Screening Room: “Shawn’s Best (and worst) Movies of 2013”

RUSS
Welcome to this special edition of the Screening Room.

SHAWN
It’s our look at the best movies of the year.

RUSS
After watching more than 250 movies we have each selected the 10 best and the 10 worst of the year.

SHAWN
Not easy but fun.

RUSS
To see our complete list go to fox4kc.com.

SHAWN
Now here’s my countdown of the top five cinematic offerings of 2013.

#5: THE GREAT GATSBY (R) Warmer Bros.
No movie dazzled and entertained the way director Baz Lurmann’s crazy and over the top retelling of the classic novel did. The combination of swagged out sets, stunning costumes, whiz bang editing and an eclectic mix of music was genius. Throw in a pimpalicious Leonardo DiCaprio and you’ve got magic.

#4: BLUE CAPRICE (R) IFC
Not so much a thriller in the traditional sense but a deeply disturbing character study fueled by a staggering explosive performance by Isaiah Washington. Inspired by the true events of the DC Sniper first time writer and director Alexandre Moors delivers a wickedly freighting portrait of evil.

#3: BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (NC-17) IFC
A gorgeously told love story. “Blue is the Warmest Color” is a beautiful cinematic experience. In this French film two young women fall in love in one of the most realistic and authentically true romantic movies ever. Explicit love scenes yes. But never exploitive.

#2: FRUITVALE STATION (R) The Weinstein Co.
An emotional and sobering examination of how
the urban sprawls if America eats it young. First-time director Ryan Coogler delivers a potent and emotional film that shows Oscar Grant’s last 24-hours before being shot and killed by an Oakland transit officer. Scary, unnerving and sad.

#1: 12 YEARS A SLAVE (R) Fox Searchlight
Haunting, beautiful and intense. But
also extremely important. “12 Years a Slave”
is easily the best film ever about slavery and
the best movie of 2013. It’s a true masterpiece. A unique combination of artistic genius and efficient storytelling that brilliantly provides a harrowing glimpse of America’s ugliest chapter in history. The acting is stellar, directing off the charts and execution flawless. Actually “12 Years a Slave” is the most moving and powerful film I’ve ever seen.

And that’s a look at my top five movies of 2013.

Shawn’s Full List, Best of 2013:

1. 12 Years a Slave (R)
2. Fruitvale Station (R)
3. Blue is the Warmest Color (NC-17)
4. Blue Caprice (R)
5. The Great Gatsby (PG-13)
6. Go For Sisters (Unrated)
7. The Grandmaster (PG-13)
8. Gimme the Loot (Unrated)
9. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (PG-13)
10. The Bling Ring (R)

Shawn’s Full List, Worst of 2013:

1. Spring Breakers (R)
2. The Lone Ranger (PG-13)
3. The Host (PG-13)
4. Grown Ups 2 (PG-13)
5. The Counselor (R)
6. Kick-Ass 2 (R)
7. The Big Wedding (R)
8. This is the End (R)
9. Oz the Great and Powerful (PG)
10. The Wolf of Wall Street (R)