Strat's 20 for 2019

And just like the end of each of the past two decades, 2019 did not disappoint.  The year was filled with great cinema from beginning to end, making this list a more arduous task than in year's past.

20. Bombshell (Drama) A tour de force cast where they disappear into extremely well-executed makeup and a scathing hit on the culture in a high profile workplace.

19. Yesterday (Comedy) One of the sweetest movies of the year that makes you wonder two things - were the Beatles THAT good and how thin the narrow line is between mega success and complete anonymity in art.

18. Good Boys (Comedy) This film has no business being here with a single setup for the jokes again and again, but that just goes to show how well done the premise really is.

17. Always Be My Maybe (Romantic comedy) Best rom-com in awhile. The cameo work in this is outstanding as is the performance and clever writing by Ali Wong.

16. Ford vs Ferrari (drama/sports) Making a movie about race cars running in the middle of the night and transcending the David v. Goliath theme for something fresher are just two of the obstacles this film manages to avoid.

15. Spider-man: Far From Home (action/adventure) The aftershock to Endgame is pretty solid and starts to unravel some of the more sci-fi aspects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

14. Terminator: Dark Fate (sci-fi action) It's been so long since I've seen a really good Terminator movie. Like before, it stays formulaic, but ads some significant wrinkles to keep it fresh and fun.

13. The Art of Self Defense (comedy/drama) One of the most overlooked films of the year. It's sort of a Karate Kid movie but meets Aronofsky's Pi

12. The Irishman (crime drama) A master film by master craftsmen. It's a film best watched in a single uninterrupted setting. This is the most spiritual of Scorsese's gangster films.

11. Jojo Rabbit (comedy) The satire on Nazi's is on point and the ability to blend the dark of WWII with a child's perspective is second perhaps only to La Vie et Bella.

10. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood (drama/comedy) A stylized film which is less about story and more about musings about interesting characters. But the execution works effortlessly in a way only QT could create.

9. Toy Story 4 (animation/adventure) This franchise has no good reason to be this good this late into it's run. The addition to Sporky is not only welcome but invites many questions about the mental state of the filmmakers.

8. The Two Popes (drama) I didn't believe this movie would be that funny. I wasn't sure what to expect storywise, but the casting in this film is fantastic.

7. Avengers 4: Endgame (action/adventure) The culmination of a 20+ movie arc into a Game of Thrones-like ending in the year of Game of Thrones ending like was incredibly likely. Fortunately, it doesn't disappoint. It's pretty amazing in scope of storytelling more than anything.

6. Joker (Drama) What happens if you infuse a Scorsese-like characterization into a 1970s Scorsese like film and throw in DeNiro as a supporting character to boot? One of the most haunting comic book films of all time.

5. Knives Out (mystery/comedy) Rian Johnson is at his best when he alone controls the movements of the pieces on the board and is able to expertly craft moments and scenes that are as sharp at the titular objects.

4. Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (drama/comedy) I don't recall a film that so effortlessly gets you to cry over not so sad stuff at such a regular clip as this one. Viewer beware. After a few minutes, you forget that Tom Hanks is there in the iconic supporting role.

3. The Farewell (drama/comedy) This is the most "indie" film on the list as it takes a slice of a foreign culture and explores is for all it is through the lens of one of the best lead actress performances in the past 5 years.

2. American Factory (documentary) This is the film you constantly ask - "How did the documentarians get that on camera?" The commitment to a story of both the labor force and employer sides in a workplace study is unparalleled.

1. Parasite (drama/suspense) One of the few times the Academy gets it right and rewards the best film. Many of the competitors will pass into oblivion, but this one sears your mind with indelible images and characters.

Augustx's Top 20 for 2019

My personal picks for 2019, in no particular order. My theme for this list? Upended expectations. Such is life lately:

Blinded by the Light -- A modern-day fable addressing racism, classism, and the power of art to provide much-needed escapism.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood -- What a long, strange trip it's been. This is classic Tarantino, so expect his signature pacing. There's plenty you won't expect, too.

Uncut Gems -- My expectations were low and I went in not knowing much. I'm frankly not a huge fan of Sandler normally. But something about the frenetic pacing drew me in.

Hustlers -- The all-female Magic Mike? Maybe. Again, my expectations were exceeded.

Toy Story 4 -- Pixar's always-excellent writing means adults will always be laughing, even in movies that are (ostensibly) geared toward kids. 

Judy -- I repeated throughout the course of this movie, "Renee Zellweger deserves everything for her turn in this movie." Thankfully, the Academy agreed. (Again, totally upended expectations.)

Parasite -- A truly jaw-dropping class parable. 

Harriet -- Powerful, intense, and your FitBit will probably show your heart rate going up a number of times as you watch this.

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood -- Walk in thinking this is a movie about Fred Rogers and walk out thinking about redemption. A masterfully well-told story.

Marriage Story -- If you know the type of movie you're getting into when you see that Noah Bambach is directing (and I do, as he's one of my favs), see it. Understand that there's going to be uncomfortable dialogue and intense character scenes, because that's what he does. (Some of us find it weirdly therapeutic.)

Lion King -- Maybe it's my nostalgia talking, but I'll take your live-action-style remake and I'll raise you Pumbaa.

VHYES -- The medium truly is the message in the offbeat vignettes of VHYES. Quite possibly one of the strangest films you'll ever see...in a good way.

