The Above Average Awards: Pre-2014

 

As a movie buff, it is my pleasure to watch dozens of films each and every year. Sure, some of my film viewing stems from my desire to become more knowledgeable on the subject, but the majority stems from my love for movies and entertainment, in general.

In 2014, the majority of the films that I viewed were actually released in 2014, which is likely the case with most moviegoers, and I cannot wait to recognize those films, in the coming month, as I release the Above Average Award lists for both comedy and drama. However, each year, I (along with the rest of the world) have the opportunity to watch older films, released before the present year. These films could be from 2013, 2004, or 1968. They could be comedic or dramatic. And, while it is a lot of fun searching through the present year and finding the best in drama and comedy, it is also exciting to find these older films that are as good or better than anything that the current year has to offer.

So, in order to recognize older films that shone within my little film bubble, in 2014, I've compiled a list of my Top 5 Non-2014 Films that I viewed for the very first time in 2014. Some of you may have had the opportunity to view these films in their actual release year. Some of you may have seen one or two of these films 100 times. Regardless, this list will give you a little peak into my world, where things aren't all about the present!

#5 - What's Eating Gilbert Grape

(1993)

Of course, many of my readers have likely seen What's Eating Gilbert Grape, but what a quirky film, for 1993! The comedic elements of the film created some much drama in Gilbert's life, and you could not help feeling sorry for the poor guy. If you want to smile, laugh, scratch your head, and maybe cry, What's Eating Gilbert Grape offers you the best chance of any of the films on this list. Be sure to check it out!

 

#4 - Annie Hall

(1977)

Annie Hall ruled the Oscars in 1977, as Woody Allen won best director and original screenplay, Diane Keaton won best actress, and the film won best picture. And, although I can't say that I've seen many films from 1977, this gem is certainly deserving of such awards. Something about Woody Allen's rhetoric just takes me away into another world. Allen's Midnight in Paris is one of my favorite films of all time, and I am truly enjoying going back through his other work and seeing what I can find. I'm ashamed that it took me 23 years of life to actually watch Annie Hall, but, nevertheless, it was worth the wait!

 

#3 - Short Term 12

(2013)

If I could go back to the 2013 Above Average Awards and make adjustments, Brie Larson would likely land at #2 on my list for best dramatic actress and Short Term 12 would likely land at #5 on my list of best dramtic films. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to watch this hidden gem until post-publishing my list. Either way, Short Term 12 is a heck of an emotional journey about a young counselor at a short-term children's housing unit. If you have a special spot in your heart for teenagers, as I do, be sure to check this one out.

 

#2 - Bernie

(2011)

The poster/DVD case for Bernie has always intrigued me, for some reason. I have never really heard anything about the film, but I just always wanted to watch it, because of that yellow poster! So, finally, I took the time to watch the Richard Linklater-directed dark comedy, and, in my opinion, Bernie puts Boyhood to shame! Since watching for the first time, Bernie has been on repeat, for me, as I continue to share the film with everyone I know. Linklater's direction is perfect, here, and Jack Black has never been better!

 

#1 - The Big Chill

(1983)

As I grow older (and hopefully more mature), I realize the significance of old friends and the role they play in my past, present, and future. It is great to know that, no matter how long we have been apart, if I have a chance to meet up with my old friends, things will go right back to normal. At my wedding, in December, it was hard for me to push aside the thought of my wedding potentially being the last time that all of my friends will come together in that way. As life takes everyone in different directions, you never know when you and your friend group, in it's completion, might be together again. While this fact is quite sad, it helps aid in the appreciation of the time spent together and the memories made.

 

That said, The Big Chill is the perfect example of old friends coming together and realizing just how much life can change individuals. I've always been a sucker for these types of films, but I had never taken the time to watch The Big Chill, mostly because I don't really like the 80s. Now, this film has quickly become one of my favorites of all time! For Christmas, my grandparents gave me The Big Chill on DVD/Blu-ray, AND they were able to find the soundtrack on vinyl, to which I have been jamming out, since! If I ever take the time to write a film, I have a hankering that it would have the same vibe as The Big Chill, which more or less means that I am writing the new Star Wars film (my thanks to Lawrence Kasdan).

 

Please, please, please... watch The Big Chill! And, please, call up your old friends!

 



 

 

There you have it, folks... my first ever list of un-yearly, yearly favorites! If you have never seen these films, I beg you to check them out. I believe that every one of them is on Netflix Instant, so no excuses! Also, to my fellow bloggers, I would love to hear of the pre-2014 films that you enjoyed in 2014. Comment, below, or, heck, do your own list (if you can remember what you watched)!

 

Stay tuned for the Above Average Awards for 2014 comedy and drama! It shan't be long!

Closure: July 2014

With a slow month at the theater and Orange is the New Black behind me, I actually had a good bit of time to watch movies, this month. You'll see the exhaustive list below, but two films that I really want to bring to light are The Grand Budapest Hotel and Annie Hall. If you've yet to see either of these films, I want to encourage you to check them out. Of course, Woody Allen's Annie Hall is a classic, and Wes Anderson is well-known, at this point, but, for those of you who aren't film buffs, you might find something nice in each of these uniquely quirky comedies.

