Tuesday, December 31, 2013

My Favorite Films of 2013

2013 has been a good year. I got back into movies again this year. I haven't been this active since 2010. In all 2013 was a good year in terms of movies. I was able to watch a couple more in the theatres than I normally can. I haven't put them in order and the list could change when I watch many of these films in March and April as they become available via Blu-ray.

Unbeatable (激戰:勇者不敗)

I loved this film. I am a huge Eddie Peng fan. I am also a huge MMA fan. Throw that into the ring with a love story plus redemption story, you've got an amazing film.

Linsanity (林書豪旋瘋)

What more can I say. Jeremy Lin is an inspiration to all Americans of Asian descent that has faced obstacles in the sports world.

The Grandmaster (一代宗師)

I watched both the Zhong Guo version and the US version. Both were good and merit its edits. I liked the Zhong Guo better because it felt more natural and episodic.

Oblivion (遺落戰境)

This Sci-fi flick was amazing. In the future, the world has collapsed and humanity hinges some pretty interesting things. The twist and the world it comes from mesmerized me.

Fast and Furious 6 (玩命關頭6)

This movie was non-stop action. Turn your brain off and enjoy the wild ride.

Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons (西遊:降魔篇)

Can a nice guy with a heart of gold survive in this dog eat dog world? This little ditty tries and does in a big way.

So Young (致我們終將逝去的青春)

Coming of age story mixed with nostalgia of an era not so far from our present past. Set in a backdrop of turn of the century economics. When you're young, the future always seem so bright. Call it innocence.

Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (狄仁傑之神都龍王)

This mystery caper was cheesy and not as strong as its predecessor, but it was entertaining and a set up for a franchise for years to come.

Iron Man 3 (鋼鐵人3)

I am Iron Man! 'Nuff Said...

Admission (愛在招生部)

Interesting twist and turns of a middle aged "coming of age" story mixed in there.

Personal Tailor (私人訂制)

A mainland look at mainland problems in satirical form. All the things insiders mumble under their breath and outsiders proclaim out loud in movie form.

Thor: The Dark World (雷神索爾2:黑暗世界)

This movie made the first Thor seem very tame. The cosmic elements were pretty awesome. Asgard! Just make a movie in Asgard already, forget the other eight realms.

The Way Way Back (三分男孩)

This modern spin on the classic coming of age film is a must watch.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Taiwan Box Office - December 29, 2013 - 台灣票房榜


Weekend of December 29, 2013
Rank Film Title Weeks
1 47 Ronin (浪人47) 1
2 The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (白日夢冒險王) 1
3 Frozen (冰雪奇緣) 2
4 The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug (哈比人:荒谷惡龍) 3
5 看見台灣 (Beyond Beauty - Taiwan From Above) 9
6 Ender's Game (戰爭遊戲) 2
7 English Vinglish (救救菜英文) 2
8 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (飢餓遊戲:星火燎原) 6
9 Blue Jasmine (藍色茉莉) 2
10 十二夜 (Twelve Nights) 5
11 清須會議 (The Kiyosu Conference) 1
12 同窗生 (Commitment) 2
13 The Best Offer (寂寞拍賣師) 6
14 Hours (搏命關頭) 4
15 愛情無全順 (Campus Confidential) 4
16 The Body (屍物招領) 1
17 Viva La Liberta (秘書長萬萬歲) 1
18 秋香 (Chiu-Hsiang) 6
19 Captain Phillips (怒海劫) 7
20 這個高中沒有鬼! (Make Me Shudder) 3

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved December 30, 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

2013 Movies

What a year 2013 was. From blockbusters to independents, it was a good year for cinema in general. Here's a recap of the movies I need to watch(ed).

January 2013 Blockbusters
The Grandmaster (一代宗師) - Asia Release Month


The Last Stand (重擊防線)


Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (女巫獵人)


Parker (偷天派克)


February 2013 Blockbusters
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (西遊:降魔篇)


Together (在一起)


Warm Bodies (殭屍哪有這麼帥)


Side Effects (藥命關係)


Beautiful Creatures (美麗魔物)


A Good Day to Die Hard (終極警探:跨國救援)


Snitch (限時翻供/毒火線)


March 2013 Blockbusters
21 And Over (21玩過界/21成人鳥)


Jack the Giant Slayer (傑克:巨人戰紀)


Oz the Great and Powerful (奧茲大帝)


Emperor (日落真相)


Admission (愛在招生部)


Olympus Has Fallen (全面攻佔:倒數救援)


G.I. Joe: Retaliation (特種部隊2:正面對決)


The Host (宿主)


The Place Beyond the Pines (末路車神)


April 2013 Blockbusters
Saving General Yang (忠烈楊家將)


Oblivion (遺落戰境)


Pain And Gain (不勞而禍)


The Big Wedding


May 2013 Blockbusters
Iron Man 3 (鋼鐵人3)


The Great Gatsby 2013 (大亨小傳)


Star Trek Into Darkness (闇黑無界:星際爭霸戰)


Fast and Furious 6 (玩命關頭6)


The Hangover Part III (醉後大丈夫3)


After Earth (地球過後)


Now You See Me (出神入化)


May 2013 Offbeat Movies
The Iceman


Generation Um...


