2013 Entertainers of the Year

Entertainment Weekly has done this list for years, and I try to create my own list without looking at their list, and I do not know their list sans Sandra Bullock as the "Entertainer of the Year" because the cover was everywhere on twitter.  With that said I have to agree with her as Entertainer of the Year, and here is the rest of my list.

1-Sandra Bullock-"Box Office Powerhouse/Great Actress"

Bullock made everyone laugh, and maybe cry this year in two of the biggest films of the year, The Heat and Gravity.  Bullock is one of the few actresses working today who can always draw a crowd.  Big studios always seen to want to use men or male oriented themes to make money, but over the years they have been proven wrong by women like Julia Roberts, and Sandra Bullock.  Bullock is a bit different from Roberts; she has had the romantic comedy mode, but Bullock has a charisma to her which is not only like able, but can carry a variety of films.  This year Bullock helped turn the buddy cop film into more than just a guy thing in The Heat.  Bullock showed everyone this is not always a mans game, this was also true with Gravity.  Bullock carries the film or floats through the film on her own two legs.  Sandra Bullock is the entertainer of the year, because she is a box office power house; she is funny, a good actress, and states simply with her presence the power women can and should have in film.

2-Vince Gilligan, and the creative team behind Breaking Bad-"The Men who made Television Magic"

Can you believe this happened?  This was a statement uttered at work every  Monday after an episode of Breaking Bad.  Twitter and Facebook were a buzz talking about a show about to end, and the way it was ending.  Vince Gilligan and the team behind all of the seasons of Breaking Bad crafted a beginning, middle, and end to Walter White, and Co, that some are calling the most flawless from start to finish.  The reason this show had people hooked was because week after was because something "real" and dark was happening on a weekly basis for a man who started at a desperate place.  The entire run of this show was great, but the final season was an edge of your seat ride that may never be matched.  Hell Anthony Hopkin wrote a letter to Bryan Cranston saying it was some the best work he'd ever seen.

3-Justin Timberlake "He Brought Sexy Back with his 20/20 Experience"

Over the last seven years Justin Timberlake has focused more on his acting career, and while his movie has not taken off, his role as a variety performer on Saturday Night Live has been triumphant.  Yet JT is the most successful through his music, with two albums one released in March, the other September, which complete the 20/20 Experience, and sold out concerts all over the country Timberlake has soul, and boy does this guy shine on stage.  The man is unstoppable selling about 3 million albums.  While Timberlake has not done as great at the movies this year he also starred in Runner Runner along side Ben Affleck, and stars in the critical darling Inside Llewyn Davis.  What a guy!

4-Netflix "It's Not TV it's Binge Watching at its Best"

I remember about 7 or 8 years ago when Netflix was all the rage because they would send you DVDs in the mail.  After this novelty wore off the company seemed to be in a little bit of trouble, but this past year marked the biggest turn-around I have seen in a while.  Netflix created a partnership with Disney, and other companies, and now the amount of first run movies and television series on their Instant feature is incredible.  Netflix did not make the list for this fact, Netflix made the list for their original and revitalized programming.  House of Cards was the first, and with Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Corey Stoll and Kate Mara this show was an Emmy winner, and all around great series.  Netflix brought back the cancelled series Arrested Development, and fans rejoiced.  Netflix also has partnered with Weeds creator Jenji Kohan on Orange is the New Black, which in my opinion surpassed the buzz on House of Cards.  This service is unstoppable. Every year a network makes my list, well Netflix is not a network, but they have revolutionized the way television series are consumed.

5-Jennifer Lawrence "The Girl on Fire with our Hearts"



Lawrence stole our hearts when she tripped, and stepped up to the podium in February to win her Best Actress.  Jennifer Lawrence is an "every girl" she is honest, upfront, and never seems to let go of herself for Hollywood.  Lawrence has two movies this year, one The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which on pace to give Iron Man a run for his money at the top of the box office this year.  Films centered around a strong female character rarely do well, and it could be in part because of the popularity of the books, but people who are not fans of the series are showing up to see Lawrence; she is a star on the rise, and great in this film.  Lawrence has already claimed another acting prize just this week for her other film American Hustle, Best Supporting Actress from the New York Film Critics Circle.  While I think Lawrence is a bit miscast in the role she certainly is a presence, and will most likely score her third Oscar nomination at the young age of 23, what a talent!

