10.
21 Jump Street
Whoever
said comedies, remakes, or buddy cop movies couldn't be top ten worthy clearly
haven't seen "21 Jump Street." "21 Jump Street" won me over
at the beginning when it mocked its own existence, and then it had me
in a state of uncontrollable laughter by the time Channing Tatum was destroying
a drum set. This was the funniest purely comedic film of the year, sharp in
both wit and slapstick. "21 Jump Street" convinced me of both the
power of Channing Tatum's acting ability and how far one could possibly stretch
jokes about drug trips. The answer is very far.
9. Sleepwalk with Me
Anyone
already familiar with the standup, book, and This American Life episode of
comedian Mike Birbiglia will not find much new in "Sleepwalk with
Me." Nonetheless, it is still a fantastic example of how one great story
can be molded and reshaped to be told in a variety of ways. Birbiglia makes a
fantastic transition into the roles of director, writer, and actor, one that
positions him as a new Woody Allen in the making. "Sleepwalk with Me"
is loosely based on the struggles and anxieties that Birbiglia faced in his
early days as a comedian, where he was also dealing with a toxic relationship
and a sleepwalking disorder. Here, Birbiglia still gets to display his lovably
awkward persona. It feels like Birbiglia's whole career has led to this film,
and his one man shows were just a step away from this. "Sleepwalk with
Me" will resonate both for anyone trying to become a comedian, or just for
anyone with a mind addled by anxiety and over-thinking.
8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Based on a book I haven't read but now feel the need to, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is far and away one of the best films about high school to come out in a long, long time. Written and directed by its author Stephen Chbosky, "Perks" vividly swirls with life and love in every single frame. Even though its about high school outcasts, it is a nostalgic look at the early 1990s. It has one of my favorite soundtracks in recent memory, one that includes a variety of songs by The Smiths that are played without irony. It has fantastic supporting performances from Emma Watson and Ezra Miller as the friends and mentors to the lost wallflower Charlie (Logan Lerman). "Perks" tackles all of its issues honestly and seriously, with first love being taken as seriously as chronic depression. It takes us to a dark place, and then uplifts us on a clear night in a pickup truck going through a tunnel.
7. Silver Linings Playbook
A second viewing greatly improved my opinion of this film. For a film about mental illness, "Silver Linings Playbook" will surprise you by being one of the year's most uplifting film. It does so by being emotionally honest, and it never begs us to cry. I'd call it a comedy filled with tragic characters. Here, director David O. Russell brings the same amount of care and detail to middle class Philadelphia that he brought to working class Lowell in "The Fighter." Similarly, "Silver Linings Playbook" is about the power of competition to help people unite and overcome obstacles. Bradley Cooper's acting career shot into another stratosphere with his role as a bi-polar man while Jennifer Lawrence took sudden command of the screen as the woman who helps him gain control of his life. Most importantly though, Robert De Niro makes a career comeback with a performance that is equal parts tough, earnest, and funny. Also, it has Chris Tucker holding a bunch of remotes. "Silver Linings Playbook" took a bunch of subjects that I could care less about (romantic comedies, the Philadelphia Eagles) and injects them with life. "Silver Linings Playbook" is about finding the good in every bad situation. I think we could all use a silver lining in our lives.
6. Bernie
"Bernie"
was something of a comeback for its director and stars that was unfortunately
seen by so few. Combining elements of documentary and scripted reenactment,
this pitch black comedy tells the story of a bizarre murder and the even more
bizarre man behind it. "Bernie" brings director Richard Linklater
("Dazed and Confused") back to his beloved homeland of Texas and
gives Jack Black the role of a lifetime as an overzealous funeral home operator
who treats his job with love. Adding in interviews with people who actually
knew Bernie was a fantastic touch, as was Matthew McConaughey as a hotheaded
District Attorney.
See the top 5 after the jump:
