tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post400075198660178075..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: Top 15 Female Performances of 2013Alex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-72453062419542115562014-12-29T15:46:34.614-05:002014-12-29T15:46:34.614-05:00Interesting, and fair.. I could actually stand to ...Interesting, and fair.. I could actually stand to give Her a rewatch. I've only seen it once. Wonder how it'd grab me now.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-83182676932035063482014-12-26T08:22:13.897-05:002014-12-26T08:22:13.897-05:00Amy Adams in American Hustle is too overrated. I k...Amy Adams in American Hustle is too overrated. I know, she tries something different that I really appreciate and like. But Amy Adams in Her have a much more better performance.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-13705404113544775262014-09-25T18:36:50.158-04:002014-09-25T18:36:50.158-04:00Another great performance. She's really a cham...Another great performance. She's really a chameleon. And I absolutely love her.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-27542190844277949562014-09-25T18:13:58.058-04:002014-09-25T18:13:58.058-04:00Yeah, and there was actually another performance I...Yeah, and there was actually another performance I really wanted to include but forgot to: Melissa Leo for Prisoners. Every time she was on screen, she made my skin crawl because of how unsure I was of her. Matthew St.Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589393934861344591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-90805413973418543352014-09-25T13:55:06.216-04:002014-09-25T13:55:06.216-04:00Great list. It's gotta be Adele, right? So per...Great list. It's gotta be Adele, right? So perfect.<br /><br />LOVE that Eva Mendes cracks your Top 10. She was my favorite part about Pines. There's something about her aged melancholy that I find so endearing.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-58166136181779775292014-09-23T21:32:12.512-04:002014-09-23T21:32:12.512-04:00Great list! If I may, I'd love to share my own...Great list! If I may, I'd love to share my own top 15:<br /><br />1. Adele Exarchopoulos- BITWC<br />2. Cate Blanchett- Blue Jasmine<br />3. Lupita Nyong'o- 12 Years A Slave<br />4. Sally Hawkins- Blue Jasmine<br />5. Emma Thompson- Saving Mr. Banks<br />6. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Enough Said<br />7. Lea Seydoux- BITWC<br />8. Scarlett Johansson- Her<br />9. Amy Adams- American Hustle<br />10. Eva Mendes- The Place Beyond The Pines<br />11. Margot Robbie- Wolf of Wall<br />Street<br />12. Nicole Kidman- Stoker<br />13. Jennifer Lawrence- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire<br />14. Sandra Bullock- Gravity<br />15. Judi Dench- PhilomenaMatthew St.Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589393934861344591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-40500101279409893102014-06-16T19:16:40.092-04:002014-06-16T19:16:40.092-04:00I couldn't agree more with you in that women i...I couldn't agree more with you in that women in cinema deserve better roles indeed. I liked a lot the fact that Cate Blanchett pointed that out at her Oscars speech. Let's hope the industry gets some sense concerning that.Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-26832766283072328402014-06-16T18:46:47.314-04:002014-06-16T18:46:47.314-04:00Ahh yes, yes of course, my mistake. Was so happy t...Ahh yes, yes of course, my mistake. Was so happy that you liked that one.<br /><br />One of the best things about 2013 was that it was such a strong year for women. Women deserves much larger, more substantial and all around BETTER roles, period. I too could've kept going on and on with this list.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-64116851149339559562014-06-16T16:38:37.277-04:002014-06-16T16:38:37.277-04:00Oh, man, I've seen it. In fact, I've seen ...Oh, man, I've seen it. In fact, I've seen it twice. We've talked a little bit about it in your "Top 10 Films of 2013" post, remember? Once again, I really loved it, even if I wasn't impressed by it as much as you obviously were. I found the exploration of some ideas too cryptic for its own good and perhaps a little rushed, yet again I think it was a thought-provoking, original and visually innovative little film, the kind of films that dare to move on its own, wonderfully weird and experimental ways and subvert the conventions of a film's narrative. I liked it a lot and much more than "Primer", Carruth's previous film. As for Amy Seimetz, she was simply astonishing and deserving of multiple awards. She barely didn't make the cut for my list. As I've said, there were too many great performances by women this year. Sandra Bullock