For some reason, I'm having a hard time grasping the fact that August is actually upon us, so I apologize for this post being a little late. Fret not! I will be on time, next month!

Movie Watched	Year	Format	Did I Enjoy?	Would I Watch Again?
Transformers: Age of Extinction	2014	Theater > Matinee	Some	Yes
42	2013	Church > Yes, really	Yes	Yes
Annie Hall	1977	TV > Netflix	Yes	Yes
The To Do List	2013	DVD > Redbox	Yes	Yes
Kill Your Darlings	2013	DVD > Redbox	Yes	No
The Social Network	2010	DVD > Own	Yes	Yes
Gravity	2013	Church > Yes, really	Yes	Yes
Begin Again	2014	Theater > Full Price	Yes	Yes
(500) Days of Summer	2011	DVD > Own	Yes	Yes
Adult World	2014	DVD > Redbox	Yes	No
Frozen	2013	Church > Yes, really	No	No
Big	1988	DVD > Own	Yes	Yes
Big Trouble in Little China	1986	Blu-ray > Borrowed	Yes	No
The Purge	2012	TV > HBO	Yes	Yes
The Avengers	2012	Blu-ray > Own	Yes	Yes
The Purge: Anarchy	2014	Theater > Matinee	Yes	Yes
Easy A	2010	DVD > Borrowed	Yes	Yes
Submarine	2010	TV > Netflix	No	No
The Grand Budapest Hotel	2014	DVD > Redbox	Yes	Yes
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty	2013	Church > Yes, really	Yes	Yes
50/50	2011	DVD > Own	Yes	Yes
Out of the Furnace	2013	DVD > Borrowed	Yes	No
The Other Guys	2010	DVD > Own	Yes	Yes

Blue Jasmine

Expectations:
Even for a 21 year old, I was super late to jump on the Woody Allen train, and, honestly, I have not seen enough of his work to be considered any sort of "Woody Allen expert." Regardless, I will say that I have never seen anything of Allen's that I did not care for, and Midnight in Paris is one of my favorite films of the last few years. So, after hearing how great Cate Blanchett's performance was in Blue Jasmine, I couldn't help but march over to the theater and watch the next bubbly production to merit critical acclaim for the great Woody Allen. Even with my desire to see the film and my love for Woody Allen, I must admit that I am not prone to enjoy films with female leads. Am I sexist?... Maybe a little. But, I like my movies just like I like my music--manly and unique...

Plot:
With the critical acclaim that Blue Jasmine has received, I expected the film to feature a fantastic storyline, especially considering that the critics tore apart last year's To Rome with Love, which I thought had a pretty neat storyline. Unfortunately, Blue Jasmine's plot was pretty boring and felt sort of like driving from state line to state line through the state of Texas... Sure, you'll see some cacti and nice subdivisions, but you'll never be entertained without a car full of friends, a DVD player, or a father who says, "If everything's bigger in Texas, we need to find a Hooters." Yeah... My father said that... and yeah... we were entertained! The film, which focused on Cate Blanchett's Jasmine, never really took off, dramatically speaking. Sure, her life was very interesting, but it was only interesting because she made it so. The events of her life were very simple and boring. We've all heard the cheating husband, annoying sister story before... right? That's pretty much all you get, topped off with a great performance by Blanchett.

Characters:
Lucky for us, as we continue our drive through Texas, we come upon the wandering Cate Blanchett, who got sick of Peter Jackson and needs a ride. Tell your friends to be quiet, throw your DVD player out the window, and order Hooters to-go, because Cate Blanchett is about to give you all the entertainment that you will ever need! Really, I was SO SO SO impressed with her performance as leading-lady, Jasmine, and I didn't want the film to end, because it was really fun to watch her struggle.

Negatives:
Alec Baldwin is usually a very entertaining actor to watch on screen, even though he kind of gets on my nerves. However, as Jasmine's husband, Hal, Baldwin wasn't very impressive. I think his talent was wasted on a role that could have been filled by pretty much anyone. Another actor that was extremely underutilized was Louis C. K. There is no doubt that Louie is hilarious, but he wasn't given very much screen time, which was quite disappointing.

Positives:
Let me say one more time... Cate Blanchett was great! As for the rest of the cast, it was actually pretty great as well. Specifically, Bobby Cannavales's Chili was such a great character, and Cannavale's performance was equally as great. After being nominated for two Emmys and giving this fantastic performance, I really think Cannavale should be considered for an Oscar. He is quickly becoming a great, well-respected actor.

Conclusion:
Throughout the year, I keep a list of my favorite performances in every film I watch, in order to avoid missing anyone when I compile my Above Average Awards. Before watching Blue Jasmine, my list lacked a single dramatic actress, but, now, Cate Blanchett is the easy favorite to top that list for 2013. There's no doubt that her performance carried this film and caused the critics to go easy on Woody Allen's dull script. She single-handedly saved Blue Jasmine from the same fate as that of To Rome with Love. As Allen nears 80 years old, I hope that he continues to create these wonderful films. Whether he does so with great acting or great writing, I could care less. I know I was a bit harsh on the plot, but I promise that the film was quite entertaining. He always entertains me, and that is all that matters. I give Blue Jasmine 3.15 out of 5 stars.