My task for film in 2013 could be to break the 400 mark I set in 2012. That took some fortitude, and a real commitment in the face of a computer nowhere near my TV. But I did it. I was also self employed. By the end of January 2013, I have a "day job" and must quickly acknowledge that the frenetic pace of '12 is a rare cinema screening gem that I can not possibly compete with this year. So what will 2013 bring to me then?
Well, January brought me quite a bit as I squeezed in 28 flicks including an eye crushing six film marathon to start the movie watching year off right!
What I Liked: Sleepwalk With Me was brilliant and indie RPG love letter Unicorn City is amazing! Iron Sky is a new cult favorite. Moon Nazis? More please!! Patriocracy is one of the more important docs you could watch dwarfed only by Oscar nominess The Invisible War. The Inbetweeners Movie also delivered big time on all the elements of the show I love so much. Highly rewatchable. Throw in some old favs, and there was a ton to like in January.
What I Didn't Like: There's two "stand outs" in this category. The first is Les Miserables, which I found slow and unfocused. I honestly have no connection to the fanatacism that surrounds this musical. But let me stoke the fire even more by saying I absolutely hated Beasts of the Southern Wild. It is a self important stage play poorly translated to film in a series of three very stilted acts. It leans heavily on it's photography, a silly animal McGuffin, and a lingering well of pro New Orleans sentiment post Katrina to trick people into thinking the movie is something special. As for the little girl, she just runs around like a child does and then there is voiceover that no one involved will ever admit probably took way longer than needed to get right. How she got nominated is a complete mystery to me since her performance is a notch below adequate. I predict Beasts will join a long line of Oscar darlings that no one will give a hoot about in two years time.
On to the list!!
1-3: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Sleepwalk With Me, Unicorn City, Iron Sky, The Heavenly Vintage, Swinging with the Finkels
1-4: Patriocracy
1-7: Just Friends, Caddyshack, The Big Year
1-9: Jingle All the Way, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
1-10: How To Survive a Plague, Iron Man 2
1-11: The Inbetweeners Movie, Ted
1-15: The Invisible War
1-16: Make Believe
1-17: Imaginary Witness, Secrecy
1-18: 200 Cigarettes
1-19: Tazmanian Devil
1-21: Les Miserables (T), Perfect Capuccino, Under the Boardwalk: The Monoply Story
1-22: Boogie Nights
1-25: Valley Girl, The Jerk
Total Films: 28
Year to Date: 28
Fav. Film: Patriocracy. I went documentary this month because frankly, the path of political discourse in the country is one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate bipartisan, propaganda bullshit and the entertainment news media that right and left wingers cling to with heated passion. When you tlk about oxymorons, "Fox News" has got to be the biggest ever. These cable outlets don't report or investiaget news, they report on other people's hard work and with fewer and fewer legitimate reporters getting paid to do that work, more and more our society is being informed by false news "professionals" who only care about ratings. The truth? All but gone. And one glance at Twitter or Facebook on election night will show you how mislead and uninformed America really is.
Patriocracy peels back these masks and traces the birth of political entertainment news from C-SPAN in the late 70s all the way to today. It is important because regardless of your side on the political debate, this film will show you how important it is to properly vet your news sources and the need for thoughtful, considered reflection on issues, not fear mongering and ratings stunts. With so much information, it is time to become your own filter and not allow a half empty personality to incite your base fears in order to sell soda. If this movie doesn't make you want to turn it all off, there's nothing left of your soul.
Fav. Poster: Iron Sky
Like I said earlier, moon Nazis!!! The film itself is actually really funny and amazing and the poster sums up everything you need to know. Instant cult classic.
Alright, that's it for month one of 2013. I am becomig increasingly interested to see how my pace drops off with this job and the catch up on other projects I will have to do in my free time. Will I even hit 200? We'll see!! Enjoy your movies everyone!!
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