It's true, 2013 is more than half way over. Time sure flies by, doesn't it? It feels like only yesterday I was rushing around theatres during the Christmas holiday and New Years to catch late Oscar releases such as Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained and Les Miserables. But we're on a new journey now, one that's been a mostly underwhelming adventure so far. As it shouldn't be a surprise (since I list my Top 5 movies of the year on the left hand side of my blog), I will be throwing out my picks for 2013's brightest cinematic spots. In addition, I wanted to throw another list out there to give you some more ideas of the best releases so far this calendar year. Therefore, I've asked my friend and huge film buff, Greg Rouleau, to offer his favorite selections as well. Here are the selections for the best movies so far this year:
*** View June's Movie List of the Month HERE
Greg's Top 5 (in no particular order)
Romantic comedies can be the perfect compromise for almost any couple. As it turns out, the lowest grossing trilogy of all time actually makes for an amazing collection of independent romantic comedy films. This year, director Richard Linklater gave us the third installment to his unforgettable and extremely well-acted relationship trilogy with Before Midnight. Starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as the couple who first crossed paths in 1995's Before Sunrise and continued on with Before Sunset (2004), Before Midnight is a critically acclaimed and highly recommended romantic comedy that far surpasses most of 2013's other releases. Also rounding out Greg's first tier of films are Seth Rogen's This Is the End (which I also list as a current in-theatre recommendation) and Jeff Nichols' Mud. Greg begins to doubt that another comedy will top Rogen and company's outrageously hilarious effort. The cameo's are spectacular and the laughs are, without question, non-stop. And as for Mud, Matthew McConaughey joins a fine pair of young actors (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) in one of the year's most compelling dramas. Rounding out his Top 5 list are a pair of movies that are both stellar in their own right, but clearly a step down from the aforementioned (who all have a serious shot at making his end of the year Top 10 list). Sophia Coppola's The Bling Ring and Jordan Vogt-Roberts' The Kings of Summer close out the Top 5 for completely different reasons. The Kings of Summer is a hysterical R-rated coming-of-age story, while The Bling Ring is more of a dramatic look at high class teenage boredom. The pair of second tier features are solid watches but far less impactful than Greg's first three selections. So if you're wondering what movies you should be on the look out for in theatres now or on DVD in the upcoming months, look no further than these 5 works right here.
Dave's Top 5
#4 - The Kings of Summer
#3 - World War Z
#2 - Mud
#1 - Trance
For starters, my #4 and #2 selections (The Kings of Summer and Mud) find themselves overlapping with Greg's picks. Hence, I won't elaborate any further on those two fine choices. Coming in at #5 is an overly-long but highly effective piece of dramatic filmmaking by the ambitious director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine). Cianfrance's 2013 effort, The Place Beyond the Pines, is a well-constructed and remarkably acted film starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes. It's theatrical run has come and gone, but I definitely suggest catching this slightly over-extended feature when it comes out on DVD. My #3 pick, World War Z, needs no introduction. One of this summer's most anticipated releases actually ends up as one of 2013's finest films so far. World War Z is a high-adrenaline and gripping film that lacks on the substance but never grows tiresome. Finally, the pick for the #1 movie released so far in 2013 is Danny Boyle's latest work, Trance (trailer above). I know that some detractors could call me biased (as Boyle is my favorite director, i.e. Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting), but I stand by my decision. Surely there's a plot hole (or three) in Trance but, at the end of the day, I haven't seen any other release this year with more style or flair. Trance is a mind-bending and wild ride that concludes with a poetically artistic finale. It isn't Boyle's finest achievement, but it's a strong film that surpasses most of the mediocrity we've encountered so far in 2013.
*** Be sure to tune in the rest of the week as we also examine what already-released 2013 films have a chance at receiving an Oscar Nomination. Also, we'll be previewing what potential Oscar-contending releases you can expect to see in theatres during the fall and winter seasons.
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