My 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2013 Part 1: #25-16

To me, it always felt strange that most film critics choose January as the month to release their Top 10 lists for the previous year and their Most Anticipated Film lists for the current year. To me, the cinematic calendar of a year ends on Oscar night after the Best Picture of the Year is announced and it starts anew the following morning. After all, it's not like there are many great films being released in January, February or even March (I've heard Side Effects was solid but unfortunately missed my chance to see it in theaters.) So, with Oscar Season 2012 coming to a close, it's time to start looking forward to the next batch of films we'll be loving, hating, debating about and predicting for awards season glory. Granted, many of these films won't be released until late in the year, and some definitely won't be taking home awards later in the year. But, who cares? Here are the first ten (of 25) films coming out later this year that I can't wait to check out.

25.) The Monuments Men (dir. George Clooney)

The Monuments Men is Oscar bait, plain and simple. Hell, it even sounds a lot like Argo but with paintings instead of people, and Nazis instead of Iranian revolutionaries. Films that seem to be begging for notice from the Academy tend to rub me the wrong way (one of the many reasons I found Argo to be vastly overrated) but I've been surprised by films that seem tailor made for award season before (The Help, for example). But the film has a terrific cast- Daniel Craig, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and Clooney himself, who has also proven to be a solid director. I'm holding out hope that the film proves to be more than just an "Oscar movie" and will turn out a truly great film.
RELEASE DATE: December 18

24.) Oldboy (dir. Spike Lee)

Spike Lee is a wildly inconsistent director so getting excited about a film of his is a hard thing for me. And, I can't lie, when I first heard that he was going to be directing a remake to one of the greatest foreign films I've ever seen, the terrific South Korean thriller Oldboy, I was hit with disappointment. It's not entirely Lee's fault- I'd be worried about the film falling into virtually any director's hands- but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Lee could actually bring something interesting to the film. Lee has a very unique and interesting visual style and his better films feel wild, unpredictable, and incredibly unique- the exact thing an Oldboy remake would need. And when Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley and Samuel L. Jackson joined the cast, I started to become cautiously optimistic. This could be a very interesting interpretation of a great film. Now, let's just pray they don't change the ending- it's one of the most surprising twist endings I've ever seen and I highly doubt any American screenwriter can top it, even if they try.
RELEASE DATE: October 11

23.) Blue Jasmine (dir. Woody Allen)

At the rate Woody Allen churns out films, his terrible films are hardly worth getting too upset about. At 77, the fact that Allen is still hard at work writing and directing films- and the fact that some of his recent output ranks about his very best of all time- means he's allowed to mess up every once in a while. As is the same with most of Woody Allen's films, we don't know much about the plot but we have the cast and it's, as always, stacked with A-list talent. Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, and Michael Stuhlbarg will surely be wonderful, but I'm most excited about seeing Louis C.K. (one of the most talented men in the entertainment industry at the moment) in the film. Good or bad, Blue Jasmine is definitely worth checking out.
RELEASE DATE: July 26

22.) Saving Mr. Banks (dir. John Lee Hancock)

I hated The Blind Side. I can't believe it actually won an Oscar of any kind, let alone that it was nominated for Best Picture and grossed as much as it did. Due to that, I really didn't want to get excited for anything director John Lee Hancock churned out. But I did. Saving Mr. Banks just sounds so interesting that I can't help but want to see it. The story of Walt Disney trying to convince author P.L. Travers to allow him to adapt Mary Poppins is a captivating idea, and one I can't wait to see acted out on screen. Of course, it also helps that the film stars Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in roles that will surely be courting attention from the Academy, and that they are surrounded by actors like Collin Farrell, Paul Giammati and Jason Schwartzman. Who knows, maybe this will be so good that I'll forgive Hancock for directing The Blind Side. Maybe. But it'll have to be really great for that to happen.
RELEASE DATE: December 20

21.) The Counselor (dir. Ridley Scott)

