Tarantino on his favourite movies of 2013 (so far)

The Hollywood craftsmanship of Quentin Tarantino needs very little introduction other than he is a full time director, writer and most times, a very in-depth movie critic with rival projects in the past finding that out the hard way. Tarantino is never shy of controversial opinion; while those who once pointed the finger at Quentin's work have in most cases felt the force of powerful and very constructive words from a man who's argumentative persona is felt like a hot knife through butter. Nevertheless, Tarantino is an all round child like movie buff. His work is hailed to be contently successful due to the desire of creating a film that he, as an adolescent, would have liked to pay in to see. 

As you may or may not know, one of Tarantino's favourite movies of all time is Battle Royale (2000). While we would love nothing more than an extended list of enjoyable and somewhat personal list of classic movies from the man who knows best, we are giving his top ten favourite movies of 2013 instead. 

Afternoon Delight

Director/Writer: Jim Soloway

Starring: Kathryn Hahn, Juno Temple and Josh Radnor 

Synopsis: Rachel (Kathryn Hahn) is frustrated at the lack of romantic spark that once embraced the home she shares with lover boy Jeff (Radnor). Desperate to dabble in new experiences, the "stay at home mom" visits a strip club in which she meets McKenna (Temple); a struggling teenager caught up in a life that needs rescuing. Rachel does just that, in granting McKenna the new life of being a nanny to her kids, Rachel believes this is a deed worth pushing. However her selfishness creates tension within the household of others, with husband Jeff finding it difficult to cope around a situation that becomes all too peculiar and unsatisfying as far as his relationship goes with Rachel. 

Before Midnight

Director: Richard Linklater

Starring: Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply 

Synopsis: Jesse (Hawke) and Celine's romance is celebrated over two decades from when they first met. Both are on holiday in Greece, courtesy of an invitation from a former colleague and friend of Jesse's. As the trip comes to an end, Jesse finds himself in limbo, with a once dedication toward Celine hanging in the balance as a relationship that has lasted a lifetime begins to slope. However the surviving friendship and lustful chemistry between both, shows that neither is willing to give up on what they both discovered on a Paris train a lifetime ago. 

Blue Jasmine

Directed: Woody Allen

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Sally Hawkins

Synopsis: New York based socialite Jasmine (Blanchett) is deceived into false love and ultimately left with nothing other than her sister Ginger. While they say family should become first, the depressed mindset of Jasmine quickly becomes a burden to the household of Ginger and her husband Augie (Andrew Dice Clay). 

The Conjuring

Directed: James Wan

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga and Ron Livingston

Synopsis: Based on the real life work of paranormal investigators Ed (Wilson) and Lorraine (Farmiga), their duty calls on what seems a routine house of haunted ghouls; with the outcome, in most cases, appearing false. However, the experience of both Ed and Lorraine is tested as a family is terrorised in a dilapidated farm house in Rhode Island.

Drinking Buddies

Directed: Joe Swanberg

Starring: Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick

Synopsis: Luke and Kate spend their days in the Chicago Brewery sober - to a certain extent. But their typical mundane shift can only last so long before they make a routine session of beer drinking. But considering both Luke and Kate are in "not so" convincing relationships, the romantic premise of Drinking Buddies kicks as they are both convinced of their lustful suitability, they know it can never be, or can it? 

Frances Ha

Directed: Noah Baumbach

Starring: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner and Adam Driver

Synopsis: The life of Frances Haliday (Gerwig) is full of wonderful hopes and dreams with optimism in abundance. Frances lives in New York without an actual apartment, and while the only way is up in the eyes of Frances, her friend Sophie is bemused to where exactly she sees her friend going and creates a fallout in friendship. However while Frances continues to live her life with sheer enjoyment, her sudden dawn on reality seems almost inevitable.

Gravity

Directed: Alfonso Cuaron

Starring: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock

Synopsis: Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is in the company of astronaut Matt (Clooney) who are both exploring the wonders of space on its first shuttle mission. Things take a turn for the worse when the shuttle is destroyed, leaving Dr. Ryan and Matt fighting against the daring possibility of being sucked into the abyss forever. 

