There are a few frontrunners for the Academy Award for Best Actress: Judi Dench (Philomena), Meryl Streep (August: Osage County), Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks) and Sandra Bullock (Gravity). Know what they all have in common? They're older, seasoned actresses; 2013 is one of the few years where actresses over the age of 40 have played meaty, starring roles. Even the sixth actor on the shortlist for Best Actress is 39 year old Amy Adams (American Hustle). Outside the Oscar race, Melissa McCarthy (with co-star Bullock) and Jennifer Aniston ruled the summer box office with The Heat and We're the Millers respectively.
Masters of Sex is not only exceptionally filmed, beautifully acted and expertly written but it has a warmth and a sense of humor missing from other period prestige dramas (namely Mad Men). Ashford has created a show about sex that isn't juvenile; the series explores how sex can be funny, heartbreaking, disappointing, satisfying and erotic. While the number of female showrunners is growing, Masters of Sex is notable because it's not exclusively about the female experience with men as love interests or villains. The characters are all pretty developed and the show is truly a delight to watch.
After years of playing in serious dramas or serio-comedies, Braugher made the unexpected move: joining Fox's Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a goofy police workplace sitcom starring SNL vet Andy Samberg. As Capt. Holt, Braugher brings major laughs with his deadpan delivery and priceless facial expressions. Instead of playing the typical by-the-book straitlaced boss, he brings in new shades to the character each episode and displays just enough of a goofy side to become the freshman series' best character.
Cuaron has built an impressive filmography and delivered his most spellbinding and ambitious film yet. Gravity was a colossal success both with audiences and critics. Nominated for 4 Golden Globes, Gravity is expected to be a big hit at the Academy Awards; nominations are expected for most of the major awards and the technical awards. The film is glorious to watch; it is one of the few films to make full and proper use of 3D technology. The cast and crew should be applauded for pulling off this challenging but emotionally rewarding film. I would put money on Cuaron winning the Oscar for Best Director.
Ejiofor has been a dependable actor, often shining in supporting roles or not getting enough recognition. His time has come this year with his powerhouse performance in the critically acclaimed 12 Years a Slave. As a free man captured back into slavery, Ejiofor is quietly intense, heartbreaking and resilient in the face of relentless horror. It's a great performance, rightfully bringing this actor to the limelight. He's already won numerous awards for his incredible performance and he's the actor to beat for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
After becoming the highest paid actress for her franchise work in the Marvel films, Johansson wowwed critics with her work in two different films. In Don Jon, she played bubblegum-chewing, bossy Jersey princess to great effect, mining laughs from her accent and spot-on line readings. Then she played an operating system named Samantha on the verge of sentience and love in Her. Johansson's creation of a whole character using only her voice has been greatly appreciated by critics. She also starred in the sci-fi horror Under the Skin which had a warm reception at various film festivals. Johansson's 2013 proved to be one of her best years and the future is looking just as bright.
There have been a lot of IMAX 3D re-releases of older films these past few years. The most successful one was the conversion of the 1993 dino-thriller Jurassic Park. The 3D was detailed and immersive, the sound is sharp and enveloping and the dinosaurs looked as menacing as ever. While most of the re-releases can seem like a cash grab banking on the nostalgia factor, Jurassic Park actually was worth the effort. It doesn't hurt that the movie has aged wonderfully. The special effects are just as cool as they were 20 years ago.
After a memorable Oscar win earlier this year, JLaw continued to be the coolest actress working in Hollywood. She finds herself back in the Oscar race with her supposedly unhinged and scene-stealing performance in American Hustle. She also continued to rock the box office in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. This year Lawrence proved that she isn't just a flash in the pan, showing versatility in her film roles. She's proved that she has what it takes to be a franchise star, a role model and a critical darling all while retaining her sense of humor about it all.
The Best Man Holiday is the best sequel to a move you probably forgot existed. The film opened at #2, making almost twice its budget on opening weekend. The movie, which features a large number of appealing, talented actors (including Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Nathan and Nia Long), earned positive reviews and strong word of mouth. It made a smashing total of $69 million in the US and opened at #1 on its opening Friday, earning more than Thor: The Dark World, the best sequel to a movie you weren't allowed to forget existed. Of course, Thor took back the #1 spot on Saturday and Sunday but the damage had been done: The Best Man Holiday was a surefire hit.
An unlikely pair both on and off the screen, Leto and McConaughey proved a formidable team in their critically acclaimed picture Dallas Buyers Club. As HIV+ individuals in the middle of the 80s epidemic, their performances and chemistry together bring the movie alive and add in some warmth and humor to what could have been a very serious drama. Both actors do career-defining work in the film. Along with co-star Jennifer Garner, these two actors really make this difficult time in American history relatable and engrossing, providing what could have been a soapbox melodrama with some necessary gravitas.
After making two critically acclaimed films that were just on the verge of getting wide recognition, McQueen finally hit the mainstream with the unflinching !2 Years a Slave. He brings his keen eye for striking visuals to a film that is bigger in scope than his previous films (Hunger and Shame) and he really pulled it off. While his previous films were somber character studies, this film takes on a more ambitious task of telling these human stories within a larger context. It is a truly harrowing but totally necessary film experience. McQueen has been brought to national focus because of this film, garnering many award nominations and wins for it. The film is a true achievement under McQueen's confident and unwavering direction.
Enlightened was sadly one of the most under-appreciated gems in the HBO oeuvre. Canceled after its second season, the series had a very unique and complicated heroine at the center and a knack for mining comedy out of minute and mundane social interactions. The show struggled to find an audience but in its obscurity it found creative freedom. The show explored uncomfortable themes, took chances with its narrative structure and developed its own style of gorgeous imagery. With each episode written by White, who co-stars along with Dern, the series felt intimate and real. For that it will be a true lost treasure for the HBO brand.