Had Ridley Scott's recent directorial outings not disappointed me so much, this film would most definitely be higher on the list. But, as it stands, Scott is still one of the greatest directors of all time, and The Counselor sounds like one hell of a great crime drama. With Cormac McCarthy writing the script, and Michael Fassbender leading a cast of A-listers, how can any legitimate movie nerd not get excited to see it? One thing I'm really looking forward to is Cameron Diaz's performance. From what I've heard, Diaz will be playing a sexed up woman involved in the drug industry, a part that is bound to have a handful of showy scenes. I've always thought that Diaz was an under appreciated actress who with a few solid performances early in her career. Here's hoping that she makes a comeback of sorts with  The Counselor.
RELEASE DATE: November 15

20.) Gravity (dir. Alfonso Caurón)

At this point, I feel like we've been waiting for so long to see this film that I'm obligated as a film blogger to include this on my list. Gravity will certainly be one of the most talked about films of the year, regardless of quality, and expectations are sky high for Alfonso Caurón. With the promise of many long shots and incredible cinematography (in 3D!), the film has the potential to be the most technically impressive film of 2013. But what I'm excited for is the fact that the film will be, for the most part, a one woman show. I don't think Sandra Bullock deserved her Oscar for The Blind Side, but I do think she's incredibly charismatic, likable, and talented. If any actress could carry an entire film, it's her. Maybe this time she'll receive an Oscar she actually deserves.
RELEASE DATE: October 4

19.) Anchorman: The Legend Continues (dir. Adam McKay)

The toughest genre for me to enjoy is, without a doubt, comedy. Most years, I only have one comedy I truly enjoy. And, even with comedies I like, I find very little reason to re-watch them. But, there is something about Will Ferrell films that I just love. With few exceptions, I find them funny from beginning to end. They have been some of the most quotable movies of the past decade, and have become almost pop culture events as opposed to films. Anyway, Anchorman: The Legend Continues has the potential to be a comedy epic, and it's assembling one the finest casts a comedy has had in recent memory. I haven't been this excited for a comedy in years.
RELEASE DATE: December 20

18.) The Great Gatsby (dir. Baz Luhrmann)

Most people hate Baz Luhrmann. I think he's sort of a genius. Nobody makes movies that look, sound, or feel like his. His films are like the result of an action blockbuster crashing into a stuffy costume drama, with the cast of Cirque de Solei and a killer soundtrack thrown in for good measure. Moulin Rouge! and Romeo + Juliet are such unique films, and if there was one word to describe the trailers for Luhrmann's adaptation of the greatest novel of all time, it would be just that: unique. For better or worse, Luhrmann has infused his exhilaratingly strange visual style with the thoughtful prose of Fitzgerald, and I can't wait to check it out. As far as I'm concerned: 1) Leonardo DiCaprio was born to play Gatsby. 2) When a soundtrack includes original music from Prince and Lady GaGa, you go see that movie. And, 3) Good or bad, Luhrmann's films are always an interesting experience.
RELEASE DATE: May 10

17.) Twelve Years a Slave (dir. Steve McQueen)

Despite being hailed as one of the best directors to burst onto the scene in recent memory, I have yet to see a Steve McQueen film. But, I plan to seek his work out prior to seeing Twelve Years a Slave, a film that has caught my eye. It has a fantastic cast, and a story that sounds terrific, but what really fascinates me is that McQueen is known for being a brutal, uncompromising filmmaker and I think that's what we need when it comes to telling a story about slavery. Not one that sugar coats over the serious issues in order to score more points with Oscar voters. 

RELEASE DATE: TBD

16.) Man of Steel (dir. Zack Snyder)

The trailer for Man of Steel really blew me away. With all this talk about a Justice League film being in the works, I was worried that DC would simply try to copy Marvel but I'm pleased to see their films striking a very different tone (not to suggest I want a Justice League movie, but if there will be one at least it'll be different from The Avengers.) Even more impressive, I think, is the way that Snyder is striking a tone that feels very similar to what Nolan did with Batman- dark, serious and realistic- but still manages to put in otherworldly elements without seeming ridiculous. Obviously, I'm judging it entirely off the trailer. But, Man of Steel is one of the two summer blockbusters that I can't wait to check out this year, and I'm holding out hope that it lives up to my expectations.

