OK, we've made it through all but three of the films on the list. In case you've missed the other parts of the list, I've provided you with links to their posts.
Like the previous three movies on the list (two ranked #3 and one ranked #2, but pretty much everything in the final six is close enough that ranks don't matter), each of these will get a longer post going into more detail (and including spoilers) at some point over the next few days. Now enough housecleaning, let's see those final three!
After taking us to California Wine Country and Hawaii, Alexander Payne heads back to Nebraska for the film with the same name as the state. Quite simply, this is my favorite film he has directed since Election, which is one of my all time favorite films. Like a lot of movies this year, it is dominated by the great performances. Bruce Dern gives an excellent performance as Woody Grant, a retired mechanic who thinks he has won a million dollars, and is hellbent on getting to Lincoln to retrieve the prize. June Squibb is just as good as his cranky and foul mouthed wife. In addition, most of the rest of the cast does a great job as well, particularly Will Forte in a role that, while still humorous, is far removed from the world of Saturday Night Live.
The film is shot in black and white, which adds a sharp bleakness to the wintry appearance of the Nebraska countryside. The music accents the cinematography and the acting well, feeling appropriate to the setting and the situation. And oh yeah, it's also pretty darn funny.
It's not a straight up comedy, but it's not all drama either. There are certainly moments of sad reflection, and conflict over the different perspectives people have over the past. However, these moments tend to be couched in between some solid laughs. I'm curious how well some of the humor translates to people who haven't lived, or at least visited rarely-seen relatives. There has been a tendency of some to dislike this film because a perceived condescension by Payne towards people from small towns in the Midwest. Speaking as someone from a small town, I have to disagree.
This is the winner of the "The Big Lebowksi Memorial Underappreciated Now but Wait Ten Years" award. And you know what? I get it. I won't spoil the film, other than to say that Llewyn Davis isn't having an easy go of it after the suicide of the other member of his folk duo. Things happen which don't go well for him, and it's a thoroughly raw look at the sacrifices and struggles of trying to make it as a creative person. I can understand why Academy voters would shy away from it, and why audi...
[sigh]
Nope, I can't keep that up. IT'S THE FREAKING COEN BROTHERS! You know, of Fargo, True Grit, and O Brother Where Art Thou? fame? Yeah, Llewyn's kind of a dick, and the world isn't really too kind to him, but it's got great folk music. Like much of their work, it's funny as well as devastating, and it's got great performances, particularly from Oscar Issac as the titular character Llewyn. Do I have to draw you a map?
Oh well, I guess it being mostly ignored seems appropriate to the character, but C'MON! It has this:
That's gotta count for something, right?
Look, the Coen Brothers are my favorite duo of movie creators. I like them more than Spielberg, the Pixar Gang, Alexander Payne, P.T. Anderson, and even Wes Anderson*. Right now it's not even close. However...they weren't my favorite director of this year, and if he keeps it up, he might be a serious challenger to that throne. Which is a great segue to my favorite movie of 2013.
#1 The World's End
In addition to winning the title for "Favorite Movie of the Year" and getting Edgar Wright "Favorite Director of the Year", this film also wins the "In Bruges/Speed Racer Memorial Favorite Somewhat Unexpected Experience in the Theater" award. I was curious about this film when I first heard about it in Erin's post about looking forward to movies of 2013. When its release date was moved up from October to mid August, I was skeptical, as that seemed like a vote of no confidence. I was hoping that wasn't the case, as I really enjoyed Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. After reading some of the reviews I relaxed as it turned out to be quite good. However, I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was.
The film is hilarious, yet often poignant. Of the Cornetto Trilogy** it's probably the most adult. That probably isn't surprising, considering the characters are pushing forty. Learning to live in the now, instead of the past is one of the themes of the film, as is one of the main characters coming to terms with his alcoholism. Simon Pegg gives one of the best performances of the year***, as the alcoholic that is the only focus of the film. Yep, nothing else is going on here. You can just move on here, and mind the gap. Just a story of an alcoholic manipulating his friends into trying to recreate the night they had on a pub crawl over twenty years ago, and the consequences of that manipulation. Nope, nothing else at all.
The film is full of the usual Edgar Wright touches. It's superbly edited, and everything, including wardrobe decisions and character positions, have a hidden meaning. There are certain...patterns to be found in the background if you are looking hard enough. And the fight scenes are well choreographed***.
Did I tell you there were fight scenes? I was mistaken. There are no fights in this film. It's a good clean film, and we're a good clean town. Yesiree, it's a good clean town. No fights, no drugs, and plenty of electric cars to go around. Our Network is wonderful, most definitely. And by that, I of course mean our town-wide wifi.
No, I can't say I've seen Inside Llewyn Davis, why do you ask?
*Here's hoping Grand Budapest Hotel makes the 2014 list.
**A trio of films that are only a trilogy due to sharing the same director, stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, a label for a different flavor of Cornetto Sundae Cones in each film, and little else. The films are Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End
***I'm dead serious about this. Naturally, because it was a comedy that came out in August, he hasn't gotten any sort of notice, but he deserves some.
****I mean your typical pub fight, not anything else. Not any sort of other fight. Nope not at all....(ring, ring)...uh hello? But...but...sir....but...oh, alright then. Bloody hell, thanks a lot for that. Now I have to answer to my "supervisor".
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