Knives Out -- A fun game of Clue come to life.

Shazam -- Clever without being cloying--a hard-to-find combination these days.

Bombshell -- John Lithgow's playing a villain? Sign me up.

On the Basis of Sex -- A beautiful tribute to the life of Ruth Bader Ginsberg (long may she live -- start that prayer circle now, gang).

Redemption Square -- The only short on my list, this documentary focuses on the life of those living in and around Downtown Los Angeles' Pershing Square. 

Booksmart -- It took years to get these kinds of movies made, with queer teenage love being portrayed without it becoming a morality tale or a Lifetime movie. And hilarious to boot.

Good Boys -- From the marketing, it's easy to think this is a gross-out film about oversexed teenage boys. But you'd be mistaken -- the teenage actors are fantastic, and it has a ton of heart.

Rocket Man -- Here's the thing: If you're expecting a biopic, this is not your movie. It was marketed as a biopic, but it's a flat-out musical. However, if you're into musicals, this is frankly one of the best you'll see. Not into musicals, but appreciate dazzling visuals and incredible showmanship? Give it a chance.

Strat's 20 of 2018

It's funny how the last two years at the end of each decade seem to bring out the highest quality consistency in films. There are no stragglers this year.

20. Avengers: Infinity War (superhero/action) It's amazing how well a superhero movie can work when entrusted to the storytellers to make the story work. Be warned - this is part 1 of a 2 part story.

19. A Star is Born (romantic drama) Yes, it's yet another remake of the classic story.  Yes, this time,it has a catchy tune. That said, I don't think that many would have doubted Lady Gaga's ability to act. What's most impressive is her willingness to shed all of the external and vulnerably expose her internal self.

18. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (western/comedy) The Coen Bros once again prove their ability to go between dramatic crime stories and quirky comedies. The casting in itself is entertaining enough.

17. Black KKKlansman (suspense/drama) Spike Lee in top form, tackles a story that sounds like a Dave Chappelle sketch true story. While the truth is quite different, Lee transforms this story into something that liberals across the spectrum can get behind.

16. Blindspotting (drama) It's a film that feels right at home in the current political climate. That said, it never gets preach nor is it anything other than solid storytelling.

15. Thoroughbreds (dark comedy) This is a solid quirky film that happens to be extremely well-acted, including a final performance by the late Anton Yelchin.

14. Ready Player One (sci-fi/adventure) At first glance, this film should be the film that moved virtual reality into the mainstream. While they didn't happen, it does bring along some solid 80s/90s nostalgia and a rich, exciting story.

13. Crazy Rich Asians (comedy) This film cannot help but be hilarious and heartfelt. There are some great performances and moments that are sure to become foundations for many talented actors.

12. Mission Impossible 6: Fallout (thriller/action) Maybe it's just me, but I find it impressive when a series gets 6 movies into its run and still manages to be interesting and exciting. The film is supported by a terrific action performance by Cruise and a few solid action sequences.

11. The Hate U Give (drama) This film looks to be a ripped from the headlines story. They type you would write off pretty quickly as a cash grab. Do not make that mistake. The film packs a punch with its narrative and performances. While some of the dialogue is preachy, it is meant to be something that is accessible to a wide range of audiences.

10. A Simple Favor (comedy/drama) This film is deceptively funny/smart. It's a crime story that will have you captivated throughout.

9. Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse (animated) It's a stand-along comic book story that takes on the various incarnations of the superhero character and manages to turn it into the very essence of what makes this film so special.

8. Black Panther (superhero/action) I don't think I've enjoyed a comic book movie as much as this since The Dark Knight.  This film challenges the very notion of what makes a superhero the good guy versus the protagonist. Michael B. Jordan absolutely steals it in this film.

7. Eighth Grade (comedy/drama) I cannot think of a film set in the social media editor that depicted a more vulnerable main character that feels completely fleshed out. The acting is solid and the writing is on point.

6. Won't You Be My Neighbor? (documentary) The power of nostalgia and of Fred Rogers to captivate children has never been so eloquently on display.  It's interesting to learn more about how Fred really worked.

5. First Reformed (drama) This film fits nicely in tone/form with Taxi Driver, Last Temptation of Christ and Bringing Out the Dead. The film packs a powerful punch and raises some profound questions about religion and the environment.

4. Roma (foreign/drama) This is a type of film that feels like it's dying out. It's a contemplative, artistic story that is relentless in its commitment to great character and seemingly simple storytelling that packs a wallop.

3. Shoplifters (foreign/drama) This Japanese film showcases that the social/economic disparities that have become a rising force in America are not isolated. The film depicts a side of Japanese culture that has been widely unseen to the worldwide public. It's certainly an emotionally provocative movie.

2. A Quiet Place (suspense/horror) Great movies have you locked in from the start. Great scary films have you on the edge of your seat throughout. It's very hard to create that level of tension for almost 2  hours.

1. Sorry to Bother You (dark comedy) I cannot think of another film that has hit me this hard in this tone of filmmaking since Fight Club.  It's a sharp, scalding critique on race, commerce, and art among many other elements of it.

Strat's 20 of 2017

2017 was a year that ended up being more good than great. Like many previous years, some of the best movies received some attention while others received none.

20. An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (documentary) If you're like me, you didn't pay much attention to this if you've seen the first. While still discussing climate change, this film is a complete departure from the originals Keynote presentation, featuring some fascinating insight into the Paris Climate Accords.

