Wisdom of the Sages Reviews
2013 Best of Stuff Lists
2013 Best of Stuff Lists
All right, here we go. Here we are at the
past the last day of the Gregorian calendar for 2013. As always, I am here to
recount for you Dear Readers what I thought to be “the best” of certain media.
Why are we always looking back? Why do we only measure our lives in the “good”
stuff that happens to us? We forget that the world will go on uncaring, and we
will in times passing, be unremembered and unspoken of. But, as Joel Hodgeson
says about looking back at the past “You always know what you’re going to say.”
So, in that spirit, let’s begin this
shall we?
TOP MUSIC BUYS of 2013
I did not buy any
mew music in 2013. Nothing interested me.
So, that’s it for music. I did not buy
anything new but have been of late listening to old albums via YouTube. Maybe
in my old age I am falling into that age-old condition called “Nostalgia.” But
I can only recall the new Man of Steel theme having any sort of impact.
Shall we move on to the printed page?
Again, this has not been a prosperous year. But I have been able, much to my
enjoyment, been able to acquire new books. This year, as always, it is not
about what came out this year but what I bought or received:
Top Books of 2013
World
War Z: Max Brooks (re-read):
I only reread this because my little girl, to whom I borrowed it to, returned
it unread. She has so much other reading to do but she promises to borrow it
again. But upon this reading, also done in preparation for the feature film
adaptation, I came across ideas that helped formulate my own in other regards
such as Native Art, hypocrisy, politics and education. For those who have not
read this, it is written as a series of interviews done after World War Z, a
large zombie epidemic that has raged around the world. It is the humanity of
the survivors speaking that is at the forefront of the tale, done in contrast
to other zombie media, which sort of celebrates the crumbling of humanity, the
ability for man to kill other humans, guilt-free.
From
the first outbreaks, to humanity’s solutions and final struggle, how that
thread of humanity must remain. Great book. It is probably the only zombie
media I enjoy.
A
Song of Fire and Ice: Book Three – A Storm of Swords,
George RR Martin – I got
the first book as a birthday present and the second for Christmas, since it
follows hard upon. And I breezed through both inside of two months. Back in
February, while reading “A Clash of Kings” (Book Two) on the train, I noticed
this fellow across from me with his own book and with the recognizable green
cover of “A Storm of Swords” on the seat next to him. I thought the book was
his. But he gets off after a few stops and leaves the book. I even point and
ask if it was his. He said “Nope.”
The
next guy that gets on and takes the seat simply takes up the book and puts it
on the floor. So, I grab it, look it over, it is used but in good condition. So
I take it home and once I finish “A Clash of Kings”, I read this.
Many
consider “A Storm of Swords” to be the strongest of all the books because so
much happens, the death of major characters, weddings galore and the rising of
characters in the North and across the Narrow Sea. I do recommend the first
three books of the series.
A
Song of Fire and Ice: Book Four – A Feast for Crows,
George RR Martin: This
was the only book I purchased of the series. For what I know, this book came
after a long period from the last book and while it does continue the stories
in a very detailed and dense way, it does suffer from the typical thing when
something becomes popular and is then rushed to cash in on the popularity while
trying to satisfy fans. Probably the weakest book of the series as nothing
major happens.
A
Song of Fire and Ice: Book Five – A Dance with Dragons,
George RR Martin: By the
end of March 2013, I had finished this book, having read the five books of the
series in four months, as well as reading “Three Kingdoms” again. This carries
on the stories left out of the fourth book and is told in sort of parallel to
it. The thing is that after much of the revelations and events of the first
three books, everything seems to have come to a standstill. Every character is
locked into a location and is unable to make moves or progress as character and
is simply dealing with plot points to get to the next book “The Winds of
Winter”. It could be that Martin is mentally prepping us for the long winter of
the next book as, as the Starks constantly warned, winter comes and all the
characters in the realm are stuck in their places. We’ll see. There are some
revelations and new characters appear. I hope the next one regains that old
tone and pomp.
