The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Date seen: 28 January 2014

Rated PG-13, 146 mins

IMDB User Rating: 8.0

Metascore: 75/100 (User Score: 8.1)

Tomatometer: 90% Certified Fresh (Audience: 92%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.70/10

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:

Probably one of the best adapted movies in recent years. With a strong cast, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) makes it sure to make the viewers as enthralled as the second book by Suzanne Collins for her Hunger Games trilogy--Catching Fire. As the movie runs more gripping, it all of a sudden ends--makes your gut ache and makes you lust for more. A literary masterpiece with social significance by the craft of Collins' adapted into a magnificent film, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) is a must-see--not just for young adults but also for the young-at-hearts.

For your consideration: 

• Acting: Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
• Acting: Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
• Acting: Jena Malone as Johanna Mason
• Cinematography
• Costume Design
• Make-up
• Adapted Screenplay
• Ensemble

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Scores are as of posting.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

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Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Date seen: 27 January 2014

Rated R, 117 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 8.0

Metascore: 84/100 (User Score: 8.1)

Tomatometer: 93% Certified Fresh (Audience: 93%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.75/10

Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:

Dallas Buyers Club (2013) is compelling and almost-perfect. Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto merit all the accolades they have been receiving recently. This film is the best biopic of the year, making it a must-see and a never-miss.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof
• Acting: Jared Leto as Rayon
• Film of the Year
• Original Screenplay
• Make-up
• Editing
• Ensemble

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Scores are as of posting.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

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The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Date seen: 26 January 2014

Rated R, 180 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 8.6

Metascore: 75/100 (User Score: 8.0)

Tomatometer: 77% Certified Fresh (Audience: 83%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.50/10

Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:

Though lengthy, The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is lavishly entertaining with superb performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and the rest of the cast backed by a marvelous screenplay. There is elegance in the dark humor, greed, and immorality. Martin Scorsese is indeed a master.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort
• Acting: Jonah Hill as Donnie Azoff
• Film of the Year
• Directing
• Adapted Screenplay
• Costume Design
• Editing
• Ensemble

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Scores are as posting.

The Book Thief (2013)

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The Book Thief (2013)

Date seen: 26 January 2014

Rated PG-13, 131 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 7.7

Metascore: 53/100 (User Score: 7.6)

Tomatometer: 50% Rotten (Audience: 79%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.80/10

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:

This movie adaptation might not be as vivid as the novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, but it squeezes your tear ducts, makes your heart ache, and at the same time inspires. The powerful delivery by the young lead Sophie Nelisse, Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush, and Academy Award nominee Emily Watson elevates the film to the roster of 2013's best movies. 

For your consideration:

• Acting: Sophie Nelisse as Liesel
• Acting: Emily Watson as Rosa
• Acting: Geoffrey Rush as Hans
• Film of the Year
• Original Score
• Costume Design
• Production Design

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Scores are as of posting.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Date seen: 23 January 2014

Rated PG, 114 mins.
IMDB User Rating: 7.6
Metascore: 54/100 (User Score: 7.7)
Tomatometer: 48% Rotten (Audience: 76%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.15/10
Recommendation: B - Recommended
Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:
Packed with breathtaking shots and well-written screenplay plus the pleasing performances from Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig is a movie worth to spend some time. A salad of adventure, fantasy, comedy, and drama--with a dressing of a little romance--The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) is a sure entertainer.

For your consideration:

• Film of the Year
• Visual Effects
• Editing
• Original Score

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Scores are as of posting.

Her (2013)

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Her (2013)

Date seen: 20 January 2014

Rated R, 126 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 8.5
Metascore: 91/100 (User Score: 8.8)
Tomatometer: 94% Certified Fresh (Audience: 86%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.15/10
Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended
Grade: ST - Watch if you can't Sleep

Notes:
What makes Spike Jonze's Her (2013) special is its outstanding screenplay coupled with excellent production design, musical score, cinematography and--of course, the noteworthy performance of lead act Joaquin Phoenix. Almost a one-man show, Phoenix effectively conveys Theodore Twombly's love, desperation, sadness, and risque. Amy Adams played her role effortlessly which could have deserved a supporting act nod if not for limited exposure--as well as Rooney Mara. Scarlett Johansson sounded like a prostitute the whole time--her depiction of the physically-nowhere Samantha. Her (2013) touches the soul as it cleverly explores the possibilities of love and the outcomes of human acts that result from it.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly
• Acting: Amy Adams as Amy
• Film of the Year
• Directing
• Original Screenplay
• Musical Score
• Cinematography
• Production Design
• Costume Design

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Scores are as of posting.

