the question no one was asking, what were TSTOUT's top 10 films of 2013? i'm sure i'm missing a few, but figured i'd at least attempt a list, to have something to look back on next year.
i saw a bunch that i really enjoyed, and a bunch more that i've already forgotten. i really enjoyed Iron Man 3, the first time i was a bit underwhelmed, but its really grown on me. i liked Man of Steel, i thought Captain Philips was pretty great, i found Her pretty funny, and Sarah and i really liked About Time.
but for this list i tried to think what movies i really enjoyed the most. they would be, in really no order:
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You're Next - a pretty funny but still kinda scarey film. i liked that the effects were practical and not a lot of CGI was needed (probably none actually). it is not for the kids, has some blood, but to me, was a fun film. weirdly more Evil Dead feeling than the evil dead remake actually was. again, probably just me.
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Hobbit 2: The Smogness of Smeowghth. - weirdly long and a bit slow in parts, but still, a trilogy i will continue to watch for years to come. i didn't enjoy it as much as the first Hobbit film, which i've watched quite a few times over this past year. but still, i'm guessing it will grow on me, and as a series, its just filled with stuff i like seeing. i think next years Hobbit 3: This Means War - will probably make me enjoy this middle movie even more, since it had a lot of build up.
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Europa Report - i hadn't even heard of this film before i saw it, and it surprised me. seems like a real look at what a trip to some foreign planet might look like. not a lot of fantasy, just kinda guessing on their part, and it felt real to me. and i appreciated that, a vision from the future!
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This is The End - saw this, laughed, thought it was a pretty great directorial effort by Seth Rogen, surprised me. thought the special effects were good, had a lot of laughs, more than most movies this year. well done, those guys. lots of adult humor, so this recommendation would not be for kids of like, 5 or something.
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Oblivion - really, the reviews probably saved this one for me. i had low expectations going in, and it exceeded them. a bit of unnecessary backstory, my friend Tom and i went to some local grocery mart before the movie, went to the deli section and ordered these huge hoagie-type meat sandwiches. we then smuggled them into the Roseway theater in portland, which is the best theater in this area, in my opinion. the theater was pretty empty (it was Oblivion afterall), so we sat down in the middle of the theater and when the movie started, we ate these huge subs and it was awesome. all that to say, great experience sometimes makes ok movies even better.
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Worlds End, The - i'll be honest, the first half of this movie was hilarious. simon pegg was hilarious. once the action kicked in, the snappy dialogue seemed to play second fiddle a little bit, but overall i enjoyed it. a fitting end to the trilogy.
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Storage 24 - i mentioned this list was in no order, right? this film's trailer sold me on it. and it delivered on that trailer. monster roaming around a storage facility. it reminded me a bit of Split Second, if you remember that old alien-ripoff starring Rutger Hauer?
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Olympus Has Fallen - pretty much John McClane goes to Washington. starring Gerard Butler as Bruce Willis. i enjoyed it. i have to say i enjoyed it more than White House Down, the tone was just a bit darker, and it had a ridiculous amount of head shots. also, that lady is in this movie and Oblivion. and Prisoners? quite the year, that lady.
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The Croods - an obvious followup to the brutal violance of O.H.F, croods was surprisingly great. i have kids, so i see lots of films like this. that's my excuse anyways, but really, i like movies like this, the animation was awesome, the creatures were really pretty and super cleverly designed. just a fun flick that i've watched several times since, and the kids love it. i hear they're making sequels and i'm ok with that too. really a pretty film.
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Stoker - again, one for the whole family. no that's not true, filled with some pretty adult situations, but really shot well, story told well. theres some sadness (fictional young people passing away before their time) but also some vindication (yay, she did that thing for that person instead of doing that thing to that other person. but then she does that other thing, so i have no idea what's going on.). overall, a kinda slow but atmospheric film.
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Frozen - just a classic story of 3 people stranded on a ski lift, eaten by wolves...wait, no that was a different frozen. this frozen, again seen with my kids, but just a well done Disney film that reminded me of the Beauty and the Best / Little Mermaid era of olde. my kids still sing the songs, it had some big laughs and sarah even shed a tear or two. still, no death by wolves, so that's a mark against it.
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Riddick - when i mentioned this list wasn't in order...I lied. mwah ha ha. ok, not really, but i did see riddick twice in theaters. and i'll be ordering the blu ray. its that good. really, its just a film catered to what i like. man-eating aliens, check. weird landscapes and alien dogs, check. vin diesel? check, in all his glory. i realize he's trying to channel snake plisken and i'm ok with that. along with pitch black, chronicles of riddick and this, a great great trilogy. i'll be honest, i've watched chronicles a ton of times. a frigging ton. i love it. and this movie, awesome. loved it. the best movie of 2013. done.
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so that's it, my list, hopefully it doesn't inspire anyone to do anything they're not comfortable doing. as always, i've love to hear your thoughts in the comments.*
*comments are disabled. AS ALWAYS.
