So yesterday, 2 days after Valentine's Day, still feeling in the mood for love, I decided to watch one of my favorite movies on the subject: "High Fidelity". For those who haven't seen it, the main character, Rob Gordon(played by John Cusack, who also co-wrote the movie), is trying to reorganize his life after his most recent break-up and decides to make a list of his Top 5 Most Memorable Break-Ups. Rob, along with his record store employees Dick(Todd Louiso) and Barry(Jack Black, playing a precursor to Dewey Finn), are actually compulsive list-makers who create Top 5 Lists for every conceivable topic. Along the way, they get to 8 different topics, some that they complete, including Top 5 Songs About Death, and some that are left incomplete, including Top 5 Songs to Play on a Monday Morning. I highly recommend this movie for anyone who enjoys music, love, life, and lists about all these topics!
Because the #8 is sort of my lucky number, and as my way to present my own fun lists, while paying tribute to "High Fidelity" in the process, I give you my 8 Top 8 Lists for 2013 (Note: Not included in these 8 lists are my Best and Worst Movies of the Year. Those will be posted next week) Enjoy!
I Most "Unforgettable" Scenes of the Year
8) "The Exorcism of Jonah Hill" - "This is the End"
In a movie full of laugh-out-loud moments, this was the funniest one for me.
7) "Marcus's Rap" - "Short Term 12"
We should all make sure to get to know someone before we judge them.
6) "Solomon's Hanging" - "12 Years a Slave
I wanted to climb inside the screen and help him, since no one else could.
5) "Let it Go" - "Frozen"
The "Magic of the Movies" moment of the year.
4) "Murder of Oscar Grant" - "Fruitvale Station"
The most heartbreaking moment of the year, twice in one film.
3) "Opening Tracking Shot" - "Gravity"
13 minutes of all the wonders and terrors of space, in spectacular 3D!
2) "Hotel Room Fight" - "Before Midnight"
The best depiction of "true love" in film in recent memory.
1) "Popeye to the Rescue" - "The Wolf of Wall Street"
After watching this, I am never touching drugs, ever! The funniest scene of the year, by far.
II Most "Quotable" Lines of the Year
8) "Amy" : "We are only here briefly, and in this moment I wanna allow myself joy" - "Her"
Great words to live by.
7) "Capt. Kirk" : "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I only know what I can do."
"Star Trek into Darkness"
Speaking of words to live by, this should be Kirk's life motto. Defines him perfectly.
6) "Jonah Hill" : "Dear God, it's me, Jonah Hill ... from Moneyball" - "This is the End"
Because God is watching all the Academy Award nominated films nowadays.
5) "Solomon" : "I don't want to survive. I want to live." - "12 Years a Slave
Solomon would finally get his life back, 12 years after making this statement.
4) "Celine" : "Well, it must have been one hell of a night we're about to have." - "Before Midnight"
I guess we'll be meeting Jesse and Celine again 9 years from now. Can't wait!
3) "Jordan" : "I will not die sober!" - "The Wolf of Wall Street"
This, while his 170-foot yacht is about to crash into a 50-foot rogue wave.
2) "Muse" : "Look at me. Look at me. I'm the captain now." - "Captain Phillips"
Perfect delivery by first-time actor Barkhad Abdi
1) "Oscar" : "You shot me ... I got a daughter." - "Fruitvale Station"
This line was taken directly from an actual eyewitness report of the incident. Just heartbreaking.
III Acting "MVPs" of the Year
8) Scarlett Johansson : "Her" , "Don Jon"
Finally matching the potential shown over 10 years ago with 2 solid performances in 2013
7) Christian Bale : "American Hustle" , "Out of the Furnace"
This guy can do anything. Simply one of the best, if not the best, of his generation.
6) Amy Adams : "American Hustle" , "Her" , "Man of Steel"
That's 5 Oscar nominations now before the age of 40. Kate Winslet won on her 6th try, just saying.
5) Tom Hanks : "Captain Phillips" , "Saving Mr. Banks" , *"Toy Story of Terror"
That ending! Plus, he reprised his role of Sheriff Woody. Not for a feature film, but who cares.
4) Jonah Hill : "The Wolf of Wall Street" , "This is the End"
Appears in the 2 funniest scenes of the year, for me.
3) Brie Larson : "Short Term 12" , "The Spectacular Now" , "Don Jon" , *"Community"
Breakthrough Artist of the Year! The next Kate Winslet, perhaps?
2) Leonardo DiCaprio : "The Wolf of Wall Street" , "The Great Gatsby"
2 more fabulous lead performances to add to his spectacular career.
1) Matthew McConaughey : "Dallas Buyers Club" , "The Wolf of Wall Street" , "Mud"
The McConaissance is upon us!
IV Best Performances of the Year
8) Michael Fassbender as "Edwin Epps" in "12 Years a Slave"
An incredibly intense performance that is an integral part of the film's success.
7) Joaquin Phoenix as "Theodore Twombley" in "Her"
A truly beautiful performance, opposite a computer for most of the movie.
6) Leonardo DiCaprio as "Jordan Belfort" in "The Wolf of Wall Street"
That's 4 acting Oscar nominations for Leo, and he's still just 39! Seems like he's been around
forever, but his performances, just like his looks, keep getting better with age.
5) Matthew McConaughey as "Ron Woodroof" in "Dallas Buyers Club"
A career defining performance for Mr. McConaughey. The physical transformation of the year!
