Eclectic 2013
Eclectic selection of films viewed in 2013
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- DirectorBob ClarkStarsPeter BillingsleyMelinda DillonDarren McGavinIn the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.9/10 Superior family comedy
- DirectorAlbert HughesAllen HughesStarsDenzel WashingtonMila KunisRay StevensonA drifter fights his way across a ravaged, post-apocalyptic America while protecting a sacred book that holds the secrets to humanity's salvation.4.5/10 Over the top and a bit of a bore
- DirectorGregory HoblitStarsAnthony HopkinsRyan GoslingDavid StrathairnAfter shooting his wife, Ted confesses his crime and asks the court to move his case to trial. He represents himself against Willy, a successful lawyer. But there's more to the case than meets the eye.5/10 Disapponting use of the talents of Hopkins & Gosling, not as clever as it thinks
- DirectorMamoru HosodaStarsAoi MiyazakiTakao OsawaHaru KurokiAfter her werewolf lover unexpectedly dies in an accident while hunting for food for their children, a young woman must find ways to raise the werewolf son and daughter that she had with him while keeping their trait hidden from society.9/10 One of the best animations I've seen with an intelligent thoughtful narrative. Captures a fluidity of movement combined with a beautiful score.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsSandra BullockGeorge ClooneyEd HarrisDr Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first time on a space mission, and Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his final expedition, have to survive in space after they are hit by debris while spacewalking.8/10 visually stunning, superior minimalistic sci-fi with more than a nod to Kubrick's 2001 SO.
- DirectorLogan MillerNoah MillerStarsEd HarrisJanuary JonesJason IsaacsIn the late 1800s, a fanatical religious leader, a renegade Sheriff, and a former prostitute collide in a blood triangle on the rugged plains of the New Mexico Territory.6/10 Unusual western but let down by ham-fisted characterization
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsTom HanksBarkhad AbdiBarkhad AbdirahmanThe true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.9/10 one of the best of 2013. Compelling, gripping, tense with a multi-layered subtext.
- DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsGeorge DzundzaJason PatricSteven BauerA Soviet tank and its warring crew become separated from their patrol and lost in an Afghan valley with a group of vengeance-seeking rebels on their tracks.7/10 Unusual depiction of obsession - shades of Moby Dick & Captain Ahab
- DirectorLucien Castaing-TaylorVerena ParavelStarsBrian JannelleAdrian GuilletteArthur SmithA documentary shot in the North Atlantic and focused on the commercial fishing industry.8/10 A surreal almost abstract depiction of deep sea fishing.
- DirectorScott CooperStarsChristian BaleCasey AffleckZoe SaldanaWhen Rodney Baze mysteriously disappears and law enforcement doesn't follow through fast enough, his older brother Russell takes matters into his own hands to find justice.7/10 Male identity is put to the test and explored in this downbeat tale of crime, physical abuse and exploitation. Great performances all round.
- DirectorNick MurphyStarsRebecca HallDominic WestImelda StauntonIn 1921, England is overwhelmed by the loss and grief of World War I. Hoax exposer Florence Cathcart visits a boarding school to explain sightings of a child ghost. Everything she believes unravels as the 'missing' begin to show themselves.6/10 Satisfying period drama/ghostly tale - but it pales in comparison to "The Innocents"
- DirectorStephan ScheschSarah Clara WeberStarsKatharina ThalbachUlrich TukurCorinna HarfouchThe gentle man on the moon is lonely and wants to dance and have fun with the people of Earth, but when he comes to Earth on a comet, he's mistaken for an invader and must find his way back home. Based on the beloved children's book.6/10 Charming old-school animation but a bit one-dimensional and about 20 minutes too long.
- DirectorPablo LarraínStarsAlfredo CastroAmparo NogueraHéctor MoralesA man is obsessed with John Travolta's disco dancing character from Saturday Night Fever (1977).9/10 Absolutely fascinating and entertaining study of a sociopath whose obsession with the titular Saturday Night Fever film character is combined with a subtle subtext regarding the 1970's Chilean society.
