End of the
year lists? I love it! As usual, here are my top ten films of the year and top
ten television shows. The films have links to my previous posts to avoid
repetitiveness. This year I added my top songs, YouTube clips and briefly
extended my lists just for fun. Enjoy.
TOP TEN
FILMS OF 2013
1. GRAVITY
1. GRAVITY
Talk about visually spectacular.
This film is simply beautiful. The images of the earth, the vastness of space,
even the chaotic dance of destruction.
2.
HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
Unlike the first film, this one
did not feel as rushed. It was very well paced and the two hours just flew by.
I’m not sure if that’s a credit to the writers or the director. Or both.
LINK: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.ca/2013/11/hunger-games-catching-fire.html
LINK: http://popculturepusher.blogspot.ca/2013/11/hunger-games-catching-fire.html
3.
DESPICABLE ME 2
I would say that this film is pretty on par with the fantastic first installment. Agnes is adorable once again. If only I could adopt a cartoon character.
I would say that this film is pretty on par with the fantastic first installment. Agnes is adorable once again. If only I could adopt a cartoon character.
4. THE
HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
The barrel scene alone is worth
the admission; a perfect blend of action and humour. By far my favourite
sequence. (I see a future amusement park ride.)
5. MUCH
ADO ABOUT NOTHING
I loved that we could see
different actors from the Whedonverse interacting with each other. Of course,
Fillion and Tom Lenk steal the show.
6.
SAVING MR. BANKS
Hanks is exceptional as Walt
Disney. He just captures that positivity and charisma that I would associate
with Uncle Walt. Brilliant casting.
7.
AMERICAN HUSTLE
The acting in this film is
incredible. Bale is getting close to Daniel Day Lewis style acting. I was
mesmerized by Bale’s shoulders throughout the film.
8. LEE
DANIEL’S THE BUTLER
I know some have dubbed this film
a black Forrest Gump but this one has
way more bite and less whimsy. Still extremely well done and eye-opening.
9. THIS
IS THE END
A pretty genius concept. This
film is twenty times funnier because the actors are playing exaggerated
versions of themselves.
10. THE
SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
I’m
a day dreamer so I could relate to the imaginative adventures of Walter Mitty
in this film. I love how it mixed the absurd with the truly adventurous.
IF THIS WAS A TOP 15 LIST: 11.The Great Gatsby 12.Monsters University 13.The Wolf of Wall Street 14.Star Trek: Into Darkness
15.Iron Man 3
TOP TEN
TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2013
1. BREAKING
BAD (AMC)
Why: The
perfectly paced, edge-of-your-seat final episodes.
Favourite Character: Jesse (Aaron Paul), the tragic meth
dealer
Best Episode of 2013: Ozymandias (S05E14)
Walt
sells out Jesse and scares the crap out of his family which leads him to do the
unthinkable. Oh, and they kill off a couple of characters too.
2. HOUSE
OF CARDS (NETFLIX)
Why: Love
the dark West Wing / Shakespearean
mash up
Favourite Character: Francis (Kevin Spacey), the slithery
politician
Best Episode of 2013: Chapter 5 (S01E05)
Francis hinders his wife’s gala because
of the union strikes which results in a garden party. Also Peter is given a
scary ultimatum.
3. GAME
OF THRONES (HBO)
Why: Great
character chemistry this season despite bloodbaths
Favourite Character: Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), the dragon mom
Best Episode of 2013: Rains of Castamere (S03E09)
The
Red Wedding. Apparently this show (and novel) has no problem butchering main
characters that we have been following for three years.
4. THE
BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
Why: Love
the episodes when they’re together, like Friends
Favourite Character: Amy (Mayim Bialik), the lonely
girlfriend
Best Episode of 2013: The Scavenger Vortex (S07E03)
Raj
creates a fun scavenger hunt for the group. The catch is that the couples are
all mix-matched. The treat is combinations we haven’t really seen before.
5. PARKS
AND RECREATION (NBC)
Why: Even
with Leslie fired, still the greatest workplace comedy
Favourite Character: Ron (Nick Offerman), the manly man
Best Episode of 2013: Leslie and Ben (S05E14)
A
beautiful wedding episode with a document dress, Ron ripping off a sconce and
Councilman Jamm trying to ruin everything.
6. THE
AMERICANS (FX)
Why: I
find myself rooting for the Russians in this cold war series
Favourite Character: Phillip (Matthew Rhys), the clever Russian
Best Episode of 2013: The Colonel (S01E13)
Elizabeth
and Phillip try to meet with the colonel, even though they suspect that it’s a
trap in this gripping season
finale.
7. MARVEL’S
AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)
Why: Whedons
are involved so great characters & dialogue.
