Gravity (2013)

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission which is where this film opens. Alongside fellow astronaut Matt (George Clooney) they encounter a disaster leaving the shuttle destroyed and both of them alone in the darkness of space hovering just above earth.
This gave me anxiety from start to finish almost making my stomach churn. Now we learn that Ryan's 4 year old daughter died before she embarked on this shuttle mission. So is she clinging to life, or to death? It then becomes a spiritual journey as well leaving me to wonder, did she truly survive? You will have to decide.
Do not watch this if you get bored easily or do not care for deeper meanings. It is NOT for everyone. The opening sequence alone lasts 13 minutes and the full 90 minutes of the movie is pretty intense. Definitely some really great CGI and stunning views of Earth.

Won - Best Director of a Motion Picture. Alfonso Cuaron.  
Nominated -  Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture. Sandra Bullock. 

Behind the Candelabra (2013)

Before I watched this I had no real background on Liberace other than he played the piano. An amazingly flamboyant star of the stage and of television Michael Douglas makes this role look easy. During his 40 year career he kept many young male lovers and yet was able to "conceal" his homosexuality. How I have no idea considering, um, well, it's very apparent. In the summer of 77 he met Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) and despite the age difference they embarked on a secret love affair that would span 5 years. This movie takes a look into their relationship from their first meeting in Las Vegas to the public breakup. Eventually revealing Liberace dying of AIDS.
A very entertaining movie with exceptional actors, not to mention some really great stage makeup. Sad, what great lengths people will go to conceal their true identity. 

Winner of 2014 Golden Globe for best TV movie or Mini Series. 
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television. Michael Douglas.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Katniss Everdeen returns as our new favorite sci-fi heroine. The film picks up right where we left off, the beginning of the Victory Tour. Catching Fire has a new director and bigger budget this time so expect a whole new refreshing feel. Katniss finds herself struggling with her feelings for Peeta and Gale. (Edward and Jacob? hmmm) While also once again being thrown into the 75th Quarter Quell.

This second movie is by far better than the first and follows the book better as well. The movie does NOT spend a lot of time recapping the first installment. Just enough. Expect certain things to be cut out but not enough to complain, i.e., the "mutts" from the first movie. Yes I am still annoyed with that. All new characters emerge in this film as well as the ones we love to love and love to hate. The truth here is that very few people will look at this for what it is in our culture. The spectacle of reality television and how it can amuse you to "death".

This Is The End (2013)

Now who doesn't love these guys? Okay maybe not everybody. You have to enjoy the humor of Seth Rogan and the fact that he plays Seth Rogan in all of his films. The movie opens with an all-star cast who all quickly "die". Sound funny? It is. 
Rogan's fellow actor friend Jay is in town to visit and wants some one on one buddy time.
However it just so happens that James Franco is having a housewarming party to which they attend and all "hell" breaks loose. Were talking aliens, demons, weed, dancing, earthquakes, fire, beams of light, Hermoine Granger, you know all the right shenanigans.
Now it is my gut instinct that this group of actors  hung out one weekend, smoked a lot of weed, and wrote this insanely ridiculous script. Definitely funny!

Stoker (2013)

Ok we all know why I watched this movie, Nicole Kidman. One of the most versatile actresses of her time. But the film itself was, rather, dull. Playing a widow who just lost her husband in an accident, becomes attracted to her husbands brother. Do not get me wrong I enjoy dark and mysterious story lines, but this one lost my interest. Incredibly slow with a lack of build up. However it managed to make me uncomfortable at times, which isn't always a bad thing. I assume that is exactly what the audience was supposed to feel. Mia Wasikowska, (Burtons - Alice in Wonderland) was not impressive and easily forgettable. Wait what was her name again? Point understood? Kidman's role was eh ok at best. Almost a filler role for her. Now the lead male, Mathew Goode (you probably will not know anything else he is in...) was to me the most interesting character of the movie. Dark, mysterious, handsome,  and above all, creepy. His actions are what kept me interested otherwise, boring. Enjoyed some of the intense color schemes which really accomplished the mood. Not a shocking ending, but did the film justice. At this point I am really just going on about something none of you should or will watch. I was hoping for a good mysterious thriller. Fail.

Cloud Atlas (2012)

Ok, where to begin. Can't say that I liked it. A for effort? This once book turned screenplay about, well, how to even begin to describe this. I believe it to be a multiple lives endeavor of sorts. Maybe. I was left so confused I had to discuss this with a friend of mine who actually read the book and then said she liked the movie better so I am still left with questions. Now granted I am all for movies that make you think, and especially sci-fi futuristic films at that. This one just really dropped the ball for me. At least 5 different time periods, with reoccurring actors playing different parts and different languages. All over the place! Very long and could have been edited to a much shorter version. Should the story have been changed just a little it could have been amazing. Could have.

Side Effects (2013)

Finally! I can say I have watched a GOOD movie! Do no be confused by the slow buildup at the beginning, it is worth it. Rooney Mara, this girl, ( Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) gives an amazing performance once again as a severely depressed young wife upset about her husband having to go to jail. (Channing Tatum, no need to discuss him any further.) Jude Law playing her psychiatrist with nothing but the best intentions gets pulled into a twisting turning unpredictable round of events. Catherine Zeta Jones, where has she been all this time? Maybe getting more plastic surgery because something happened to her once beautiful face! Regardless, love watching her play the villain. Have I said too much? It is a thriller none the less, and a well done one at that. Pay attention to the up close shots of small items, it adds much more to the storyline. A dark mystery well worth the watch. Soderbergh, well done.