Best of 2013
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- DirectorJoshua OppenheimerAnonymousChristine CynnStarsAnwar CongoHerman KotoSyamsul ArifinA documentary which challenges former Indonesian death-squad leaders to reenact their mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers.The best documentary I've ever seen. Incredible on many levels.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsIdris ElbaCharlie HunnamRinko KikuchiAs a war between humankind and monstrous sea creatures wages on, a former pilot and a trainee are paired up to drive a seemingly obsolete special weapon in a desperate effort to save the world from the apocalypse.It may be because I saw this in IMAX 3D and loved Robot Jox (1989) as a kid, but this was the most fun I've had during a film in a long time.
- DirectorAdam WingardStarsSharni VinsonJoe SwanbergAJ BowenWhen the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back.I was incredibly impressed by everything in this. It goes to show that there can still be unique films in this over saturated subgenre
- DirectorBen WheatleyStarsAlice LoweKenneth HadleySteve OramChris wants to show girlfriend Tina his world, but events soon conspire against the couple and their dream caravan holiday takes a very wrong turn.From the director of Kill List (2011) comes another uniquely disturbing film. Unlike his previous work, this is a somewhat sinister dark romantic comedy wherein you're not quite sure whether to laugh or cry.
- DirectorRick RowleyStarsJeremy ScahillNasser Al AulaqiSaleha Al AulaqiInvestigative journalist Jeremy Scahill is pulled into an unexpected journey as he chases down the hidden truth behind America's expanding covert wars.Jeremy Scahill's powerful documentary about global warfare and U.S. hegemony in the age of drone warfare. The film constructs a linear narrative of events leading up to the present.
- DirectorNeil JordanStarsSaoirse RonanGemma ArtertonSam RileyResidents of a coastal town learn, with deathly consequences, the secret shared by the two mysterious women who have sought shelter at a rundown hotel.A lovely gothic style tale that's dark and wonderful and brings something different to the vampire legends. Saoirse Ronan is an incredible actress. She was fantastic in Hanna (2011) and equally so here.
- DirectorJaume BalagueróStarsLuis TosarMarta EturaAlberto San JuanCesar, a miserable man who works as an apartment concierge, takes a special interest in an attractive woman who lives there. He goes to great lengths to trouble her.I love the premise of this film: a man cannot be happy, so he makes everyone else miserable. The best twisted thriller I've seen in sometime.
- DirectorRichard RaaphorstStarsRobert GwilymHon Ping TangAlexander TerentyevIn the dying days of WWII, a battalion of Russian soldiers is lured into the secret lab of a deranged scientist and forced to face off against an army of horrific flesh-and-metal war machines.There once was a time when Shock Waves (1977) was the only zombie Nazi film, but in the last few years this theme has become fairly popular. Frankenstein's Army, however, is not one of the generic fare. Think first person video game shooter + steampunk + Nazi mad scientist and you'll have an idea. This film is all about the creatures; they are amazing.
- DirectorFranck KhalfounStarsElijah WoodNora ArnezederAmerica OlivoAs he helps a young artist with her upcoming exhibition, the owner of a mannequin shop's deadly, suppressed desires come to the surface.Like most people, I'm always suspect of remakes/re-imaginings. However, there are few cases where it surpasses the original. Though, this falls more into the "re-imagining" category, and as much as I like the original, this is quite spectacular. When I saw this at the NYC premiere, Elijah Wood spoke extensively about his love of horror films. He clearly brings that passion to a haunting character.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsMia WasikowskaNicole KidmanMatthew GoodeAfter India's father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.This is Park Chan-wook's first American film and stays true to his familiar artistic stylings evidenced in the vengeance trilogy. Beautiful cinematography and a fresh storyline.
- DirectorJustin BensonAaron MoorheadStarsPeter CilellaVinny CurranEmily MontagueA man imprisons his estranged junkie friend in an isolated cabin in the boonies of San Diego to force him through a week of sobriety, but the events of that week are being mysteriously manipulated.One of the best independent horror films in recent years. A rather minimalist film manages to induce true shivers.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsSandra BullockGeorge ClooneyEd HarrisDr Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first time on a space mission, and Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his final expedition, have to survive in space after they are hit by debris while spacewalking.I wish I saw this in IMAX.
