The Great Gatsby (2013)

A Midwestern war veteran finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor. [imdb]

Nominated for 2 Oscars:

Best Production Design (WINNER)
Best Costume Design (WINNER)

Another adaption of a book I never really enjoyed. I will say this: Baz's version is better than the 1974 one, which was a borderline disaster. So... that's something, right? Some people seem to have an issue with the production design, but I thought it all looked lovely and the costumes are quite memorable themselves.

The weak element of the film must be the acting: I can't approve of either Leo or Carey, though Joel Edgerton is quite intriguing. Not a deep or meaningful film, but pleasant to watch and talk about that soundtrack...

My rating for the film: 7/10.

The Grandmaster (2013)

The story of martial-arts master Ip Man, the man who trained Bruce Lee. [imdb]

Nominated for 2 Oscars:

Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design

This film reminded me a bit of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, one of the best films ever. It doesn't reach it greatness, but it has a couple of very memorable scenes (train station fight) and its Oscar nominations are both very well deserved. It should actually win the one for Costume Design, though it won't happen. 

Ziyi Zhang delivers a good performance and the overall film was a pleasant experience, quite visually stunning.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

Prisoners (2013)

When a man's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. [imdb]

Nominated for 1 Oscar:

Best Cinematography

Here is a film with a lot of potential that almost goes to waste. I thought it started on the right foot and it was quite captivating up until the last 30 minutes or more. Its biggest assets are Roger Deakins' Oscar nominated cinematography (OK, so most of it is name recognition, but it works wonders for the film) and Hugh Jackman's performance. 

I thought Jake, Maria Bello and Melissa Leo gave almost-bad performances, but Hugh was amazing, Paul Dano was very good, and Viola & Terrence were ok. As I said, I enjoyed it up until it got so foolishly complicated. The answer to the mystery is all kinds of ridiculous.

My rating for the film: 6.5/10.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

A week in the life of a young singer as he navigates the Greenwish Village folk scene of 1961. [imdb]

Nominated for 2 Oscars:

Best Cinematography
Best Sound Mixing

The more I remembered this film, the most I appreciated it, because while I respected it at first, I slowly learned to love it a bit more weeks and months later. The lack of serious Oscar love upsets me because this is a special film that deserved more recognition. It has a good screenplay, it's very well directed and Oscar Isaac gives a subtle, yet fascinating performance. His singing is good too.

And, of course, the cat(s). I love cats. A particular scene in this film still breaks my heart. But maybe that makes me like it more: I appreciate the honesty, being ok with making the character dislikeable.

My rating for the film: 8.5/10.

The Hunt (2012/13)

A man who becomes the target of mass hysteria after being wrongly accused of sexually assaulting a child. [wiki]

Nominated for 1 Oscar:

Best Foreign Language Film (Denmark)

I compared watching this film to looking at a car crash. The first 40 minutes are gruelling, and the injustice level in this is through the roof. Watching it makes for a frustrating experience, but given the subject matter, I found it to be well put together.

What stands out is the acting. Mads Mikkelsen delivers one of the best performances of the year, both in subtle and not-so-subtle moments. There are a couple of great supporting performances also. Then, it's the direction which I appreciated because it somehow made me interested in the film despite the difficult subject. Normally I stay away from such films.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

The Great Beauty (2013)

Jep Gambardella has seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades, but after his 65th birthday and a shock from the past, Jep looks past the nightclubs and parties to find a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty. [imdb]

Nominated for 1 Oscar:

Best Foreign Language Film (Italy)  (WINNER)

I was just saying on Twitter a couple of days ago that I can't really justify my love for this film. Sometimes I run into a film that's so visually beautiful, that I can forgive most of the faults in the screenplay. And this was gorgeous: Rome looks amazing, the cinematography in general was exquisite. 

Since the screenplay is not so great, and without a clear direction, it sure helped that the directing is almost flawless. Overall, it feels like a traveling ad, with a touch of substance and a nice leading performance. I was hooked. But I must admit I'm being subjective and it's not a film everyone could enjoy.

My rating for the film: 8.5/10.

Despicable Me 2 (2013)

Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. [imdb]

Nominated for 2 Oscars:

Best Animated Feature
Best Original Song

I can't remember if I liked this one more than the original. I think I gave both of them the same ranking. [note: the first Despicable Me film was, surprisingly, not nominated for Animated Feature] Just like the first one, this also tries to be funny, but succeeds only partly: I'm referring to one word, the minions. They are the reason to watch this film, since they get all the laughs and they're also adorable.

