Inside Llewyn Davis

Inside Llewyn Davis
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

3 Coen Brothers films sit inside my Top 100 Films of All Time list, I guess that means they are my favorite directors... or at least, almost my favorite directors. Who cares, they are rad and I've been meaning to check out their newest film Inside Llewyn Davis for a hot minute... I just used the term "hot minute", you can punch me in the throat next time you see me... sorry about that.

Synopsis: Llewyn Davis is a struggling folk singer living in NYC during the 60's... this is his story.

Inside Llewyn Davis was a big winner for me. I thought the one thing that may bring it down was the music, but I actually really enjoyed the soundtrack a lot. The fact that it was all recorded live while shooting is also incredible. Llewyn is the proverbial starving artist, but an extremely honest version of that which didn't feel forced. I loved going along for the ride with him, both literally when he took a road trip to Chicago and throughout the rest of the movie. He is a character that is flawed and ultimately heading down a dead end path, but you still want to see it unfold.

There were a lot of stand out moments for me... like the scenes with the cat, John Goodman, and the audition in Chicago. It also feels like a movie, on a rewatch, that will offer things you missed on the first viewing, as is the case with all Coen films.

Inside Llewyn Davis is still in theaters and comes highly recommended by me.... Curtis.

Her

Her
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Spike Jones [IMDB]

Spike Jones is responsible for Being John Malkovich, which is in my Top 100 Films of All Time. He also cranked out Adaption, which would be a close runner up for that list. Point is, I like the dude, okay? When I saw his first trailer for Her, I was excited to lay my eyes upon the final product. Her and Inside Llewyn Davis were probably the two films I regret not seeing the most before I made my Top Ten of 2013, but I'm a busy man (internet porn) and I can't see everything. Finally Her gets its day in court, WFR court that is.

Synopsis: In the future people use Operating Systems to help them get their act together. Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with his OS... played by the voice of Scarlett Johansson.

Party voice. Do you know what that is? That is when a young lady smokes and drinks, then finds herself out in loud social environments where she has to shout a lot. If these steps are repeated often enough, her voice will start to sound raspy. Scarlett Johansson has party voice. I never really noticed until this movie. Maybe it's because you never see her and that's all you can focus on. Anyways, onto more pressing matters.

Her is effective at painting a very realistic portrait of the future. Sure, the future may not be exactly as it's portrayed in the film, but it's believable enough that you almost forget it's sci-fi. But it is, and a wonderful example of how sci-fi doesn't need epic space battles and CG to sell it. Her has an interesting concept and one that is executed fairly well. Spike Jones' direction is concrete and the pacing of Her was smooth. Phoenix and Johansson were both great, and made on screen chemistry in a unique way. Amy Adams was mediocre, like she is in most films... sorry Amy Adams fans. The film takes some turns towards the end which I think could have been handled differently, but ultimately I was happy with the overall take.

Her is still in theaters and I'd recommend it. Especially if you are familiar with the director's prior work, I think you'll enjoy it.

The Spectacular Now

The Spectacular Now
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: James Ponsoldt [IMDB]

I've been consistently seeing The Spectacular Now popping up in many peoples best of the year lists. It has also garnered a lot of attention in the film festival circuits. I figured... I like a nice indie drama as much as the next guy, why not?

Synopsis: A party bro falls for a nice sweet girl and deals with the pitfalls of exiting high school.

I only wish I could have gotten piss drunk, passed out on a lawn, woken up to, and fallen in love with a girl like Shailene Woodley when I was a senior in high school. Actually, that's not true at all, I was straight edge my senior year and I had a girlfriend, but still... this guy is one lucky bastard.... or is he? See that? That's me throwing a curveball at you, mixing up a little mystery into the pot.

Following the story of Sutter (the protagonist) was amusing and entertaining. The Spectacular Now takes notes from Cameron Crowe and John Hughes, but it has its own spin on the coming of age genre flick, which worked for me. People perceive themselves a certain way in high school, and what you think are, others may not agree with. That aspect and the understanding of what you want out of life are complex things that Spectacular does a great job capitalizing on. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley's chemistry was solid and I was psyched seeing Kyle Chandler in there... gotta love Coach Taylor.

Above all things, The Spectacular Now felt real to me, that believability makes it worth your time alone. It's not top ten material, but still worth a poke.

August: Osage County

August: Osage County
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: John Wells [IMDB]

I first saw the trailer for August when I went to go see American Hustle. Like American Hustle, the trailer was mediocre and didn't really spark my interest. Then my friend Doug (shout outs!) saw it and claimed it was best film of the year. He also informed me it was from the same writer that brought you (me) Killer Joe and Bug... so at that point my interest peaked. I just checked it out, here's the low down.

Synopsis: A family with issues is reunited for the funeral of a loved one and things get ugly.