The East


33 Postcards - USA Release Date


June 2013 Blockbusters
天機:富春山居圖 (Switch)


不二神探 (Badges of Fury)


Much Ado About Nothing


The Internship (實習大叔)


The Purge (國定殺戮日)


Man of Steel (超人:鋼鐵英雄)


The Bling Ring


This is the End (大明星世界末日)


World War Z(末日之戰)


White House Down (白宮末日)


Redemption (aka "Hummingbird") (夜刑者)


June 2013 Offbeat Movies
Wish You Were Here - 2012 film, US release June 7, 2013


血滴子 (The Guillotines) - 2012 film, US release June 14, 2013


July 2013 Blockbusters
天台 (RooFToP)


盲探 (Blind Detective)


The Lone Ranger (獨行俠)


Grown Ups 2 (亞當等大人2)


Pacific Rim (環太平洋)


R.I.P.D. (降魔戰警)


The Wolverine (金鋼狼:武士之戰)


July 2013 Offbeat Movies
Girl Most Likely


Blue Jasmine


The Way, Way Back


Fruitvale Station


Only God Forgives


Hammer Of The Gods


Stuck In Love


Killing Season (復仇人獵人)


August 2013 Blockbusters
Unbeatable (激戰:勇者不敗)


2 Guns (2槍斃命)


Elysium (極樂世界)


We're the Millers (全家就是米家)


Jobs (賈伯斯)


Kick-Ass 2 (特攻聯盟2)


Paranoia (決勝機密)


The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (天使聖物:骸骨之城)


August 2013 Offbeat Movies
Europa Report


The Spectacular Now


I Give It A Year (一年之癢)


The Butler


Ain't Them Bodies Saints

Prince Avalanche


The World's End


Drinking Buddies

Closed Circuit


The Frozen Ground (驚天凍地)


Getaway


The Lifeguard


Passion (激情) - 2012 film - USA release August 30, 2013


September 2013 Blockbusters
Riddick (超世紀戰警:闇黑對決)


The Family (黑幫追殺令)


Battle Of The Year (BOTY世界Battle)


Prisoners (私法爭鋒)


Rush (決戰終點線)


Don Jon (超急情聖)


September 2013 Offbeat Movies
Ip Man: The Final Fight (葉問:終極一戰) - March 2013 release in Asia, September 20, 2013 release in USA


非常幸運 (My Lucky Star)


Adore


Touchy Feely


And While We Were Here


Blue Caprice


A Single Shot


The Colony


Enough Said


Thanks for Sharing


Metallica: Through the Never


October 2013 Blockbusters
Linsanity (林書豪旋瘋)


Gravity (地心引力)


Runner, Runner (逆轉王牌)


Captain Phillips (怒海劫)


Escape Plan (鋼鐵墳墓)


The Fifth Estate (危機解密)


The Counselor (玩命法則)


October 2013 Offbeat Movies
A Touch of Sin (天注定)


A.C.O.D.


All Is Bright


Grace Unplugged


Parkland (關鍵目擊)


Vikingdom


All The Boys Love Mandy Lane


I Will Follow You Into the Dark (Into The Dark)


Romeo and Juliet


All Is Lost


12 Years a Slave (自由之心)


November 2013 Blockbusters
Ender's Game (戰爭遊戲)


Last Vegas (老爆伴郎團)


Diana (黛安娜)


Man Of Tai Chi (太極俠)


About Time (真愛每一天)


Finding Mr. Right (北京遇上西雅圖) - Asia Release earlier in 2013, USA release on November 8, 2013


Thor: The Dark World (雷神索爾2:黑暗世界)


Delivery Man (百萬精先生)


The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (飢餓遊戲:星火燎原)


Homefront (最後防線)


Oldboy


November 2013 Offbeat Movies
Big Sur


Dallas Buyers Club


Last Love


Mr. Nobody


A Case of You


Best Man Down


The Book Thief


How I Live Now


The Motel Life


The Starving Games


Charlie Countryman (這該死的愛)


Dear Mr. Watterson


Sunlight Jr.


Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom


November 2013 Hong Kong Movie Guide
全民目擊 (Silent Witness)


過界 (Bends)


獵仇者 (Pay Back)


末日派對 (Doomsday Party)


衝鋒戰警 (The Constable)


December 2013 Blockbusters
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (哈比人:荒谷惡龍)


American Hustle (瞞天大佈局)


Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

47 Ronin (浪人47)


Grudge Match


The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (白日夢冒險王)


The Wolf of Wall Street (華爾街之狼)


December 2013 Hong Kong Movie Guide
掃毒 (The White Storm/The Cartel War)


四大名捕2 (The Four II)


風暴 (Firestorm)


December 2013 Offbeat Movies
Out of the Furnace


The Last Days on Mars (星際禁區)


Swerve


Twice Born (摯愛永恆)


Hours (搏命關頭)


Saving Mr. Banks (大夢想家)


Her (雲端情人)


August: Osage County (八月心風暴)


Lone Survivor (紅翼行動)