Star
Wars and History, edited by Nancy R. Reagan & Janice Liedl: This is a series of essays by various
authors that tie Star Wars mythology to actual world history. I checked this
out of the library and have been working on it for a while. Most of the lens is
European and in its essays on the People’s War focus on the Vietnam and
Revolutionary Wars without any insights into Native American resistance. I even
checking the appendix and there are no listings for any kind of tribes, chiefs
or Natives in general. All in all, it is a good read if you are into history. I
will keep reading.
Three
Kingdoms, attributed to Luo Guanzhong – Still reading this. This time the
four-volume edition. I have not come across any new versions but am looking
into buying the 2010 CCTV series and the series of graphic novels. I really
enjoy this book. I will be buried with a copy….
So,
now we move from the printed page to motion pictures. Before I get into this
year’s list of Best Movies, I like to look at the DVDs I acquired this year,
not only new ones released this year but anything I bought as well as a way of
revisiting movies from past years and give them a second look or a more
thorough review. And, here we go:
Top DVDs of 2013
Game
of Throne – Season Two (Purchase) – Being such a fan of the books came
only through a love for the series first. Meaning, I am no true ASOIAF fan. But
I am a fan of the books and TV series. This was a long awaited purchase, as I
do not have cable or satellite to view “Game of Thrones”. SO, I have to rely on
the DVD’s to catch up. This was a good season but we also start to see the
parting of the ways from the books, which are so dense in detail and storylines
that a full season of a series can scarcely keep up. The episode that many
enjoy is the Ninth Episode (Which is the crux of every season) and the Battle
of Blackwater Bay and Tyrion’s defense of King’s Landing. Filled with great
characters, spectacle and drama. I am looking forward to the third season. So,
look for it here in next year’s Best Of post.
X-Men
2: X-Men United (Purchase) – Just another re-purchase. I missed
this one. It is one of the best superhero movies out there. Seeing it again
re-ignites my joy for it.
U2:
Live from Boston (Purchase) – I never owned this DVD and only got
this recently. I have always enjoyed U2 and any phase they were in. For me, the
best of U2 is always the current album. But it is great to see their older
stages like the Elevation Tour.
Coriolanus,
rental – I love this
version of Shakespeare and Ralph Fiennes’ direction. A great movie.
On
the Ice, festival –
One of the best films I saw in 2012. Once I got the DVD via the FNFVF
submissions. I played it non-stop in my place. I watched it several times
before having to send it back to its producer. Look for it on next year’s list.
Beasts
of the Southern Wild, rental – The other best film of 2012. I rented the video and watched
it many times before returning it. Look for it on this list again next year.
I
did rent a lot of current releases on DVD such as “A Place Beyond the Pines”, which was boring, “Gangster
Squad” which was also boring and indie stuff like “The To-Do List” which had a
sweet message at the center of its crude humor but nothing really stood out to
me enough to make the lists. All right, now that we have those out of the way.
Let’s recap some of the movies I was looking forward to this past year. It is
always a good excuse to revisit some that you enjoyed but didn’t think were the
best and to critique the films you thought to be pretty bad. So, without
further ado:
THE TOP 10 FILMS I WAS
LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR 2013 – A RECAP:
1.
Man of Steel, dir. Zack Snyder –
(See Below)
2.
Gravity, dir. Alfonso Cuaron – (See Below)
3.
Pacific Rim, dir. Guillermo Del Toro
– A movie about a world that builds giant robots to fight kiaju? What is not to
love? Apparently… A lot.
4.
Unforgiven, (Yurusarezaru mono) dir. Lee Sang-Il – Did not get a US release.
Looking forward to seeing this get a US release without the Weinsteins getting
their re-editing hands on it.
5.
Stand Up Guys, dir Fischer Stevens –
It was good to see Walken and Pacino try acting again for a change. It was fun
and warm.
6.
The Grandmaster, dir. Wong Kar-Wai –
(See below)
7.
Star Trek Into Darkness dir. J.J.