August is a solid film and has some superior performances coming from the Pretty Woman and Meryl Streep. I also liked the edition of Chris Cooper, that guy is always an asshole, it's nice to see him in a more kind hearted role. Osage County captures disfunction and addiction in a believable and comedic way mostly... but the film is extremely dramatic and a little over the top at times. There were a few things that I felt tipped the scales which I won't get into because of spoilers (you're welcome.)

I rather enjoyed August: Osage County and felt like its characters and simplistic settings made it a winner. It's a dark film with a not so happy ending. If you're not into that kinda shit, skip it. But I love stuff like that cause I'm a deep dude. It's still in theaters and I'm pretty sure it expanded wide.

All Is Lost

All Is Lost
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: J.C. Chandor [IMDB]

All Is Lost was a film I really wanted to squeeze in before I made my Top 10 List for 2013... sadly I didn't get the chance. After watching it, it probably would have made it in there, or been really close. Here's why.

Synopsis: A man is stranded at sea... you watch... you enjoy.

This film immediately sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go for the rest of the ride. I loved it and was captivated by every minute of it. It's like a procedural for surviving at sea and almost has a weird documentary vibe to it. There's no dialog... minus the monologue in the beginning, Robert Redford says all of 4 words in the whole thing. It doesn't really need that though, I was just caught up in the act of him staying alive and keeping his shit together. Redford rules the role and is convincing enough that I think he may have lived on a sailboat in real life at one point.

I feel extremely satisfied with All Is Lost and I haven't seen anything like it before. It takes the whole "lost at sea" sub-genre (if there is such a thing) and reinvents it in an interesting way.

Curtis' Best of 2013.

Before I start let me first say there are a few movies I haven't seen yet that I wish I had gotten to... Inside Llewellyn Davis, All Is Lost, Dallas Buyers Club, and Her would be the main ones, but I got get this list done, so here you go.

This year has been killer for movies. I've seen a ton of great shit, and some not so great shit. I must say I've been pretty consistent with reviewing everything I watch, but a few of these titles I never got too... sorry. Either way, here are my top ten, then the rest of 2013 ranked.

1. The Wolf of Wall Street (Review)
2. Before Midnight (Review)
3. To the Wonder (Review)
4. Star Trek: Into Darkness (Review)
5. 12 Years A Slave (Review)
6. The Place Beyond the Pines (Review)
7. The Lords of Salem (Review)
8. Captain Phillips (Review)
9. Spring Breakers (Review)
10. The Hunt (Review)

There it is, feel free to disagree, I don't care... you are wrong. Here's the rest of what I saw in 2013.

11. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Review)
12. Stoker (Review)
13. Only God Forgives (Review)
14. Fruitvale Station (No Review: 4 1/2 Arnolds)
15. The Conjuring (Review)
16. Pacific Rim (Review)
17. Gravity (Review)
18. Behind the Candelabra (Review)
19. Side Effects (Review)
20. You're Next (Review)
21. Maniac (Review)
22. Prisoners (No Review: 3 1/2 Arnolds)
23. Frances Ha (No Review: 3 1/2 Arnolds)
24. Upstream Color (Review)
25. Mama (Review)
26. American Hustle (Review)
27. Bad Milo! (Review)
28. The Lone Ranger (Review)
29. World War Z (No Review: 3 Arnolds)
30. Elysium (Review)
31. Riddick (No Review: 3 Arnolds)
32. This Is the End (Review)
33. Pain & Gain (Review)
34. The Last Stand (Review)
35. Oz: The Great and Powerful (Review)
36. Prince Avalanche (Review)
37. Evil Dead (Review)
38. Man of Steel (Review)
39. VHS 2 (No Review: 2 1/2 Arnolds)
40. After Earth (Review)
41. A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (Review)
42. The Purge (No Review: 2 Arnolds)
43. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (No Review: 1 1/2 Anrolds)
44. Sharknado (Review)

12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave
(2014) [Trailer]
Director: Steve McQueen [IMDB]

It's crazy to think that slavery was abolished in the US only 150 years ago. It's also crazy to think that the practice of slavery still exists in some parts of the world today. The human species is a strange animal capable of incredible things and also horrific things. Slavery is an ugly scar in the timeline of humanity, it's something that should never be stamped out, and it shouldn't be sugar coated. George Orwell once said “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”

Synopsis: A free man living in New York is abducted from his family and forced into slavery for 12 years.

Before watching this, I heard a ton of hype... "best film of the year", "it's gonna win tons of oscars", "It's the most powerful film ever made"... after watching it, I can see why. Hype or no hype, 12 Years A Slave is a profound film and one that deserves any accolades it receives.

12 Years is a harsh and blunt look at slavery, taking no liberties with the subject matter. Within all the despair and heartache McQueen found way to take his style and make it work. The score, cinematography and editing bring a level of mastery that shows the promise he has as a director and I'm absolutely looking forward to more films from him. Side Note: I've only seen one other Steve McQueen film, Shame, and I really enjoyed it... read about it HERE.

History is important and 12 Years A Slave captures a part of it so effectively that it's hard not to recommend it. For what it was trying to achieve, it's perfect.