TOP 10: Films of 2013

     The year is nearly to a close, with 2014 right around the corner. Here are the top 10 best films of 2013.

What Could Make The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Better

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a strange film. At one moment it's a drama, then another moment it's a hardcore adventure. Comedy tries to break through, but it becomes stale and the film is left on Stiller's shoulders. Every movie has it's flaws. What could make The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Better?

SPOILER WARNING!

The Wolf of Wall Street: Movie Review

The Wolf of Wall Street is an extravaganza of corruption, greed, lust, power, cocaine, Quaalude's, nudity, directing and acting. A nonstop comedy about one man's quest for Wall Street domination and, of course, money. This film doesn't settle for weak performances or poor dialogue. Everything rolls together perfectly all the way up to the final shot.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Movie Review

   Walter Mitty might bolster strong ideas, but these ideas are too big and too many for the film to keep its feet on the ground. Two films meshed into one.

TOP 10: Worst Films of 2013

    There are certain movies this year that I've not seen due to their critical bashing, i.e. After Earth. However, there were many horrible films this year. Some underwhelmed me, some made me wan't to scream, and some were just a little too much. Here are the top 10 worst films of 2013.

1.   The Lone Ranger

I was looking forward to this film. Starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer and being a western, it seemed like a good fit for me. Instead, the characters were unlikable and the movie wasn't the Lone Ranger's movie, it was Tonto's. The western aspect was ignored and the view towards the Native Americans was racist. The story was horribly written. It felt like the writers took two days to write the script and didn't care to polished it. Grade: F

"Depp, you're rich and can have any role you want. Me, on the other hand. Well, I just made a big mistake!"

2.   A Good Day To Die Hard

The Die Hard film franchise has finally died. It began its downfall with Live Free Die Hard and has just plummeted down the fan base. It's because Bruce Willis is getting old and the studio is looking for replacements, but they can't find a suitable actor to replace Willis. You notice that Willis is bored out of his mind the entire film and Jai Courtney can't act. Better luck next time. The story was poorly written and the dialogue, crummy. Let's take the story back to the good old days. Give us a memorable villain and a fun, witty action hero. I feel we don't get those nowadays. Grade: F

Father and son at last! I wonder what happened to Samuel L. Jackson's character. Any thoughts?

3.   The Host

No one remembered this film. That's how bad it was. Only reason I remember this, was because after the film I went and had great sushi. No one knew how to act. This film tried to feed off the popularity of the Twilight franchise, because only the readers of Stephanie Meyer books would know about this catastrophe. Pacing was off and the dialogue was nails-on-a-chalkboard. Grade: F

Choose to not see this movie. Like, never see it. 

4.   World War Z 

Why make a PG-13 zombie movie? The story was surprisingly boring, and the action sequences underwhelmed. It also seemed that the screenwriters had no clue what to write about. They read the book and decided to make an entirely different film, finding out that letting Brad Pitt go to one city and that city being destroyed by zombies could work three or four more times. It was annoying to get the same repeated situation over and over. And, the Pepsi product placement was phenomenally the best ass-hole move any company made this year. What made this film great? Give me your argument. I dare you. Grade: D

Mmm! Product Placement

5.   Oldboy

Yep. This was made. The upside is, it won't be remembered. The downside is, I actually had to watch this film. The chemistry of the actors, the acting, the story, the special effects, the action, were all horrible. Nothing blended together and it felt like Spike Lee tried too hard to deviate from the original film. All the excitement and grandeur was lost. Grade: D

"Stop! Hammer time!"

6.  White House Down

Here's another film that disappointed me. I had just got done watching Olympus Has Fallen, and decided to give this film a try. To say the least, it was not as exciting. This film trades story and action for cheap jokes and special effects. In a year with two White House invasion films, this one faltered in story telling, action, and acting.  Grade: D

'Merica!