RELEASE DATE: June 14

That's it for Part 1! Check out Part 2 tomorrow, and Part 3 on Sunday!

Fanboys, Leave Shailene Woodley Alone

Much fuss has been made today about photos of Shailene Woodley filming The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and her alleged lack of allure. And, as always on message boards and comment sections of any film website, people were vicious. Comments made were crude, obnoxious and, frankly, sexist. But what I found most amusing about this controversy regarding Shailene Woodley being 'miscast' in TASM2 is that it makes virtually no sense!

For one thing, Shailene Woodley is an extremely talented actress. I had many problems with the previous Amazing Spider-Man film, partially due to my love of the first two Maguire/Raimi films, but one of the best things about it was how well cast it was. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone had terrific chemistry, Sally Field and Martin Sheen were perfect fits for Aunt May and Uncle Parker, Rhys Ifan managed to put in a great performance as the Lizard despite being horribly underdeveloped and Dennis Leary stole the show in a supporting role. And this sequel seems exceedingly well cast as well- when I see that Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, Oscar nominee Paul Giammati and Oscar winner Chris Cooper have joined the same film, how can I not get excited? In my opinion, Woodley is one of the best young actresses of her generation. She went toe-to-toe with a legend like George Clooney in The Descendants and, in my opinion, actually gave the better performance. And, while I haven't seen it, I've heard nothing but good things about her performance in The Spectacular Now, which premiered at Sundance in January and is due for release in August. She's very talented and, I think, will play a great Mary Jane.  Any true fan of this series, and of the Spider-Man franchise itself, would be proud to have her be a part of it.

You disagree? That's fine, too each their own. But to insult Woodley's own physical appearance is just ridiculous. For one thing, it's just plain mean and comes off as immature. It's also not a truly legitimate way to criticize a performance. When was the last time you saw a professional critic write in a review "the actress gave an extremely over the top performance.... and she was ugly too." It's not different from when Rex Reed ripped apart Identify Theif, not because of the film itself but because of it's star's weight. Not to mention the fact that this is not a role with any physical requirements. Woodley doesn't have to gain or lose any weight to play the part and she won't have to speak with an accent. The one thing she has to have is red hair, and to get that all you need is some hair dye. Everybody can relax about that: the pictures prove that she does, in fact, have red hair. Finally, consider this: Andrew Garfield has virtually nothing in common with the drawn version of Peter Parker. Garfield, while not necessarily the most muscular actor working today, is a good looking guy. There are no nerdy features about him, while Peter Parker has plenty. Not to mention, the character was modified drastically from his drawn counterpart- Parker now rides on a skateboard, wears hipster glasses, and stands up to his tormentors with snappy comebacks. Why aren't the message boards exploding with raise over that?

It's because the character of Mary Jane, for whatever reason, is a sex symbol. An illustrated sex symbol that no real live woman could ever live up to. Personally, I find that notion to be absolutely disgusting, but it seems to be the mindset of those attacking Woodley. So, to those people, I ask: who would you rather cast? Who is the one actress out their that can possibly live up to the sexiness of a fictional, hand drawn woman. I have an idea: why don't we just print out a life-size cut out of Mary Jane from the comics and have her stand in for Woodley? Or we can use a body pillow? Maybe then people will shut up and stop attacking a 22 year old actress for being "too ugly." (But they probably won't. After all, this is the Internet. The bitching never ends...)

Do I find Woodley attractive? I'm not going to say- I shouldn't have to. It shouldn't matter. I'm not going to judge her performance, the people that cast her, the filmmakers, or the film itself based on whether or not I find her to be pretty. To attack Woodley over her looks does not make you a critic, or a fan of Spider-Man trying to ensure that the series remains true to the source material. All it does is make you an asshole.

