The Summer Movie Awards 2013

 A mix of many of the films of the summer

Photo Credit: Screencrush.com

It’s that time of year again! Time to break down the best that this summer in films had to offer! In general, blockbuster wise at least, I’ve got to say this wasn’t a very good summer at all. Most of the films that came out this year were disappointments and ultimately the summer felt really flat. On the other hand the indies saved parts of the summer as there were a few fantastic little films that really caught my attention (and I say this not having seen The Spectacular Now, Blue Jasmine or Short Term 12). As usual, and unfortunately more so than this year, I have not seen all the films that this summer has to offer (again see the list of films above that I desperately want to see and that’s only the beginning) so bear that in mind while reading this. But hey this is supposed to be laid back and fun anyways because well it’s the summer we’re reflecting upon! So without further a due here they are the Summer Movie Awards 2013:

*Mild Spoilers Ahead*

Best Action Sequence:

Robots and monsters clash in the middle of the city (Pacific Rim):

One of the biggest pleasant surprises of the year was Pacific Rim. Its energy and fun factor were unmatched amongst this year’s crop of blockbusters. Plus it’s just great to watch a well shot, well plotted, and perfectly choreographed fight between giant robots and giant monsters happens! The scene was great in general because it took everything that the Transformers series did wrong in Robot action, ie confusion and lack of character, and got it as right as possible. The sequence was filled with so much energy, heart, and power that it really packed an amazingly fun punch! Oh yeah and Robots were fighting monsters, and it was good! That in itself is a feet!

Runner Up: Fighting on a bullet train (The Wolverine)

Worst Action Sequence:

Alien beings fight in the middle of the city for half of the film (Man of Steel)

The most disappointing action sequence of the year was also the worst. It wasn’t a poorly shot, edited, nor produced piece of work, but plot wise it crushed the film. The last half of Man of Steel ruined Man of Steel as it turned the film from uplifting origin story about acceptance and everyone’s place in the universe into a poor man’s Independence Day. The plot stopped and the film just turned into a mishmash of disappointment. Anytime you take a film that in its first half looks like something special and make it average by the end is a sin on every level, thus making the worst action scene of the summer.

Runner Up: Wait it all comes down to a fist fight? Seriously? (Star Trek into Darkness)

Prettiest film (Best cinematography/direction):

The Bling Ring

Yeah it wasn’t big nor was it full of action sequences, but boy can Sophia Coppola ever make an amazingly flashy film. The whole look of the Bling Ring just gave it such an energy and flair that just wasn’t present in many films so far this year. Ultimately what makes the film the best direction wise is that the visuals in the film propelled the film higher than it had any right of being. Great stuff all around!

Runner Up: Pacific Rim

Most Unnecessary Sequel:

The Hangover Part 3

Why do things have to make so much money? They really should have stopped making these after the first film and the world would have been a much better place. Do I need to say more?

Runner Up: Red 2

Most Underrated:

The Bling Ring

Seriously this was a good movie. I don’t understand how as many critics just outright panned it like they did. For one there are no likable characters because it’s a social satire and the point of the film is for the crowd to not like these people. Also sure it wasn’t as good as Spring Breakers but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good (boarder lining on very good).

Runner Up: Elysium

Most Overrated:

Star Trek into Darkness

Let’s get this out of the way right now, I liked Star Trek into Darkness it just shouldn’t have been called “the film of the summer” as it was by many critics. Sure the film is good but it has serious troubles near the end as it veers more and more into the territory of Wrath of Khan. Again it’s a solid blockbuster but it sure isn’t great by any standard.

Runner Up: Man of Steel

Most Disappointing:

Man of Steel

Really I’ve said enough about this. This one is by far the most crushing disappointment mostly because how much I wanted to like this film. It looked fantastic in short bursts and even within the first 30 minutes it really caught my attention. And then the city began to blow up and it all went downhill from there.

Runner Up: Star Trek into Darkness

The Little film that could:

Before Midnight

While no one this summer saw Before Midnight the impact it left was fantastic. Between the conversations that are so natural that they might as well be real, the true development of these characters, and the darkness and pain that can come with a long term relationships Before Midnight had so much amazing in it. The film pulled the weight of a thousand blockbusters in an hour and a half in a way no other film has been able to so far this year. Now people just need to watch this movie!

Runner Up: Fruitvale Station

Best Blockbuster:

Elysium

The most ambitious of the summer blockbusters was also the best. Elysium may not have been perfect, not even close for that matter but it was a film that took chances something that couldn’t be said for many films this summer. It had a message and ideas and while they didn’t always work, when they did they were fantastic. Drop in a fantastic final 40 minutes and you’ve got a very good thriller.

Runner Up: Pacific Rim

Worst Film:

R.I.P.D.

Why was this film made? Cheap, pathetically written, and awfully acted R.I.P.D was just an absolute mess in every way. Let’s just it was awful and leave it at that. But hey no one watched it so that’s a positive.

Runner Up: The Hangover part 3

Best Film:

Before Midnight

I’ve pretty much said everything I can about this film. It’s so touching, funny, and darkly powerful. Perhaps the last bit of praise I can bestow upon this gem is that I believe that it’s most likely going to be the best film of the year. I just can’t see myself seeing anything better period.

Runner Up: Elysium