Top 10 Films of 2013

A little late to the game, but I needed to see a few more films before I could be absolutely sure on this list….no I haven't seen The Wolf of Wall Street, but if I did I promise you if I did it'd probably be on this list. But who knows if I'll get to see it theaters this late in game. Anyway, here we go.

10. The Conjuring
Directed by James Wan
Starring Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, and Ron Livingston

A random choice I know. I've never cared for horror films, and most of them I find just plain cliche' and hilariously awful. This is not the case with this film. The Conjuring is probably the first horror film in a long time that has actually scared the crap out of me and deprived me of sleep. Its script might be more of the same idioms and cliche's you expect from this genre, but its a well directed and well crafted film. It left a lasting impression on me but no, I will not be doing a full review on it, because I cannot bring myself to watch it again. Scary as hell...

9. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring Martin Freeman, Sir Ian McKellen, and Benedict Cumberbatch

A massive improvement over the first in The Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug is a well-paced, action-packed return to Middle Earth. Some viewers may be off-put by the unnecessary but harmless subplots, but that can all be forgiven and forgotten when the mighty Smaug comes on screen. Two films of build up? Worth it. This film will leave you wanting more of The Hobbit and more of Smaug. Only one year until the third film…
(Original review: http://cflaresfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2013/12/film-review-hobbit-desolation-of-smaug.html)

8. Iron Man 3
Directed By Shane Black
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Don Cheadle, and Sir Ben Kingsley

While the movie's gotten a lot of flack since its release, I still see it as one of the better Iron Man films and one of the better Marvel films. Action-packed, hilarious, it's everything a Marvel film should be. Another wonderful performance from Robert Downey Jr is supported by a host of other talented actors old and new, and yes this includes Ben Kingsley as Trev-I mean, The Mandarin. Unfortunately, another release from Marvel this year, in my opinion, over shadows it. (See Below)
(Original review: http://cflaresfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2013/05/film-review-iron-man-3.html)

7. American Hustle
Directed By David O. Russell
Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence

Another well-consturcted film from David O. Russell. While everyone was declaring it to be "great", and I only saw it as "pretty good". The story leaves something to be desired, but it's undeniable this film stands on solid ground. It's easy to see why all these actors are getting so much attention this awards season. They are all firing on all cylinders. David O. Russell has a touch for crafting award-winning performances and films.

6. Gravity
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

When I first reviewed Gravity, I called it a near-perfect film, and couldn't find anything wrong with it. Now that there's been some time since I've seen it, I'm skeptical on how well it will transition onto television screens, in the likes of Blu-Rays and digital download. It's such a grand scale film with breathtaking visual effects, its hard to imagine not watching it anywhere but in a theater, and in 3D. Regardless of how well the DVD sales go, don't let that undersell Gravity. It's a chilling, beautiful, heart-wrenching film. Breathtaking visuals and a lead strong performance by Sandra Bullock make it a must see.
(Original review: http://cflaresfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2013/11/film-review-gravity.html)

5.  12 Years A Slave
Directed By Steve McQueen
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Nupita Nyong'o

A beautifully raw, and powerful film. As I've said before, 12 Years A Slave is not an easy film to watch, but it is a film that should be watched. Incredibly acted by all the main and supporting players, this film is guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings. It's in my opinion, one of the best dramas in recent years. Steve McQueen manages to craft a brutally compelling picture of a dark period in our nation's history, through the eyes of one man, Solomon Northup, who is played perfectly by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Do yourself a favor, and see 12 Years A Slave.
(Original review: http://cflaresfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2013/12/film-review-12-years-slave.html)

4. This Is The End
Directed By Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen
Starring Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride and a bunch of other celebrities.

As much as I love the entertainment industry, I also love when Hollywood pokes fun at itself. This Is The End does just that and more. Even when these actors aren't tearing each other new ones, the things that come out of their mouth are still hilarious. This Is The End can still crack me up to this day. This is a wild, no holding back, self-shaming comedy. It's one of the best comedies in recent years. Plus, how can you beat that ridiculously awesome ending?

3. Frozen
Directed By Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Starring Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad

Frozen gives audiences everything they love and expect from Disney, while bringing enough that's new and original to the table, making it one of the animation studio's strongest and most unique films to date. An incredible script, positively beautiful animation, more than enjoyable performances, and a solid soundtrack make it an instant classic. It's become a runaway success for Disney Animation critically and commerically, and hopefully this is only the beginning of a new golden age for The Mouse.
(Original review: http://cflaresfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2013/12/film-review-frozen.html)

2. Thor: The Dark World
Directed by Alan Taylor
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston

I consider the second Thor film to be one of the strongest films out of Marvel Studios to date. Action-packed and laugh out-loud hilarious as you would expect, this film is like a love letter to fans. Loki is given every second to shine. Zachary Levi, king of the nerds, steps into the role of Fandral in place of Josh Dallas. There's a perfect cameo, one hell of a cliffhanger, and a eyebrow-raising mid credits scene that will get every Marvel fan to squee. The film juggles a lot of plot threads in a well balanced script, and everyone in the cast wins you over again and again. Marvel hits it out of the park again with Thor: The Dark World 
(Original review: http://cflaresfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2013/11/film-review-thor-dark-world.html)

