Some 2013 Top Ten Teasers

And here we are in 2013. One of my New Year's resolutions was to take less than a year to post my movie reviews. (Another was to slow-down on the stalking of Ricky "Rick" Schroder. K, one more was to stop throwing various items at my television when Tony Romo throws an interception. We all have goals and dreams.)  So while this here isn't a Top Ten of the year (it's only September) here are three movies that have stood out for me so far:

Blue Jasmine: A -

Very few writer/directors can make neuroses so absolutely beautiful. This is one of Woody Allen's best in 20 years and if Cate Blanchett doesn't get a "Best Actress" nomination, I'll eat my hat. Then I'll spit my hat out and eat it again. (I've learned this behavior from my dog.) If you'd have told me a few years ago that Andrew Dice Clay could hold his own in an Allen film, I'd have punched you. Now I've seen it with my own eyes, (and have also enrolled in some anger management courses.)

The World's End A-

Yes, I'm an Anglophile and yes I have a particular affinity for Martin Freeman*. (*From the original "Office" not "The Hobbit.") But bias aside, this latest installment from the Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg/Nick Frost gang is my favorite yet. It's not only funny, it's got a backbone. If one were to lift the veil of the light, English zombie/robot comedy-romp gauze, they'd see the story of a man fighting addiction and an inability to grow up. It's lovely and weird and I loved it.

Cutie and the Boxer A-

Two married aging Japanese artists living in New York. That's what you need to know. And if you're a talented woman who has ever struggled with a less-talented male ego, this will get you in the gut. (I'm of course not saying all women are more talented than men, just that some men don't recognize it when we are. That was a clunky sentence. I'm too lazy to fix it, but for some reason, I'm not too lazy to stop typing this thought.)

Oh and note: if you're a fan of Michael Apted's "Up" series, I strongly recommend "56 Up." I especially loved catching up with Neil, for whom I have the softest spot in my heart.