7.  Charlie Countryman

This film just had too many story problems. The writer crammed every idea into this small film, and it became overwhelming. It was an acid trip, a love story, a mafia tale, and it was all over the place. No one gave a damn on their performances. There were some subplots that never developed and the film ended quickly. Grade: D+

"I can act. I promise I can."

8.   Movie 43

This film had its moments, but as I watched it I was wondering why any of these actors would embarrass themselves. Halle Berry stuffing hot sauce up her vagina, a naked iBabe (like an iPod except life-sized hot woman), and balls on the chin. The film had a serious undertone about the qualities, the sacrifices, and how hard it is to make it in Hollywood, but it was all lost on goofiness and bad jokes. Grade: D+

"This ain't hockey!" - There are around 30 'black' hockey players in the NHL. True story!

9.   The Hangover: Part 3

I didn't know what to expect. I knew it was a different story than the previous two, but it was a slowly paced, strange story that didn't make much sense. I would have been okay if the Wolfpack just did the same plot from the previous films in New York City or something. Each character was used up and the jokes were cheap. Funny moments were few and far between. Grade: C-

"Tigers love pepper. They hate cinnamon."

10.  A Place Beyond the Pines

I'll admit, I watched this film for Ryan Gosling. Then 30 minutes into the film, Ryan Gosling dies. The film's about generations and how your actions today might bring consequences to your children later in life. It was interesting at best, but the pacing was off and the movie trailers lied about the film's plot. Executives had no clue on how to market the film, so it fell on the shoulders of Gosling and didn't succeed. Grade: C-

Look at that beautiful face!

American Hustle: Movie Review

American Hustle keeps the story flowing with phenomenal acting and dialogue that beautifully rolls off the page, but as the film progresses it feels like a knock off Scorsese gangster flick with no legs to stand.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - Movie Review

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is a hilarious epic, with the same old witty cast, and many newcomers. Will Farrell and his San Diego-based news team bring the thunder of comedy, but many newcomers get a silent crowd and the story becomes muddled with side-story after side-story.

Saving Mr. Banks: Movie Review

   Saving Mr. Banks is an emotional thrill ride, with wonderful acting and an amazing story. Sure, I had my doubts, being a Walt Disney fan, but the film's direction was unexpected and I was amazed by how the story swept me into a beautifully crafted world of emotion and love. You won't leave this film with a dry eye.

How Could The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Be Better

    We have traveled back to Middle-Earth for the fifth time. This time, Jackson goes to show that he is finally losing his magic. Cumberbatch was amazing, Smaug was amazingly created, and the music made me shiver, but what went wrong?

Spoiler Warning!

What Could Make Out of The Furnace Better

  Out of the Furnace delivered phenomenal acting, but the story was too dark and depressing to handle. So, what could make this film better?

SPOILER WARNING!

The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug: Review

      The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug marks Peter Jackson's fifth outing in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth. With every Hobbit film, Peter Jackson slowly loses his touch of genius and slowly ruins the magic of Middle-Earth and what made The Lord of the Rings so amazing. The Desolation of Smaug is better than its predecessor, but jams too many characters and stories to give the audience a film more about the mythology of Middle-Earth than the story of one hobbit.

Out of the Furnace: Review

    Out of the Furnace is a compelling story of two loving brothers being separated by bad life choices. A great tale with an amazing cast that often finds itself lost with slow, dragging moments and poor dialogue.

Frozen: Review

      With beautiful animation and a fulfilling story, Frozen is Disney's best animated musical since the studio's 90's renaissance.

     Frozen follows princess Anna (Kristen Bell) as she searches for her estranged sister, Elsa (Idina Menzel), who's magical ice powers have sent the kingdom Arendelle into an eternal winter. This film is beautifully animated. It is the snow and ice that creates a cold, but magical atmosphere which seems all too real. From the snow to the freckles on Anna's face, the film is capsulized as a hyper-realistic form of animation Disney has never pursued for a musical feature. Even the way the characters move is animated on par or above Pixar's level. No character was a simple archetype either. Isolationism and love were prominent themes, with the latter being overtaken with Elsa's castaway character arc. The first and third acts make the audience forget the muddled second act. However emotions stay strong throughout with Anna and Elsa fighting their internal fears. 

