The Top 25 Films of 2013! (Examiner)
Originally Published at EXAMINER
Going through the list of best films of the year for 2013 proved to be tougher than first imagined as though there was a lot of films that are deservedly worth maligning and ignoring all together, the films that were good were really good! The following list is the top 25 ranked in order for the year 2013, with a little blurb about each film.
TIFF takes us through the ‘Century of Chinese Cinema’
Starting this weekend, and running through Aug 11th, the TIFF Bell Lightbox will be overrun by some of the greatest films and film luminaries that Chinese film has to offer. Dubbed ‘A Century ofChinese Cinema’, the extensive program features classic films and special events all focused around the history of Chinese film and its impact globally.
The Century of Chinese Cinema Series
The Golden Age program focuses on the films from 1930’s Shanghai and features TIFF Curator Noah Cowan hosting a night with the classic “Spring in a Small Town” and other classic films like “Crossroads” and “The Big Road”. A New China covers the period from the very late 40’s to the early 60’s and is highlighted by “The Love Eterne” and “The Winter”.
Hot Docs 2013: 5 Films that need your attention
Hot Docs 2013: 5 Films that need your attention
With Hot Docs in full swing starting today after last night’s gala premiere of “The Manor”, here’s a quick checklist of 5 films that should not be missed. With the over 100 films playing this year this is far from a comprehensive list of the best films overall, but these are some definite winners.
#5- Downloaded
Director Alex Winter’s documentary about the rise and fall of Napster is a very funny and informative dissection of the rise and fall of Sean Fanning and Sean Parker’s (more…)
‘The Walking Dead’s’ 5 most anticipated characters yet to appear on TV
With this Sunday’s (Mar 3) episode bringing back uber fan favorite Morgan Jones (Lennie James) and the appearance of comic book favorite Tyresse (Chad L. Coleman), even if he’s working with David Morrissey’s Governor for now, the influx of new characters has been on the rise for this season’s “The Walking Dead”. Even Axel (Lew Temple), with his short stay, was another character who managed to work his way in from the original comic book once the prison came into play. But the comic book just recently went past 100 issues (107 as of this article) and the group is in a much different place. (more…)
TIFF Next Wave 2013: mini reviews
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival starts Feb 15 with the ‘Battle of the Scores’ music program on Feb 15. The Film Festival kicks off the film portion on Feb 16, and here are some mini reviews of 4 of the films highlighting the festival this year.
For more information on all of the films in the Next Wave Film Festival check out TIFF’s online schedule. But for now lets get on with the films.
The ‘Next Wave’ of film and filmmakers take over TIFF Feb 15-17 2013
This Family Day weekend, Feb 15-17, theTIFF Bell Lightbox launches its 2nd edition of the Next Wave Film Festival. The festival serves to empower youth and deepen their appreciation of film by empowering them to program their own festival through representatives from their own peer group. The festival kicks off with the “Battle of the Scores”, a unique battle of the bands style competition where high school indie bands perform live scores to youth made film trailers in front of a live audience. Of course this is a film festival so there is also a full schedule of movies to check out on Sat Feb 16 and Sun Feb 17.
TIFF’s Next Wave Film Festival Preview
The film schedule is highlighted by 3 special premium selections, some premieres, a work in progress and a marathon of films (more…)
Cineplex’s Great Digital Film Festival runs through Feb 7
Cineplex’s Great Digital Film Festival Preview
Starting Feb 1, 2013 select Cineplex theaters across Canada will participate in the fourth annual ‘Great Digital Film Festival’. The festival runs from Feb 1 through Feb7 and is dedicated to bringing classic films back to the big screen, and often in digital format for the first time. This year the festival is also serving as the nationwide debut for last year’s Toronto After Dark Film Festival Favorite Cockneys vs Zombies.
All films are only $6 per screening with discount pricing for purchasing multiple tickets with extra Scene points for members of Cineplex’s Scene loyalty program. In the GTA the theaters participating will be the Scotiabank Theaters downtown (more…)
TIFF celebrates the films of Japan in their winter schedule
TIFF celebrates the films of Japan in their winter schedule
Starting Jan 19, as part of the city wide Toronto ‘Spotlight Japan’ celebration, theTIFF Bell Lightbox begins a 3 month celebration of Japanese cinema also entitled ‘Spotlight Japan’. The collection includes 3 series and some other individual titles that spotlight classic and contemporary Japanese cinema. Running through April 17, TIFF will show individuals screenings of classic Japanese cinema broken into three series:
Tokyo Drifters: 100 Years of Nikkatsu
Celebrating the history of the legendary (more…)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 2 (July-Dec)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 2 (July-Dec)
Now that the calendar has officially changed over to 2013, it’s time to take a look ahead at some the more intriguing films slated for release this year. As always (G.I. Joe and Gatsby can attest to this) release dates are subject to change and some most definitely will, some may have even changed before you read this. But as of Jan 3 these are the films and dates that have sparked some interest, listed by month. Part 1 looked at the months of Jan-June, now we look at the last 6 months of the year.
