You can most likely guess where Before Midnight lands on this list
It’s past halfway through 2013 (a while past I apologize for
the lateness I had some films I’ve had to catch up on before writing this list)
so it’s time to look back on the year so far. On the movies side this year hasn’t
been very great at all. While there have been some good films there has only
really been one amazing film with the rest being good at best. I guess after
the amazing run at the end of 2012 there had to be a bit of a fall although I
didn’t think it would be this drastic. It’s been a lackluster start to say the least.
Still there have been some good films this year and enough to fill this list.
Other than the number one film I hope that these films don’t end up on my end
of the year top 10 (and I don’t think that any of them will considering the
trend of great movies hitting only at the end of the year). The one rule is
that the film had to come out before June 30th commercially (because
it’s the halfway point of the year). Unfortunately most of these I saw on dvd
or weeks and weeks after release so I haven’t had the chance to review almost
most of these (although there will be a mega reviews recap coming in a week or
so). With all that being said here are the five best films of 2013 so far:
5. Much Ado about Nothing:
After taking the helm of the largest grossing film of last
year it just seems like Joss Whedon needed a break from all the bombast. Out of
this break comes a simple yet elegant and hilarious rendition of an often
filmed Shakespeare play. The film is impeccably
acted and simply, yet wonderfully directed for a beautifully pleasant film
going experience. With a summer of failed bombast continually rained overhead it’s
nice to have a film that basks in its simplicity very effectively.
4. Mud
Another classic moved into modern times Mud took the idea of
Huckleberry Fin and Tom Sawyer and turned it on its head. Dirven by a fantastic
performance by Matthew McConaughy and a thrilling plotline Mud provided a very
solid thriller experience that is worth seeing by any standards.
3. The Bling Ring
One of the many films that took an introspective look into
the life of the modern American young person The Bling Ring took an aggressive look
at the life of the spoiled teens in Beverly Hills. It’s aggressive attack along
with Sophia Coppola’s great eye for the visual made for one enjoyable film to
sit through. The Bling Ring was an emotional rollercoaster ride with intricate thriller
like pieces along the way. It’s a polarizing addition to Sophia Coppola’s
library of films but for my money it’s a very good one.
2. Spring Breakers
The other main film that took a introspective look into the life
and American dream of the modern American young person, Spring Breakers took a
even more aggressive trans like nightmare look at the spring break of four
College age women. Their adventure of sorts leads to a strange trance of mystical
montages and an art film level of hidden depth that from first glance the
average filmgoer would have never gotten. This is no average party film instead
it’s the nightmare of what is actually going on with society.
1. Before Midnight
Easily the best film of the year Before Midnight has so much
going for it. It’s emotional depth and beautiful dialogue, not to mention the
chemistry that has been developed between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy make this
film an instant classic. The rest of the films on this list borderline at the
high end of good and the low end of very good, but Before Midnight is great.
Not only is it great but it’s easily one of the best films to come out in at
least a year. The best compliment I can give Before Midnight is that ultimately
I don’t expect to see a film that is any better than Before Midnight.
No comments:
Post a Comment