19. Tulip Fever (drama) A rather overlooked period piece about the world of speculation in its infancy as the backdrop to a romantic story of a painter and his subject.

18. IT (horror/drama) A reimagining of the first part of the 90s TV movie with quite a few homages and twists to it. The casting for the kids is quite good and Pennywise the Clown is creepy as hell.

17. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (action/adventure) Another reboot of a franchise that I didn't even know needed a reboot after one film in the 90s. It's a fun, funny film with an eclectic cast of comedians and action movie stars.

16. American Made (drama/adventure) Just when you're about to write off Tom Cruise as anything more than an aging star, he manages to pull out a gem like this. While it's based on a true story, Cruise's performance manages to ground it in believability.

15. Score (documentary) As a film score fanatic, I'm rather biased here. Rather overlooked in the annals of music, the craft of film composition and some of its finest composer's work finally get their due. 

14. Bjorn vs McEnroe (drama) It has been a while since there's been a really good sports movie. This is an intense tennis film that actually would make me take up the sport if only I could be as crazy as these real sports world characters. 

13. Mother! (drama) Wasn't this movie nominated for a Razzie? Yes. Wasn't this movie panned by critics? Yes. Do I think this movie is greatly misunderstood? Absolutely. And this marks a return to form to me for Darren Aronofsky after his directing misfire with Noah.

12. Spider-Man: Homecoming (superhero) Marvel takes a crack at Spider-Man and manages to add something to the film character we haven't seen earnestly portrayed - Peter Parker as a teenager in the modern world. The supporting cast is pretty solid.

11. Baby Driver (action/drama) Some of the best driving scenes not on a track that I've seen since The French Connection. John Hamm is great and Ansel Elgort is a talent to watch in the future. But the real star of this film is the slick action editing and driving sequences.

10. The Big Sick (comedy/drama) For the first time in American cinema, a Pakistani American is portrayed as a protagonist is nothing short of a hilarious love story about being ill without shying away from cultural matters. So yes, it's definitely refreshing in this genre.

9. Lowlife (dramatic thriller) With an assortment of eclectic characters on the fringes of society, there has not been a movie with this much gusto and humor dare I say since Pulp Fiction. It's definitely more violent.

8. Icarus (Documentary) The depth of the scandal that this film uncovers about the Olympics in Russia based on first-hand accounts is shocking as much as it is damaging. As with most great documentaries, this is about more than the subject at hand.

7. Get Out (horror/comedy) Without much advance fanfare comes a film that leaves us with as many questions as answers. Except the questions are about the society that makes the answers truthful.

6. The Disaster Artist (comedy) Is it possible to make a film about the making of one of the worst films of all time and it be anything less than great? Yes. Yes, it is. This is a comedy that seems like it would be hard for this story to be told and not be hilarious.

5. Coco (animated) Another gem in the Pixar crown for great animated films. It is as fun and full of twists as it is earnest and touching.

4. The Square (foreign drama) An international cast in this Norwegian film leaves us with as many fascinating and shocking moments as it does the subtle commentary on society and art at large.

3. Logan (action/drama) The best dramatic send-off to two of the most iconic comic book characters. Easily the best and most violent comic book movies of the year. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart are in top form which should be enough of a reason right there to see this.

2. I, Tonya (comedy/drama) I see this film as "Goodfellas" on ice. Based on a true story that's hard to believe, extremely well-acted in a slick, snappy film that manages to cause as much horror as it does laughter.

1. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (crime/drama) A riveting drama, with a unique premise that keeps you guessing. The acting is superb and the story could not be played out in a more relevant way to the time that this was released.

Strat's 20 of 2016

This might be the worst year for films that I've come across in over a decade (weakest year since 2005) Lots of fine films, but the amazing for this year is very few.

20. The Salesman (foreign drama)
A worthy film out of Iran, proving simple and intense family dramas can still be interesting without being terribly edgy.

19. Captain America: Civil War (action/adventure)
Finally we start to see a divide in the hunky-dory comic book series and the lines are being drawn.

18. Doctor Strange (action/adventure)
Cumberbatch exudes great skill, allowing an Inception-like world to co-exist with the superhero universe.

17. Star Trek: Beyond (sci-fi)
A solid addition to the Star Trek universe, but a film that struggles to elicit genuine feelings other than sentimentality.

16. War Dogs (comedy)
This film is one part joke and one part warning about the excesses of military contractors and how greed fuels much of our need for warfare abroad.

15. Knight of Cups (drama)
Kick back and have a glass of wine, knowing that Terrence Malick will take you on an amazing visual and symbolic journey through various philisophical meandering on fame today.

14. Nerve (drama/thriller)
A film few may pick up, proves to be a potentially disturbing tale of where teen culture is headed in this new century and the dangers of peer pressure.

13. Hail, Caesar! (comedy)
The Coen Brothers are back to some of their favorite periods with some of their favorite actors in this story about communism and Hollywood.

12 Passengers (sci-fi)
Definitely a film that I did not expect much from. Leave it Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt to make this is a film that will leave you debating their choices for awhile.

11. Weiner (documentary)
The mistakes and stupidity of politicians are nothing new.  What's interesting here is seeing how those stupid mistakes can be magnified tenfold by the media. 

10. The Jungle Book (adventure)
A retelling of the Disney classic with a live-action update. The film is amazing in how after awhile, you just accept that animals can talk and emote like people. 

