably the most agreeable movie of the year, which I mean in the best possible way. The biggest surprise for me was Cooper, but it is Lawrence’s acting and Russell’s script, that make this a keeper. 8) Pitch Perfect · This movie has no right to be this funny or rewatchable. It is a formulaic, predictable romantic comedy/underdog story about acapella competitions. Yet somehow it works, primarily because of the script by Kay Cannon (formerly of 30 Rock), and the amount of quick jokes she throws in that are all delivered perfectly. I have made no secret of my love for Anna Kendrick, and she is so charming in this movie (whether it is cowering self-consciously in the shower, or dominating a sing-off in an empty pool), but Rebel Wilson was the real surprise. As self-proclaimed ‘Fat Amy’, everything she says is hysterical and some of the physical comedy strikes just the right note. Give it a chance, even though I know for some of you that’s asking a lot. 9) Cabin In The Woods · Hilarious, inventive, scary, bloody, genius. These are some of the many, many words that could be used to describe Cabin In The Woods, which is probably the most original movie I saw this year, even if it was drowning in clichés. I love “meta” TV and movies, but I can’t say much more about this movie without ruining some of the fun. I don’t typically like horror movies but loved this one, so see it no matter how you feel about the premise, since it is not what you expect. 10) Looper · Sometimes a movie about time-travel impresses you with its ingenuity in execution, which this one does in parts. But at a certain point it just gives up and tells the audience that time travel is complicated but it can be used to tell an interesting story. If you can accept alternate timelines, a villain who is never seen, and other elements that can cause confusion/frustration/anger, then you can enjoy a unique sci-fi story with some love elements thrown in. This is another movie that surprised me greatly, given that I didn’t even know the second half (which contains the two best performances in the film from Emily Blunt & Pierce Gagnon) took such a different tone, but it is executed beautifully and has a great, hard -earned ending in the primary timeline. 11) Damsels In Distress · Heightened reality at 10,000 feet. Damsels in Distress takes place in a unique world where self-awareness and self-editing are largely absent, which allows for a lot of fun conversations. People try to kill themselves jumping off of a building, but they cannot declare them attempted suicides since they may have just been instances of ‘temporary forgetfulness of the laws of gravity.’ There is a character who does not know the colors because he skipped kindergarten. It is bizarre, and it takes some getting used to (it has been divisive), but throughout the whole movie Greta Gerwig is there in all her glory. This role is tailor made for her, and everyone around her acquits themselves well. I didn’t know the work of Whit Stillman before this, but I will definitely be seeking out more. I hope next year everyone can do the Sambola! Honorable Mentions (in no particular order) Alps - Yorgos Lanthimos follows up his earlier Dogtooth with a film that is equally weird, but not nearly as disturbing. A great ending saves some shaky spots, but the biggest detriment to it is that it came out around Holy Motors, which delves into some similar themes. Still a lot of interesting themes, and wonderful performances. Moonrise Kingdom - Wes Anderson, doing his thing. A charming movie with two great lead performances from newcomers in a cast of standouts. Not as funny as some of Anderson’s other films, but it is his strongest in other ways. Argo - An interesting companion piece to Zero Dark Thirty; you can see all of the Hollywood embellishment all over this movie, unlike Zero Dark Thirty, and that is what makes it great. Yes, these characters are presumably funnier than the real people, and there was manufactured tension, but it holds up since Affleck handles it all like a pro. The Sessions - A comedy about a severely disabled man and the people who help him live his life. Who would’ve thought there’d be two in one year? John Hawkes is fantastic in a difficult role, and the whole film handles the subject respectfully but lets the character of Mark O’ Brien be truly funny. Beasts of the Southern Wild - A magical fairy tale with an exceptional performance by the young Quvenzhane Wallis at the center. I didn’t know what I was getting with this one, but was swept away in it. Also features the best score of the year. Perks of Being a Wallflower - Not the same high school coming-of-age movie you expect (and that’s a good thing), with a trio of great performances and a fantastic script holding it all together. The Master - Mesmerizing. I still don’t quite know what to make of this film, but I do know I was consistently enthralled by the fantastic performances (Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman give two of the best of the year) and pure beauty on screen. Jeff, Who Lives At Home - A small movie that, like Safety Not Guaranteed just goes for it at the end and executes it beautifully. Jay and Mark Duplass (yes, the same one) have successfully become writer/directors with a great voice that I am eager to see more of in the future. Jason Segel is fantastic. The Imposter - Do not read anything more about it, or even watch a trailer before you see this movie. I can’t imagine how much would have been lost if I had known the story beforehand. An unbelievable main character anchors this truly ridiculous story in another great documentary for the year. Amour - Very depressing, but a celebration of love at the same time. Difficult to watch, mainly because of how realistic the performances are. Michael Haneke just observes this late period in a couple’s life and it is beautiful. Watch out for… Frances Ha - I had nowhere else to put this, since I saw it at the New York Film Festival, but it is another one of my favorite films I saw this year. Noah Baumbach comes back with a funny late coming-of-age tale, again anchored by a great central performance by Greta Gerwig. You’ll hear more about this next year, so seek it out when you can. |
Categories
All
Archives
April 2019
|