- DirectorArthur PennStarsGene HackmanJennifer WarrenEdward BinnsLos Angeles private investigator Harry Moseby is hired by a client to find her runaway teenage daughter. Moseby tracks the daughter down, only to stumble upon something much more intriguing and sinister.6/10 interesting 1970 detective - the narrative is somewhat secondary to the character portrayal dominated by Hackman. The slowish pace may not suit modern tastes.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsChristian BaleAmy AdamsBradley CooperA con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive partner Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild F.B.I. Agent, Richie DiMaso, who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and the Mafia.6/10 Entertaining & excellent performances from Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams and in particular Jenifer Lawrence, but overall stretches the boundary of credibility. Interesting fact: Robert De Niro is uncredited.
- DirectorCraig BrewerStarsChristina RicciSamuel L. JacksonJustin TimberlakeA God-fearing bluesman takes to a wild young woman who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, looks everywhere for love, never quite finding it.6/10 starts out as an edgy B-style movie (reminding me a bit of a 70's Jacky Brown movie) but ultimately reaches a safe haven and stays there.
- DirectorGabriela CowperthwaiteStarsTilikumDave DuffusSamantha BergA documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.9/10 riveting film dealing with Killer Whales caught and held in captivity. Deals in particular with one killer in the literal sense of the word, Tilikum. Educated me and changed my view on the treatment of these magnificent sentient animals.
- DirectorGuerdon TruebloodStarsTiffany BollingBen PiazzaSusan SennettA nonverbal autistic boy stumbles upon a teenage heiress who has been kidnapped by a trio of young psychopaths, who are intent on extorting diamonds from her stepfather.8.5/10 Compelling B-style exploitation 70's crime drama. In terms of slease this one definitely delivers.
- DirectorJoseph KosinskiStarsTom CruiseMorgan FreemanAndrea RiseboroughJack Harper, a drone repairman stationed on Earth that has been ravaged by war with extraterrestrials, questions his identity after rescuing the woman who keeps appearing in his dreams.7/10 Intelligent sci-fi adventure with Cruise on form; worth a second viewing.
- DirectorRoger AvaryStarsEric StoltzJulie DelpyMartin RaymondThe cab driver sets American Zed up with Zoe in his Paris hotel. Despite FFR1000 charged, she's an art student with day jobs e.g. bank. Safecracker Zed meets his junkie friend after 11 years to rob a bank.8.5/10 Witty, clever and unpredictable. A combination of an absolutely intense performance from Jean-Hugues Anglade and a understated, restrained performance from Eric Stolz combine to make a volatile and compelling crime drama.
- CreatorKurt SutterStarsCharlie HunnamKatey SagalMark Boone JuniorA biker struggles to balance being a father and being involved in an outlaw motorcycle club.5/10 Could have been great but ultimately disappointing...
- CreatorSøren SveistrupStarsSofie GråbølMorten SuurballeLars MikkelsenPolice detective Sarah Lund investigates difficult cases with personal and political consequences.7.5/10 high marks for excellent characterization but one of it's key strengths (those red herrings, plot twists etc) ultimately make it improbable in the extreme.
- CreatorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAaron PaulAnna GunnA chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student to secure his family's future.10/10 The best by a TV mile since the Sopranos...
- DirectorJean-Pierre DardenneLuc DardenneStarsJérémie RenierDéborah FrançoisJérémie SegardBruno and Sonia, a young couple living off her benefit and the thefts committed by his gang, have a new source of money: their newborn son.8/10 multiple shades of grey in this tale of a terrible dead which is followed by an ambiguous tale of atonement. Worth a second viewing.
- DirectorJim MickleStarsBill SageAmbyr ChildersJulia GarnerThe Parkers, a reclusive family who follow ancient customs, find their secret existence threatened as a torrential downpour moves into their area, forcing daughters Iris and Rose to assume responsibilities beyond those of a typical family.7/10 very effective slow burning creepy horror.