Interstellar

Director: Christopher Nolan

With: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Bill Irwin, Mackenzie Foy, David Gyasi, Ellen Burstyn, Topher Grace 

I became a fan of Nolan after watching The Dark Knight and Inception, those two films are up there in my favorite movies chart. I even defended The Dark Knight Rises despite its imperfections. In Interstellar, it's official, I want to have Nolan's brain in a jar along with Darren Aronofsky's and Woody Allen's. Not that I am jumping up and down about it, in fact, it's only during the third act when I started to truly appreciate the film. But the first two was kind of lost to me, or it's the other way around.

That's how Nolan's films work (at least for me). It strays you for how intelligent they are and you'll end up not getting all the right details after watching it. It requires you to either rewatch it or just read summaries and explanations in the web. It takes a while for you to fully grasp his movies and Interstellar is no different. In fact, I think it is his most complicated and emotional film to date.

A thought provoker but also a heart tugger, Christopher Nolan's Interstellar will bring your mind far away to the galaxy but will lead your heart back home where it belongs. It's about a former NASA pilot named Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) who had to leave his family behind to travel through a wormwhole in search for a new habitual planet. As what Michael Caine's character said, "We're not meant to save the world, we're meant to leave it."

Oh boy, I didn't expect it to be as ambitious and as metaphorical as I've imagined it would be that I think it's one of the most grandiose films I've ever seen. It's the embodiment of the phrase 'visually stunning' and behind all that is a concept that's rich in Science and a story about a subject everyone could relate to, love and family. Like the usual Nolan fashion though, the action scenes and its climax dominate the overall persona of the film. The climax especially wherein it completely stopped making sense that I think it's the dealbreaker for its haters, but it's the scene that astounded me the most and therefore, it made me lean towards loving it than loathing it. Those scenes, I said to myself, that's amazing imagination and magnificent vision. There's no problem with being ambitious when you could back it up like how Nolan would do in his films.

What made it even more stellar is the ensemble. You have a charismatic lead in Matthew McConaughey, a laughable yet commanding act by Anne Hathaway, touching performances by Jessica Chastain and Mackenzie Foy (Renesmee hehe) as Cooper's daughter Murphy, and more. The cameos are also terrific. Matthew McConaughey would probably end up on top of my best actor list for 2014 films and it's such a shame because if he didn't win Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club, his performance in this movie would be a jackpot for him. I'd even dare say that his Cooper is probably his best performance. I do not understand how Nolan intended Anne Hathaway's character to be, but everything about her in the film was fun to watch, and for me cringe is equal to funny. My favorite character in the movie is Murphy, and I give credit to the actresses who played her because they're very good and very likable. Mackenzie Foy and Jessica Chastain are equally rootable in the film and they've overcome the most often cheesy script of Christopher Nolan.

It's not the cleanest film there is. The sound mixing is quite terrible especially in the end. The score is overbearing sometimes and this comes from a huge Hans Zimmer fan. Sure it's memorable and iconic, but it's not one of his most appealing compositions. Overall, I do hate and I do love his tracks.

Despite the flaws and the cheesiness, Nolan created a genius sci-fi drama that will remain as one of the memorable films of the year. The climax still resonates to me and I'm still in awe just by thinking about it. It's astonishing!

Top 10 LEAD ACTORS of 2013

10. Ethan Hawke as Jesse Wallace - Before Midnight

It seems like Ethan Hawke has matured in terms of acting just like how Jesse Wallace matured in Before Midnight. From Before Sunrise to Before Midnight, we witnessed the changes in his characters but it's in the third installment Hawke shined the most. I always find Julie Delpy a little ahead of him in terms of stealing the scenes but in Midnight, they're pretty much head to head. Ethan Hawke in the hotel scene was amazing. Delpy could easily steal that scene because of her boobs flashing in the camera for some time but Ethan Hawke managed to do his own thing and it was fantastic.

9. Bruce Dern as Woody Grant - Nebraska

Bruce Dern didn't do much talking in Nebraska but his facial expressions are the real reason why he's no. 9 in my Lead Actors ranking (with a straight face). He depicted the frustration, agitation and many other emotions of Woody Grant so perfectly well and we understand him more because of it. That's hard to achieve but Dern, probably with the help of his age, portrayed Woody Grant flawlessly.

8. Hugh Jackman as Keller Dover - Prisoners

Yes, he can be too much most of the time in Prisoners but no kidding, he put me on the edge of my seat and made my heart beat fast for his aggressive take of a desperate father looking for his lost daughter. I often use intense in sentences but Hugh Jackman is the real epitome of INTENSE. He's also one of the actors that surpassed their performance from their previous Acadamy nominated one.

7. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup - 12 Years a Slave

Solomon Northup was a free man who was kidnapped by traders and was enslaved for 12 years. Based on what I saw in 12YAS, I think Ejiofor took note of that when he was acting as him. His performance reeks of intelligence, control and power. His close up shots showing his teary eyes and frowned face depicts the hard life as a slave. Ejifor stayed true to his character throughout the film. For the most part reserved but it's by the end when he showed what a great actor he is.

6. Oscar Isaac as Llewyn Davis - Inside Llewyn Davis

His performance as Llewyn Davis reminds me of Natalie Portman in Black Swan where their acting talent is incorporated with another skill. Isaac is to singing and Portman is to dancing. What's impressive is that their skill is above average, in fact, really superb. Oscar Isaac proved to be a lead actor and I think we'll be seeing more of him in the future.

5. Michael Cera as Jamie - Crystal Fairy

In a film where the plot is kind of slight, Michael Cera managed to show lots of layers in his performance. From being extremely annoying to being lovable. He showed one of the most natural acting I've seen in 2013 films and I think his performance was overlooked by many because he's Michael Cera. I wish he'd accept more realistic films because he excels in them.

4. Daniel Brühl as Niki Lauda - Rush

It's really unfortunate that he was labeled as a Supporting Actor in Rush when he's easily one of the main focus of the film and he's a competent lead for that matter. Daniel Brühl showed that he can be a method actor by mimicking not only the accent of the real Niki Lauda, but also his mannerisms. He also made an unlikable character likable and only few actors can do that. We need to see more of him in the future because he's a legit talent.

3. Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort - The Wolf of Wall Street

I rarely find him effective in portraying serious roles because he's not good at being natural and when he does, it's only in some parts of his overall performance. But in The Wolf of Wall Street, I think everything that he did was apt to his character and to Scorsese's vision of the character and the film. He's extraordinary in Wolf and a big good luck to him for the Oscars.

2. Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips - Captain Phillips

We all know how good Tom Hanks as an actor based on his filmography but it's been so long that we've seen him in a role where his amazing acting chops were showcased well. Thanks to Captain Phillips! In the film, he gave an out of this world performance. The last 30 minutes of the film, we see Tom Hanks in his prime. It's hard to tell because he's shown a lot of great acting in the past but his performance in Captain Phillips is up there as one of his bests.

1. Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof - Dallas Buyers Club

After being snubbed the past few years, at last he's being recognized and in a really huge way. We are living in the Age of McConnaisance as they say and it continues this year with raving reviews about True Detective and the upcoming Nolan film, Interstellar and Gus Van Sant's Sea of Trees. Anyway, I was floored by his performance in Dallas Buyers Club. Even without pointing out his weight loss, his transformation is tremendous as an AIDS patient (and smuggler), Ron Woodroof. The scene where he's driving while crying because he has finally come to terms about his dying condition was insanely good and easily my favorite part of the film. McConaughey and Leto's extraordinary performances carried what could have been an ordinary film. From being a romcom heartthrob, apparently he's gone a long way. He's now known as one of the best actors of his generation.

Other Rankings:

Top 5 Original Scores of 2013

Top 10 Cinematography of 2013

Top 5 Original & Adapted Screenplays of 2013 

Top 10 Supporting Actors of 2013 

Top 10 Supporting Actress of 2013
Top 10 Lead Actresses of 2013

MOVIE WRITEUPS: American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave and Dallas Buyers Club

American Hustle

Director: David O. Russell
With: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner

It's probably a bad omen that earlier last year, a friend recommended that I watch Goodfellas. And as I was watching American Hustle, I can't help but feel like O. Russell ripped off some styles from it -- from the way the history of the characters were presented, to the voice overs, to angry housewife, to Robert de Niro, to the trumpet-heavy musical background in the beginning. It screams second rate Martin Scorsese where Hustle is the cat to Goodfellas' lion. But that's probably just me hating on O. Russell lol. Despite that, I can't deny that it's engrossing. The number of wacky and fun scenes, I enjoyed. It's really just the ABSCAM plot that didn't soar.

The characters are crazy as their hairdos, and they're the best aspect of the film. This con film would have suffered if the characters are all sane and happy, but they're all fueled with different things - Irving (Christian Bale) is fueled by money and his adopted son, Sydney (Amy Adams) fueled by her ambition, FBI Agent Richie (Bradley Cooper) aims to be recognized in his profession, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) is hungry of love and attention, she's very insecure, and Mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner) by his goodness and willingness to help his people. These characters made more fun than they are by the ensemble's performance. Even if I think the tandems within this group lack chemistry, their acting chops are well-displayed here. It's as if David O. Russell's purpose in creating this film was to cater these actors acting abilities.