Favourite Character: Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), the hot tech
Best Episode of 2013: The Hub (S01E07)
Fitz
and Simmons are separated as Fitz helps Grant on a suicide mission and Simmons
hilariously tries to help get past security at the SHIELD Hub.
8. THE
NEWSROOM (HBO)
Why: They
added a pretty gripping season long arc this year.
Favourite Character: Charlie (Sam Waterston), the tipsy boss
Best Episode of 2013: Red Team III (S02E07)
The
season long Operation Genoa story begins to unravel as the truth comes out that
manipulation and revenge played a big part in the bogus story.
9. BROOKLYN
NINE-NINE (FOX)
Why: Samberg
& Andre Braugher are fantastic together.
Favourite Character: Jake (Andy Samberg), the immature cop
Best Episode of 2013: Thanksgiving (S01E10)
Amy’s
Thanksgiving dinner with the precinct is awful, especially the food disposal.
Holt & Jake work together in order to catch a perp.
10. ORANGE
IS THE NEW BLACK (NETFLIX)
Why: A
rich cast of female characters. I’m surprised too.
Favourite Character: Piper (Taylor Schilling), the WASPy inmate
Best Episode of 2013: Tall Men With Feelings (S01E11)
Daya frames Mendez to save Bennett, Crazy Eyes tells us her real name, the
women have a funeral and Larry screws over Piper with a
NPR interview.
IF THIS WAS A
TOP 20 LIST: 11.Bates Motel
12.Modern Family
13.The Walking Dead 14.New Girl 15.The Mindy Project 16.Homeland 17.Parenthood 18.Once Upon a Time 19.The Blacklist 20.Dexter
13.The Walking Dead 14.New Girl 15.The Mindy Project 16.Homeland 17.Parenthood 18.Once Upon a Time 19.The Blacklist 20.Dexter
TOP TEN
SONGS OF 2013
1.
LORDE – ROYALS
Why: The
finger-snapping beat and lyrics are simply infectious.
Album: Pure Heroine
2. GOO
GOO DOLLS - SLOW IT DOWN
Why: The
chorus just gets me every time. Sappy but awesome.
Album: Magnetic
3. FRANZ
FERDINAND - RIGHT ACTION
Why: Love
that classic Franz Ferdinand rhythm.
Album: Right Thoughts, Right
Words, Right Action
4. FRANK
TURNER - RECOVERY
Why: There’s
this great storyteller vibe to this song.
Album: Tape Deck Heart
5. ARCTIC
MONKEYS - DO I WANNA KNOW
Why: It’s
like a rockier, darker version of Lorde’s Royals.
Album: AM
6. NEW
POLITICS - HARLEM
Why: Kind
of reminds me of All American Rejects.
Album: A Bad Girl in Harlem
7. THE
MOWGLI’S - SAN FRANSISCO
Why: I
just like the group sing-a-long aspect. Toe-tapping fun.
Album: Waiting for the Dawn
8. BARENAKED
LADIES - ODDS ARE
Why: This
reminds me of old school BNL. Always welcome.
Album: Grinning Streak
9. PHILLIP
PHILLIPS - GONE, GONE, GONE
Why: It’s
sappy sweet and on every rom-com trailer.
Album: World From the Side
of the Moon
10. BASTILLE
- POMPEII
Why: I
like the deep voice and world music backing vocals.
Album: Bad Blood
TOP FIVE
YOUTUBE CLIPS OF 2013
1. YLVIS
– THE FOX [WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?]
Why: I
wonder what kind of drugs these guys were on to come up with such a strange
video. I like the grandpa getting involved and the bizarrely angelic nature of
the fox.
2. SECONDARY STAFF INTRO 2013 - SHARKNADO
Why: Okay,
I made this so I am completely biased. I love how dramatic our staff can be in
the midst of a disaster. We even included an incredible useless special effect.
3. HOW ANIMALS EAT THEIR FOOD
Why: What
an interesting concept. I like how straight faced the other guy is (although he
cracks a bit during the kangaroo demonstration). My favourite is the whale.
4. BETWEEN TWO FERNS WITH ZACH GALIFIANAKIS: JUSTIN BEIBER
Why: The
entire series is hilarious but this was one of the best ones this year. I
really like the hairstyle comment and the belt beating. (Who hasn’t wanted to
do that?)
5. JOKING BAD
Why: Jimmy
Fallon rocks with this Breaking Bad
parody. If you haven’t see the original show, you probably won’t get half of
it. This is beautifully done, complete with cameos.
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Golden Globe Predictions
1 comment:
Mark, I'm curious if you saw `12 Years a Slave' as it wasn't on your list and I would think it would make the Top Ten!
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