Otherwise, nothing eventful.

My rating for the film: 7/10.

Frozen (2013)

Anna sets off on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. [imdb]

Nominated for 2 Oscars:

Best Animated Feature (WINNER)
Best Original Song (WINNER)

I think I pissed-off some people of Twitter for criticizing this. Since I didn't like Tangled, I should've guessed that I might have a problem with this one also. Hey, it looks great, I'll give it that. The songs are just ok, with the exception of Let It Go which really works inside the context. 

I appreciated Disney trying to go for something juuuuust a bit different (the "replace this with gay" undertone), but damn was that screenplay boring. The story too - the snowman is fun, but otherwise you get some boring leading characters, a lack of a real villain and troubling story gaps and screenplay solutions. I couldn't connect to it the right way.

They should've invested some of that 150 million budget (!!) in good writers.

My rating for the film: 6/10.

Ernest & Celestine (2012/13)

The story of an unlikely friendship between a bear, Ernest, and a young mouse named Celestine. [imdb]

Nominated for 1 Oscar:

Best Animated Feature

This category always surprises us with a small foreign animation film that somehow manages to sneak through. Sometimes such choices are really boring (Chico & Rita, Secret of Kells), other times they're a nice surprise, like this one. 

The film looks beautiful because it goes back to the classical way of animation (nothing computer generated or whatever it's called). It has a nice, simple story, a beautiful score and I liked that it felt very unfussy.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

The Croods (2013)

After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar territory with the help of an inventive young man. [imdb]

Nominated for 1 Oscar:

Best Animated Feature

This animated film was quite the surprise. I had avoided it for a while, and saw it just because of its nomination: but I ended up being delighted by the funny screenplay and the beautiful animation. Some of the dialogue was really memorable. The story has its amount of moral-blah-blah, but not so much as to bother me. I ended up liking it, and I'd give my vote if I would have a ballot.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

Before Midnight (2013)

It has been nine years since we last met Jesse and Celine in Vienna. They now have twin daughters, spending a summer in Greece on the invitation of an author colleague of Jesse's. [imdb]

Nominated for 1 Oscar:

Best Adapted Screenplay

I must confess I didn't do a recap of the Before films in advance of playing this. I was too anxious to see it, I guess, and I wanted to experience it with some time between the films. I wasn't sure what the result would be once the film started... it's a bit shaky at first, but as soon as they start walking on the island, it all changes for the best. The key of the series was always the dialogue, since it's so much of it, and so well-written. This was no exception: I loved the dialogue in the hotel scene, it felt very authentic to me. Ethan is good, Julie is superb. The ending is so damn sad, but I'll take it. A film for the soul, for sure.

My rating for the film: 8.5/10.

August: Osage County (2013) (2nd time)

A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. [imdb]

Nominated for 2 Oscars:

Best Actress: Meryl Streep
Best Supporting Actress: Julia Roberts

I was vaguely familiar with the play, but not enough as to tear this to pieces for not including this and that. Had I read it, I might've noticed the flaws in the adaptation. Any problem the film has comes, in my opinion, from the direction which needed just a touch more personality. Not too much though: this is clearly a vehicle for actors, not for the director to shine. As I said on Twitter, give me a Todd Field and I would be happy.

Meryl's amazing, Julia's amazing, Julianne Nicholson is really good, Margo Martindale & Chris Cooper are very memorable. I enjoyed the film a lot, it's the acting that makes it worth your time. Underrated by critics, for sure.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

Blue Jasmine (2013) (2nd time)

A New York socialite, deeply troubled and in denial, arrives in San Francisco to impose upon her sister. [imdb]

Nominated for 3 Oscars:

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett (WINNER)
Best Supporting Actress: Sally Hawkins
Best Original Screenplay

Not only is Cate the most stylish, fascinating, classy film star we have right now, she's also delivering an acting performance that really does feel like a masterclass. Woody helps a lot with the writing, which is not original at all, but offers SO MUCH to Cate to play with. When was the last time she got such a juicy role? Maybe I'm Not There, but that was too cold. This performance somehow manages to combine the technical aspect of acting (she owns it!) with the humanity of the character, which I didn't notice at first and is much more obvious with a second viewing.

