Crossover Insider ~ New Movie Releases; Top 10 Rentals of 2013; and Tyler’s Top 10 Movies of 2013
GOODBYE 2013 ~ HELLO 2014!
Tyler Davis, Owner Crossover Video & Games
Goodbye 2013, hello 2014! While some (if not most) of us are scratching our heads wondering where the last 365 days went, the end of the year is an ideal time to recollect on some of the year’s best movies. Keep reading for my list of my favorite movies of the year as well as our top 10 rentals of the year.
But first, on behalf of Crossover Video and Games and 2 Doors Down, I want to take an opportunity to thank our readers from Manitouwadge for your tremendous support of our partnership to bring the latest and hottest new releases to the people of Manitouwadge. It was been 1 year since we started the project and it has been a big success so far! Please pat yourself on the back knowing that when you rent your movies from 2 Doors Down, you are supporting not 1, but 2 local businesses! Thank you for your support, and we look forward to continuing to bring you the latest and hottest New Releases in 2014!
Due to the holidays, this week saw a much smaller than usual slate of new movies- only 2 in total. Here is a synopsis of each;
NEW MOVIE RELEASES
Don Jon: starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Julianne Moore – A young man struggles to find true love and satisfaction as he deals with his obsession with porn. (Drama/Comedy) (DVD and Blu-Ray) Also available to rent at 2 Doors Down in Manitouwadge!
Sweetwater: starring Ed Harris and January Jones – In the late 1800s, a fanatical religious leader, a renegade Sheriff, and a former prostitute collide in a blood triangle on the rugged plains of the New Mexico Territory. (Western/Drama) (DVD and Blu-Ray) Also available to rent at 2 Doors Down in Manitouwadge!
TOP 10 MOST POPULAR RENTALS OF 2013 @ CROSSOVER
Before we get to my list of 2013’s top movies, let’s have a look at what our customers were renting. Drumroll please, these were our top 10 rentals were the year 2013:
TYLER’S TOP 10 OF 2013
And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for 😉 My top 10 favorite movies of the year. Although I didn’t get to see all of them, I watched my fair share of movies this past year. The top 10 on my list stood out above the rest. There is a mix of comedy, action and some drama, even a couple of zombie movies (which I’m not normally a fan of). Without any further delay, here is my list;
10. Gangster Squad
WHO: Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn and Josh Brolin
WHY: The star studded cast meant that, at the very least, we’d get to enjoy the work of some of Hollywood’s finest. What we got was much more. This movie tells the true story of Mickey Cohen, the ruthless gangster who held the city of Los Angeles in his grips during the mid 20th century. Great attention to period detail created a very real atmosphere which lent to the suspense of the movie. A very suspenseful and well-acted gangster movie worthy of #10 on the list!
9. We’re the Millers
WHO: Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Anniston.
WHY: Hands down, the funniest movie of the year in my opinion. Sudeikis plays a small-time drug dealer who is blackmailed into smuggling drugs across the border from Mexico to the USA. In order to appear less suspicious, he enlists the help of his neighbor (Anniston) and 2 kids from his apartment to form a make-shift family. What follows is a hilarious road-trip with mishap after mishap. So funny, I watched it twice! We’re the Millers beat out “The Heat” for my pick as funniest movie of the year and the #9 spot on my list.
8. Mud
WHO: Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon
WHY: Matthew McConaughey gives the performance of his life as a drifter with a secret “stranded” on an island. When a pair of young boys visit the island, their lives change forever as they befriend McConaughney’s character and are immediately drawn into his web of lies. I loved the acting in this movie, especially Tye Sheridan who gives an amazing performance as one of the young boys. The build-up throughout the movie leads to an explosive ending. This movie under performed at the theatres but it shouldn’t be missed. Check it out if you haven’t already!
7. World War Z
WHO: Brad Pitt
WHY: The first of 2 zombie movies on my list from someone who does not typically like these types of movies. This is not your typical zombie story. What makes it different is the very strong plot and the realistic feel of the premise. You’ll never be bored as the action commences a mere ten minutes into the movie as downtown Philadelphia is hit with a zombie outbreak. World War Z had me glued to the screen from beginning to end as I wanted desperately to find out what would happen to Pitt’s character and his family. There are a couple of minor plot holes that the keen eye may pick out, but the sheer excitement and intenseness of the movie was enough to override them.
