The year is almost over, and while there are still a few things I havent seen yet, either

from
earlier in the year or that are in theatres that I havent gotten to yet
(*coughThreeHourLongScorseseFilmcough*), Im going to do a review of the fifteen films I saw
this year, in order from least favorite to top dog. There is one film not on this list, and thats a
special case (since its really a continuation of an anime series, and really is a whole different
animal, analysis-wise). Fair warning: there are spoilers below. If you see a title you want to see
and havent, Id suggest closing the list at that point and coming back after youve seen it.
Without further a- wait, I actually cant say that, since there is Much Ado in the list below so
without further delay, I present the DiPietro 15.
#15: Enders Game
-Summary: A child born in a futuristic, military-run post-war Earth, is trained to fight the foes of
Earth before they can strike again.
-Reaction: The Orson Scott Card-based adaptation holds last place on the list not due to any
controversy over the beliefs of the author (who, it turns out, likely made no money from the
release of the film since he signed away the film rights ten years ago), but due to the fact that it
was, in fact, the worst film I saw this year, and in fact was the only film that I didnt like at all.
Granted, I didnt see any of the films likely to contend for truly awful (Im looking at you,
Bieber), but it was definitely a poor adaptation.
This was a problem, because it had a lot going for it. They had cut out the outright unfilmable
political blogging chapters (but still managed to keep at least one sibling plot-relevant), and the
acting actually was pretty good plenty of award winners and nominees starred, and their work
was up to par. However, the script tried to force too much into the film, leaving me wanting
more in a bad way specifically, there wasnt enough focus on the development of his leadership
style in Battle School (which is also my favorite part from the book). It also didnt help that they
set the ground work for a romantic interest between two characters that really didnt go anywhere
if youre going to put something like that in, at least make it worthwhile.
What really sucks is that the movie could have worked, if they had added an extra half-hour.
Maybe well get some deleted scenes on DVD, but the movie didnt do enough for me to want to
rent it again, much less buy the special edition.
Verdict: C. At best.
14: Star Trek Into Darkness
-Summary: An homage to Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan, but with a new set-up plot rehashed
from Star Trek VI.
-Reaction: I enjoyed Into Darkness. I did. But there was very little originality to it. There were
plenty of great moments for fans of the classic series to feast on (including a reaction to a
moment of bad characterization of Uhura from an earlier film, where she couldnt speak Klingon
for some inexplicable reason), and there were some great performances Simon Pegg was
brilliant again as Scotty, Cumberbatch was incredibly and appropriately hammy, and none of the
actors were bad, all standing up as great reinterpretations of their classic counterparts.

But there wasnt anything new; it was a sci-fi action homage to the classic series, and little else.
No new ground was really broken, and the series failed to break from its classic counterpart and
take off running down its new direction, except in the sense that its a big-budget action series
now. If youre into that, then this is the movie for you. But, where the 2009 reboot was truly
bold and original, this one suffered from a director eager to recreate his childhood than one
looking to inspire the future.
Verdict: B- if youre looking for a Star Trek film, B+ if you want an action film.
13: Man of Steel
-Summary: Um remake of Superman II? Except with the addition of the classic origin story,
given a tragic, gritty twist.
-Reaction: I actually enjoyed MoS, unlike some others. It was a well-done film, especially
compared to some of the other Superman films weve seen (Im looking at you, Returns. Im not
looking at Quest for Peace because no one should be looking at Quest for Peace). Unlike
Enders, Steel wasnt a bad film. It just wasnt, well, super. Im not even upset about the ending
involving Zods demise at Supes hand. It doesnt have to do with the fact that the final fight did
much more property damage than the fight in Avengers most of the damage was done by the
villains, including the reduction of several city blocks to moon dust, and served as a great
illustration of how dangerous these villains were. Much more of my apathy was a result on the
emphasis on the origin of Superman a tale that most people pretty much know by heart. Even
with the addition of Jonathans demise (as a result of his desire to keep Clark hidden), it really
was treading a worn path, and brought very little new to the film. The fact that this deemphasized the role of Lois Lane, arguably in the top five (if not top three) of most influential
female comic characters, was especially irritating; Lois is arguably a far more compelling
character than Clark/Superman, even with the additions to his backstory, and focusing more on
her viewpoint would have made for a much more intriguing film (especially given the apparent
initial frame that this was her searching for this strange savior from the stars). There was a better
use of the source material than in Enders, to be sure, and it was visually very exciting, but the
plotting choices and focuses were just irritating, really.
Verdict: B.
12: Red 2
-Summary: Follow up on one of the best action-comedies of the last decade, Red 2 continues to
follow the path of Frank Moses, a retired CIA agent who is now trying to live a normal life with
his new girlfriend, who herself is hungering for more of the action thrust upon her by the original
adventures.
-Reaction: It wasnt bad. It was actually pretty good. But like the last two films, it suffered from
a lack of originality. While still funny, it doesnt quite reach the levels of hilarity from the last
film. And while its an interesting look at what could happen to James Bond when his License to
Kill expires, the first one already covered that ground. The addition of Zeta-Jones to the cast was
interesting, but underwhelming; far more satisfying was the addition of Anthony Hopkins, who
injected the film with new life, but for far too little of the movie.