The film itself is a modern Streetcar Named Desire rip-off (don't call it homage, since it doesn't give any credit to it) with highs and lows. Cate MAKES the film, Sally Hawkins delivers a good performance, and so does Bobby Cannavale. It's a film that works only/mostly as a vehicle for Cate. And nothing wrong with that.

My rating for the film: 7.5/10.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. [imdb]

Nominated for 5 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Director: Martin Scorsese
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Supporting Actor: Jonah Hill
Best Adapted Screenplay

It's the most infamous film of 2013, some might say. Martin Scorsese was really fucking with us, and what I LOVE is that he still has the balls (and the passion) to produce such a daring film. But it needs to be said: the film is too long, it gets redundant at times AND, regardless of them denying it, it does glorify these Wall Street assholes. It's a good film about characters I mostly hated. With a couple of really funny scenes.

Leo is all kinds of great here. While it's not my favourite performance of him, it might just be his most challenging one yet. Jonah Hill, I thought, was really funny and the film needed him. A great acting ensemble all around, and a mostly good screenplay.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

Philomena (2013) (2nd time)

A political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent. [imdb]

Nominated for 4 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Actress: Judi Dench
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Score

Where do I start with this one?! I had a problem with the tone of the film, since I don't think this should've had those traces of comedy in it, and especially not the racy dialogue that feels completely out of place most of the time. I believe it should've been adapted as a straight-face drama, and then it would've worked. And that's because this is such an amazing story with a shocking ending that... well, it deserved better.

Judi is fine, even though I felt little for her character (why is that? I blame the film's continuous change of pace). Coogan is quite ignorable. The directing is problematic. The original score I've really warmed up to lately.

My rating for the film: 6/10.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. [imdb]

Nominated for 9 Oscars:

Best Picture (WINNER)
Best Director: Steve McQueen
Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Best Supporting Actor: Michael Fassbender
Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o (WINNER)
Best Adapted Screenplay (WINNER)
Best Editing
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design

Not an easy film to sit through, but I knew McQueen was a good director, and I expected great performances - which is exactly what we got. This is a great film, not a pleasant one, but a really well-made film. I salute the three main performances: Chiwetel is amazing and carries the film with great dignity, Lupita is a star and Fassbender is best in show, with a terrific performance for the ages. 

The screenplay is not perfect, but it will do. There are so many memorable scenes in it that make it a haunting experience, without any dull moments.

My rating for the film: 8.5/10.

Her (2013)

A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need. [imdb]

Nominated for 5 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Original Screenplay (WINNER)
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best Production Design


Like many other 2013 film, this one has a promising start, then slowly goes down the hill in the second half. Is it because the film's too long? Could be. But those first 45 minutes are really charming - the cinematography is great, the production design is a delight, and the direction feels really special. It's a special film indeed, with another strong performance from Joaquin.

But the story itself is quite... absurd. And that's very noticeble towards the end, which almost feels thrown in there. A mood piece that almost works.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

Nebraska (2013)

An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a fake million-dollar prize. [imdb]

Nominated for 6 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Director: Alexander Payne
Best Actor: Bruce Dern
Best Supporting Actress: June Squibb
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography

This is a film with plenty of fans, but also plenty of bloggers who dislike it. I first saw it when they brought the Cannes films to Bucharest - almost a full-house, and a great experience because we were all either smiling or giggling. I don't usually go for Alexander Payne films and this is easily, to me, his best work to date. A very low key film with a simple but charming story, simple but charming dialogue, and good performances. It felt like a film I would write myself, maybe that's why I like it.

Will Forte, Stacy Keach & June Squibb are good, Bruce Dern is quite great. It just resonated to me. Good ensemble piece.

My rating for the film: 8.5/10.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease. [imdb]

Nominated for 6 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey (WINNER)
Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto (WINNER)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Makeup and Hairstyling (WINNER)

Well, we knew McConaughey had it in him to deliver an amazing performance, and I'm really happy for Jared Leto. Both deliver career-best performances, from what I am aware of. This film couldn't have been easy to write and it works really well, especially in the first half. Of course, it relies a lot on the acting, and luckily it's quite amazing.

Regardless of my personal feelings towards the egotistic real-life McConaughey, his might just be the best male performance of 2013, and he has a whole bunch of emotional scenes, very well acted.