6. WARM BODIES
WHO: Nicholas Hoult
WHY: The other zombie movie on my list checks into the number 6 spot. Very few movies contain laughs, action, scares and a love story all-in-one. Warm Bodies manages to pull of this feet. Hoult stars as a zombie in a post apocalyptic world where very few humans remain. Things change for his character when he lays eyes on Julie, a young (living) lady as she and her friends fend off a zombie attack. Hoult saves Julie and takes her to his “home” where he keeps her safe from his fellow zombie buddies. What follows is a touching and exciting adventure as a zombie and a human form a bond and defy all odds. This may sound like a strange premise- it is- but it works! Definitely worth watching!
5. The Impossible
WHO: Naomi Watts
WHY: The captivating and gripping true story of an American family as they get caught in the tsunami that struck the coast of Thailand in 2004.
Imagine being with your family one minute and then waking up the next, on a pile of debris in a flowing river with no idea of where your family has gone- or if they are still even alive. This is a story of courage, survival and determination with excellent acting. The fact that it’s a true story makes it even more interesting as you cheer for the family in hopes that they can reconnect and survive in their tsunami ravaged village. At #5 on my list, it is an ideal choice for those who like true stories.
4. Skyfall
WHO: Daniel Craig
WHY: I like James Bond movies but I never thought I’d be putting one on my top 10 list. So what makes this one different than the others? For starters, Bond is not invisible. He is not dodging bullets and jumping off of buildings. He is actually in less than ideal shape and on the brink of retirement. But when his government falls under attack, he answers the call of duty and, with the help of some friends, he embarks on what could be his final mission- to catch whoever is responsible for the attack on his government. As with most Bond movies, there is plenty of action to keep your interest but the final few scenes are truly some of the most exciting scenes from any movie this year. IIf you’ve written off James Bond and skipped Skyfall, please reconsider- it is well worth the watch!
3. Django Unchained
WHO: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L Jackson
WHY: Quentin Tarantino is one of the more controversial directors in Hollywood. His movies are usually either big hits or big flops. This gritty and often brutal Western thriller is definitely a big hit! Throughout the movie we are following the adventures of Django, a slave, and a wealthy dentist who frees him. As Django and the dentist grow close, they team up to find Django’s wife Broomhilda and quickly learn that she is being held captive by the ruthless Calvin Candie, played by DiCaprio who is very convincing in the villainous role. This is another one of those movies that had me captivated from beginning to end as we can’t help but cheer for Django and the dentist as they set out to defy all odds during the era of slavery. If you haven’t already, check this one out- but be prepared for a fair share of violence.
2. Argo
WHO: Ben Affleck
WHY: The winner of the 2013 Academy Award for Best Picture, Argo, checks in at #2 on my list. Argo tells the true story of a heroic rescue mission during the hostage crisis in Iran. After the American embassy is invaded and attacked by rioters in hostile Iran, it is up to Affleck’s character to come up with a plan to safely evacuate the hostages back to the USA as they seek temporary refuge in the home of the Canadian Ambassador. I mentioned that Skyfall featured “some of the most exciting scenes” in any movie this year but Argo had the single most exciting scene of the year. I was literally on the edge of my seat and waving my arms frantically as the rescue mission was in progress. With so much planning and so many lives on the line, it was truly nerve-wracking as the scene played out. As exciting as the one scene was, the entire movie was well acted, well directed and well executed. A must watch!
AND NOW FOR MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF THE YEAR, #1 is…
#1 TOP MOVIE OF 2013:
END OF WATCH
WHO: Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena
WHY: In a gang and drug ridden neighborhood, 2 Los Angeles cops put their lives on the line each and every day as they report to duty. This movie is done in first-hand camera style which really makes you feel like you’re in the movie. As the criminal activity in the neighborhood escalates, each call that they receive becomes that much more exhilarating. I spoke to a local police officer and he told me that this movie accurately portrays the day-to-day life of a big city cop- you can’t get a much better endorsement than this. Gyllenhaal and Pena’s characters are not only partners, but best friends, and their on screen chemistry leads to immediate likeability. There is a lot of foul language throughout this movie but it is necessary as it only adds to the authentic feel of the film as 2 cops carry out their dangerous jobs in a crime infested community. I can’t come up with enough words to describe just how much I liked this movie so please just check it out for yourself- you won’t regret it!
So there you have it! You’ve heard what are customers were watching and what I liked. Now treat yourself to some down time and check out these great movies today! Do you have your list of favorites? Let us hear them! Post your Top 10 below or email Tyler at CrossoverVideo@hotmail.ca!
Thank you again for your support in 2013! We look forward to serving you in 2014!
Have a safe week and don’t forget to support your local businesses!
Tyler Davis, Owner
Crossover Video and Games, Marathon
