3. Safety Not Guaranteed
This movie, directed by Colin Trevorrow, was
based on a fake classified ad seeking a partner
for time travel. In the film, a young journal-
ist named Darius (Aubrey Plaza) decides to
answer the posting. Meeting the author, Ken-
neth (Mike Duplass) becomes tricky as he’s ex-
tremely paranoid that the government is after
him.
As things get crazier, Darius finds her disbelief
starting to fade. This is really what the film is
about. Taking risks on people is perhaps the
most rewarding or devastating act we can com-
mit. In other words, love trumps reality every
single time.
2. Cabin in the Woods
This is the best scary movie of the year by
leagues. Joss Whedon, a master of speculative
fiction, co-wrote this masterpiece. I can’t dis-
close much without ruining it for you. But, if I
say “Government Cthulhu Compound” do you
get excited? I do.
1. Beasts of the Southern Wild
For many reasons Beasts of the Southern Wild
is my number one movie of the year. It’s Benh
Zeitlin’s first feature, and it stars newcomer
Quvenzhané Wallis as Hushpuppy, a six-year-
old girl living in a bayou soaked with magical
realism called, “The Bathtub.”
Hushpuppy lives with her father, Wink (Dwight
Henry), as they fight to survive the flooding
Bathtub. It quickly swallows everything they
own. Her father becomes a rollercoaster of
emotion, sometimes scaring, and other times
championing her. Eventually, a FEMA-like
group tries to rescue the flood survivors, but
ignores their desire to return to The Bathtub.
The movie has been attacked for utilizing black
male stereotypes. Wink is sometimes gentle
with his daughter, but can quickly shift into an
angry alcoholic. It’s also been called anti-fem-
inist, due to a supposed lack of strong female
characters.
You must see this film and decide for yourself.
I look forward to more productions from all of
the newcomers that made this movie amazing.
There you go, my completely biased movie list.
Some honorable mentions are Looper, The Bal-
lad of Genesis and Lady Jaye, and Jiro Dreams
of Sushi. §
January 2013
JustOut.com
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