in "Gravity", Margot Robbie for "The wolf of Wall Street", Olivia Wilde for "Drinking buddies", they're all similar examples. I've loved them, but they just didn't make it to my list this year. I was stunned by Rooney Mara's work in both "Ain't them bodies saints" and "Side effects" (personally, especially in the former) and by Saoirse Ronan's performance in "Byzantium". I think Jennifer Lawrence was amazing in "American Hustle" and I was shocked by the work done by Octavia Spencer and Léa Seydoux and in "Fruitvale Station" and "Blue is the warmest color", respectively. Speaking of the latter, there's no question that Adèle would be my number 1 if it wasn't for Blanchett's "bigger than life" performance in "Blue Jasmine". It's just this unfair thing for everyone else that compared to her, there's almost no competition. But Adèle's performance was otherworldly. I haven't seen such a raw performance in a very long time. That being said, Blanchett gives the female PERFORMANCE of the year and I don't mean that in a pretentious "actress-y" way. All I'm saying is that she combines technique with emotion in a way that's just phenomenal. They can take her performance and show it to every aspiring actor every day! I can't blame the great Jessica Chastain for saying that she "was walking out of the theatre", after watching "Blue Jasmine", "feeling like a snow bed willow next to Cate’s sequoia". It's an iconic performance that will be praised for years to come. Literally, a performance for the ages. Anyway, you can tell my "Honorable mentions" section would be huge. Carey Mulligan in "Inside Llewyn Davis" or Sarah Paulson in "12 years a slave"... My God, such a great year for women in cinema, indeed. The only performance included in your list that personally I find a little overrated was June Squibb's in "Nebraska". Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed her performance as Kate. She was feisty and hilarious and all of that but in a year like this, I think she was praised much more than she deserved. Just my opinion, though. Your list rocks, that's for sure.Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60036913586637290122014-06-16T15:12:57.425-04:002014-06-16T15:12:57.425-04:00Awesome man, love your list. So happy to see Adèle...Awesome man, love your list. So happy to see Adèle ranked so high. I really need to give Blue Jasmine another watch. I only saw it once, when it was released in theaters, but I haven't been able to get Blanchett out of my head since. What a fearless performance.<br /><br />You've gotta see Upstream Color. I'm dying to know what you'd think of it!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-26773326746443293552014-06-15T20:19:24.393-04:002014-06-15T20:19:24.393-04:00This is a very strong list, Alex! I was truly amaz...This is a very strong list, Alex! I was truly amazed by the work done by women this year and I feel that all the performances mentioned in this page are more than awards-worthy. My personal Top 15 goes like this:<br /><br />1) Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine"<br />2) Adèle Exarchopoulos, "Blue is the warmest color"<br />3) Amy Adams, "American Hustle"<br />4) Judi Dench, "Philomena"<br />5) Brie Larson, "Short term 12"<br />6) Lupita Nyong'o, "12 years a slave"<br />7) Julia Roberts, "August: Osage County"<br />8) Emma Thompson, "Saving Mr. Banks"<br />9) Julie Delpy, "Before Midnight"<br />10) Kathryn Hahn, "Afternoon delight"<br />11) Robin Wright, "Adore"<br />12) Jennifer Lawrence, "The Hunger Games: Catching fire"<br />13) Greta Gerwig, "Frances Ha"<br />14) Juno Temple, "Magic Magic"<br />15) Naomi Watts, "Sunlight Jr." <br /><br />Exarchopoulos' performance was painfully honest, but there's no female performance this year that can match in my eyes the awe-inspiring tour de force of Cate Blanchett as Jasmine French. Her performance in Woody Allen's brilliant last film is a force of nature and deserves to go down in history among the greatest acting ever put on screen. I-M-P-E-C-C-A-B-L-E.Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-91341013693125081432014-01-12T01:29:29.301-05:002014-01-12T01:29:29.301-05:00I loved that final scene of Blue Jasmine. Jesus, i...I loved that final scene of Blue Jasmine. Jesus, it still haunts me. Blanchett is just sensational.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-82493320658183788002014-01-11T06:25:14.904-05:002014-01-11T06:25:14.904-05:00Glad that Shailene Woodley made your list, I thoug...Glad that Shailene Woodley made your list, I thought she was excellent.