If My Name Was Oscar...

While I love watching the Oscars, and also don't necessarily care if they reward films/actors that I don't particularly deem worthy of being recognized, it's not secret that the Academy can, occasionally, be a bit out of touch or just flat out wrong. So, here is where I set my record straight and show who I would vote for if I was a member of the Academy.

Now, the people I reward may not be the winner tonight and, hell, they might not even be nominated, But if I was in total control of the big show, this is how it'd go. Just four quick notes though:

1) The nominees are in rank order, as in from my second choice (after the winner) to the fifth.
2) I did not see any foreign films this year, unfortunately, so that category is absent.
3) I only saw two documentaries this year and don't really find either of them worthy of the award, so that category is absent as well.
4) I only have a winner, no nominees, for Best Hair & Makeup due to it being an extremely weak field, in my opinion.

So, check out who I'd vote for and let me know if you agree or not:

BEST PICTURE: Check out my Top 10 of 2012

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Joaquin Pheonix, The Master

Is it normal to root against your pick for the best actor of the year? Yes, Phoenix is an incredibly pretentious actor and I don't believe that somebody should win an award that they don't put any value into. But, regardless of politics, I think it's clear that Phoenix gave not only the best performance of the year but also one of the best performances in years. Phoenix's transformation into this character is terrifying yet fascinating. He's put everything- his heart, his soul and even his body- into this performance and watching him is unlike anything I've seen in a film  in a long time. To me, picking Phoenix was a no brainer.
The other nominees: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln; John Hawkes, The Sessions; Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables; Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

In Silver Linings Playbook, Jennifer Lawrence is given a rather difficult task. She must show a full range of emotions. She's got to be dramatic, hilarious, sexy, abrasive, rude and depressed, all of which she captures perfectly, proving that she is one of the most talented young women working in Hollywood today, and is interested in much more challenging roles than many of her peers. From the moment she appears, Lawrence dominates the screen and steals the film- a difficult task to do in a movie with a cast as impressive as Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence's performance in Silver Linings Playbook is one that we'll be talking about for years to come.
The other nominees: Helen Hunt, The Sessions; Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty; Anne Dowd, Compliance; Keira Knightley, Anna Karenina

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master

Best Supporting Actor was a stacked category this year and I changed my pick for this year almost a dozen times. But, after lots of consideration, I feel safe in saying that Philip Seymour Hoffman is the most deserving of the title. Hoffman is one of the finest actors working today, and he constantly transforms into different characters. In The Master he, essentially, plays two parts- the charismatic leader of a cult, and a fragile, insecure man who constantly fears that his followers will catch on to his rouse. It's an incredible performance.
The other nominees: Tom Hanks, Cloud Atlas; Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained; Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower; Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

It's the role that had Oscar buzz from the moment we heard Hathaway sing that first note in the trailer dating back to June. Hathaway's Fantine is the most memorable thing about the musical epic, despite only appearing in a small portion of it. In one long shot, Hathaway sings a beautiful and devastating song. It's one of the most powerful sequences of the year, and a career defining performance for an actress with an already impressive resumé and many more years of work to come. Often Oscar bait performances come off as overblown. Not this time. Believe the hype- Hathaway deserves the award that she is, inevitably, going to win.
The other nominees: Brit Marling, Sound of My Voice; Amy Adams, The Master; Jennifer Ehle, Zero Dark Thirty; Samantha Barks, Les Miserables

BEST DIRECTOR: Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty

In my humble opinion, a director is only worthy of being called the Best Director of the Year when he or she has created a film that feels distinct and makes us realize that nobody else could have crafted it like they did. As if Bigelow didn't already earn herself a spot in cinema history, Zero Dark Thirty is a depiction of one of the most significant events of the past decade and her film will be a reference both for this generation and generations to come, much like how All The President's Men did for Watergate. On top of that, it's just an all around well made film, one overflowing with intensity and suspense. In her first film following her historic win at the Academy Awards, Bigelow doesn't just live up to the standard she set for herself: she surpasses it.
The other nominees: Andy & Lana Wachoswki and Tom Twyker, Cloud Atlas; Ang Lee, Life of Pi; Paul Thomas Anderson, The Master; Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom

After the jump, my picks for everything from screenplay to special effects to original score...

