2013 is another year filled with many big budget, largely forgettable films, but among all the releases, there are truly some gems out there. In fact, some of these films that made it onto the top 10 list caught me by surprise. Over the course of the year, I have caught several films on a weekly basis. In fact, I have lost count of all the ticket stubs that I have collected! Below is the list of the top 10 films I have seen this year. Continue reading
Entertainment
Santa’s Slay
Ever year on Christmas, we have a special Christmas video on the blog. Today is no exception.
On yesterday’s podcast, we mentioned the black comedy Christmas movie that I thought was so bad that it was good. Even though Jackie disagreed, I decided to share it with you guys today. Merry Christmas from Goldberg-claus.
BIFF2013: 12 Years A Slave
There’s no better way to close off the Brisbane International Film Festival other than a screening of the film 12 Years A Slave. Based on the true story of a free man named Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped in the mid 1800s and sent into slavery, 12 Years A Slave is far from comfortable viewing as it looks at the American slave trade that affected millions of people. The movie is an unflinching look at the familial separation, the torture and the abuse in one of the darkest points in American History. Continue reading
BIFF2013: The Grandmaster
There are several cuts of The Grandmaster at the moment. The original film ran approximately 130 minutes, but the version featured at the BIFF was the American cut of 109 minutes. While each cut has its own ‘uniqueness’ to it, the featured version at BIFF felt like an incomplete film. The cinematography was beautiful and the action sequences were spectacularly crafted, but the whole film was muddled by poor storytelling. Continue reading
Worst of Music 2013 Retrospective: United States of Pop
Well, it’s certainly been a while since I’ve done a Worst of Music post. I really need to bring these things back on a semi-regular basis. But do you know how bad music can be nowadays. I was going insane listening to “today’s big hits.”
But since everyone’s doing year in review type stuff, I thought that I’d throw the annual DJ Earworm mashup of the year’s big songs into the mix on behalf of the Worst of Music. So to look back on the year that was in music, both the good but mostly bad, here’s is a collection of mashups of the 25 biggest songs of 2013.
BIFF2013: Patrick
Unless you’re an Australian and/or a horror film nut, you probably won’t even know that Patrick is a remake of a 1978 Aussie flick. Despite following the usual horror movie tropes, Mark Hartley’s remake is moody, loud, unapologetic and a whole lot of fun! Continue reading
Captain Picard Sings Let it Snow
Since we’re less than three weeks from Christmas, I thought it was time to get into the spirit of the season. I’ve turned the fake snow on (though you’re probably seeing more than enough outside) and I have a Star Trek: The Next Generation Christmas carol for you. A Christmas classic sung by Patrick Stewart? Make it so!
BIFF2013: Don Jon
As some festival goers would say, Don Jon is the most ‘mainstream’ or most Hollywood film at the Brisbane International Film Festival this year. Both screenings attracted a sold out crowd and there is a good reason for it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has demonstrated that he is a fantastic actor and through Don Jon, he also showcased his writing and directing skills as well. His feature debut Don Jon, is a smart and funny commentary on how the media can negatively consume both men and women in our society. Continue reading
BIFF2013: Labor Day
It’s okay to let yourself be happy, because you never know how fleeting that happiness may be. Jason Reitman’s latest effort Labor Day is a moving film that looks into how desperately we seek happiness and how quickly that happiness can be torn away once it is achieved. It is a snapshot of the happiness found with the storm clouds looming on the horizon. The film carries a melancholic tone to it, even during moments when things are seemingly good. Continue reading
Doctor Who: The Day of The Doctor Review
Over the course of 50 years, Doctor Who has come a long way from an old man travelling around in a plain-looking police box in a children’s educational show. Now, it’s a massive worldwide phenomenon that has skyrocketed in popularity since the series was revived from cancellation in 2005.
The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, a show that was effectively dead for sixteen years, has garnered so much attention that it may be an event that rivals the World Cup final or Super Bowl when all the viewers are counted up. Could The Day of The Doctor live up to the expectations and hype of one of the most hotly anticipated TV events of the year?
The Lowdown 