Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Dallas Buyers Club gained a lot of momentum prior to the Academy Awards. I hadn't seen the movie yet, so I didn't know what to expect and what gave to all of the publicity when other films were in the midst of garnering attention. It seemed as though Buyers Club simply stole the air from The Wolf of Wall Street and Matthew McConaughey snatched the Oscar from Leonardo DiCaprio.

The plot to this film follows a homophobe who has been diagnosed with AIDS. Seeking a cure, he finds it in his heart to accept others who share his condition, specifically one member of the gay community played by Jared Leto. Finding a way around the system, McConaughey's character navigates his way around the system to establish the Dallas Buyers Club to get medication to AIDS victims.

Through character development, the audience is satisfied by the conclusion of the film to see how hardship changed a man for the better. McConaughey's performance was superb; however, I felt as though Leto's was even better. Both won an Oscar for their work, so there is no great injustice here. The difference that set apart the two performances was that McConaughey seemed to be his regular self, just more involved within the film while Leto submerged himself into a unique and difficult role. 

Every now and then, a movie comes along that allows an actor to win an Oscar by doing something different that appeals to the Academy. This film on the surface about AIDS and also about transformation presented two of these opportunities that were thoroughly executed. Conclusion: Worth A Watch ("Alright, alright, alright")

Rating: 8/10

12 Years A Slave (2013)

12 Years A Slave is the best film I have seen in the '10s of the 21st Century. The decade is still young, so you may think that this doesn't mean much, but it does. As a film, it is a work of art, crafted by the masterful hands of Steve McQueen. The characters are perfectly performed, highlighted by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong'o's career defining performances. The fact that this film  only won three Academy Awards is a tragedy in and of itself. 

12 Years follows the improbable story of Solomon Northup, a freeman living in the north who is captured and sold into slavery in the south. Solomon uses his talents as a well educated man to manage a less cruel living with his Master Ford. Once sold into slavery again, Solomon must reside on the Epps plantation, run by the wicked and cruel Edwin Epps. These two existences in slavery seem different, as Solomon is allowed to entertain his master with his violin but sent to the cotton fields by the next master; however, theses existences share the same root. Both Master Ford and Epps are flawed and twisted characters. Though Epps acts on the urges to whip and rape whomever he pleases, Ford is evil in the sense that he cannot bring himself to do what is right since his will is too weak. From talking with people who have seen this movie, this is the one of the few points that some people seem to have missed from the film.

Overall, I think that the story of Solomon Northup had to be told. It's a painful reminder of a brutal chapter in our history; however, it is a necessary one to learn from. McQueen's craft and the excellent acting performances added another, higher level of cinema to this film. I believe that everyone should watch this movie. It examines human character, by looking at the great injustice, lack of will, willpower, and hope that any person can demonstrate. Conclusion: Must See

Rating: 9.25/10

Captain Phillips (2013)

Captain Phillips is an absolute and unyielding adrenaline rush. I'm sorry for the next person who is going to sit at my seat in the theatre because I left a puddle of sweat there. I'm sure many people knew about the Somalian pirate situation, but this film makes the entire process seem so nerve-racking, which by now after seeing the film, I'm sure it is.

The story follows Captain Phillips, the captain of a cargo ship, and the hostage situation that ensues once Phillips is captured by Somalian pirates. Once Phillips is taken off of his ship and held hostage in an escape vessel, there is a thick air of uncertainty about his fate, even though the audience knows that he does not die. 

Briefly introducing Phillips as an everyday family man makes the audience more involved and sympathetic of his situation. Casting Tom Hanks as the captain also didn't hurt. The movie also surprisingly briefly introduces us to the everyday lives of the pirates as well. While we don't condone their crimes, we do feel sympathy for the everyday struggle that is there life.

All in all, Captain Phillips is a well made thrill ride that shakes us from start to finish. The acting and direction of the film brings about another element of the film that makes it even better. Conclusion: Watch It

Rating: 8/10

Pacific Rim (2013)

Pacific Rim was one of those films where I couldn't decide if it was the an awesome dumb movie or a dumb awesome movie. It had a plot and roaring special effects, which created a great viewing experience. The problem is that once you're finished with the film, you still have to ask yourself what you just saw.

Every boy has probably at some point played with toys and thought about what it would be like if they were huge. That's Pacific Rim. The problem with a film based on such childish thoughts is that is had several glaring plot holes. For example, why do people have to sync or "drift" with each other to power the machine? I understand that the film explained that one brain would be overworked to power the giant machine. Well then why could the protagonist power the machine by himself at the beginning of the film to escape? Also, if it's so important to be "drift compatible" then why can two strangers who awkwardly flirt be "drift compatible"? And how come they didn't realize they had a hidden weapon up there sleeve (literally) earlier in the film?

I guess if you can get over the glaring plot holes (which I sadly can't), then you can appreciate this film for what it is: mindless action. It did a great job in this department, but that's not what everyone is looking for in a movie. Conclusion: Pass On It

Rating: 5.75/10

World War Z (2013)

World War Z is an action-packed summer hit that doesn't have a whole lot to it. I expected action and a different kind of zombie plot story. I got both so I can't be too disappointed as this film attempted to be something different, but ultimately just became another forgetful summer action flick.

From the very beginning, when Brad Pitt's Gerry Lane is talking with his family during breakfast, the filmmakers decided to use an action cam for quick movement. This instantly drew me off, but the shaky action filming didn't end as the rest of the movie was a thrill ride without too much guidance.

I heard that there was conflict between the producers on where the plot was heading and from watching the movie, I don't doubt it. An expert scientist slipped and shot himself with a gun. Gerry was impaled and still survived. In the end, we got a Brad Pitt Jesus figure drinking Pepsi who realized that getting sick will make the zombies want to stay away from you. Not a bad ending as it is something different, but it's nothing special.

Overall, this film had a high budget and delivered its thrills and special effects, but it lacked a more decisive plot that could have made the film much better. Conclusion: Nothing Special

Rating: 6.75/10

Oblivion (2013)

Here's a question for you: have you ever seen or heard about the movie Moon? You probably haven't seen it. Have you seen or heard about Oblivion? You probably have heard about it. What we get is an attempt to bring the story of a small budget film to the big screen. The attempt wasn't necessarily a success or a failure, rather just an interesting development at filmmaking and adaptation.

The story is set in 2077 and follows Jack Harper, a veteran who is assigned to a station in the clouds with his partner Vika. Harper's job is to repair drones down on Earth to destroy scavengers that hunt for resources. Jack performs this tireless job without question till one day, he finds a pod with people in it. This forces him to question his surroundings and look for answers. As it turns out, he is not alone. The rest of the film is an interesting quest of self discovery that has several major twists that you will just have to see for yourself.

The story itself is fine, but it doesn't seem original when set side by side with Moon. I did enjoy watching this film in theaters, as it had good visuals in establishing a ruined Earth. I don't think this film reached it's potential, but it pleasantly surprised in other aspects and categories. Conclusion: Worth A Watch

Rating: 7/10