Last year, I had 11 films eligible for my top 10 list so picking one out of the bunch to leave off was incredibly easy to do. This year, I had 19 films fighting for slots. That six film difference shows just how stellar this year has been for film. Choosing ten films to put on this list was a challenging job, and even though these ten films are technically ordered in a way that suggests one is better than the others, they are all so close in terms of quality that I find now, more than ever, the ranking of films to be arbitrary. This is the fourth top 10 list I've ever made and I would say it was, by far, the hardest list to make and one where I would wholeheartedly recommend every film on it to anybody I know. And tonight, on Oscar night, as we prepare to name the "Best" films of the year, I feel positive in saying that, regardless of what comes out on top, many of the major films this year are worth celebrating. 2012 was a terrific year for film and I only hope that 2013 can supply just as many, if not more, great times at the movies. But before we get to the Top 10 list, a few pointers:

I could not see the following films and, thus, they will not be included on my Top 10 list:

*Killing Them Softly *Rust & Bone *The Intouchables *Amour

Amour, Rust & Bone and The Intouchables never came to a theater near me, unfortunately, while Killing Them Softly was out of theaters long before I had the chance to check it out. I guess that's what having an F Cinemascore will do to you!

HONORABLE MENTIONS 

(in alphabetical order) 

Anna Karenina*The Avengers *The Cabin in the Woods *Compliance *Django Unchained *Life of Pi
*Looper *Skyfall *Ted

Anna Karenina is an elegant film that will certainly polarize audiences, but it swept me away. The Avengers is one of the best action films in years thanks, primarily, to the solid script by Joss Whedon. Speaking of Whedon, his screenplay for The Cabin in the Woods (co-written by director Drew Goddard) made for one of the most original and unpredictable films of the year, and one of the best horror films of the past decade. Compliance is a stunning and controversial film from relative newcomer Craig Zobel. Django Unchained showcased a more mature Tarantino, infusing thought provoking ideas with his typically great dialogue and off-the-wall action. Life of Pi is a visually stunning and intelligent meditation on religion. Looper is an original science fiction thriller that asks tough questions and pacts an emotional sucker punch. Skyfall does for 007 what 2009's Star Trek did for the Enterprise. And, finally, Ted is the funniest comedy of the year, and a film that doesn't forget to mix some sweetness in with the raunch. All nine of these films are worthy of placement on a Top 10 list, yet they just barely missed the cut. That's a testament to how remarkable this year truly was.
So, without further ado, here is my Top 10 Films of 2012...

Place Your Bets: My Final Oscar Predictions

It's almost Oscar night, and what an Oscar night it will be. This has been one of the most unpredictable award seasons in ages and thus, it's an incredibly difficult year to make predictions. So, while I feel confident enough to post these predictions and make them my final bets, I also feel quite safe in admitting that I could be entirely wrong on a number of these categories. But, I'm hoping for the best.

I won't spend too much time analyzing my choices, as I've already done quite a bit of that prior to the nomination announcements. But, I'll still give you my thoughts. You can also check out my Top 10 of 2012 and my personal picks for this award season, for which I will name my personal choices for wins as well as nominees, on Oscar night, February 24th. Until then, here are my predictions:

Best Picture: Argo
Analysis: An easy pick to make at this time, as Argo has swept just about every major award show this year. Choosing something else would be a mistake. There could be an upset I suppose, but I think it'd be a mistake to bet against this movie.

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Analysis: Again, an easy pick. None of the other nominees have anywhere near the momentum that DDL has.