1. Saving Mr Banks
Directed By John Lee Hancock
Starring Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, and Colin Farrell

This is a remarkable film. It gives us a look behind the scenes of one of the most beloved films of all time, made at one of the most beloved motion-picture studios of all time, and a look at one of the most well-known entertainers of our time (Sorry for the mouthful). A film about Disney, made by Disney, though it's not as sugar coated as you expect. But at the heart of this picture is PL Travers, the woman behind Mary Poppins, and what it meant to give Disney the rights to make a film about her. Emma Thompson gives a remarkable performance as Travers. Tom Hanks charms his way into your heart as Walt Disney as the film progresses, and Colin Farrell is incredible as Travers Goff. Wonderfully written and acted, nostalgic and emotional, Saving Mr Banks is one of the best films of the year, and my favorite of the year…though what did you expect from a self-proclaimed Disney nerd?
(Original review: http://cflaresfilmfindings.blogspot.com/2014/01/film-review-saving-mr-banks.html)

Film Review- "Saving Mr Banks"

Saving Mr. Banks
Directed By John Lee Hancock
Starring Emma Thompson as PL Travers, Tom Hanks as Walt Disney, and Colin Farrell as Travers Goff

As intrigued as I was when I heard this movie was being made, I had my doubts. It was a film made by Disney, about Disney. Not to mention, a story of Disney history that didn't have the happiest of endings. Disney historians and aficionados already know how this "Making of Mary Poppins" story ends. Despite knowing all that going on, I left the theater finding Saving Mr Banks to be a truly wonderful film.

The film follows author PL Travers (Thompson) during her stay in Los Angeles, as she sits in during the pre-production stages of Mary Poppins at the Walt Disney studios. Constantly unhappy with what is pitched to her, Walt (Hanks) and his crew do their best to please her, and earn the rights to make the film from her. Meanwhile, we see flashbacks to her childhood in Australia that illustrate her relationship with her father (Farrell).

As a self-proclaimed Disney nerd, all the little details about the production had me smiling at every turn. Every little tidbit about the history of Disney, the man himself and the studio, got me grinning. The story itself is a very entertaining one. You know how it's going to end, obviously the film gets made. It's the ride, what it took to get Mary Poppins made, is what draws you in. The story will play jumprope with your heartstrings too, as we see just how much the original Mary Poppins books and characters meant to PL Travers, and how much of it was influenced by her relationship with her father. I guarantee you won't look at the Mary Poppins film the same way again after watching Saving Mr Banks.

As great as the script is though, what brings this film to life is the performances. Emma Thompson is perfect as PL Travers. You get annoyed by her, you fall in love with her, and you cry with her. Colin Farrell is truly remarkable as her father, Travers Goff. His performance really catches your attention, and it's one of the highlights of the film. It's amazing we haven't seen him get nominated for any awards yet. Bradley Whitford plays the screenwriter Don DaGardi, and BJ Novak and Jason Schwartzman play Robert and Richard Sherman, the film's composers and lyrcicists. Paul Giammati plays Travers' chauffeur Ralph. They all hit their marks, and bring the right balance of comedy and heart.

Now you're probably wondering why I haven't talked about the second-biggest cast member yet, Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. First off, I've never been a huge Tom Hanks fan. He's good though, I won't deny that. Second, I always thought then when Walt Disney was to be played on screen, he should have been played by a lesser or relatively unknown actor. He was such a multi-layered man, and practically an icon. A big name actor sort of takes away from that, as we don't necessarily lose ourself to the character, but the performance.

At first it was hard for me to see past Tom Hanks. All I could see was Tom Hanks in a Walt Disney costume. But gradually, he won me over as the film went on, and once again Tom Hanks does some top-notch work. In terms of A-List actors, he probably is the best choice to play Disney. Everyone in this cast is firing on all cylinders, he just took me some getting used to.

Now, I feel like I should touch on the historical side of this film. I do admire the filmmakers for not going far off on the unbeaten path. I applaud them showing Disney have a scotch, or putting a cigarette out before someone seems him smoking. I admire them for not portraying him in a positive light 100% of the film, and even showing that he didn't want to invite Travers to the Hollywood premiere of Mary Poppins. The ending itself…well, they're not hiding the truth I suppose, just sugar coating it.

SPOILER WARNING: (I mean it's not like Disney was going to tell us "Our studio made a film the author of the source material didn't like)

Anyway, Saving Mr Banks is a remarkable film. Highly entertaining and truly moving, it's earned a spot on my list of the best films of 2013. Another winner for the House of Mouse.