Abrhams – I was right. He is Khan. And, it sucked.
8.
Much Ado About Nothing dir Joss Whedon
– I was disappointed.
9.
To the Wonder dir Terrence Malick –
I was bored.
10.
Journey to the West dir Stephen Chow
– Don’t know if this will ever get a US release. Oh well. Another Asian DVD
purchase to add to the list.
The
Maybe’s of 2013:
The Assassins – Zhao
Linshan, Haven’t seen
this one. It will be a DVD purchase, though it is on Netflix.
Evil Dead – The remake no one wanted. While I did
enjoy this one on a visceral level, it was a typical horror movie – but a
well-made, gory horror movie. There are those typical Raimi sycophants that
think that the originals were erased from existence because this one didn’t
have the “low-budget charm”. Then, don’t watch this and watch your Blu-ray for
the hundredth time. Geez.
World War Z – Zombies are the most useless of horror
creatures. This movie became the zombie equivalent of zombie movies. Useless.
Monsters U. – Didn’t see this once and lost interest
in it once it came around to theaters. Pixar needs to up its game again beyond
sequels. Please, NO ‘The Incredibles’ sequel. Do a different superhero story.
Despicable Me 2 – Char and I were right. It was about
Gru getting a girlfriend and completing their family. As much as I enjoyed it,
I wish there could be a story about an adopting dad that is just about an
adopting dad and how he comes to balance his career and children. The idea of
what constitutes a family is changing. But most of the time, it forces fathers
out of the picture. Gru should have been trying to raise his girls in light of
his super villain career maybe even trying to integrate them. That would have
made a richer sequel to see how his girls at first embrace the villain lifestyle
then begin to change Gru into a super hero. I don’t know.
The Wolverine – This is the SIXTH film to feature this
character, this time transporting him to Japan. I lost interest when the series
got science-y and shiny. I would like to see a down and dirty Wolverine movie,
where he is the anti-hero we have come to know in the comics. Not the
angst-filled, mopey crybaby he’s become. From what I hear, the fight with the
ninjas wasn’t all that it was hoped to be. Now, Wolverine will be the main
focus the “X-Men: First Class” sequel, “Days of Future Past”. Man.
So,
there you go, my thoughts on films that I was looking forward to this last
year. I was about 30% on the films I liked in the Upcoming Films of 2013. Poor
showing 2013. But, there are many not on the list that I did see and whom
others had great opinions about. What did I think of them? Well, here you go:
The Others of 2013
Well
enough of that. So, what did I think were the best films this past year? Okay,
here’s what you are waiting for. (I think.):
The Disappointments:
Pacific Rim (See above)
World War Z (See above)
The Worst of 2013:
The Life of Pi: What a crock of shit. Great visuals and
3D, but what a load of shit. I am not afraid to say that aloud.
NTL: Macbeth: Not really worth it. I should have tried for the HAMLET
projection instead. But the sexy Alex Kingston made it interesting even though
in this version of the play, Lady Macbeth really doesn’t do anything.
Star Trek Into Darkness: They really dumbed down Star Trek into a
typical sci-fi action movie. Now I get what the diehard Trekkies were mad
about. Star Trek has de-evolved into high gloss trash. You ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO
“TURN OFF YOUR BRAINS” TO WATCH STAR TREK. You are supposed to engage them. To
waste all that creativity and good will bought by the 2009 movie on a Khan
rehash and junk science. Then, to have Simon Pegg tell me to fuck myself for
not liking this shit? Another Ego thinking they know “what Star Trek is.” Brand
packaging at its finest and we all fell for it. I am done with Pegg’s future
efforts. Sorry.
Good Day to Die Hard: Bruce Willis has successfully rebooted
the Naked Gun Series already, thank you very much….
Spring Breakers: It thought it was all right. Nothing but
the typical crime story but with the added novelty of Disney Starlets running
around in bikinis and a strong performance by James Franco, there really was
nothing more to it. Sorry. I was one the fence about this one. But after much
consideration I cannot really care about this movie.