    Musically, each song is the usual Broadway style catchy pop to singalong to. However, the songs did not fit in with the time period the film portrayed. Each song seemed unoriginal and bland, with few impressing the musical geek inside me. Lyrically, the lyricist's words couldn't go beyond that of a fifth grader. An amazing Kristen Bell and always wonderful Idina Menzel belt out their best with what they're given. However, the real musical disappointment came halfway through the film when the singing seemed to disappear entirely.

     Beautifully animated with a heartfelt story and truly tested characters, Frozen is an overall good film. The musical numbers were limited and lyrically plain, with a few great exceptions. This film comes closest to the Disney Renaissance Era of musicals, but still misses that hint of magic in the music.

B+

Good Qualities: Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel are amazing singers, story was filled with heartfelt emotions,                            amazing animation.

Bad Qualities:    The songs were few and far between and lyrically simple.

What Could Make Hunger Games: Catching Fire Better

   Hunger Games: Catching Fire is superior than it's predecessor, but every movie has its flaws. How could Hunger Games: Catching Fire be better? There's two biggies.

WARNING! SPOILERS!

Oldboy: Review

    Spike Lee's remake of the classic 2003, Korean film, Oldboy takes away the mystery, creepiness, and beauty that the original brought to the big screen. Instead this film becomes a stripped down mess with its themes, violence, and story subdued for an American audience.

Hunger Games - Catching Fire: Review

     I had zero expectations going into this film. I thought the first film in the series was horrible and made my worst list of 2012. With that being said, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, although with many flaws, was a drastic improvement in the Hunger Games film series.  

Dallas Buyers Club: Review

    Dallas Buyers Club is a well crafted, intense, epic about one man's journey with AIDS. This film keeps you tuned in until the very end with a brilliant cast, screenplay and direction.

TOP 10: Anticipated Films of 2014

   With 2014, only a month and a half away, it seems time to talk about the films I'm most excited for.

Charlie Countryman: Review

     As a love story Charlie Countryman is beautiful. As anything else, the film fails extravagantly.

What Could Make Thor: The Dark World Better

     Thor: The Dark World was a good Marvel film. Alan Taylor has transitioned well to film and has brought his Game of Thrones excellence to the big screen. So far, this film is the best Marvel film this year. But, every film has its flaws. What could make Thor: The Dark World better?

WARNING! SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW!

12 Years A Slave: Review

    This film is not for the lighthearted. 12 Years a Slave is a gruesome film that doesn't let the audience rest on its topic of American history that will never be forgotten.

Thor: The Dark World: Review

    Another Marvel movie jump starts my inner nerd. As much as I loved the first Thor, this one doesn't hit the same peak, but still gives audiences the charisma and thrill that its predecessor had.

What Could Make Elysium Better?

Neill Blomkamp's second outing as a major feature film director had its ups and downs. Elysium is an action packed thrill ride that expands on the ideas of immigration, wealth and healthcare. However, the film falls flat in some of the story telling aspects and characters come off as one note. Even though this film was a great summer flick, every film has its flaws and every film can become better.

What Could Make Only God Forgives Better

Every film has flaws. Even the best films. I wouldn't say Only God Forgives was the best film, but it was created by a great, visionary, director, and stars great actors. So what happened and how can you make this film better?

SPOILERS!

RED 2: Movie Review

     RED 2, the sequel to the sleeper hit RED, with Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Hellen Mirren, and that one woman from Weeds (Mary-Louise Parker). This film should have had Robert DeNiro in it. Just saying.