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Analysis: With the Zero Dark Thirty buzz dying down, it seems like Lawrence is the clear front runner, especially with the Academy's obvious love for the film, its sudden surge at the box office, the Weinsteins, and the fact that it's only real competition is Emmanuelle Riva, who has only a slight change in my opinion.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Analysis: A category with no real front runner, it seems like Tommy Lee Jones lost much of his buzz and I can't see the Academy giving Waltz a win for a Tarantino film so quickly after winning for Basterds, especially as his post win career hasn't exactly been stellar. De Niro's a legend making what's essentially a comeback in SLP and with the Weinsteins behind him, anything could happen.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Anne Hatahway, Les Miserables
Analysis: The easiest category to predict.

Best Achievement in Directing: David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Analysis: The risk? Huge. But hear me out: there is no front runner, Spielberg has already won twice, and I truly believe that Silver Linings Playbook is the film we'd be predicting for the win if it wasn't for Argo. This is the category I'm most expecting to be incorrect with, but there is no front runner in this category. A shot in the dark, but I'm taking it.

Best Original Screenplay: Amour
Analysis: The Academy clearly loved Amour and if it's going to win something other than Best Foreign Language Film, it's going to be for screenplay. The only film I can see beating it is Django Unchained, but I'm gonna give Amour the slight edge.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Argo
Analysis: In my opinion, Argo doesn't deserve this award at all but I really can't see another film beating it.

Best Cinematography: Skyfall
Analysis: It's between this and Life of Pi, but Skyfall got the ASC award and the fact that Deakins has been nominated for nine other films and hasn't won has to mean something, right?

Best Production Design: Les Miserables
Analysis: A hard category to predict, and I strongly considered going with Anna Karenina, but Les Miserables feels like a more "Oscar friendly" pick.

Best Film Editing: Argo
Analysis: This one seems like a lock to me. Honestly, I can't imagine another film winning.

Best Sound Editing: Life of Pi
Analysis: Life of Pi reminds me quite a bit of Hugo, which took home this award last year. That's really all my reasoning for this impossible to predict category.

Best Sound Mixing: Les Miserables
Analysis: Musicals tend to win this category, so I felt like going with a musical would be a smart idea.

Best Original Song: "Skyfall" by Adele
Analysis: And yet another award show will praise Adele. Go for that EGOT, girl.

Best Original Score: Life of Pi
Analysis: Many Oscar sites are pegging this score for the win and considering I didn't really care about any of the scores nominated (really, Academy, leaving off Beasts of the Southern Wild and Cloud Atlas was a bit of a mistake) this seems like a safe bet.

Best Visual Effects: Life of Pi
Analysis: At this point, I'd consider it almost guaranteed.

Best Costume Design: Anna Karenina
Analysis: When it comes to costume design, the Academy loves period pieces and Anna Karenina's costumes are extravagant and perfect for Oscar love.

Best Hair & Makeup: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Analysis: Because out of all the films nominated, it's makeup is the most noticeable.

Best Documentary Feature: Searching for Sugar Man
Analysis: I was caught between choosing this or How to Survive a Plague, but there seems to be more appreciation for Sugar Man, so I went with it.

Best Foreign Language Film: Amour
Analysis: I mean, it's pretty obvious.

Best Animated Film: Wreck-it-Ralph
Analysis: Truthfully, I could see Brave winning it but my gut is telling me to stick with Ralph. Fingers crossed!

Best Animated Short: Paper Man
Analysis: True story: I saw this when I saw Wreck-it-Ralph and preferred it to Ralph. And, also, I'm going off other people's predictions and everyone seems to be backing this one.

Best Documentary Short: Open Heart
Analysis: Because Golden Derby told me to.

Best Live Action Short: Curfew
Analysis: See above.

And there you have it, folks! My official Oscar predictions. Follow me on Twitter to catch my live tweeting on Oscar night as we see how right (or horribly wrong) I am. And don't forget to check out my Top 10 of 2012 and my personal wins for the year in the afternoon on February 24th!