9. Rogue One (fantasy/adventure)
The Star Wars prequel that never was. This film is a worthy installment to the franchise with a side of the universe that we haven't seen prior. 

8. The Edge of Seventeen (drama/comedy)
A film that by any stretch of the imagination wouldn't normally be this high up. While it's a solid film and the performances by Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld are excellent, it is 2016 after all.

7. The Barkley Marathons (documentary)
Not to be overlooked is a story of a bizarre contest with characters galore.  Definitely lighter documentary fare.

6. Deadpool (action/adventure/comedy)

The first comic book film that goes out of it's way to break the fourth wall of cinema. Not to mention one that's rip-roaring entertaining and well executed.

5. Moonlight (drama)
A coming of age story that never tries to telegraph itself to you and forces the audience to work for the information. It's a unique story in American cinema with the bonus of an excellent all around cast.

4. Hell or High Water (drama)
A heist film that finds new heights in its gritty realism and excellent chemistry with surprise performances by Chris Pine and Ben Foster.

3. The Founder (drama) 
Based on the true story of the founding of an American business Empire, a fascinating dive into the greed and corruption of principles for the sake of being on the top of the fast-food world.

2. 10 Cloverfield Lane (sci-fi/thriller)
One of the best scary films in a long while. Heart pounding action in an enclosed environment that resurrects the Cloverfield franchise from being a Blair Witch Project knock off.

1. Zootopia (animation)
Disney steps up to the plate to compete with Pixar, delivering a film that not only plays to the general public and to kids, but offers a socio-political message that is rather timely and portrayed without holding back. Not to mention the film is a whole lotta fun.

Strat's 20 of 2015

2015 was all over the place. Animated, docs, quirky, but for the first time in awhile, not a single noteworthy foreign film to my surprise. Some honorable mentions are Terminator: Genysis, Trainwreck, The Walk, Paddington, Going Clear, and Amy. The Academy Award winner for best picture is nowhere here in my book.

20. Bridge of Spies (drama). Spielberg helms a competent script by the Coen Bros creating a strange mix of quirky humor and Spielberg "Americana" reverence.

19. The Peanuts Movie (animated comedy) You honestly are expecting this movie to be a letdown, but the movie emobodies the spirit of the classic Charles Schultz characters and successfully translates them to a 2 1/2 world.

18. 99 Homes (drama) Set during the housing crash in 2007-08, the film follows a man once thrown out of his own home to becoming a henchmen for the rich. The internal struggle to survive versus doing the right thing in modern America for the average man has never been more clearly on display. 

17. The Age of Adeline (drama)
A pseudo fantasy film with a simple promise with solid acting and good twists. 

16. Dope (drama)
A fun film that is one of several films that break away and show a different side of American life within the geek community.

15. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (action/adventure)
Just when you thought the films had run out of interesting stuff, comes this gem. Tom Cruise once again rises to the occasion and delivers a film with heart-pounding action/suspense and some great character movements with the IMF team that's finally grown beyond just Ethan Hunt.

14. Brooklyn (drama)
A wonderful story about coming to America from Ireland with solid female standout performances and a story that never tries to be something that it's not.

13. The Force Awakens (fantasy/adventure)
Star Wars finally gets back into form, introducing us to a host of new characters and giving us a few new twists and questions that are sure to keep the curious guessing for awhile.

12. Creed (drama)
Michael B Jordan once again proves while he is one of this generation's best actors. He is able to take the torch from Rocky (Sly Stallone) and boldly run with it.

11. An Honest Liar (documentary)
A surprisingly emotional tale about illusions, frauds and the lies we tell ourselves and others. A must see film.

10  Ant-Man (action)
The only Marvel film that is worth your time and is exciting/fun and has anything new to ad to an overly bloated comic book universe.

9. Cartel Land (documentary)
A mesmerizing documentary that trancends telling a story about the cartels and gives us a fascinating view of how someone with bold/noble and just intentions can eventually succumb to corruption and missteps of their own.

8. Sicario (drama)
Another story set within the drug trade wars between the back dealings of the US/Mexican governments, cartels and people that end up being just pawns to the powerfully corrupt.

7. Ex machina (sci-fi)
A simple, intense psychological film that is one part well acted, one part philosophical sci-fi classic and one part psychological/scary film. This film will definitely be a touchstone of sci-fi in the future.

6. Room (drama)
An intense, small film that involves a world of those imprisoned by deranged people and the psychological impact that these events have on the captives.

5. The Revenant (drama)
A raw survival tale in the cold colonial America with memorable performances including Leonardo DiCaprio and few graphic scenes which have to be seen to be believed.

4. The Martian (sci-fi)
This is one of the rare sci-fi stories that does not break down into a dystopian future tale that is somewhat a warning or cautionary tale. Matt Damon's positivity and Ridley Scott's surprising joyous comedy never fails to delight.

3. Inside out (animated)
It's a wonderful animated film that finds a fun/emotional journey into the very psyche of what feelings are inside all of us. Truly a film only Pixar can deliver.

2. Straight Outta Compton (drama)
A riveting and fascinating biopic about one of the most influential music acts of all time - NWA. With the attention to detail and the twists that could only happen in real life to be believed, this is a 2 1/2 hour film that you can easily sit through another hour of the story.