July
The Canada Day/Memorial Day long weekend this year kicks off with the “Lone Ranger” with “Social Network” star Armie Hammer as the man behind the mask. He’s joined by Johnny Depp as Tonto, under the direction of Depp’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” director Gore Verbinski. July 12 marks the arrival of Guillermo Del Toro’s monster robot epic “Pacific Rim”. (more…)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 1 (Jan-June)
An overview of what to expect in theaters for 2013, part 1 (Jan-June)
Now that the calendar has officially changed over to 2013, it’s time to take a look ahead at some the more intriguing films slated for release this year. As always (G.I. Joe and Gatsby can attest to this) release dates are subject to change and some most definitely will, some may have even changed before you read this. But as of Jan 3 these are the films and dates that have sparked some interest, listed by month.
January
This month brings us the star studded mobster flick “Gangster Squad” with Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and many more. On Jan 25“Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters”, with Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton from the director of the campy “Dead Snow” Tommy Wirkola, finally arrives in multiplexes.
February (more…)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 4 (the top 5!- Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 4 (the top 5!)
#’s 5 through 1
Having previously published the # 21 –16th ,# 15-11th and # 10 -6 ranked movies, we have finally arrived at the top 5 films of 2012, as ranked by yours truly. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. And now to finish off the list of this year’s best.
One of the most disturbing and unrelenting tales of deceit and revenge seen in theaters this year, Killer Joe will be too much for some with its graphic content. (more…)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 3 (Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 3
#’s 10-6
Starting with the # 21 –16th and # 15-11thranked movies published recently, we are counting down the top films of 2012, as ranked by yours truly. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. Now to continue with the list.
#10 – Cabin in the Woods
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 1 (Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 1
#’s 21-16
As the year comes to a close the steady stream of “best of the year” lists have already started and will continue well into the first part of 2013. We in the film criticism business are not exempt in this practice; in fact a lot of the most read and regarded critics will be adding their opinion to the arena or already have. While this critic is still relatively new to the game and hardly expecting to battle it out with the heavy weights, my opinion is humbly offered regardless. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. Now on to the list.
#21 – [Tie] My Father and the Man in Black and Ping Pong (more…)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 2 (Examiner)
Top 20… err 23 movies of 2012 part 2
#’s 15-11
Starting with the # 21 –16th ranked movies published recently, we are counting down the top films of 2012, as ranked by yours truly. The list will be made up of films seen in the calendar year of 2012, whether during a regular theatrical release or the film festival circuit.
Just a quick preface, there will be a handful of films that will not appear on this list simply due to the lack of being able to see them before this list was made. These include critical favorites Argo, The Imposter, Lincoln, Life of Pi and The Impossible. Now to continue with the list.
# – 15 [Tie] Pitch Perfect and 21 Jump Street (more…)
Golden Globes nominees get ready for the red carpet
On Thursday Dec 13th the nominees for the Golden Globes, predecessor for the Oscars and, were announced. Among the leading recipients were “Django Unchained,” “Lincoln” and “Argo”. Here’s the rundown of all the Movie Nominees:
BEST PICTURE: DRAMA
“Argo”
“Django Unchained”
“Lincoln”
“Zero Dark Thirty”
Life of Pi may be the
Oscar narrows down it’s top 15 docs of 2012
This past Monday the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the short list of 15 finalists for nominations in the best Feature Documentary category. The Feature Documentary award is frequently the cause of heated debate and controversy as the sheer amount of possible nominees ensures that hard hitting critic favorites will be left off.
The final 15 are: (more…)
Top 5 Reasons To Check Out Reel Asian Film Fest 2012
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
November 6-11 Toronto
November 16-17th Richmond Hill, Ontario
Toronto’s largest and oldest all Asian film festival, Reel Asian, will play out on screens across Toronto and Richmond Hill over the next week and a half. One of Toronto’s bigger and most recognizable festivals, the 16th edition of Reel Asian brings us over 60 films, feature length and short form, from over 13 countries. Without delving too extensively into the myriad of options available, we will simply highlight the five most intriguing reasons to attend based on what we have seen on the schedule.
Top 5 films to watch around Halloween (Liberal Dead)
Top 5 Films to watch around Halloween
Movie Junkie TO (Kirk Haviland)
Hello fellow Genre Heads! After seeing some of the other guys chime in on this subject I thought I would lend my voice to the argument. For me Halloween, much like Christmas, is about going back and visiting the classic films I grew up with. Not ‘classics’ like the Universal Monsters films and the like, but the classic films from the 60’s/ 70’s/80’s and 90`s. But my ultimate list of the top 5 will span all the way up to a few scant years ago.
Sadly this list may end up being a little less obscure than some of my compatriots,… (more…)
MOVIE JUNKIE TO'S Entertainment Fix 