6-Tom Hanks "How Tom got his Groove Back"



For most of the 2000s Tom Hanks has been more of a behind the scenes guy, sure he took on roles in the Dan Brown adapted films, and Charlie Wilson's War, but Castaway was his last "great" role way back in 2000.  Since this time Hanks was producer extraordinaire. This year two roles seem to be knocking people out of the water, critics and audiences are saying he is "back."  In Captain Phillips the last five minutes will break your heart, Hanks has never been better, and the film made 100 million domestic, and incredible feat for an adult drama.  Look out for Tom Hanks as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks; he is getting a lot of buzz for this role from early screenings.  With both of these roles he may even be a double nominee at the Oscars this year.

7-Matthew McConaughey "Pretty Boy turned Go to Actor"



While Tom Hanks got his groove back Matthew McConaughey started to find his last year with Magic Mike, Bernie, Killer Joe, and The Paperboy.  McConaughey was a great in each one of those films.  This year McConaughey has only two performances but they are the best of his career.  McConaughey takes more of a supporting role in the Jeff Nichols film Mud where he plays a man looking to get the love of his life back.  McConaughey's acting within this film is so natural, but brazen its fun to see him play vulnerable; he does it well.  McConaughey's other role is bit showier, but boy is it jaw dropping.  In Dallas Buyers Club McConaughey lost tons of weight to play a man diagnosed with AIDs; he was a bigot, a kind of bad guy, but he fights hard to survive, and this performance is the most raw performance of his career.

8-Macklemore and Ryan Lewis "Music with a Message Never Sounded Better"



While this group has been met with a myriad of emotions, I think what they have done for music this year is great. They have three massive hits on the charts "Thrift Shop" "Can't Hold Us" and "Same Love."  This duo who avoided major labels is proof that the music game can, and should be done in a less corporate way.  There is something to be said for the way they sky rocketed to success, and the way they have incorporated meaningful messages into their music.  I think rap has started to go back to including deeper meaning into their music, but I like the message these two men present, and I think they are proof in the "Cinderella story" effect of entertainment.

9-Michelle and Robert King "Saviors of  Quality Network Television"



If you are not watching The Good Wife, or if you have never seen an episode its time to go back to the beginning and play catch-up.  The ensemble acting which goes on within this show is like a perfect well oiled machine, and they were almost picked, but the credit has to go with the shows creators, who write and direct for the show, Michelle and Robert King.  The way they have constructed the humor and drama within the show reminds of the way this was done on The West Wing.  There is something special about a show that can take the "procedural" of weekly cases, intertwine them to the emotional wellness of the cast, and never make you feel as though the story is forced.  The Kings are my favorite duo working today, they know how to build genuine non soapy drama, their is a humanity to this show, and they proven that networks can step up their game.  They have in fact just look at the slate of this year's new dramas on network television.  This credit is largely due to this show.

10-Allison Janney-"The Queen of Scene Stealing"



Allison Janney has made a name for herself and to many as CJ Cregg from The West Wing, but prior to this role she was one of the great character actresses who would show up in small roles, and steal scenes, see 10 Things I Hate About You, or Primary Colors and tell me I am wrong.  Janney is at it again this year in both films and television.  This summer she starred in the indie film The Way Way Back where she played a hilariously obnoxious neighbor, Janney's lines stole most of the film proving her comedic genius. Janney is also stealing the show Mom on a weekly basis as Bonnie a grandmother, mother, and recovering alcohol and drug addict.  Janney's timing is perfect, and she makes this show better week after week.  Janney is not just about the laughs her recurring guest role on Masters of Sex has provided a richer context to show, and the development of a woman's sexual awakening in the 1960s.  This woman is a chameleon, and its hard to ignore her greatness.

My Thanksgiving List for Movies, Television, and Music (2013)

There are obvious things I am thankful for, like friends, family, and the lot.  There are also things I am thankful in the world of movies, music, television, and beyond, which I would like to share with you as well.  So here we go!

Movies

More Diversity on the Big Screen!

Sandra Bullock carried a 250 million dollar film, basically by herself this year with Gravity. I can't remember a female ever doing that on her own throughout the years I have watched film.

Then this has also been a great year for black cinema with Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels' The Butler, 12 Years a Slave, The Best Man Holiday, and black Nativity.

This has been inspiring, and I am beyond thankful studios have finally realized the power in exploring diverse stories.

Better Adult Dramas

The quality of films this year is astonishing, I have seen so many great "adult dramas"ranging from Captain Phillips to Dallas Buyers Club, and more.  Adults stopped going to the movies, but they stopped because studios seemed to forget about them as a group.  Big surprise movies "adults" would see with an R rating are succeeding again, and studios are creating more and more, bravo!