1. The Big Short (drama/comedy) 
A deftly told film that portrays the economic crash of 2008 from the perspective of those that saw it coming.  Extra credit for taking a rather dull economic story and turning it into one of the most entertaining and important films of the past decade.

Strat's 20 of 2014

The top of the crop for 2014 was some of the fascinating and original cinema in quite awhile. Overall the year seems to have been one where the cinema of distraction reigned supreme as sequels and spinoffs made up most of the films in the American film market. Fortunately, there were some glowing exceptions. A few notable mentions were The Theory of Everything, The Search for General Tso, Beyond the Lights and Showrunners.

20. Edge of Tomorrow (sci-fi)
The first film to blend some of the narrative notions of video games with the traditional 3 act narrative, the film works almost as a science fiction version of Groundhog Day.

19. X-Men:Days of Future Past (sci-fi/action)
The best X-men film since X2 and it manages to be entertaining yet cerebral and socially themed.

18. Interstellar (sci-fi) 

Probably higher up in my mind just for the classic Nolan mind puzzles and scale. It never becomes a vfx show off piece and keeps the characters close at hand. 

17. Neighbors (comedy) 
It's like one of those short form cartoons you'd see from Tom and Jerry as a kid, except done as a series of adults versus frat teens in live action.

16. Mitt (documentary) 
The best doc of an active political campaign since the War Room. While it sometimes seems to oversimplify the decision-making by Romney and cohorts, you have to wonder how much of the spin in the media is just spin.

15. The Babadook (horror) 
A wonderful original entry into the horror/suspense genre without becoming something it's not. It fits right into the pantheon of domestic tales like Rosemary's Baby with an Aussie twist.

14. Gone Girl (drama) 
Fincher's attempt to take a best-selling book and push it even further visually. While the film has some serious plot holes, the intensity of the main characters will have you wondering how well you really know your significant other.

13. Grand Budapest Hotel (comedy)
Wes Anderson films for me are always hit or miss. This is not one of those films that are so full of itself that it gets in the way of telling a good story and we're all rewarding with a light farce.

12. Blue Ruin (drama)
If No Country For Old Men were made for next to nothing, this is what it would look like. A tough, realistic film that pulls no punches.

11. Selma (drama)
A solidly told historical drama that is remarkable in it's telling and at the same time surprising in that it took this many years before it was portrayed. While somewhat overlooked, it is sure to be a film that will be a film of study in years to come.

10. Whiplash (drama)
While I have never been dedicated to a musical instrument, I can fully understand the  extreme obsession of prioritizing one aspect of one's life/career above all else to the detriment of ones own person.

9. Fury (drama)
The intensity of Training day is brought to bear on a WW2 tank film. It has the same sort of claustrophobic tension as some of the great submarine films like Das Boot or Crimson Tide.

8. Foxcatcher (drama)
It's fascinating to see how some people of means can become so detached from society and still be revered for no other reason than their wealth allows them to allow patronage to those of lesser means. Steve Carrell breaks all perceptions of him as merely a comic actor.

7. Citizenfour (documentary)
No one in recent American history has challenged the powers of our government on a fundamental level as Edward Snowden. This is his story and it's told without flinching.

6. Big Hero 6 (animated)
It's one of those films that you're constantly surprised by with its maturity and heart. Not to mention Disney's ability to blend its distinctive style with that of Japanese anime.

5. Chef (comedy) 
This is a film that's hard to decide where to put in on this list. Maybe it's not quite this good, maybe I'm tempering its greatness. What I do know is that it illicits one feeling unlike any other that I've ever placed on this list - hunger. Damn the food looks good.

4. The Lego Movie (animated) 
This is a film that late out ambushed me. In what could have easily been a pure commercial grab, the film jumps up with something to say about society and creativity while still keeping to it's commercial interests.

3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (sci-fi) 
This is what science fiction should be in the sequel world - taking the story to new heights and exploring new dimensions of what makes the original good.

2. Nightcrawler (drama) 
How far will ambition take people desperate to live the American entrepreneurial dream? It's one part Taxi   Driver, one part Network.

1. Boyhood (drama) 
What can I say? It's the best, most impactful film I've seen since Fight Club. Just see it. It's a life changing experience.

Lupe's Top 20 of 2012

20. The Master (drama)
Too bad the movie is told from Johnny Cash's point of view, he's the least interesting and most predictable character here.  And he has no clue how to be a good cultist, not like this:  "I'm covered in the dust of the Leader!  He favors me!"  "I am even dustier, dustier than thou!"

19. Beasts of the Southern Wild (drama)
You can tell it's not a documentary, despite the title, because the aurochs was a bovine, not a pig.  Also because little girls aren't hush puppies (unless maybe you're Ted Bundy).

18. Cosmopolis (drama)
This is what the Foo Fighters' White Limo video would be like if it were written and directed by sterile robot brains only programmed to write one character.

17. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (adventure)
I think what this movie really needed was more songs.  I'm inferring that one of Radagast's bunnies was named Bugs, from what we see of their altercations with the Yosemite Orcs.  Definitely a lot of epic stuff left on the cutting room floor here.  It should have been a quadrilogy.

16. Searching For Sugar Man (documentary)
You missed the zeitgeist, Rodriguez.  You'd have been huge as a hair metal band (for about five minutes).  Luckily for you, the sixties was still going on in South Africa.  Marilyn Manson's going to scare the hell out of them, one of these days.