EW3’s Top 8 a’ Twenty Thirteen
Movies
Sorry,
I didn’t see “Her”, “Fruitvale Station”, “12 Years a Slave”, “Inside Llewyn
Davis”, “American Hustle”, “Before Midnight”, “Upstream Color”, “Blue is the
Warmest Color”, or “Francis Ha”, so maybe I lost all my credibility in picking
the “best” movies of the year. But, I also did not watch “Iron Man 3”, “Thor:
The Dark World”, “Catching Fire”, “Monsters U”, “The Hangover III” or “The
Wolverine” either. I guess what I’m saying is that it is all subjective at some
point.
This
has been a pretty slow year for me, movie-going-wise. I haven’t the funds or
the interest in general to see much of the fare put out there. Plus, the big
disappointments of Pacific Rim and Star Trek Into Darkness put me off of
the summer blockbuster. So, without further ado, here are the Top EIGHT movies
I saw this past year:
8.
Based on theatrical experience:
Rifftrax Live: “Starship Trooper”
Rifftrax Live: “Night of the Living Dead”
Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the
Martians
Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor
The primary reasons these are bundled
together is the sheer enjoyment and participation of the audiences. You have
had to have seen these with an appreciative audience. To hear the laughter of
the Rifftrax events, to hear the gasps and cheers for The Doctor is something
that cannot be forgotten. I really enjoyed these events in the theater. “Santa
Claus Conquers the Martians” now holds a special place in my heart for both
taking place on my birthday and seeing it with Bonnie and Char. That is a great
memory.
7.
Man
of Steel directed by Zack Snyder: After seeing Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole I was a bit reassured
that Zack Snyder could handle a mythology and flying. The trailers look great.
I cannot believe people are dismissing this because he isn’t wearing red
underwear over his suit. Look, I enjoyed it more than any other blockbuster
because I enjoyed the mythology and the ending, where it looked like something
that would happen IF two super-powered beings fought in the middle of a large
city. I love the fanboy hypocrisy of their crybabying for a Superman that
punches something, then crybabying about how boring it is and that all they
really wanted was a good story and characters. Sorry fanboys. You got what you
wanted. Choke it down.
6.
Deceptive
Practices: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay directed by Molly
Bernstein: An excellent documentary about the career of magician Ricky Jay.
It was great to follow along in his career and see the old footage of the
masters he studied with. A great little film.
5.
Jurassic
Park 3D (20th Anniversary Re-release) directed by Steven
Spielberg: Now, this, this, is how you do a Special Anniversary Rerelease.
The 3D was great and they did not update any effects. Char, who went with us,
and never saw it in the theater, was struck with how scary it actually is on
the bi screen, which is a great testament to the power of the big screen.
4.
Gravity
IMAX 3D directed by Alfonso Cuaron: I have been ever impressed with
Mexican filmmaker Cuaron. He made me a fan of the Harry Potter series, his Y Tu Mama Tambian made me feel I can
still make it as an “ethnic” moviemaker and his Children of Men is an unsung masterpiece. You can read what Ithought about it here.
2.
F
for Fake (Rescreening) directed by Orson Welles/Hamlet (Rescreening) directed by Kenneth Branagh: I know, I
know. But in a year of BIG disappointments at the movies, seeing these both for
the first time ever on the big screen in a huge 70mm projection are true
highlights of the year. I loved the scope of HAMLET and “F For Fake” is one of
my all-time favorite films. I recommend seeing them on any screen.
1.
The
Grandmaster directed by Wong Kar Wai: What more can I say about this
film? Most certainly will not be nominated for Best Picture, or even Best
Foreign Language Film. Of course, all of the so-called action aficionados will
bitch but who cares? It is an excellent film. Read my review here.
Top Ten Films I am Looking
Forward to in 2014
1.
Big
Hero 6 – November 7, 2014: I know absolutely nothing about the MARVEL
COMIC Big Hero 6. But the animation
in this teaser trailer looks absolutely amazing. This is probably my most
anticipated film for 2014. I cannot wait to see it on the big screen.