Kick-Ass 2

Directed: Jeff Wadlow

Starring: Aaron Taylor Johnson, Chloe Grace-Moretz and Jim Carrey

Synopsis: Kick-Ass (Johnson) joins up with a group of self inspired crime fighters in order to maintain the peace. On the other hand, Hit-Girl (Moretz) struggles to come to terms with modern day high school, with her personality outside the costume becoming harder to control. 

The Loan Ranger

Directed: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and William Fichtner

Synopsis: The Loan Ranger, aka the tale of John Reid is told to a young boy in way of enlightening the 1930s. Told through the eyes of a late Tonto (Depp), the movie retraces the origin of John Reid in a spaghetti Western parody that leads both Tonto and Reid through explosive territories and blockbuster adventures; a surviving outcome that grants Reid the title of "The Loan Ranger".

This is the End

Directed: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen.

Starring: Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jay Baruchek and Craig Robinson.

Synopsis: A gathering of "stoners" and every Seth Rogen cohort you can think of, turn up for James Franco's house warming. Sounds like a lot of fun, especially if you are actually friends with these guys. But unfortunately, a seat in a dark room with a big ass screen is as close as we are going to get to witnessing the adventure of six of the funniest guys in Hollywood (at the moment); Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride and Jay Baruchel (Read my full review here).

That's all folks. Thanks for reading. 

This is the End

Genre: Comedy
Director: Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen 
Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogan, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel & Jonah Hill
Running: 107 Mins

A gathering of "stoners" and every Seth Rogen cohort you can think of, turn up for James Franco's house warming. Sounds like a lot of fun, especially if you are actually friends with these guys. But unfortunately, a seat in a dark room with a big ass screen is as close as we are going to get to witnessing the adventure of six of the funniest guys in Hollywood (at the moment); Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride and Jay Baruchel. 

Seth Rogen plans a weekend of consistent weed smoking and 3D television with Jay Baruchel. Much to Jay's disappointment, a the change of plan results in the attendance of James Franco's house warming party featuring a bunch of Hollywood comedic personalities; an atmosphere that Jay would have liked to avoid. However Jay isn't forced to endure the vanity of Jonah Hill for too long as an apparent Earth Quake ruptures the centre of Hollywood, opening up the ground and swallowing many victims (most of the party actually). A group of six are barricaded in Franco's house with very little food and not much patience, resulting in the hilarious circumstance that showcases the witty humour and the chemistry involved with each actor. This is the end depends on the bond that each personality share with each other in the real world, carrying that over, resulting in an effortless movie that comes across extremely well rounded, even if it does become stupidly far-fetched toward the end.

If you enjoyed "Superbad" (2008) and "Knocked up" (2007), you will love this. If you don't enjoy crude humour and you are not one for recognising a bunch of movie references when you hear them, well then you will struggle to engage and I for one, pity you. This is the end survives on crude dialogue and a lot of references relating to the career of each actor and movies in general. As seen in Superbad and Knocked up, the cast are serious movie fans, with a premise that sets out to both mock and praise Hollywood movies. This is the end is very similar; but original due to the casts official identity, slagging their own personal experiences in Hollywood, regretting some of their own flicks which makes for great comedy.

If you include cameo's such as Michael Cera, Emma Watson and many more, the overall cast is huge and gives you so much more than the trailer shows us (which is rare might I add). However, the star of the show is James Franco who, following on from his role in Pineapple Express continues to show his comedic side. James Franco is simply hilarious, and partly out shines the "true" comedians if you like.

This is the end is by no means consistently funny, with the last 20 minutes appearing extremely nuts and a bit silly. But we forget these guys are constantly "high", once again going with a "dizzy stoner" premise that worked so well in Pineapple Express and Knocked Up. You will find scenes being noticeably set up for the next. And while Jay Baruchul and Craig Robinson get themselves into some funny situations, it is the back to back bickering from each individual that really makes this movie memorable.

This is the end is no "Superbad" which is not too unfortunate as it succeeds in trying so desperately to move on, however fans of Seth Rogen and co will have such a good time with this one.

Overall: Great cast  - Far-fetched - Not consistently funny - but, when it's funny...it's hilarious

7.5/10

See it if you liked: Superbad, Knocked up and Pineapple Express.