By Colleen Schuler, e-Management
It’s that time again. e-Management’s annual movie review. There are so many movies to see, and so little time!
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire made our best of 2013 list. Is it on yours? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Let’s start first with some of the movies that I’ve seen this year (starting with the most recent)…
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire – Ahh, yes…if you are a Hunger Games fan, you will probably like this. If you’ve been living in a cave for the past year, Catching Fire is the second book/movie in the Hunger Games series. Just as good as the first, in my humble opinion. Former “tributes” (victors in other Hunger Games) have to fight again in the Quarter Quell (75th anniversary)—which means President Snow has a chance to get rid of Katniss Everdeen—Mockingjay—the unwitting symbol of the rebels. 
Gravity – Visually stunning and worth it to see it in 3-D or Imax 3-D. Well-acted; I’m sure Sandra Bullock will get an Oscar nom. 
The Way, Way Back – Oh, to be a teenager again—NOT! Funny coming-of-age movie. Duncan, a 14-year-old, has to deal with his mom’s obnoxious boyfriend on a summer vacation. But he finds support in an unlikely place. Love the cast (Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph, Steve Carell).
Captain Phillips – Very on-the-edge-of-your-seat type of movie. In case you don’t remember, in 2009 Phillips (played by Tom Hanks) was the captain on the Maersk freight liner and taken hostage by Somali pirates; Phillips was rescued by the U.S. Navy and the Navy Seals. The last scene includes a real Navy Hospital corpsman, she ad-libbed the scene with Hanks (how cool is that?!). The film may not be completely true in its portrayal of the captain but it doesn’t get in the way of telling a good story.
World War Z – My first zombie movie!!! And probably my last. Don’t get me wrong, the movie wasn’t bad; it’s just not my genre. Brad Pitt, plays a U.N. employee tasked with helping to find the source (and cure) of a pandemic. 
Iron Man 3 – Aaahh….I’m a sucker for super hero movies! Robert Downey reprises his role as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Of course, he’s personally vested in battling a bad guy who is hard to destroy. Action-packed, cool effects. Stay through the credits, which are really lonnnnnnnnnnnnng!
Oblivion – Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) remains on a futuristic Earth as a maintenance/security technician. But are he and his partner – set to leave Earth in two weeks – the only ones left? Interesting plot twist toward the end. I know it didn’t get great reviews but I found it enjoyable. 
Side Effects – A psychological thriller with a pharmacological twist. Entertaining, keeps you guessing. Pay attention to the opening scene!
Now one from special guest reviewer Dennis Powell…
Silver Linings Playbook received eight Academy Award® nominations; Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress. This film is definitely one of my favorite romantic comedies. Lawrence plays a promiscuous and complicated widow who helps Bradley Cooper’s character reconnect to his wife. The movie, however, isn’t as dark as it may seem. In contrast, the film actually highlights the importance of family and how unconditional love from friends and family can be the best medicine. Besides Cooper and Lawrence, the movie also features an ensemble cast who brings their special blend of movie magic to Playbook.
Now, these are movies on my must-see list that I haven’t gotten around to see; but the buzz is fairly good…
Thor: The Dark World – I’m sure this movie is MARVEL-ous for Thor—or Chris Hemsworth—fans! Thor is in a fight to save Earth at a great personal cost. He is reunited with Jane Foster (an “Earthling” played by Natalie Portman). You might want to see the first movie, Thor, to give you context. Oh, and stay through the credits!
Philomena – Based on the true story of a woman who gave up her son (conceived out of wedlock) for adoption in America, and her search to find him. Judi Dench is the title character, so you know it’s got to be good.
12 Years a Slave – This has been out since late October, so I’m not sure how long it will be in theaters. Based on the true story of a free black man from New York who was kidnapped and made to work as a slave in Louisiana. Good cast.
Saving Mr. Banks – Oh, I can’t wait to see this movie—it has two of my favorite actors (Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson) and tells the story of how Walt Disney (finally) got the rights to the Mary Poppins book from a very reluctant author.
Your Two Cents
I’ve given you my two cents. Now, it’s time for you to share. Do you agree with our review? What are your favorite movies of 2013? What about your least favorite? Looking forward to getting your two cents!