15. Hitchcock (drama)
Hannibal Lector's eaten one too many livers with fava beans and a nice chianti.  This softer, yet still excitable psycho lets us know that behind every weird auteur there's a woman taking credit for his genius.

14. Compliance (drama)
The true story of a textbook Lewinsky, a dubious authority figure taking advantage of a malleable young girl.  This would never have happened at a McDonalds run by Ron Paul.  That dude missed his calling.

13. Silver Linings Playbook (drama)
I saw this movie back when it was called Garden State.  Hey, I'm emotionally damaged, too (as should be completely obvious from my film reviews).  Where's my manic pixie dreamgirl?

12. Les Miserables (musical/drama)
Chill, Anne Hathaway, jeez.  Some ladies aspire to prostitute themselves.  They're called gold diggers.  At least you found a nice sugar daddy for your little girl, if I'm interpreting this movie correctly.

11. Cabin in the Woods (horror)
So if you ever suspected there was a reason for the endless, samey iterations of boring, repetitive slasher films, whether the killer is a Jason, a Freddy, an S&M horror advertised as being from the mind of Clive Barker, or even Aquaman, it's because Quetzalcoatl is a movie producer, and Quetzalcoatl has notes.

10. Killer Joe (crime)
Killer Joe’s proposal is so special, I’m sure he won’t beat his future bride just because she seems stoned to a Carrie Fisher-like degree, then make her eat a bloody chicken leg like he did his future stepmother-in-law.  Ain’t it a shame to beat your wife on a Sunday?

9. Looper (action)
A one party state in which men vastly outnumber women… China, it's the place to be in the future!  Anyway, these filmmakers must have thought time travel was lame, because they threw in some pointless telekinesis to their movie as well.

8. Skyfall (action)
Between the Jensen Aston Martin or whatever, and going back to M’s original office from the 60’s complete with secretary Miss Moneypenny, we’ve circled back in time.  Though maybe this was a new Austin Powers installment where Mike Myers got a little dark, even for a guy who plays a character named Dr. Evil.  Seriously, though, who upholsters a door?

7. Wreck-It Ralph (animated/family)
Some day, movie watchers will look back on a time when kids went to arcades to play video games as totally anachronistic.  And that day came like twenty years ago.

6. The Avengers (action)
This is the most fun superheroes had all year.  Loki's a great villain who didn't have to steal his master plan from Magneto (looking at you, Lizard), plus you can understand words coming out of his mouth (Bane should get a job voicing Mushmouth for Bill Cosby).

5. Seven Psychopaths (drama/crime)
You never know, this might have been another Kurosawa remake like The Magnificent Seven, or Seven Faces of Dr. Lao, or Seven Minutes in Heaven, or Se7en.  Some of those strayed from the source material, but I think I have that right.  Instead, it has the psycho bunny from Monty Python.  “Go on, Bors, chop his head off.”  Don’t do it, Bors.  This will not end well.

4. Lincoln (historical drama)
Strat hates Lincoln.  He's all like, "States rights, bitches!  I'ma John Wilkes Booth this mofo!"  Me, I got nothin but love for Lincoln.  The best is putting on a stovepipe hat when you tower over everyone else already.  Hat power!

3. Moonrise Kingdom (drama)
There are those of you who will understand if I just say, it's Wes Anderson.  I have a soft spot for this movie because it’s exactly how I remember the Boy Scouts.  I also went on campouts, learned to tie knots, purchased snake bite kits from the trading post, was struck by lightning, and got married when I was twelve years old.

2. Argo (drama/suspense)
The Persians have graduated from Zack Snyder's slow/fast motion to Spielbergian time stretching, and from Xerxes' army of perverts to Khomenei's much scarier and more believable army of perverts.

1. Zero Dark Thirty (drama)
After the long awaited Point Break 2, Kathryn Bigelow might eventually make a biopic about Gadhafi's final days, so hold your breath for that bit where they sodomize him with a bayonet.  For now, settle for being sodomized by slow moving bureaucracy as Little "Red Hair, not Red Tape" Riding Hood mobilizes Team America to take out OG bin Laden.

Strat's 20 of 2013

2013 was a year of starts and stops. At one point it looked as if there would hardly be films I would dare recommend to having a solid grouping within a few months. Considering I've been making these lists for awhile, it shouldn't have come as that big a surprise that the end of the year would see the most number of these films released.  What was surprising is the list of notables not on here including "All is Lost", "Elysium", Don Jon, and "Mud".

20. The World's End (comedy/adventure)
I'm sure many will disagree, but this is my favorite of Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy.  If you've seen the others, you know what to expect tone wise, but you don't need to have in order to follow the film.

19. We're the Millers (comedy)
Sure it's formulaic. But the chemistry between the cast pulls out one of the most surprisingly funny movies of the year.

18. Blackfish (documentary)
If one movie ever provokes you to think twice before accepting at face value the treatment of wild animals in captivity, this will. This unflinching documentary gets right into the grit of life for the orcas which people go to see every day around the world.

17. Dirty Wars (documentary)
At this point, there's probably not much anyone can show you about the American system of covert engagement with "targets" around the world. What this doc does is take all the puzzle pieces and put them together in a rather engaging and provocative manner.

16. Spring Breakers (drama/thriller)
What if Natural Born Killers were sexy college coeds on spring break that then met a Florida gangster? Yeah. It's a ride.

