The late Roger Ebert once wrote, “Every great film should seem new every time you see it.” His quote could apply to these five under-rated I found to be both memorable and fascinating. Memorable, due to the films’ themes weaving deep into my consciousness long after the final credit. And fascinating, thanks to how the filmmaker thoughtfully approached the topic, whether it was a well-worn subject such as queer issues or lesser-known niches such as the movie-trailer voice-over industry.
In no particular order, my picks for the 2013 films you need to see are:
Blue is the Warmest Colour
If you’re looking for how cinematography can best be applied, then look no further than the French film Blue is the Warmest Colour. In my review after its Toronto screening, I credited the taut writing and slow evocative shots that propelled this film into the must-see category. As a queer woman begins to explore a new love, you’ll be transported to a world where she flicks her cigarette at conformity and tries to find a peace she has never known.
In a World…
Lake Bell (Children’s Hospital) stars as a voice-over artist specializing in films, but as the only female star in this field, she tries to navigate male chauvinism and even her own mentor father. What could be a ho-hum story about punching through the glass ceiling is actually a sharply written funny film you’ll want to buy for its repeat value. You not only glean new insight into this overlooked industry but you’ll revel in Bell’s humour chops. Great date movie.
The Kings of Summer
Thanks to my love of films such as Stand By Me, I got a soft spot for coming-of-age stories. The Kings of Summer follows this blueprint with its own edge, as three teen friends run away from home to build their own cabin far out in the woods. Slow clap for the surprisingly adept leads, all kids without much acting experience. But that realness comes through in character development bringing this film quick into the “memorable” category. I’m still thinking about some of Biaggio’s one-liners.
Evil Dead
Wait, a horror film is under-rated? Aren’t they all torture-porn sudden-movement drivel these days? Mainly, yes, but the remake of the Bruce Campbell classic Evil Dead surpassed my expectations by stripping away the comedy of the original to deliver truly thrilling chills. The squeamish may be turning their heads away at certain moments, but no one said a haunted-cabin plot line would be all clean and pretty. The lack of CGI gave this horror film an authenticity few others achieved this year or even this decade.
Watermark
Gorgeous. Transcendent. Eye candy. All those endearing terms could describe the documentary Watermark, which looks at areas of the world either harnessing water’s power or overusing it to the point of environmental degradation. In my review, I wrote how the film “could leave you slack-jawed at the eye candy on screen: a shot of the giant Xiluodu dam project on China’s Jinsha River (six times the size of Hoover Dam) juxtaposes with scenes of fish mongers eking out a living; a view of thousands of bathers taking part in a sacred pilgrimage in the Ganges River stresses the importance of water as a religious cleansing tool.” An added bonus for artists is a look into how Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky captures these global sites, giving us insight into the creative process behind his stunning photos. Nature lovers and travellers, this film’s for you.
