Ryan McNeilBelieve it or not folks, the end is nigh. Yes, it’s only December 3rd, and many of you are still trying to get in gear after Thanksgiving Weekend, but the book is quickly closing on 2013.
Today, the NYFCC chose their top film of 2013 (AMERICAN HUSTLE), and they were able to do so because every 2013 film that will leave a lasting impression has already premiered for critics somewhere. So while there are several titles that many of us still cannot wait to get in on (Hello WOLF OF WALL STREET!), in many places, the store is closing up for the year.
Of course, the fun thing about that is that it prompts us all to start reflecting on the year that was, and today I’m going to point you towards one of my favorite summaries.
David Ehrlich is the senior editor for film.com, and while any old person could create a list, Ehrlich takes it one step further and pulls together a whole montage for the year that was.
Now if you’re the sort who doesn’t want to have your own opinions slanted, you could tune out at the 1:45 mark, as that’s where the montage ends, and the video countdown begins.
However, I feel like that’s a missed opportunity, since a visual essay like this is a great way to get pointed towards films that may have flown under your radar (or not played in your neck of the woods).
So watch, enjoy, and try to convince me that it wasn’t a good year for film…
It’s only a matter of time until the NYFCC sets the date before Thanksgiving in their efforts to be first. I won’t even be turning in my ballot until the third week of December, and that will mean having to vote without seeing everything that comes out.
The constant push to be the first group to hand out awards isn’t to create a sense of awareness of what the general public needs to see, it’s just trying to predict what the Academy will nominate.
To be fair, NYFCC have been screened everything that’s “in contention” this year. If they were planting their flag in late October, I’d raise my hand…but if they’ve seen everything there is to see, might as well call it.
‘Sides, someone has to be first.
Nifty video though, no?