By Meredith Alloway · December 30, 2013
With everybody tossing around their favorite films, I felt like I needed to put in my two cents. I’ve tried to see just about everything, and Christmas Eve rounded out my line up with American Hustle. It had some hot moments, but overall felt loose. In classic Alloway family tradition, we also saw a movie Christmas Day. I will admit, after a year of heavy-hitting films (The Act of Killing being the hardest and most incredible), I wanted something fun. Anchorman 2 did not, though, make my list. If it were top 10 scenes…I might add the flipping RV montage.
This was one of the best years of cinema in a long time. Being the awards season nerd that I am, I always make my predictions pretty accurately. This year, it will be tough. Compiling a list of only 10 films has proved just as challenging. I loved Kill Your Darlings, Kings of Summer and Concussion. I get excited about first time directors like John Krokidas, Jordan Vogt-Roberts and Stacie Passon.
Other newbies that are gaining steam by the second are Hannah Fidell (A Teacher), Joe Swanberg (Drinking Buddies), David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) and Jeff Nichols (Mud). They’re also all filmmakers in Texas, which I’m clearly partial to. Yeehaw!
Blue is the Warmest Color was a sort of never-ending waltz that, although I felt it had its problems, proved revolutionary at Cannes. The Spectacular Now sent me back to the times of watching Molly Ringwald on VHS and remembering the power of a simple teenage love story.
I prescribed almost everyone the films Dallas Buyers Club, Before Midnight and August Osage County. They all showcase top notch writing as well as educate on multiple levels. Perhaps the reason why they’re not in my top 10 is merely because I walked away slightly deflated, enlightened and reflective, but I still love going to the cinema for the element of escape. What can I say, I like adventure and see exactly why movies like Thor and The Hunger Games do well….I had a blast watching them.
But here are my Top 10. They’re all films that transported me to another world. They’re in no particular order except for my number 1 which is Her.
Her
It enveloped me in a completely new ether and gave me a blank canvas on which to paint my own views of love, heartache and purpose. Spike Jonze is great.
Fruitvale Station
I felt more emotionally connected than in any other film this year. It reaffirmed my faith in a character driven journey. This was also my favorite press day, the entire cast and director Coogler passionate and kind.
INTERVIEW WITH DIAZ AND JORDAN
Short Term 12
I saw this at SXSW and knew, hands down, it was one of the best films this year. I love everything about it, the story, its cast, its producers and its valiant director Destin Cretton. As some of you know, I’m also personally campaigning for Brie Larson’s Oscar.
INTERVIEW WITH LARSON & GALLAGHER JR.
Inside Llewyn Davis
Although this film gave me an existential crisis, it so perfectly displayed the artists’ plague that I had to include it. Filmmaking at its finest. Bravo Coens-you never let us down.
Nebraska
I challenge anyone not to relate to this movie. It’s funny and poignant and silly all at once. Why can’t more people trust in the power of simplicity? Alexander Payne does and that’s exactly where he finds his success.
Spring Breakers
This was so much friggin’ fun. That’s all I have to say.
Frances Ha
Greta Gerwig is so endearing it’s ridiculous. She’s honest, raw, intelligent and hilarious. The partnership between her and Baumbach is on point. She’s a voice that’s screaming through all the bullshit and definitely should be heard.
The Way, Way Back
I chuckled all the way through. Nat Faxon and Jim Rash write wonderful characters and cast actors out of their comfort zone. Steve Carrell as an asshole is priceless.
Don Jon
This movie was so slick. As Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut, it’s impressive for sure. I had a blast watching this and enjoyed the ways Levitt weaved in the deeper issues at hand.
12 Years a Slave
This is the most visually stunning film of the year, by far. While many films demonstrated the power of writing, this did the power of the camera. Fassbender is deliciously evil, Ejiofor is the perfect vessel and Lupita Nyong’o is one of the most exciting new actresses out there.
For the movies mentioned in the beginning, here are some ATW pieces:
Dallas Buyers Club Writers Interview
Before Midnight Linklater/cast Interview
Kings of Summer Review and Interview
Kill Your Darlings Writers/Director Interview
Concussion Director/Producer and Weigert/Siff Interviews
A Teacher Director/cast Interview
Drinking Buddies Director Interview
Ain't Them Bodies Saints Director and Mara Interview
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire feature
Meredith Alloway · December 19, 2013
Meredith Alloway · January 9, 2014
Meredith Alloway · January 9, 2014
Meredith Alloway · December 19, 2013
Meredith Alloway · December 13, 2013
