December 2013 Movie Rankings!

Welcome to The Movie Ranker! I spend a lot my time watching movies and TV shows and talking about what I watch with family and friends. Starting this blog is my way of letting more people in on the conversation, and possibly providing some amusement for everyone as well. So take a look at my top 5 list for December 2013!

# 5
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

This movie is "kind of a big deal." Ron Burgundy fans were on pins and needles all year waiting for the legend to continue, and as long as you're a fan, Anchorman 2 did not disappoint. Will Ferrell and Adam Mckay come right back at you with the same I'll-say-anything-and -as- long-as-it's-the-most-random-thing-in-the-world-it'll-be-funny type of humor they perfected in their previous collaborations.  Why is it funny to have a news anchor raise a shark and then later have that shark try to eat him? I don't know, but I was laughing my butt off! Not many people get these kinds of jokes, namely my parents' generation!

# 4
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Thank you Peter Jackson, thank you. Last year you had me scared with An Unexpected Journey. It was overly long and moved too slow, definitely not on par with LOTR. But your are back on track with The Desolation of Smaug. The movie was still too long but at least the frequent action sequences kept it rolling along, and the special effects (especially Smaug) were captivating. I'm sure the insertion of Orlando Bloom drew out the female crowed and helped to rake in the money in tickets sales, so...good call! Martin Freeman is doing a great job as Bilbo and after binge watching the BBC series Sherlock, Freeman is moving up my list of great, not just good, actors. Oh, and I would be remiss to not mention that Freeman's buddy, Benedict Cumberbatch, voices the dragon, Smaug. How did I know who voices Smaug? Elementary, my dear Bilbo!

# 3
American Hustle

I think American Hustle is definitely one of the best con movies I've seen. It certainly makes it more intriguing to me that it is based on actual scams the FBI pulled in the late 70's and early 80's and period films always make me sit up and pay attention. Of course seeing Batman with a really bad comb over had me LMFAO! The main cast puts in a good performance but Jeremy Renner was the best. Maybe I'm just a fan of his but I think Jennifer Lawrence is getting too much attention for playing the dumb blond and Renner is being over looked. I believe it's easier to play crazy than a good politician getting in over his head. The music and clothes in the film will make you feel nostalgic, but the chest hair curling out of the big collar shirts will make you glad to be in the 21st century!

# 2
Saving Mr. Banks

Typically I'm not a fan of movies about movies. It just seems to me that those types of films are self serving and a little like Hollywood is saying "look at me, look at me!" But Saving Mr. Banks had a theme that anyone can relate to and resonates with my sense of heritage; how our loved ones are remembered and perceived after they pass away. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson portray Walt Disney and PL Travers, the author of Mary Poppins. Both do an incredible job, but I still think Hanks was better in The Money Pit! You can't beat the tub falling through the floor and his laughing! It seems Travers had a hard time letting Disney have the rights to her Mary Poppins character because she was staunchly anti-animation. You'd think the author of a beloved children's novel would like cartoons. Besides, cartoons are just another entertainment medium for children. However, as it is hammered home to no end in this movie, that is not the case with Travers. Really though, who doesn't like cartoons?! Travers also seemed to really have it in for Walt Disney. Really though, who doesn't like Walt Disney?!...well, besides Meryl Streep?http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/01/10/critics-facts-dont-back-up-meryl-streeps-walt-disney-bashing/

# 1
 12 Years a Slave

The journey of Solomon Northup is not an easy thing to watch. There are many films that portray the atrocities of slavery in America, but this one gives us the perspective of a freeman who loses his freedom, as opposed to someone who was born into slavery. The loss of liberty and family all in one instant elevates the sense of hopelessness and desperation. Chiewetel Ejiofer, does an exceptional job conveying Solomon's horror in the face of terrible loss and cruelty and Lupita Nyong'o's and Michael Fassbender's performances are not to be missed. Similar to Schindler's List, 12 Years a Slave is difficult to watch, but because of it's historical relevance, I was glad I did.