- DirectorQuentin DupieuxStarsJack PlotnickTodd GiebenhainEric JudorDolph Springer wakes up one morning to realize he has lost the love of his life, his dog, Paul. During his quest to get Paul (and his life) back, Dolph radically changes the lives of others -- risking his sanity all the while.The newest film from the creator of the offbeat, Rubber (2010). This is an equally absurd and darkly humorous tale about a shy single man who must traverse bizarre situations to find his stolen dog.
- DirectorJim MickleStarsBill SageAmbyr ChildersJulia GarnerThe Parkers, a reclusive family who follow ancient customs, find their secret existence threatened as a torrential downpour moves into their area, forcing daughters Iris and Rose to assume responsibilities beyond those of a typical family.Surprisingly much better than the original. This is far darker and weaves together and interesting story.
- DirectorJen SoskaSylvia SoskaStarsKatharine IsabelleAntonio CupoTristan RiskThe allure of easy money sends Mary Mason, a medical student, into the world of underground surgeries which ends up leaving more marks on her than her so-called "freakish" clients.A slasher film, of sorts, about a medical student who enters the world of body modification. I loved Ginger Snaps (2000) when I was younger, so seeing Katharine Isabelle in a more grown up role is cool. The Soska twins are also an added bonus.
- DirectorSimon BarrettJason EisenerGareth EvansStarsLawrence Michael LevineKelsy AbbottAdam WingardSearching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his house and find collection of VHS tapes. Viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be dark motives behind the student's disappearance.Overall, this was better than the first, but still not great. However, what makes it standout on my list, and that of critics, is the incredibly f*#!ed up film, "Safe Haven." It's pretty damn amazing.
- DirectorAndy MuschiettiStarsJessica ChastainNikolaj Coster-WaldauMegan CharpentierAfter a young couple take in their two nieces, they suspect that a supernatural spirit named Mama has latched onto their family.A tragic ghost story.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsSimon PeggNick FrostMartin FreemanFive friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from twenty years earlier unwittingly become humanity's only hope for survival.Pretty much exactly what you'd expect from this troupe.
- DirectorConor McMahonStarsRoss NobleTommy KnightEoghan McQuinnA clown comes back from the dead to haunt those who took his life during a fatal party mishap.An Irish film about a clown who's resurrected in order to seek vengeance on the kids who accidentally killed him. Surprisingly well done. Lots of laughs and over the top death scenes.
- DirectorJon WrightStarsKillian CoyleStuart GrahamMichael HoughWhen an island off the coast of Ireland is invaded by bloodsucking aliens, the heroes discover that getting drunk is the only way to survive.Awesome concept. There are several moments of hilarity, but I felt some aspects could've been improved. The love story, in particular, gave it a generic feel. However, I'll watch anything that features Geoffrey from Coupling (2000).
- DirectorFede AlvarezStarsJane LevyShiloh FernandezJessica LucasFive friends head to a remote cabin, where the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to unwittingly summon up demons living in the nearby woods.Better than expected. What makes this good is the performance by the lead actress and the excessive gore.
- DirectorSebastián CorderoStarsSharlto CopleyMichael NyqvistChristian CamargoAn international crew of astronauts undertakes a privately funded mission to search for life on Jupiter's fourth largest moon.Well-paced found footage suspense. The ending is terrific.
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsJoaquin PhoenixAmy AdamsScarlett JohanssonIn a near future, a lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with an operating system designed to meet his every need.
- DirectorAnthony C. FerranteStarsIan ZieringTara ReidJohn HeardWhen a freak hurricane swamps Los Angeles, nature's deadliest killer rules sea, land, and air as thousands of sharks terrorize the waterlogged populace.How could one not enjoy this? The guy from Beverly Hills 90210 and drunken Tara Reid battle flying sharks.
- DirectorJacob VaughanStarsKen MarinoGillian JacobsPatrick WarburtonA man learns that his unusual stomach pains are being caused by a demon living in his intestines.Clearly a contemporary take on films like Basket Case (1982) and Brain Damage (1988)