For the most part, I approve of the film. Sure, it could've been better, but it still hits plenty of right notes.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

Captain Phillips (2013)

The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama. [imdb]

Nominated for 6 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor: Barkhad Abdi
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Sound Editing

What starts as a terrible film (could that first scene in the car have been written any worse?!), quickly becomes a very engaging one, mostly due to Paul Greengrass's very well-chosen directing style. Though some wouldn't agree, I appreciated the cinematography and the editing too.

Barkhad Abdi gave an ok performance - ok, bordeline amateurish, nothing more. This nomination of his could've gone to someone more deserving. Tom Hanks gives a really good performance (too bad he wasn't nominated), but not really career best. As I said: to me, the star is the director.

My rating for the film: 8/10.

American Hustle (2013) (2nd time)

A con man, along with his seductive British partner, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent. [imdb]

Nominated for 10 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Director: David O. Russell
Best Actor: Christian Bale
Best Actress: Amy Adams
Best Supporting Actor: Bradley Cooper
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
Best Original Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design

The first couple of scenes were really funny, I thought; after that, it reached the voice-over part and, TO ME, it felt like a second rate Goodfellas. There are good scenes throughout the film (the science oven, the Bradley Cooper & mother scene) and by no coincidence those happen to be the most David O. Russell scenes, with that directing style of his that I much admired in previous efforts. Otherwise, there's some attempt of Scorsese that just doesn't feel authentic.

Screw the SAG ensemble win, I can't get behind the acting nominations: Cooper annoys me, Amy's overrated, Bale is good but not that good, and Jennifer... she's completely lost in some of the scenes, improvising at its silliest, often worst.

My rating for the film: 6/10.

Gravity (2013) (2nd time)

A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space. [imdb]

Nominated for 10 Oscars:

Best Picture
Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron (WINNER)
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock
Best Cinematography (WINNER)
Best Original Score (WINNER)
Best Editing (WINNER)
Best Production Design
Best Visual Effects (WINNER)
Best Sound Mixing (WINNER)
Best Sound Editing (WINNER)

This is what might just be my favourite film of 2013. I first saw it in the theatre and it was an amazing experience. Lubezki IS the best cinematographer of our times and Alfonso Cuaron is an amazing director. The degree of difficulty in making this film was through the roof, I imagine, and it took a real visionary to deliver such a spectacular result.

Backing up the technical perfection is Sandra Bullock's captivating performance: I LOVED her in this; there's little vanity to the performance and it feels honest, and touching and THAT scene where she's about to give up - I sigh every time I see the clip. Really. :) 

My rating for the film: 9/10.

The Emigrants (1971/72)

The story of a family in the middle of 19th century rural Sweden, as they decide to emigrate to the U.S.

Nominated for 5 Oscars:

As a 1971 film:

Best Foreign Language Film (Sweden)

As a 1972 film:

Best Picture

Best Director: Jan Troell

Best Actress: Liv Ullmann

Best Adapted Screenplay

This film contributes to one of those weird cases where the Academy acknowledged a Foreign Language film in two different years (first, as sent over by its country; secondly, by its American release date). This doesn't happen nowadays.

It's a damn good film, if you have the patience for it. It's well written, nicely put together, with a really strong ensemble performance. Liv got her first Oscar nomination for this - ironically, NOT for an Ingmar Bergman film. She's good, but just a part of the ensemble. It sure made me curious about its sequel, which I'll definitely see at some point.

My rating for the film: 8.5/10. Its Oscar nominations are both worthy and impressive, judging this is only a foreign language film. But voters really stood by quality back in the '70s, regardless where it came from.

Travels with My Aunt (1972) (2nd time)

At his mother's funeral, stuffy bank clerk Henry Pulling meets his Aunt Augusta, an elderly eccentric with more-than-shady dealings. [imdb]

Nominated for 4 Oscars:

Best Actress: Maggie Smith

Best Cinematography

Best Art Direction

Best Costume Design (WINNER)

People love hating this, and I kind of understand why, since it's not a deep, meaningful film. It's a silly "comedy" with a screenplay that fails oh-so-many times. But when it gets a bit screwball, it almost works and I just couldn't be upset with it. It's light, it doesn't pretend to be anything it's not.

Much has been said about Maggie not being right for the part. I have less of an issue with that, since the makeup is good, and there are reasons to cast someone that might cover different decades. 

My rating for the film: 5.5/10. Silly film, but I wasn't offended.