BEST OF THE DECADE - 2012-2013

2012

Ahh the end of the world. During this tough time, you would think that filmmakers would come together to create works of art that would have a lasting impression even after the apocalypse has wiped out the human race. Is that what we got? Nope. Did everyone just say  “fuck it” and try to make as much money as possible? 2012 marked the beginning of the marvel block-buster era with the release of the first Avengers movie as well as the trend of re-releasing films in 3D and IMAX just for kicks (remind us what we needed a 3D Beauty and the Beast for?).  Fortunately, 2012 marked the end of the Twilight saga, thank god, as well as the post-Harry Potter debut of Daniel Radcliffe in The Woman in Black. We were also blessed with a new Spiderman and a ridiculously catchy Bond tune. Keep reading to see which films restored our faith in cinema.

Nicole Betts - Crash/Cut Assistant

Dark Shadows (Tim Burton, USA)
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This movie is weird, and I loved every second of it. It was a witty action horror film that was a treat to watch. The way the spooky, gothic themes are blended with the trends of the 1970s was a hilarious juxtaposition, not to mention the set design and costumes are gorgeous. Plus, I love the idea of a vampire from the 1700s attempting to figure out the world of the 1970s, and not doing that good of a job. Every character we meet is their own brand of weird, and the story itself is a blast if you’re willing to jump along with it from timeline to timeline.

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Jacob Bews - Crash/Cut Editor

Stories We Tell (Sarah Polley, Canada)

Polley's documentary searching the history of her lineage warms the heart in me which feels disconnected from my roots. A past constructed from photographs, from films, from stories. I LOVE IT.

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Jocelyn Illing - President

Ruby Sparks (Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, USA)
​The romantic comedy genre is tricky for it often produces rather sexist films where the female character’s only aspiration in life is to find a man and, in order to do so, she must change her entire appearance. What I love about Ruby Sparks is its awareness of this problem within the genre. The film presents a compelling and unique story, that of a writer whose literary creation comes to life, and how it is used as the basis to talk about masculinity and the nature of the romantic comedy.

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Lucia Gonzalez - Cinema Politica Assistant

​Frankenweenie (Tim Burton, USA)​

Not my absolute favourite movie, but I love animated films and I also have a weak spot for Tim Burton :p

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Anton Carpentier - Cinema Politica Coordinator

Stories We Tell (Sarah Polley, Canada)​ 
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This is hands down the best documentary of the decade. Storytelling and film will always be separate concepts, but this film proves that the two go together like Mike and Ike. Sarah Polley's direction is on another level with this film and leaves the audience in awe with her mastery of storytelling. Even if you hate documentaries, this movie is for you. Go Canada!

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Elias Stang - Poster Designer

It's Such a Beautiful Day (Don Hertzfeldt, USA)
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It's Such a Beautiful Day stands as Don Hertzfeldt's greatest work as an emotional and bittersweet trip through the life of Bill, a man suffering from an unspecified mental illness. Through the film, we are told stories of his past, and thoughts on his present and future. As a collection of three shorts -- Everything Will Be OK (2006), I Am So Proud of You (2008), and It's Such A Beautiful Day (2011) -- Hertzfeldt’s film expresses a complete narrative in three parts. The viewer is guided through the mind of Bill as he moves his way through his subjective reality while Hertzfeldt himself narrates his journey. Hertzfeldt's classic hand-drawn minimal aesthetic mixed with practical elements is perfect in capturing Bill's unique experiences and anxieties about life, and the existential dread one feels when placed in a world beyond their control. Brought along is Hertzfelt's unique sense of humour, adding levity and subtlety to the narrative while also asking the viewer at times 'why are you laughing?' It's Such a Beautiful Day will work on you like a charm, hopefully prompting a further exploration into the work of Don Hertzfeldt.
 
It really is such a beautiful day.

