Byzantium (2013)

Neil Jordan adapts a play by Irish playwright Moira Buffini that’s a wonderfully refreshing take on the vampire genre. Gemma Arterton and Saoirse Ronan play mother and daughter vampires who stay at a sleepy Irish town’s motel. While Arterton turns the motel into a brothel (killing clients) and Ronan falls for a young man dying, the narrative switches to flash backs showing their origins. I loved this film for being shot so beautifully and being more than just a typical vampire love story. What I appreciated even more was how one became a vampire in this story, it’s remarkably original and exactly the kind of film I was looking for. To think Jordan also made Interview with a Vampire. Maybe Jordan should just make vampire films, he’s very good at it. Grade: B+

Babes in Arms (1939)

This Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical is about the children of vaudeville parents putting on their own variety show. Rooney is great with enough energy in his little body to run a city. And his chemistry with Garland is perfect, which explains why they made so many films together. There’s some cute scenes here and there but unfortunately there’s a minstrel show finale with all these kids in black face that’s distractingly offensive and cringe-worthy. Could have been more enjoyable I guess if not for that segment. Grade: B-

Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

I went to see this Scorsese film at 11:30PM and was concerned I’d get tired and fall asleep. It is a long film at 180 minutes. Nope. That was one of the most entertaining films I saw all year long, a bold dramedy that had me beaming with enjoyment the entire time. Leonardo DiCaprio is a sensation, giving his best performance in his career, at least in my opinion. The true (yet very much exaggerated) story of Jordan Belfort’s dance with debauchery and investment greed during the late ‘80s and ‘90s is nothing more than a brilliantly-crafted enlightening cautionary tale. Some might criticize this film for celebrating and glamorizing greed and infidelity and drug-use. It doesn’t, it warns society why we need to regulate our financial institutions because there are predators out there just like these creeps who will take advantage of anyone they can. Jonah Hill is also incredible, transforming into a loud-mouth devotee and partner of Belfort that is not like any other character he has played. There’s so many memorable parts, scenes that will stand the test of time as being classic. Scorsese really out did himself, proof again that age is meaningless when it comes to creative output. If you are easily offended, you probably should avoid this one. But for the rest of you out there, be prepared for a really good movie. Grade: A

Fruitvale Station (2013)

I was still pretty stunned after seeing the last film I wrote about (12 Years A Slave) and then I decided to watch this modern masterpiece on racism. First I see racism in the past and now I sample racism of today. I’m numb. Here is the true story of Oscar Grant, a young black man out with his friends celebrating the New Year when BART officers at a subway station in Oakland hassle them as thugs. The result made national headlines and yet until I saw this film I was ignorant of this tragedy. First time film maker Ryan Coogler delivers a fine film, one that must be seen by everyone in my opinion. Racism is a subtle demon that messes up with first impressions and leads people (even good people) down ugly assumptions. Michael B. Jordan will find a lot of respect after this film; he’s an actor to keep an eye on that’s for sure. I would have loved to have seen this film nominated for best picture. It’s in my opinion in the same league as 12 Years A Slave. I guess the Academy can only stomach one film about racism at a time. Grade: A

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Why is this film going to win best picture? Because it’s just too important a story to ignore, it’s a scar that needs healing and how best to begin the process of healing but by celebrating this work of art. The fact that this is a true account of a free man being chained up and used as a slave is incredibly shocking, but what’s even more horrific is all those he comes across who were always treated as property and never given the hint of freedom he had. This film will make you cringe. It will force you to consider the evils of our society both in the past and in the present. It is hard to watch but it must be watched so we understand as a nation and as citizens of the world that slavery of any kind is evil and destroys all those it touches. Steve McQueen was the perfect director to make this film, his style and way of getting into a character’s nature is hard to do. I don’t know if I think this is his best film to date but it’s going to go down as the film that lifted up his status. Then there’s Chiwetel Ejiofor who is profoundly good. His performance has all the layers of subtlety and intensity that only great actors can reach. I probably won’t ever watch this film again (except maybe with my children when they’re older) but that’s because it is so phenomenal that you don’t really need to see it again. It sticks to the memory and the soul. Grade: A

The Way Way Back (2013)

Nat Faxon and Jim Rash co-write and direct their first film; a coming-of-age film about a teenage boy named Duncan who spends his summer vacation with his single-mother at her boyfriend’s beach house on the East coast. Sam Rockwell plays the water park manager he befriends when tensions heat up at with the boyfriend played by Steve Carell. Toni Collette plays the mom and Allison Janney is the outrageous neighbor who loves to party. This is one of those films packed with laughs and tender (but real) inter reactions we can all relate to. It’s hard growing up and it’s always amazing when you find a place you belong. This is a good one and I hope more discover it through the years. Grade: A-

20 Feet from Stardom (2013)

Nominated for this year’s Oscar for Best Feature Documentary, it tracks down the background singers of some of the most memorable hits in the last four decades. You don’t know their names but you will after seeing this insightful and inspiring feel-good film. Darlene Love and Merry Clayton stand out. It’s always fun to see a film that celebrates the little guy or in this case the large voice in the back row. I hope this film inspires clones of this kind. How about animators of our favorite films? Or jingle song writers of our favorite commercials. Okay maybe this idea wouldn’t work for everything but it’s still a refreshing kind of bio film. Grade: A