<br />No one can top Blanchett for me though.Lights Camera Reactionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01645803803878024637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8446967364084209752014-01-08T14:06:17.022-05:002014-01-08T14:06:17.022-05:00I adore Shailene Woodley. I thought she was, well....I adore Shailene Woodley. I thought she was, well... spectacular in that film. <br /><br />I skipped Diana... didn't sound worth it in the slightest. Damn shame.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-38657139552789714842014-01-08T12:00:21.202-05:002014-01-08T12:00:21.202-05:00Shailene Woodley is definitely stringing together ...Shailene Woodley is definitely stringing together a few tp performances. One to watch out for in the next year or so - big things I'm guessing. <br /><br />Naomi Watts obviously saved up all her creative juices for Adore, leaving nothing for Diana..!Danhttp://www.top10films.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-4225038547464677752014-01-07T16:56:06.743-05:002014-01-07T16:56:06.743-05:00Oh same here. I think she'll be around for a g...Oh same here. I think she'll be around for a great long while. But yeah, a Palme d'Or at 19 ain't half bad.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-12337589856238547542014-01-07T08:02:59.206-05:002014-01-07T08:02:59.206-05:00Can't argue with Adèle Exarchopoulos, she was ...Can't argue with Adèle Exarchopoulos, she was amazing in Blue is the Warmest Color. I hope that role will launch her career. If not, she'll always have the Palme d'Or on her mantle piece :)Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395044055566348346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-70996913608585555032014-01-07T02:23:32.010-05:002014-01-07T02:23:32.010-05:00So glad you like her work in that as much as me. So glad you like her work in that as much as me. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-31839750625139602014-01-07T02:23:15.418-05:002014-01-07T02:23:15.418-05:00Thanks! I have seen August: Osage County, and whil...Thanks! I have seen August: Osage County, and while I appreciated all the work in it (particularly that of Margo Martindale... I love that woman), some of them just barely didn't make the cut here. Still, strong stuff all around. <br /><br />Blue will be out on Criterion DVD in late Feb, in case Netflix doesn't come through by then ;)Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-54433916921480312562014-01-07T02:21:36.203-05:002014-01-07T02:21:36.203-05:00Adèle was such a knockout, wasn't she? What fe...Adèle was such a knockout, wasn't she? What fearless work there.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-30814994991932982312014-01-07T01:52:56.848-05:002014-01-07T01:52:56.848-05:00Thank you for having Adele at first. Really. Thank...Thank you for having Adele at first. Really. Thank you so much, my friend.Dan O.http://www.dtmmr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-39700921340636114112014-01-06T10:57:09.558-05:002014-01-06T10:57:09.558-05:00This is such a strong list! I love it. And you don...This is such a strong list! I love it. And you don't even have some of the other big ones on there like Sandra Bullock, Emma Thompson, or Meryl & Julia (have you seen August Osage County yet?). It has yet again reinforced that I NEED to see Blue is the Warmest Color. It's at the top of my Netflix queue but currently has a long wait. Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015323238572496175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-39907044191471971842014-01-06T06:33:23.306-05:002014-01-06T06:33:23.306-05:00Cate Blanchett is phenomenal in Blue Jasmine. And ...Cate Blanchett is phenomenal in Blue Jasmine. And I agree about Adele, she was brilliant, one of my top performances of 2013.Nikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10302904519424893854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37410852441997334532014-01-05T15:28:06.016-05:002014-01-05T15:28:06.016-05:00Wow, thanks so much for the comment, it really mea...Wow, thanks so much for the comment, it really means a lot! So happy to hear that you like the site and that we seem to have similar tastes. Feel free to stop by anytime, I always appreciate it!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-56610298958289151442014-01-05T15:15:25.254-05:002014-01-05T15:15:25.254-05:00Wow man, I love your blog. Seriously. I only disco...Wow man, I love your blog. Seriously. I only discovered a few weeks back and now it's nearly at the top of my Favourites list.<br />I think all the entries are very interesting (love what you do with "X things that I love about ---- and that nobody talks about") and i love that you make lists. <br />Seriously, I'm gonna watch all the movies in your TOPs of this and previous years. For what I've seen, we like the same type of cinema.<br />Keep up the good work.Eloi Bigashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00866919781841843332noreply@blogger.com