Television 

Better new Fall comedies and dramas

Sleepy Hollow, Brooklyn-99, The Crazy Ones, Trophy Wife The Blacklist are just a few.  These are great shows, and its been a while since network television  has produced such fun creative new television in this large of a number.

The Good Wife

Week after week this show astonishes me with the writing, directing, acting, and beyond.  The show is in its fifth season, and has never faltered (well maybe with Kalinda's husband).  This year a game changing event has made this must see television and is the smartest television show on the air.

Breaking Bad 

The best show on the air, is closely followed by the best show, which just ended its run, and that's Breaking Bad.  Vince Gilligan and co. created a true arc, a series, which had a beginning middle, and end which felt connected like he knew what was going on the whole time.  Who does that when they create a series?  Intelligent people have a plan.  Bad's cast was just perfect, this was one of, if not the best final seasons of a show ever.

Music

Justin Timberlake

I am beyond happy he returned to music; he is the most talented performer/musicians in the mainstream at the moment, and he knows how to create an "Experience."  Loved both albums just wish I got to see him live with Jay-Z.

Gravity is one of the Most Awe Inspiring Film Experiences Ever

Gravity (5 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Children of Men)

Written by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien) and Jonas Cuaron (The Year of the Nail)

Starring: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

After seeing the brief trailer for Gravity many times, I knew there was something special about this film.  I had heard the buzz from Venice, and Toronto, but still did not want to read a review, watch the second trailer, or even read a simple plot summary.  This was one of the films I was most excited to see this year, and I wanted to go without any context, the same way I viewed Pacific Rim, and this was a smart course of action on both accounts.

Without giving too much away, Gravity centers around two characters a medical engineer, Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and an astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) who are working on a project, but an accident causes things to go drastically wrong.  After the accident the two struggle to survive out in the middle of space.

One of the beautiful aspects of this film is the simplistic nature of the plot, but the magnitude with which the the story is told.  Most of the credit for the vision of this film belongs to esteemed director Alfonso Cuaron.  Cuaron's genius has brought many different films to life on the big screen, from the small character driven road trip Y Tu Mama Tambien, to what is widely regarded by Potter fans as the best film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and the post apocalyptic Children of Men which centers on the lack of fertility, and the potential for the first successful birth.  Cuaron creates a style all of his own; he is precise, and this film is proof that through this breathtaking experience there are still advances to be made in within film.

The film was shot in 3-D and while I hate this technology this is one of the most, if not the most powerful use of this technology.  The 3-D never felt like a gimmick nor did you feel as though Cuaron through both his direction and fantastic editing were trying to manipulate, but rather add to the sumptuous visual experience of this film.  Cuaron's work as both the director and editor on this film enhance the emotionally raw, and suspenseful nature of this film, which defies the odds.

The technical aspects of this film, make many other films out there look like child's play.  While Cuaron's vision, and direction are at the center, Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography rivals the brilliant work he did with Terrence Malick's Tree of Life.  Lubezki has worked with Cuaron on all of his films, but Potter, and together this duo have combined to form some of the best visual experiences of the last 15 years.  Lubezki's work on Gravity should be studied, never duplicated, admired and be proof of the power cinematography has within a film.  The cinematography combined with the visual effects packs a punch in this film that will not be forgotten.

Along with the all of these elements the film's score by Steven Price sets the musical tone, fantastically creating moments where you sit on the edge of your seat as the intensity builds to a fevered frenzy.  Price recently did the score for the Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright film The World's End, but he is relatively new to the world of music composition within film, this will change.

While Gravity is mostly about the visual effects, there is something to be said about the performances, especially Bullock.  While I have never doubted Ms. Bullock's comedic timing, and she has proved her dramatic chops, in Crash, not in her Academy Award winning performance in The Blind Side, I did not expect this from her.  Bullock is great in this role and she helps sell the loneliness of the experience, the panic, the urgency, she makes you gasp for air as she does, because the film takes your breath away.

Gravity is a special film, and is one of the most awe inspiring film experiences I ever.  The film has both a visual and emotional impact that will have a lasting impact on audiences, and film auteurs for years to come.