4) Brie Larson as "Grace" in "Short Term 12"
Larson is in her early 20s, but her performance gives "Grace" the emotional depth of a woman
twice her age. It's that good!
3) Lupita Nyong'o as "Patsey" in "12 Years a Slave"
Best Feature Film Debut Performance in quite some time.
2) Jared Leto as "Rayon" in "Dallas Buyers Club"
Let's hope Mr. Leto can find the time to keep acting after this unforgettable performance.
1) Chiwetel Ejiofor as "Solomon Northup" in "12 Years a Slave"
For my money, the most physically and emotionally demanding performance of the year, and
Mr. Ejiofor knocks it out of the park!
V Most "Fascinating" Characters (characters I loved) of the Year
8) "Gary King" , played by Simon Pegg in "The World's End"
Everyone, including his friends, hates him. But somehow, we're in love with him in the end.
7) "The Mandarin"/"Trevor Slattery" , played by Ben Kingsley in "Iron Man 3"
Great social commentary on the media, great execution on the reveal, and a great performance by
Mr. Kingsley. The look on Tony Stark's face in that scene says it all.
6) "Rayon" , played by Jared Leto in "Dallas Buyers Club"
Isn't perfect by any means, but his love & support for "Ron" leaves a lasting impact.
5) "Samantha" , played by Scarlett Johansson in "Her"
This OS manages to connect with "Theodore" in a way that no other human partner could.
4) "Jordan Belfort" , played by Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Greed isn't just good for this guy. For Mr. Belfort, greed is a way of life.
3) "Ron Woodroof" , played by Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club"
Faced with a 30 day death sentence, Mr. Woodroof does anything and everything possible to
survive. Along the way, his world view changes and he ultimately helps others who share his fight.
2) "Grace" , played by Brie Larson in "Short Term 12"
Emotionally tormented on the inside, but mature beyond her years on the outside.
1) "Jesse and Celine" , played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in "Before Midnight"
The characters I identified with the most this year. As simple as that.
VI Most "Villainous" Characters (characters I loved to hate) of the Year
8) "The Network" in "The World's End"
They smartly realized that dealing with "Gary King" just wasn't worth it.
7) "Space" in "Gravity"
Yes, Space is a major character in this movie, in case you didn't notice, and a scary one at that.
6) "Bathsheba" in "The Conjuring"
Made scarier by the fact that the movie is based on real-life paranormal events.
5) "Mr. Brown" and "Mr. Hamilton" in "12 Years a Slave"
The 2 men who conned, drugged, and sold "Solomon" into slavery.
4) "Stratton Oakmont Team" in "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Some of the most repulsive behavior ever put on film.
3) "Danny McBride" , played by Danny McBride in "This is the End"
From his first moment to his last he is an unstoppable force of mayhem.
2) "BART Police Officers" in "Fruitvale Station"
Even worse when you learn that the officer who shot "Oscar" spent only 2 years in prison.
1) "Edwin Epps" , played by Michael Fassbender in "12 Years a Slave"
Reminded me of "Amon Goeth" in "Schindler's List", but way more intense.
VII Most "Irritating" Characters (characters I just hated) of the Year
8) "Superman" , played by Henry Cavill in "Man of Steel"
Why would "Superman" ever need to kill anyone? "Batman" better watch his back.
7) "Holly Jones" , played by Melissa Leo in "Prisoners"
The twist was not shocking at all, for me. Plus, after everything she's done throughout the years she
gets to die without suffering or spending 1 second in prison.
6) "P.L. Travers" , played by Emma Thompson in "Saving Mr. banks"
I'm never watching "Mary Poppins" again! What an unlikeable person!
5) "Brandy Clark" , played by Aubrey Plaza in "The To-Do List"
Another very unlikeable person.
4) "Martin Walker" , played by James Woods in "White House Down"
So his son dies defending the nation, something that is definitely part of the job description, and he
decides to attack the White House?!? Why not go to some grief counseling session instead?
3) "Rosalyn Rosenfeld" & "Richie DiMaso" , played by Jennifer Lawrence & Bradley Cooper
"American Hustle"
The film focuses too much on these two, who don't have a redeeming quality between them,
instead of focusing more on "Irving" & "Sydney", who were actually pretty interesting characters.
2) "John McLane" , played by Bruce Willis in "A Good Day to Die Hard"
It's a good day to stop making Die Hard movies. Really, just stop, please.
1) "Deirdre Banks" , played by Vinessa Shaw(of Hocus Pocus & Ladybugs fame) in "Side Effects"
Gets the award for Worst Wife of the Year, of any year for that matter.
VIII Most Disappointing Movies of the Year
8) "Now You See Me" - Good cast with not-so-good material.
7) "Side Effects" - This could really be Soderbergh's last feature film? This movie made no sense.
6) "Elysium" - Blomkamp's follow-up to "District 9" with Matt Damon as the lead. Just didn't work.
5) "Prisoners" - After 2 and a half hours, definitely the Worst Ending of the year.
4) "Saving Mr. Banks" - Why would Disney ever want to tell this story? No one looks good here.
3) "Star Trek into Darkness" - I enjoyed it more than most, but the fact is they took a step back.
2) "Monsters University" - I'm not liking mediocre Pixar. At least my son doesn't mind, for now.
1) "American Hustle" - It was just "OK". Definitely not what I expected from this talented group.
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