Top 10 Movies of 2013

So I was watching the Oscars last night and realized that I never got around to posting my Top 10 Movie list of last year. So I decided to get on my blog that I've posted to a total of once three years ago and get on that. A note on what will be included. The films in this list were films that received limited or wide release in the calendar year of 2013, not necessary premiered in 2013 or seen by myself in 2013. For example, Much Ado About Nothing originally premiered in 2012 but was not released until the following year and Her was released in 2013 but not seen by myself until January of this year. So without further ado:

1. Her- The latest work of art by the talented Spike Jonze tells the story of Theodore Twombly, a melancholic thirty-something going through a rough divorce, who falls in love with his new operating system named Samantha. The premise is strange to most but genius to many others (like me).
2. American Hustle- David O. Russell, in his first film since the brilliant Silver Linings Playbook, directs Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, along with an ensemble of new actors in this masterpiece.
3. Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing- Filmed in 12 days (while on vacation during the filming of The Avengers), and with a cast of many of his regulars such as Nathan Fillion and Clark Gregg, Whedon, the genius behind such sci-fi greats as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, took the time to make the film his wife always wanted him make and turned Shakespeare's comedy of death and love into a modern day classic romantic comedy. Also it's in black and white which makes it even better.
4. The Great Gatsby- If anyone knows this story of lost love, they know that it is full of vivid imagery and theme. This latest film adaptation, by Baz Luhrmann, captures the essence of the story and is a visual masterpiece that will leave your eyes longing for more
5. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire- This adaptation of the second book vastly improves on the already great first film
6. The Kings of Summer- This coming of age story starring the annoying teenage kid from the annoying Cox Communication commercials has everything. A kid running away to the forest to get away from his single dad (Parks and Rec's Nick Offerman), a best friend who steals away the protagonists crush, and a quirky kid that shows up out of nowhere. It's great but sadly hardly anyone else saw it.
7. Elysium- In this follow up to his previous work, District 9, Neill Blomkamp delivers a sci-fi dystopian story of the haves and the have nots.
8. The Fifth Estate- I'm going to have to break into first person for a moment to tell my story about seeing this film. With a budget of $26 million and a box office take of $8.5 million, this was the first box office bomb I have ever had the privilege of seeing on opening weekend. My friend Dalton and I were two of five people in the entire theater on the opening night. We both absolutely loved this movie and I can't wait to see it again.
9. The Way Way Back- Named for the rear facing back seat of a station wagon, this comedy tells the story of a neglected child's bad summer that was turned around after finding and taking a job at a water park.
10. Now You See Me- This is a heist movie about a group of magicians who steal from the rich and give to the poor. The whole film plays out like a magic act complete with twists, turns, and especially misdirection.

Summer Checklist

So I decided to start blogging this summer. What will I write about? I have no idea. But that's what I'm looking foward to most I think.

I wanted to publish my first blog with something I've been thinking about a lot the last week or so: A checklist of goals I have for this summer. I figured with classes finally over and work dying down for a few months I'd get some things done I've been wanting to do for a while.

So here it is:

1. Continue to make Him famous: this will be the first summer in a while that I am not "officially" on mission. But this summer can not be a waste. I can continue to spread the Word and am looking forward to finding new ways to do it.

2. Finally get to watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy: I watched the first movie when it first came out and thought it was the most boring thing ever and never bothered to finish the saga. I want to change that in the next months.

3. Read C. S. Lewis' Space Trilogy: I don't know why but Lewis just draws me into his stories and makes me happy. I already bought Out of the Silent Planet and hope to start it next week.

4. Start my own Inklings-esque literary and theology discussion group: Why not tie the last two goals in with each other and live out my favorite part of both the author's lives?

5. See at least 4 midnight premieres of films: I already plan on going to see The Hangover Part 2 and Deathly Hallows Part 2 at midnight. I just need to find a couple more.

6. See at least one good concert: I haven't been to see a show over a year. That needs to change. Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing the Decemberists or Tenth Avenue North again

7. Get my driver's liscense and maybe go on a real date: I could tie in most, if not all, of the previous goals in with this one. I'm 21 it's time to finally buckle down and learn to drive. Once that happens maybe I can spend a special evening with some lucky girl.

Well I think that's it. At least for now. I'll try and keep y'all updated on how I fair with this list. Some of it will definitely be difficult but I will do my best to get them done.

Until next time,
Charlie