I really wanted to do a top 10 list but this was a shitty year for movies, in general. And four or five of the movies that may end up as Oscar contenders have yet to be seen by yours truly. So, instead of forcing some kind-of-good movies onto a list of 10, I'm going with the three I think are superb representations of their genre.
BEFORE MIDNIGHT
Heartbreaking, brutal, honest, authentic, and beautiful. Don’t start with this movie. Watch all three (Before Sunrise and Before Sunset being parts 1 & 2 respectively). It makes nearly every other romantic drama seem like child’s play.
The only flaw is that it is over!
I can't praise this movie enough. Arguably the best written third movie in any series, edging out "Back to the Future" with raw emotion, natural dialogue, and stunning performances.
Sorry, Marty.
GRAVITY
An action-thriller that reflects everything wrong with the vast majority of action movies, by doing none of those things. It comes in at 91 minutes and uses virtually every second to tell an exciting, edge-of-your-seat story of survival. Not to mention stunning visuals and story-telling devices that could change the way stalking antagonists are presented in future movies (or one can hope since things are getting far too predictable in that arena).
There are also a couple of subtle, confident performances by veteran actors who push just the right talent buttons throughout. I never expected to love this movie as much as I did.
Hey, Hollywood filmmakers, you don't need 140 minutes to tell any story, especially one about shit blowing up.
THE WORLD’S END
The third movie in the “Cornetto Trilogy”. As with its predecessors (Shaun of the Dead & Hot Fuzz) it features Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as leads.
Director Edgar Wright constructs an homage-filled spectacular that knocks set pieces over like dominos all the way up to a surprising conclusion. Its final 20 minutes are daring, maybe even controversial.
That Wright and Pegg had the balls to do it is praise-worthy. Imagine DOCTOR WHO meets, well, should I even say? Just watch it. It’s fun, brilliant, personal, emotional, and kick-ass.
The trilogy may be over, but the story has just begun.