Only God Forgives: Review

      I was very sad that this movie was not in theaters where I lived. Luckily, it is on iTunes to watch. Only God Forgives follows the story of Julian, a kingpin in Bangkok, and the Angel of Vengeance, a police officer on a path to make everything right with his city. This film can be amazing at times with cinematography and action sequences, but it can also be very difficult to follow.

What Could Make Pacific Rim Better

       With Pacific Rim out and doing better than expected, but not as well, it gets me to think what could be better. This is one of the perfect summer blockbusters I've seen in a while. Summer blockbusters don't need to have the best story, but they do need the best visuals and some great action. In the end, every movie can get better. Even if it is the littlest changes.

CAUTION!  SPOILERS!

Pacific Rim: Review

      If this film is Guillermo Del Toro's ode to monsters vs. robots, this is one helluva a film. Del Toro creates an amazing monster movie on a grand scale. Sure, the movie has faults, but when the robots and monsters fight, everything is thrown off the table.

What Could Make The Lone Ranger Better

     Over the 4th of July weekend, I saw one of the worst Disney films of the year and probably the last few years.  Were there goods things about the film? Not really. And, that is why I will enjoy writing about what could make this movie a helluva lot better.

The Lone Ranger: Review

    It's not because it's a Western. It's not because it's an old product. It's because the film sucks. This is why people will not go see the movie. Or hopefully. I mean . . . they went to see the last two Pirates films. The Lone Ranger is about a guy who watches his brother die at the hands of an outlaw, then goes in search for his brother's killer. Or, so you think. Arm & Hammer plays the Lone Ranger, while Jack Sparrow tries to portray Tonto, the Ranger's Native American side-kick. Technically, Tonto was the main character. I'm pretty sure we see Tonto more than the Lone Ranger. Tonto has a better story anyways.

What Could Make Man of Steel Better

Another segment of "What Could Make. . .Better." I have given myself a few days to think about the film and its flaws and I've come up with the cures.

Man of Steel follows the explorations of Kal-El has he tries to figure out who he is and where he comes from. All the while his enemy is planning something deathly for the people of Earth. Kal-El must hurry up and become Superman or he is going to have a hard time defeating General Zod.

Man of Steel Review

How do you make a movie about the world's greatest superhero? Do you tell a thrilling rollercoaster ride filled with action and cinema spectacle? Or do you create a personal story about a man who is more human inside than alien? Zack Snyder tries to tell both with good results, but not results great enough for Superman.

This is a SPOILER REVIEW!

What Could Make Fast & Furious 6 Better

If you haven't seen this film, see it. Fast & Furious 6 or Furious 6, is a link to so many of the other Fast films, and a testament to where the franchise is heading. Sure, back when Fast and Furious came on the scene everyone wanted to see fast cars race and women dress in lacy clothing. Nowadays, people don't really need all of that. Nowadays, a franchise doesn't need all that when a franchise has Justin Lin at the helm, and the likes of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Vin Diesel. This franchise has been steered another way - a way of summer blockbusters.

This movie is a big ball of dumb-but-awesome. You have to throw your mind out and just watch this movie for what it's worth: a great tent-pole blockbuster. However, there were problems. Sure, I just said to suspend your mind from any stupid you see in this film, but the film lacks in major areas.

SPOILERS AHEAD. BEWARE!

What Could Make Star Trek Into Darkness Better

This is a new article that I will be starting today and writing twice a week called, What Could Make [title of movie] Better. With the sequel to 2009's, Star Trek, out right now, what else are we going to talk about.

When I left the theater, my mind was blown away on how far film technology has gone. I did not want this movie spoiled for me, so I did not read any reviews, I didn't go to the Wikipedia page or any other page to look up the plot, and I did not watch any clips of the film. I watched the trailers and knew this film was going to be epic.

Unlike Iron Man 3, after a few days I still can't disassemble this film and criticize it for all it's worth, but I did have gripes watching the film and I still have the same, and newer, gripes now.

SPOILERS WILL ENSUE AFTER THIS BREAK