American Hustle (2013)

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American Hustle (2013)

Date seen: 19 January 2014

Rated R, 138 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 7.8

Metascore: 90/100 (User Score: 7.8)

Tomatometer: 93% Certified Fresh (Audience: 80%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.00/10

Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended

Grade: ST - Watch if you can't Sleep

Notes:

American Hustle (2013) is easily one of the best movies for 2013. David O. Russell shows us why he is one of the best film directors today. The cast by their names alone is a dream team, but, with the excellent portrayals of leads Christian Bale and Amy Adams, supports Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Jeremy Renner it's like a dream come true--who else can you ask for? The only downside of this film is that it is slow-paced that it might lose you to sleep.

For your consideration:

• Acting: Christian Bale as Irving Rosenfeld
• Acting: Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser
• Acting: Jennifer Lawrence as Rosalyn Rosenfeld
• Acting: Bradley Cooper as Richie DiMaso
• Acting: Jeremy Renner as Mayor Carmine Polito
• Film of the Year
• Directing
• Ensemble
• Production Design
• Costume Design
• Make-up
• Original Screenplay
• Editing

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Scores are as of posting.

  

Frozen (2013)

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Frozen (2013)

Date seen: 14 January 2014

Rated PG, 102 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 8.1

Metascore: 74/100 (User Score: 8.2)

Tomatometer: 89% Certified Fresh (Audience: 90%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.96/10

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:

Undeniably Disney in every way, this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen exudes warmth with the captivating visuals of snow and vividly written screenplay. Frozen (2013) will make you forget the feelings you've had for the past animated films you saw this year. Certainly a best-animated-film material.

For your consideration:

• Voice Acting: Josh Gad as Olaf
• Voice Acting: Kristen Bell as Anna
• Animated Film of the Year
• Character Design: Olaf
• Character Animation
• Production Design
• Visual Effects
• Editing
• Music
• Original Song: Let it Go
• Directing
• Screenplay

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Scores are as of posting.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

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12 Years a Slave (2013)

Date seen: 14 January 2014

Rated R, 134 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 8.6

Metascore: 97/100 (User Score: 8.1)

Tomatometer: 97% Certified Fresh (Audience: 93%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.75/10

Recommendation: C - Selectively Recommended

Grade: QT - Watch if you want to have Quality Time

Notes:

This film will bring you to the times of suffering, courage, faith, and endurance of those under any form of slavery in the past and even today. 12 Years a Slave (2013) leaves an imprint on why we should do away with injustice in our society. With a well-adapted screenplay from Solomon Northup's 12 Years A Slave book and soulful acts from Chiwetel Ejiofor--who plays lead as Northup--and the rest of the cast is one of 2013's best movies. 

For your consideration: 

• Acting: Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup
• Acting: Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey
• Acting: Michael Fassbender as Edwin Epps
• Film of the Year
• Adapted Screenplay
• Cinematography
• Costume Design
• Make-up
• Ensemble
• Directing
• Editing
• Musical Score

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Scores are as of posting.

Turbo (2013)

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Turbo (2013)

Date seen: 07 January 2014

Rated PG, 96 mins.

IMDB User Rating: 6.4

Metascore: 58/100 (User Score: 6.1)

Tomatometer: 67% Fresh (Audience: 67%)

Movie Notebook Score: 9.15/10

Recommendation: A - Highly Recommended

Grade: GT - Watch if you want to have a Good Time

Notes:

Turbo (2013) honestly falls behind The Croods (2013) due to its predictable plot, and behind Despicable Me 2 (2013) in terms of originality. The character design, animated effects, and voice talents are at par with the animated films that went out in 2013. This movie teaches us something and it could be an important factor for a possible nod from award-giving bodies. Not great nor utterly poor, but, enough to squeeze the tear glands--if you're not that hard. If you're that dreamer hoping to achieve your goals, Turbo (2013) will certainly push you to go further. 

For your consideration:

• Voice Acting: Paul Giamatti as Chet 
• Animated Film of the Year
• Visual Effects
• Music 
• Voice Acting Ensemble
• Character Design

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Scores are as of posting.