15. 12 Years a Slave (drama)
Quite possibly one of the most difficult movies to watch on the year. Be warned. It's unflinching and brutal. I'm sure by the title you can tell why.

14. The Lunchbox (foreign comedy)
An incredibly rich and fascinating film that revolves entirely around, you guessed it, a lunchbox. While it is very current with its depiction of life in Mumbai, India, director Ritish Batra manages to create a rich tableau of characters that never ceases to entertain or fascinate.

13. Captain Phillips (drama)
This is a film that if it had a different director at the helm and an actor other than Tom Hanks, the realism and genuine honesty of this story wouldn't resonate.  Tom Hanks' greatest acting gift is making you forget its Tom Hanks just as Paul Greengrass makes sure every moment is sincere.

12. Wadjda (foreign drama)
The first feature film ever to come out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it is directed by a woman.  This remarkable glimpse into the world of a little girl growing up in a strongly oppressed world looking to own a bike.

11. Disconnect (drama)
This film likely flies under more radars of films for the year, but is much more important than many other films about contemporary American culture as it explores our virtual "connectedness" today through compelling and someone interconnected stories.

10. Omar (foreign drama)
This is a tense, rough glimpse into the world of a Palestinian freedom fighter/terrorist as he struggles to choose between saving himself or the people around him.

9. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (comedy/drama)
This is one of those uplifting movies that manages to tightrope that fine line between cheesiness and inspirational art.  And if you haven't in awhile, use your passport.

8. The Broken Circle Breakdown (foreign drama)
A gut-wrenching sad foreign film about a country western band's collapse as it is held together by the relationship of a mother, father and dying daughter.

7. The Dallas Buyers Club (drama)
You'll spend half the movie thinking "Is that really Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey? Then the rest of it, enthralled in the ethics struggle between them and the politicians and drug companies fight.

6. Inside Llewyn Davis (comedy/drama)
It's hard not to like this movie about a dislikable fellow on his quest.  It's a movie without your typical 3 act structure that is cleverly written, but never feels like it's too clever.

5. Cutie and the Boxer (documentary)
Can't say it's not somehow personal to watch a film about the struggles of being an artist in a big city.  What makes this so wonderful is the love and desire that the artistic couple in this film feel for each other through it all.

4. Nebraska (comedy/drama)
It's sort of a trip through a portal into old mid-west Americana and looking at all of it 50 years later.

3. Gravity (sci-fi/drama)
It's hard to appreciate the movie in 2D the way you can in 3D.  The awesomeness of the vacuum of space is both terrifying and magical. Thankfully this film weaves a balance of heart and story in such a way that keeps it heavy in your mind and soul.

2. The Square (documentary)
A glimpse into the life of the various factions within the Egyptian populace that took to the streets during the 2011 Arab Spring protests and the aftermath.  The film captures what feels like a 360 degree view of the people involved.

1. Her (sci-fi romantic comedy)
One of the most lovely, touching and absolutely moving films in a long time.  It's incredibly personal about how impersonal Her is.

Strat's 20 of 2012

2012 mirrored 1999 in some rather interesting ways - it started off slow and picked up the pace and highly anticipated second trilogies by well-respected filmmakers meet with good box office, but disappointing fan reactions.  That said, putting the 2012 list together was an exercise in deciding what got left off. Notable films that didn't make it were Amour, Magic Mike, The Sessions and Ted (go ahead and laugh).

20. Amazing Spider-Man (action)
I was ready to write this off as re-boot with no business being made. Then I realized Andrew Garfield managed to find a portrayal of Peter Parker that is both vulnerable and bold.

19. Frances Ha (drama)
This is a film that I was not exactly looking for as a "ooh I have to see it" from the ads or the recommends on Netflix. That said, it's a great film. An honest film about friendships and love and growing up in your late 20s.

18. Skyfall (action drama)
What happens when someone decides to make one of the most visual Bond films ever? What happens when you actually think Bond could be broken or that he really exists? You get awesomeness.

17. Wreck-It Ralph (animated comedy)
It's about time that someone brought the video game world to the big screen without trying to make it about the video games.  The filmmakers here triumphantly went for substance much deeper than the 8-bit pixels.

16. Looper (sci-fi)
It's not often than you see a single, but complex story executed with such precision and depth that it is a moving and exciting experience. Kudos to getting this story made.

15. Django Unchained (western)
The star of this film isn't Jamie Foxx or Leonardo DiCaprio.  That honor is bestowed to Tarantino for delivery another sharp, clever, written performance to an otherwise tired genre.

14. Hitchcock (drama)
It only makes sense that the "Master of Suspense" himself was a creepy, strange fellow.  It's part bio pic, part horror film.  All excellent.

13. The Master (drama)
No, this movie has NOTHING to do with Scientology.  What is Scientology you say?  Watch this film.  For once, a film that shows the genesis of how a spiritual following starts.

12. Cloud Atlas (sci-fi)
One of the most intriguing films I've seen in years.  Not to mention actors in roles you would not ever imagine.  I mean Halle Berry as a man? Come on.  It's part Matrix, part Tree of Life.

11. Brave (animated adventure)
I would never have watched it based on the trailers, but the film shows it's much better than that.  With fantasy and fun suitable for small children and mature themes for the older audience.

10. Safety Not Guaranteed (sci-fi/comedy)
This is one of the more touching and funny films of the year. Aubrey Plaza's dry delivery mixes perfectly with the absurdity of her time traveling partner.