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2013

​2013, the year Frozen was the number one movie in the world, grossing over 1.2 billion dollars worldwide, and most of southern Alberta was flooded in late June. Jurassic Park was re-released in 3-D and reached a new milestone as it became the 28th highest-grossing film of all time. It was the year of the 70th Golden Globe Awards, the 85th Academy Awards and the 33rd Golden Raspberry Awards. In world news, Barack Obama began his second term of presidency on January 20th, and Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis on March 13th, starting his work to change the direction of the Catholic Church. In April, the world was rocked by the travesty of the Boston Marathon Bombing, while in May of 2013, Rob Ford admitted to smoking crack cocaine. 2013 was also the year that #BlackLivesMatter was created following the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. NASA also released information gained by the rover Curiosity that the red planet could have supported life in the past.

Jocelyn Illing - President

The Great Gatsby (Baz Luhrmann, Australia and USA)

This is probably a very unpopular opinion but this film is very near and dear to my heart. How to best describe it would be to say that it is over the top, but over the top in the best way. Everything from the casting, dialogue, to the costumes and music, screams decadence. To enjoy this film one has to simply sit back and soak in every extravagant detail. 

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Lucia Gonzalez - Cinema Politica Assistant

Is The Man Who Is Tall Happy? (Michel Gondry, France)

This movie is an animated interview with Noam Chomsky about philosophy, language, and a lot of different topics. It's really interesting and the animation is super cute! I love it!

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Jacob Bews - Crash/Cut Editor

Inside Llewyn Davis (Joel & Ethan Coen, USA)
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Llewyn Davis is a starving folk singer trying to make ends meet – the viewer follows his journey from couch to couch, from paycheck to paycheck. This film began a love of folk music in my life which has yet to slow. If anything, the Coen bros. share their love of the genre infectiously. Also a look at why capitalism is an art-destroyer. Love that. Worth mentioning I cry whenever Davis leaves the cat.

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Anton Carpentier - Cinema Politica Coordinator

Her (Spike Jonze, USA)

​Heartbreak has never been more beautiful. Her captures all those happy moments that happen in phases of our lives, and the sadness that follows when those moments end. I wouldn’t call it depressing, but rather reflective on the human condition. Life is full of happy moments and sad moments, but these moments make us who we are, and rarely do we regret them. Her captures these moments oh so beautifully. 

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Nicole Betts - Crash/Cut Assistant

Only Lovers Left Alive (Jim Jarmusch, USA)
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This is my favourite movie of all time, no contest. It is breathtakingly beautiful to watch. Between the cinematography and the way each shot is so carefully set up, it is a slow burn with heavy focus on film as art, so make sure to watch it when you're well rested. Yes, it is a vampire film, but it is so much more than the stereotypical blood-sucking trope. It deals with life and death, with depression and suicide, with music and love, and what it means to be alive when you are no longer living. I try to show this film to every person I know because it just feels special and speaks to my soul, it asks profound questions about human nature and society, all while playing with vampires.

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Elias Stang - Poster Designer

Her (Spike Jonze, USA)

Given his previous involvement with the raunchy and juvenile Jackass comedy series/films, one may be very surprised to find Spike Jonze creating one of the most beautiful and emotional films of not only the decade, but the 21st century. In a modern world full of pastel colours and a sleek urban aesthetic (and everyone dressing like a dorky 80s teen), we follow Theodore, a lonely writer who spends his days ghostwriting intimate pieces of poetry for people he’ll never meet. Unable to let go of his failed marriage and reluctantly taking the advice of those closest to put himself out there again, Theo surprises himself just as we the viewers are surprised to follow him as he develops a strikingly beautiful and intimate relationship with his operating system named Samantha. Played to perfection by Joaquin Phoenix, an actor seemingly on a hot streak of incredible performances, and Scarlett Johansson who brings a tangible and charismatic presence to a series of code in a piece of glass, Her is no doubt a unique find. Formally, Her possesses the same level of vulnerability Jonze gives to Theo whether it be through it’s incredibly soft lighting and focus, its highly expressive yet deceptively simple mise-en-scene, or its devastatingly effective musical score. Spike Jonze explores the possibilities of artificial intelligence, how far it is able to go, and the effects it may have on those seeking love but unable to find it organically (if you catch my drift) in the modern world.
 
Tilt your head to the left at about 1:50:35 in the film, you’ll thank me later.

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