An Industry formula based on tradition - saving the best for the end and the beginning of the year…
A traditional formula that is barely questioned or quashed. And generally leads to a fresh Oscar® nomination…
The movie industry produces countless of films every year – with every part of the planet contributing to some form of production. Hollywood leads the commercial success of an entertainment business that has a support base that quite literally churns out dollars!
A flooded market it seems with so much happening its difficult to choose what is entertaining, commercialized, well produced, written and filmed. Hollywood stands tall amongst a backlash from independent film makers and foreign production houses. Producing showcases of unmatched styles of entertainment and inspiration which cannot go unnoticed.
From Superman, Wolverine, Thor and even the announcement of the new Batman – it was beginning to feel as if Superheroes were holding the box office to a ransom of sorts. However it was the diamonds in the rough – the classics on the rise – that may have just made 2013 awesome and setup a "reverse" curtain call for 2014!
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is expected to rock 2014*
Chris Hemsworth entertains as James Hunt in the movie Rush**
The entertainment:
Rush – Ron Howard reminds the world of the sexiness that was once part of the business of Motorsport. Perhaps a much needed break from the superhero thuggery - even though the main character is Thor himself. Rush allows one to forget this Hollywood overlap for a small moment, as it entertains with a fast, well shot and nicely acted feature. Quenching an entertainment appetite and engaging younger audiences with a past they may never have been interested in…
The movies:
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom added an emotional feel to 2013***
The hype of Hollywood fluctuated from the earthly Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom to Sandra Bullock floating around in space looking for Gravity to save her. But a Wall Street adventure may have just entered the Hollywood realm at the right time to burst the bubble.
The Wolf of Wall Street is a film that is rounding up 2013 and bringing in 2014. Aside from its timing it has the legs and the cast to claim top stop! An illustration that Martin Scorsese doesn’t mess around and he is having a lot more fun since claiming an Oscar for The Departed.
Gangster Squad, Captain Phillips and The Great Gatsby summed up a male dominated year. Which was slightly countered by the heart warming Saving Mr. Banks. Whilst movies like Filth and Only God Forgives evoked the sort of madness that only fans of Trainspotting and Drive could love!
The actor:
Christian Bale in American Hustle****
Christian Bale – it almost felt that the final Batman movie was a little empty on the Christian Bale power card. Perhaps a replacement for the Joker was needed to stir a better emotion in the franchise however Bale didn’t leave anything to be pondered. He rises perfectly in American Hustle and Out of the Furnace - creating the Hollywood hype that will secure his status of more than just a caped crusader for both 2013 and 2014. Yes we know - too many puns!
The Gap Year Movie:
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty*****
Unfortunately floating around space doesn’t count – so Gravity didn’t make it onto this selection! Ben Stiller did so when he took the travel idea to another level with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
*Sony Pictures Releasing
**(*© 2008 Nu Metro Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk © Rush Films Limited / Egoli Tossell Film and Action Image)
***Video Vision
****Ster-Kinekor Distribution
***** 2013 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved. Property of Fox.
“Academy Award®” and “Oscar®” are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.