2.
Interstellar,
dir. Christopher Nolan – November 7, 2014: With the recent teaser
trailer. As one review put it, if you are already asking questions, not only
about the film but the state of the world, then you have to look forward to
seeing this film. I am an unapologetic Nolan fan and every film seems to be an
event in itself. Hoping he dazzles us again.
3.
The
Wind Rises directed by Hayao Miyazaki – February 28, 2014: Reportedly
Miyazaki’s final film about one of Japan’s pioneers of aviation. This looks
touching and deeply personal. If it is his last, I hope he goes out on top.
4.
X-Men:
Days of Future Past – May 23, 12014: Enjoyed “First Class” more so than
any other X-Men movie and I have some good hopes for this one though I am a
little tired of Wolverine, the movie Wolverine that is. But how can you not
want to see the bridging of all the X-Men movies? I am there.
5.
The
LEGO Movie – February 7, 2014: The Lego video games have brought Char
and me great enjoyment and we find their humor something charming in the games.
This movie looks incredible, with some great voice talent Morgan Freeman AND
Will Arnett in one move? The voiceover world will explode with the awesome!
Plus, the computer graphics are so good, it looks like they were using actual
Lego pieces! Looks fun.
6.
The
Monuments Men, dir. George Clooney – February 7, 2014: “Ocean’s Eleven”
set in WWII based on a true story. Clooney as a director is hit and miss with
me – enjoyed “Good Night and Good Luck” and some things in “The Ides of March”
but never saw “Leatherheads” or “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” because they
never interested me. But since not a whole lot of movies are really interesting
me in 2014, then this will have to do for now.
The Maybes:
Guardians of the Galaxy – August 1, 2014: Of all of the connected
Marvel Superheroes movies, this is the one I think I am actually looking
forward to, because it is a superhero team because it is not yet attached to the stinking "The Avengers". Let’s face facts: after The
Avengers, what’s the point of single superhero movies anymore?
Sin City: A Dame to Kill
For – August 22, 2014: I
may see this because I would like to think that Robert Rodriguez still has SOME
passion for making movies. Though I would like to see something a bit more
personal form him one day….
Dawn of the Planet of the
Apes – July 18, 2014:
Liked the first one and am looking forward to the eventual rise of LAWGIVER!!!
(Oh, Lawgiver….)
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit – January 17, 2014: I liked the old Jack
Ryan series with Baldwin and Ford. Seeing the new reboot directed by my fave
Branagh is something pretty cool. Branagh tries everything, which is why he is
my favorite.
The “I Don’t Knows”
Godzilla: I hope they don’t miss the point and
make this fun and thrilling. Every Americanized film seems to lose its heart.
But what most want is seeing Godzilla destroy a city, breathe fire and fight
another monster. I’m sure they will get what they want with this one.
A look forward to 2015
A
far-seeing look to NEXT YEAR:
Batman versus Superman AKA Man of Steel 2
Star Wars Episode VII AKA NERD RAGE EXPECTANCIES
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD! AKA “No Mel, No Max” fanboys angry
because their mancrush is not returning to a beloved series about murdering
people with cars.
Ant-Man: This one looks interesting and fun
because, like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” it is not fucking attached to any
“The Avengers” movies yet, meaning it has potential to be some other than a
fucking half-finished prequel.
The Fantastic Four: Another Marvel comic book movie to succor the
movie snobs.
Jurassic World: Another sequel to succor the movie
snobs.
Terminator: Another reboot to succor the movie
snobs.
Avenger 2 AKA The Most Awesome Thing Ever, Shut Up!
To succor the movie snobs.
Question: “Does ANYONE see
a pattern here?”
Thanks
for sticking with it this far. I know some pretty expected selections, but hey,
maybe I threw a curve at you here and there. Let me know what you think. I’ll
see you here next year.
Until
Next Time…
2014
Ernest M. Whiteman III
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