The Heat is an Entertaining Twist on the 'Buddy Cop' Genre

The Heat (3 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids)

Written by Katie Dippold (Parks and Recreation)

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, and Demian Bichir

I enjoy the "buddy cop" films, it's the pairing of the opposites, who eventually mine through their differences in order to solve a case for the greater good.  The obviously become best friends in the end as well.  There's 48 Hours, Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, Men in Black, Beverly Hills Cop, to name a few.  I am not sure I noticed, but most buddy cop films, pit together not only "opposites" but people of different races, interesting piece to unpack for another time and place.

The Heat follows uptight FBI Sarah Ashburn (Bullock), and off the rails Boston cop Shannon Mullins (McCarthy) as they are thrown together on a drug case.  The premise is that simple.  In this case of the "opposites" neither woman has ever had a partner because of their intense personalities on both sides of the spectrum.

The best way to look at this film, and the mark it makes in buddy cop franchise is to over look things, and just enjoy the ride.  The Heat is a lot funnier than the previews allude.  While in many movies the previews often signify the best lines this film has so many punches to pull, and there are a lot more jokes to be seen.  I am glad they did not water this down with a PG-13 rating.  McCarthy and Bullock's chemistry is what sells this film, they are great together, and two of the funniest women.  McCarthy continues with the off the wall odd personas, which flopped in Identity Thief but worked here. Director Paul Feig appears to have magical powers which make McCarthy's crass characters just off the charts funny; he directed her to her Oscar nomination in Bridesmaids. I also think this film worked better because of the great way in which Bullock pulled of the "straight person" and mannered comedy she had, great duo.

This duo saves this film, the plot is a little sloppy, and honestly I could have cared less about Larkin the drug kingpin.  This is Katie Dippold's first feature script; she did most of her writing for MadTV, and Parks and Recreation.  I can see the combination of the humor.  To Dippold's credit the film cleverly addresses each of the actresses strengths, and makes these characters even funnier than they could have been. Dippold's script has it flaws, but at the end there is more heart behind this than any buddy cop film. 

The "heart" within this film exists in large, because this is the first buddy cop film to star two women,  a refreshing change of pace.  In the male dominated world of film its surprising that combining two women in this type of premise so long.  The wait may not be worth it for some, but this film turns the genre on its head, providing a more laughs than I can remember in most of the other male driven buddy cop movies.  The Heat is by no mean an auteur's film, but its an entertaining twist on the buddy cop genre, and just plain funny.

Romantic Comedies, and the 2000s, and the Queen is Streep!

Today while at home I watched one of my favorite romantic comedies, You've Got Mail.  The film reminded me about the charm and grace Meg Ryan had within these movies; she was truly a star, and could make you fall in love with her different characters over and over again.  Like with every actress the days of their time within romantic comedies end, and they have to pass the crown on to someone else.  Prior to the 2000s (the late eighties and nineties) three women's names dominated the world of romantic comedies, Bullock, Roberts, and Ryan.  As the 2000s began new leading ladies tried to add themselves to this elite list, and while many tried few came close to the glory.

Reese Witherspoon holds the title as being one of the most successful women of the decade.  Reese started the decade strong with the hit Legally Blonde (2001); she followed up this film one year later with another big hit Sweet Home Alabama (2002) where she had to choose between Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas (talk about a Sophie's Choice).  After her Oscar win in 2005 Witherspoon stepped away from these roles trying to prove her dramatic chops even further, but her career has not been as strong; she has not been in many successful films.

A few other woman have vied for this crown throughout this decade:

Katherine Heigl (Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, The Ugly Truth, Killers, Life as we Know it, New Year's Ever, and One for the Money).  Heigl's first two films on the list were hits, but she has been known to be a bit of a diva, and the rest of these romantic comedies fell flat for her career.

Kate Hudson started her ascension to this title in 2003 with How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and the film was major hit, which had her move toward more films like this and less like Almost Famous, unfortunately.  After this Hudson starred in a series of attrocious romantic comedies including: Alex & Emma, Raising Helen, You Me & Dupree, Fool's Gold, My Best Friend's Girl, Bride Wars, and Something Borrowed.  Kate tried to capture lightening in a bottle, but the bottle cracked.

Drew Barrymore tried this during the 2000s as well, after a few successes in the 90s with The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, she had a real shot with her charm, but not much ever took.  Barrymore tried with Duplex, 50 First Dates, Fever Pitch, and Music and Lyrics.  The truth is the girl has talent, see Grey Gardens, but she is not the romantic comedy gal anymore.

These are just four ladies who tried to be the next Meg Ryan/Julia Roberts/Sandra Bullock.  Three of the most successful Queens of the world of romantic comedies.  These three woman picked the right movies (most of the time) and were able to make the chemistry work. While the four women above tried to dethrone them, the only real woman who could be added to this list for the 2000s is the Queen of Film, Ms. Meryl Streep.

