Top Films

My Top 20 Films of 2013

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These are my top 20 films of 2013–my 12th annual list! I went to the movies 48 times last year. This list comprises the 20 top films I saw last year in a movie theatre or screening room. Some of the films were released in 2012, but I did not see them until early 2013.

For all top 20 lists from 2002 to the present, click on “Top 20 Lists” at the top navigation. For my brief movie reviews and ratings, follow me on Twitter (@dan_quiterio).

What are your top films of 2013? Let me know in the comments section.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14lyEvtWP9A]
Oscars

How I Won an Oscar Fan Experience

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A continuation from my last post …

Here are the questions the Academy posed during Academy Fan Appreciation Week, along with my responses.

1

I’d probably stand in silent disbelief for a few seconds before saying, “I’ve been fantasizing about this moment for most of my life. I’m so grateful to be standing here, welcomed by this honorable community. For me, film isn’t about the awards–though I gladly accept this Oscar–it’s about the magic that stretches through the screen and reaches each wide-eyed dreamer sitting in the audience–myself included. For some, an Oscar represents the culmination of a long, amazing career, but for me, it represents my inclusion with this industry that I love and respect so much. I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the worthy nominees in this category, because it’s when I watch films like [INSERT FELLOW NOMINATED FILM TITLES] that I’m reminded why I love movies so damn much. Thank you for this honor. This is the greatest moment of my life.”

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Oscars

I’m Going to the Oscars!

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When I visited LA a couple of years ago, I met Barbara, a tour guide at the then-Kodak Theatre. She took my friend Stephanie and me on a tour of the hallowed grounds that are the home of the Academy Awards. It was an amazing experience being in that building and getting Barbara’s insider’s perspective. She told us about the Red Carpet bleacher seats and how the Academy chooses lucky fans via lottery to occupy those seats. (I suspect one would have an easier time getting into Harvard then winning one of these highly sought-after seats.) Ever since then, I had hoped that perhaps one day I’d get the chance, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon …

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Drama, Filmmakers, Independent Film, Narrative

Q&A: Lynn Shelton, Writer-Director of TOUCHY FEELY

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(Re-posted from LimitéMagazine.com)

Award-winning filmmaker Lynn Shelton had her breakthrough with 2009′s Humpday, a comedic “romp” about a bromance taken to the next level. And aside from the occasional TV gig (directing the “Hands and Knees” episode of Mad Men), the director-writer-producer-editor-actress remains a fixture in today’s independent film scene. Her 2011 release Your Sister’s Sister, starring Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt, won multiple awards and nominations, including a Gotham Award for its cast and the Directors to Watch Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The festival darling’s latest release is Touchy Feely, a 2013 Sundance selection that was released this past September and is available on DVD today. Starring an ensemble cast of both veterans and new actors alike, the story focuses on Abby (DeWitt), a masseuse who delves into a depression upon developing an aversion to bodily contact, and her brother Paul (Josh Pais), a rather dull dentist whose practice experiences an overnight surge of interest from new patients. Ellen Page, Scott McNairy, Allison Janney, Ron Livingston, and newcomer Tomo Nakayama round out the cast.

I had the opportunity to speak with the multi-hyphenate filmmaker about her latest film and her process.

Continue reading Q&A: Lynn Shelton, Writer-Director of TOUCHY FEELY →

Drama, In Theatres, Narrative, New Release, News, Preview

Honoring Mandela

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It seems appropriate to honor Nelson Mandela with this trailer for the newly released Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. The fictionalized account of Mr. Mandela’s life, starring Idris Elba, opened in limited release on November 29, just six days before the world leader passed away.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmm-aazQQKA]
Animation, Awards, Documentary, Foreign Film, Narrative, News, Oscars, Short Film

2014 Oscars: Short Film Shortlists

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84th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals

In the past few weeks, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the shortlists for all short film categories for the 2013 Oscars. Official nominations will be announced on January 16, 2014. Here’s what will be vying for a nomination in all three categories:

LIVE ACTION

  • “Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn’t Me),” Esteban Crespo, director (Producciones Africanauan)
  • “Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just before Losing Everything),” Xavier Legrand, director, and Alexandre Gavras, producer (KG Productions)
  • “Dva (Two),” Mickey Nedimovic, director, and Henner Besuch, director of photography (Filoufilm Dani Barsch)
  • “Helium,” Anders Walter, director, and Kim Magnusson, producer (M & M Productions)
  • “Kush,” Shubhashish Bhutiani, director (Red Carpet Moving Pictures)
  • “Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?),” Selma Vilhunen, director, and Kirsikka Saari, screenwriter (Tuffi Films)
  • “Record/Play,” Jesse Atlas, director, and Thom Fennessey, executive producer (Collaboration Factory)
  • “Throat Song,” Miranda de Pencier, director (Northwood Productions)
  • “Tiger Boy,” Gabriele Mainetti, director (Goon Films)
  • “The Voorman Problem,” Mark Gill, director, and Baldwin Li, producer (Honlodge Productions)

Continue reading 2014 Oscars: Short Film Shortlists →

Actors, Awards, Filmmakers, Oscars

THR’s Awards Roundtable Back for Another Go ‘Round

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Each year, both for Oscar and Emmy season, The Hollywood Reporter releases a series of candid and informative roundtable interviews with some of the film and TV industries’ hottest and most respected talent—all of whom are in awards contention for their most recent works. This season, the focus is on movies and the men and women who bring them to life. Visit THR.com to watch or read. So far, the following roundtables have been conducted (with more to come, including some of this year’s actress contenders):

Directors (image above)

L to R: Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips), David O. Russell (American Hustler), Ben Stiller (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty), Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity), Lee Daniels (Lee Daniels’ The Butler)

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Short Film

Check This Out: Short of the Week

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Somehow, I only recently came across this website, ShortoftheWeek.com. I recommend taking a tour around the site for some shorts, free to view. Visually and functionally, the site looks great and is easy to navigate, but it’s its content that make it stand out. Sort the films by genre (comedy, mystery), topic (greed, nature), style (animation, puppetry), and more. Think you can top the films on the site? Submit your own for a chance to make it.

Awards, Coming Soon, Drama, In Theatres, Independent Film, Narrative, New Release, Oscars, Preview, Trailer

2014 Oscar Guide: Parade of Trailers

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The fall is my favorite season for several reasons: the weather, the holidays, the foliage, the movies—oh, the movies. This is when studios release their best contenders for Oscar glory, more than four months away. Every year, I aim to watch all of the Oscar hopefuls before nominations are announced (this year on January 16, 2014).

Here is my second-annual list of this year’s major contenders in various categories, along with release dates.

Past Releases

FRUITVALE STATION

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Anatomy of a Short Film, Film Festival

Anatomy of a Short Film: Goldfish and Lemonade

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(Read about the entire process of making short film, “In-Kind,” by checking out the “Anatomy of a Short Film” section of this blog.)

Saturday, October 12, 2013

My film partner Stephanie and I attended the Hamptons International Film Festival this past weekend. I’ve been serving on the festival’s screening committee for the past few years and have been to the festival just once before. After waking up far earlier than I would ever wish to on a Saturday morning, I got together with Stephanie and we headed to Penn Station to catch our train to East Hampton. Along the way, we continued work on the shotlist for our short film, “In-Kind,” which we had begun several weeks earlier. Our progress has been slow, but fruitful. I’m excited about some creative shots we have planned, including one inspired by my filmmaking idol, Alfred Hitchcock (let’s hope we can execute it and do it justice).

Continue reading Anatomy of a Short Film: Goldfish and Lemonade →

a film blog by Daniel Quitério