Best of Anime 2013

So before I start with my regular Sensory Overload for the Winter 2014 season here is my personal year-end post for the best of anime 2013. I'm glad I did all those quarter roundups as it made my decision making easy and breezy. What a great year it is for anime. Maybe not as superior compared to 2012, but in my opinion, the good ones really stood out, while the others were able to entertain and humor me to the bone. Good job Japan!

Not A Penny To His Name — Inside Llewyn Davis (Impression)

The soundtrack for this film is rad; I've downloaded them right away, and now I'm practically suffering from last song syndrome(s). This movie doesn't have a plot in particular but I did't mind coasting along with Llewyn Davis as he crashes on somebody else's couch, make wrong decisions, play catch-up with a tabby cat, sing his music and refuses to compromise his art for the sake of "selling out". I've been waiting to see this movie for months and months and it did not disappoint. The Coen Brothers are simply brilliant in all counts, always on the top of their game whatever genre they pursue. The screenplay is what made this film shine; each line and dialogue were graced by the Coen's naturalistic approach and their famous knack for humour. Great performances from the entire acting ensemble; I am totally fangirl crushing now on Oscar Isaac. Plus, the cat is so adorable, I think he just stole the show.

Growing Up — The Kid With A Bike (Impression)

For children to learn the value of letting go and moving forward they must experience unconditional love from others, most specifically from an assuming parental figure. The Belgian directing duo, the Dardenne Brothers, gives us this poignant masterpiece without the flashy and overly dramatic sequence of a Hollywood film. A pure slice-of-life motion picture that builds its character slowly and tears you up by the time it reaches its final frame.

Unnecessary Evil — In a Better World (Impression)

One of the most moving films about parent-child relationships. Timely and relevant. Must-watch for parents losing perspective on the importance of having a meaningful and personal interrelationship with their children; not only by the means of the internet, but through face to face conversations and physical interaction. This film also tells us that no problems, may it be big or small, can be resolved by countering it with violence. You have to turn your other cheek back when someone slaps you in the face

Too Much — The Wolf of Wall Street (Impression)

For a movie that runs for 3 hours it got none of those boring moments that most dialogue centered movies suffered from. Loads of debauchery, money, sex and naked bodies. The collaborative partnership between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio is one unstoppable train continuously thriving to new and wider horizons. Di Caprio tops his last performance every time and this goes to show for his portrayal as the uber hedonist millionaire Jordan Belfort that he is like wine that gets better with age. Jonah Hill also continuously grow as an actor, may it be with doing comedy or drama -- he can do it all. Correct me if I'm wrong, did he just showed his dick? (Kidding. I know it's only prosthetic penis). This movie doesn't try to trash Belfort, neither questions his morality, nor glorify his actions, but as an act of human observation it challenges us, "when is enough enough?"