Best of 2013: #7 All is Lost

I'm doing it again.  I know I said I wouldn't, but, what're you gonna do?

We've reached another entry in my Top 10 list that I've already reviewed on the blog.  And, we're also getting to the point where the process of counting down movies and writing individual reviews for each entry is taking way too long.

I've got cut corners somewhere.  

So, I'm cutting them here, with Number Seven on my list: All is Lost.  Instead of writing a brand-new review, refer you back to my original post and hope that you take the time to give it a read, if you haven't already.  I will say a few things about this movie here and now, but, I'll keep it brief.  Like I said, I'm cutting corners here, people.

All is Lost is an astounding piece of filmmaking, most notably because the degree of difficulty in putting together a movie like this without having it crash and burn.  This is a story with one character, no real dialogue, and a barren setting.  Yet, every shot and every movement of the camera draws you in and makes you care about the outcome.

It's a testament to the talent of director J.C. Chandor and to the star power of Robert Redford that this movie not only works, but works so incredibly well.

Now, I've read a few pieces trying to interpret the movie.  One even said that they thought that All is Lost is a metaphor for the financial crisis.  I don't know about all that.  I suppose I'd have to see it again to fully grasp what it's trying to say.

But, you don't need any metaphors to enjoy this movie.  On its most basic level, it's a visceral, primal story about human survival, one that never ceases to amaze.

Read my original review here.

Best of 2013: #9 Nebraska

Okay...so...here's the thing:  I'm tired, lazy, and a little busy.  But, at the same time, I REALLY want to get through my posts the Top 10 movies of 2013.

As luck would have it, my Number Nine choice, Nebraska, is a movie I've already reviewed here on the blog.  My hope was to write an all new post.  However, did I mention that I was tired, lazy, and a little busy at the moment?

There's a lot more I could say about this movie that I didn't cover in my original review.  For example, I could write some more about what a great director Alexander Payne is. I could say something about how it this movie isn't just a beautiful tribute to small town America, but a larger examination of America as a whole.  I could mention that it also wonderfully examines deeper themes, like loss and regret.  Most of all, I could talk about how this movie burrowed its way deep into my mind and continued to haunt me for days after I saw it.

Yeah...I could totally go into all of that.  But, I'm not going to.  Instead, I'm going to give you a link to my earlier review and hope that you give it a read.

Sorry, dear readers.  I'll try not to do this with any other entries on my Top 10.