9. End of Watch (drama/thriller)
The most intense, thrilling cop film I've seen since Training Day.  With the decision to intermix "found footage" with traditional cinema techniques, it takes on a fresh vibrant life of it's own.

8. Indie Game: The Movie (documentary)
It might be about the independent video game developer world, but it's difficult to not see connections with their struggles and that of anyone else in the creative side of the entertainment industry.

7. Flight (drama)
Yes, it's a movie about addiction.  Yes, it's about a crazy airline crash.  But unlike an actual flight, this film is about the journey much more than the destination.

6. Ruby Sparks (comedy/drama)
One of the sweetest and definitely darkest romantic comedy I've ever seen.  There are a lot of opportunities for this movie to have taken a well worn direction, but it never ceases to find something interesting and insightful.

5. To Rome With Love (comedy)
Just when people were starting to write off Woody, he churns out 3 great movies in 5 years.  As daring as some of his early work was at the time, it's become evident that while not that daring anymore he has an innate ability to do what many filmmakers fail to recall - tell an good story.

4. 21 Jump Street (action/comedy)
This movie jumped up and surprised me.  I really had not considered how much the high school culture itself has changed in the last 10 years until I saw the dots connected in this surprising remake of the old TV series.

3. Searching For Sugarman (documentary)
If you don't know what this movie is about, don't look it up.  It will make the movie THAT much more surprising and moving. Not that it needs much help.  Certainly one of the most uplifting movies that you'll ever see - and it's a true story!

2. Silver Linings Playbook (comedy/drama)
Just great writing and great acting just chewing through scenes; always taking the unconventional road. Up and down as much as someone with bi-polar.  Good thing that's part of the story.

1. Argo (drama)
It's your classic historical drama. Like Flight, it's a story that is about the journey rather than the destination.  What makes this that much better is that the story is so insane, it has to be true.  Fortunately it is.

Lupe's Top 20 of 2011

All of Hollywood's millions of hours of hard work don't amount to much in the worst year for movies since I started doing these lists.  Try harder, celebutards!

20. The Artist (drama)
Critics can see through style over substance when its in service of a big dumb action movie, like 300, but always get taken in by the novelty when it's Oscar bait, like Moulin Rouge, or like The Artist.  But it doesn't make the characters any less flat, or the story less shallow.

19. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (crime)
If the original Swedish version didn't make you feel uncomfortable enough, this should do the trick.  About as bad as the shot for shot remake of Psycho.

18. Super 8 (sci-fi)
A cross between ripoffs of ET and The Goonies, if that's your thing.

17. Young Adult (drama)
The writer behind the Mary Sue is an unpleasant alcoholic.  Kinda makes sense.  Diablo Cody without the charm of Juno. Or even Jennifer's Body.

16. Hugo (family)
Scorsese has two passions: filmmaking and the mob.  Sadly, this movie is about filmmaking.

15. The Adjustment Bureau (sci-fi)
Matt Damon plays a politician whom the world actually revolves around.  As if a politician's ego isn't big enough already.

14. Source Code (sci-fi)
Jake Gyllenhal sure can play a torso.

13. Hanna (action)
A seventeen year old girl experiments with murder and lesbianism.  That's a small and scary target audience.

12. The Help (drama)
Nothing makes me love my fellow man more than a poo pie.  I wonder if Gandhi ever borrowed that recipe?

11. The Descendants (drama)
George Clooney opens the movie by telling us that Hawaii is as humdrum as any other place.  Then we find out that he owns this vast, unspoiled tract of idyllic beachfront paradise.  Up yours, George Clooney.

10. Thor (action)
The son of Odin is just a bad dude until Natalie Portman tames his impudent heart.  He may be whipped, but he still knows how to hoist his hammer.  For Asgard!

9. My Week With Marilyn (drama)
In the real world, Lawrence Olivier's "be a dick" approach would be way more productive than falling in love with your psycho starlet.

8. The Lincoln Lawyer (drama)
Feels like a big budget TV pilot, though I doubt they'd get Bongo McConaughey to come back for the series.  Maybe if it was on HBO and they offered him copious nude scenes.

7. Captain America (action)
Heil Hydra.  Cut off one head and two more shall take its place.  Cut off their balls, though, and they'll be a little more housebroken.

6. A Dangerous Method (drama)
This looked like a lot of fun for the actors, especially the spanking scenes.  And then she was murdered by Hitler.  As Freud would say, sometimes a cigar is just a Nazi firing squad.

5. Moneyball (drama)
One of the better movies from this otherwise regrettable year, but they could have made the porn version of its title just a little less obvious.

4. X-Men: First Class (action)
Mystique never does the whole "mutant and proud" thing with Banshee because he's a ginger, and that's nothing to be proud of.

3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (spy thriller)
Before long, George Smiley finds out that his frumpy Panamanian housemaid was secretly Karla all along, if that Soviet spymaster's name is anything to go by.  Power to the Smiley's People!

2. 50/50 (comedy/drama)
JGL: "I have cancer."  Seth Rogen: "And your girlfriend's a bitch."  Definitely one of the year's few good movies.

1. The Devil's Double (drama)
They could do this same story by replacing Uday Hussein and his Iraqi schoolgirls with Michael Jackson whisking away young boys to Neverland Ranch and it might be even more horrifying.  Or is it still too soon?