Meryl has proven two things, age does not matter, and she can really take on any role Throughout the 2000s and 2010s she has starred in some of the best romantic comedies of the decade: Mamma Mia!, The Devil Wears Prada (although more about Hathaway), Julie & Julia, It's Complicated, and Hope Springs.  The difference between Meryl and the women listed above is that she knows how to pick a movie, and her performance can always turn a bad movie into a good; she has the advantage.

Romantic comedies have become too formulaic, and Streep has changed things up for the decade because as an older woman she is reviving the genre, and proving you are never too old for love!

Extremely Predictable and Incredibly Pandering, tries to Capture an Emotional Sanctuary for 9/11 but Fails

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (1 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Reader)

Written by Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Munich, Ali)

Starring: Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and Max Von Sydow

After months and months of debate of whether I would force myself to sit down and watch this film.  At the end there were lots of tears because the protagonists journey is sad, and you know that ahead of time because the film centers on a terrible tragedy September 11, 2001.  After I wiped away the tears I realized it was time my inner critic to step in to help curb my emotional reaction.

The film does not center on 9/11 but rather uses the event as the backdrop to tragedy in one families life.  Oskar (Thomas Horn) is a ten year old boy who solves puzzles with his father Thomas (Tom Hanks).  Thomas uses these puzzles in order to help his son who may or may not have Aspergers, which prevents his son from being able to cope with things the way other young boys do.  On September 11, Thomas happened to have a meeting in the World Trade Center, and unfortunately he does not make it out of the building.  After this happens Oskar finds a key in his father's closet that sends him on this journey to solve one of the many riddle and puzzles he thinks his father left him.

While reading some other critics reviews I was struck by a statement from Roger Ebert, and I would like to quote him as to not do his words injustice; he stated "No movie has ever been able to provide a catharsis for the Holocaust, and I suspect none will ever be able to provide one for 9/11. Such subjects overwhelm art. The artist's usual tactic is to center on individuals whose lives are a rebuke to the tragedy. They sidestep the actual event and focus on a parallel event that ends happily, giving us a sentimental reason to find consolation. That is small comfort to the dead" (Ebert, 2011). I honestly could not have said this better.

While I have not read the book the films direction/screenplay try to soothe audiences into feeling that this one young boys journey to find solace can help provide comfort for countless people who have felt loss throughout their lives.  Horn's Oskar represents an off the beat hero whose journey is plagued with pain and suffering only to come out on the end with support from his mother Linda (Sandra Bullock).  

Daldry has a knack for taking material like this and elevating it to be better than it should be, but his direction seems to abuse the point of the journey rather than letting unfold in a more simple less complex way.  Daldry's tale of the Holocaust almost removed the emotional heft of the story, while this film panders to audiences to make his point.  

Roth's screenplay is also one of the main culprits in making this film emotionally predictable  Roth beats the emotional journey over the head time and time again.  The audience never gets the opportunity to heal the gaping wound he opens time and time again.  The story never seems plausible and you lose the sense of reality as this young boy goes across the Burroughs of New York City to find different people with the name Black (the name on the envelope with the key in it).  From a tambourine that helps him cope to a man who does not speak (Von Sydow), like with past screenplays Roth does not tone down the implausible journey he maximizes it, and takes out the human elements of the story.  

While the story and the direction lead viewers down the rabbit hole, the actors attempt to bring some realism to this story.  Hanks and Bullock are supporting players, to fresh on the scene Thomas Horn.  This was Horn's first acting gig ever, and while he is often obnoxious; he does a solid enough job in his first role as an actor.  I found the role a bit grating, but I blame that more on the fact that screenwriter, and director used the characters Asperger's Disease as a crutch rather than letting the character evolve and develop.  Bullock shines in her last scene, but is not often on screen, her last moments talking about Thomas are simply heart wrenching and some of rare genuine moments within the film.  Von Sydow who was Oscar nominated for this film does the most solid acting in this film, but he does not even speak; he conveys all of his emotions through his face and action proving that the dialogue within this film was that bad.

The problems with this film is that it feels contrived and implausible.  Watching a young boy cope with his father's death using this tragedy as a backdrop, feels wrong, and like the film attempts to put a band aid over bullet hole.  The auteurs want audiences to be able to feel solace, but all this film provides is a more manufactured product, when the product should not have been made at all.