Christian Bale is the usual very in-character Bale, Bradley Cooper is surprisingly better here than his performance in Silver Linings Playbook, Amy Adams gave one of her best performances. Jennifer Lawrence is a whirlwind here. She shares the same little amount of airtime with Jeremy Renner but she definitely made sure that she stands out in the crowd. Her non-stop award nods for her work in this is a testament to her brilliance. My favorite scene in this film involves JLaw and she's also the reason why it's my favorite. It's not the living room scene, but rather the bathroom scene with Amy Adams. It's probably one of the most authentic and sophisticated actings I've ever seen. However, I thought she's very inconsistent with her accent that ScarJo in Don Jon made her sound like an amateur. Jeremy Renner's also kind of awkward in some of his scenes. He's definitely the weakest in the bunch.

If I were to rank their performances it would be:
1. Amy Adams
2. Christian Bale
3. Bradley Cooper
4. Jennifer Lawrence
5. Jeremy Renner

12 Years a Slave

Director: Steve McQueen
With: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Adepero Oduye, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt

Truly a masterpiece. This is from someone who tends to claim every good film a masterpiece but repeatedly restrains himself of doing so because it's such a precious word that only few things deserve to be called one.

We've been taught in our history classes how horrible slavery was, may it be in our country or anywhere but in 12 Years a Slave, Steve McQueen emphasizes the horror of American slavery during the pre-Civil War in a whole new level. He's fearless in showing brutality that ensures us to have an emotional kick and provokes our sympathy for the slavery victims. It's also refreshing to see a very calculated film with firm cinematography and poetic script in a world where shaky shots and realistic dialogues are starting to become the 'thing'. That's why I can't help but compare this to films like Shawshank Redemption or Schindler's List or Forrest Gump - it reminds me of past iconic films and it is made to be a classic.

12 Years a Slave didn't stop from its commendable technical achievements, it's also filled with powerful performances by its ensemble. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup is a quiet yet an effective lead. What I love about his performance is that he finds balance in his character's vulnerability and fighting spirit. He didn't go overboard even in his most intense scenes especially at the end. Instead, he stayed true to his reserved character. He mastered the frown and agitation drawn on his face and he's consistent from start to end. On the other hand, his co-actor, Lupita Nyong'o, is my favorite in the film. There's so much passion in this actress that glimmers even outside the film. She's absolutely my favorite part of this year's awards season. Her Patsey is so iconic to me. It is very transparent that she made more of her character than what's written, and the outcome is beautiful. Patsey's naivety, femininity, youthfulness, longingness of having a better life and enthusiasm is such a joy to watch that despite all these qualities, she yearned to end her life, adding yet another complexity to her persona. Lupita Nyong'o brought out all of these with such life. She impressed me the most in her non-speaking scenes but her line "I stink so much I make myself gag" is ironically my favorite line as well. The whipping scene felt astoundingly real and that's because of Lupita's out of this world reactions that resound from the screen to our heart strings. I'm not crazy about Michael Fassbender and Sarah Paulson's performances but their commitment with their characters made for an engaging experience even with its vicious content. Honorable mentions are Adepero Oduye and Paul Giamatti.

I wish 12 Years a Slave came out 2 years early for I would probably appreciate Steven Spielberg's Lincoln more if I saw this before the latter. 12 Years a Slave made me ache for triumph to this injustice and Lincoln would have been a great catharsis from the nightmare that is shown in this film.

Dallas Buyers Club

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
With: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner

Prior to watching this film, I'm not too thrilled with any of its themes: AIDS, homophobia, AZT drug, etc. Yet I knew that it will be inspiring and there's a huge possibility that I would like it, mainly because of its buzz. It exceeded my expectations. I actually like it very much. Basically, the film asks you to feel sympathy for a bigoted straight guy named Ron Woodroof. A guy who might have helped hundreds of AIDS victims not through charity, but to earn money and to save himself. He might have a change of heart and outlook in life somewhere in the film but I choose to think that Woodroof is an imperfect character who made heroic deeds in his unintentional ways.

I'm not too fond of the story. It's entertaining in its own ways but I consider Dallas Buyers Club a performance-driven film. Yes, it has a great story to tell but it was easily outshined by the performances of Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. Seriously, they are AMAZING in this film. Both mastered the art of disappearing into their roles. Matthew McConaughey WAS Ron Woodroof. Jared Leto WAS Rayon. Both embodied their roles into perfection. I can't even pinpoint which one is better because both truly are stars of this film. Their chemistry is as excellent as their individual acts and their performances deserve all the awards that they got.