That said, its still a good film, and worth checking out if you enjoyed the first one. Its great if
you need to unwind and dont want to think too hard, but want something with a bit more of an
edge than whatever you consider mindless.
Verdict: B
11: The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
-Summary: 13 Dwarves, a Hobbit, and a Wizard continue their long walk across New Zealand
and manage to piss off half the people they meet as they try to take back their home and treasure
from a dragon. Now with another female character who could have been so much more if she
wasnt forced into a love triangle.
-Reaction: It took me two viewings to get my bearings on this film because of how badly one of
my favorite parts was treated. Beorns scene in the book was a great example of how the truly
powerful beings tend to be those with more brains than brawn. His scene in the book was a bit
of exposition designed to set up the fall of Thorin to his own greed, admittedly a major theme,
but not the point of Beorns character. It also doesnt help that the addition of badass she-elf
Tauriel was marred by her having to become embroiled in a romantic subplot (which, as rumor
has it, was forced on her character by the studio, not by Jackson). I really didnt mind having her
there as a foil to the other elves, and honestly loved her inclusion, but forcing her to become a
love interest, even one who kicks ass and only takes names when another triangle point tells her
to, really disservices the addition of her to the film.
That said, there was plenty to love once you got past that. Armitages portrayal of Thorins
descent into avarice and its effect on his judgment and attitude does work well. The addition of
Steven Fry as the Master of Laketown, while unnecessary, was brilliantly done. The barrel-ride
made it on my list of all-time favorite movie chases easily. And the entire third act (or at least
the side that handled Smaug) was very well done, both in terms of writing and in terms of visual
effects (and not only because Cumberbatch as Smaug really resonated well with me, or because
Smaug as a whole was just beautiful).
Verdict: B, edging towards a B+
10: 47 Ronin
-Summary: A retelling (sort of) of a classic Japanese tale of bushido and revenge, focused on a
samurai and a half-breed seeking revenge for their lords murder, with additional focus on the
lords daughter. All of this adds in a ton of magic that wasnt in the original, in an effort to make
the world seem more mythical.
-Reaction: I went in worried that the film would be an absolute bust. The reviews were
lukewarm, and while it looked visually appealing, it also looked like it would be a hot mess,
trying to force too much into one film.
It definitely did try to force too much into the screen; the film would have been much better if it
focused on either the supernatural elements, or on the original quest for revenge. It doesnt help
that Keanu was in the film, and that he has a very limited emotional range (which, in this film,
seemed to be a range of one). However, while the film could have benefitted from unpacking
itself explaining more about the Witchs goals and what she really got out of her aid being a

major element that could have used expansion it also defied my expectations. The focus was
really on Oishi, the leader of the ronin, and though Keanu did have several important moments
and a lot of screen focus, he actually (and mercifully) wasnt the main character, which helped
the film (it doesnt help that his inclusion may well have been because the studio wanted a white
lead to try and drum up sales, of course, but that says more about the racism of Hollywood than
the racism of this film). And visually, it was another treat, especially the scenes involving the
magical elements (Rinko Kikuchi as the evil sorceress steals many of these moments, and with
good reason).
Verdict: B+.
9: The Wolverine
-Summary: Wolverine goes to Japan to honor a dying wish, only to find himself embroiled in
multiple plots surrounding his supposed benefactor. A retelling of a classic Wolverine story.
-Reaction: Were entering the part of the list where its easier to find what was done well than
what was done poorly. Many of the films at this point are legitimate toss-ups in terms of quality
(and this one only narrowly beat out 47 Ronin), where the differences in ranking have to do with
an intangible quality that cant be easily identified.
With this one, the acting was superb, and it was aided by a script that actually made sense (unlike
that other Wolverine solo project). The fact that the writers actually stayed true to the source
material did help, of course, but the actors all brought their A-Games to the table. It also benefits
from having found a way around one of the major writing struggles for the character the fact
that he is practically invulnerable.
That said, it does have a few tangible flaws, the biggest being the convoluted nature of the plot.
While it was a great plot, it was arguably over-much for a summer action comic film that didnt
bill itself as being a more than just an action film (compare to the Dark Knight Trilogy, which
was intended as being much more than just a superhero series, and which made that more clear in
its presentation). The twists and turns are enjoyable, but probably more than some of the target
audiences were expecting or used to.
That said, The Wolverine did a lot to renew the faith in the franchise damaged by X-Men 3 and
Origins (shudder), especially when paired with First Class. It is definitely worth seeing, and is a
legitimately good film.
Verdict: B+, edging towards A8. Thor 2: The Dark World
-Summary: The God of Thunder must join forces with his sworn foe to end a grave threat to the
universe. Given that said foe is the god of mischief, hijinks ensue.
-Reaction: I definitely enjoyed Thor 2, moreso than its predecessor. Arguably, the flaw that
keeps it down on the list is that the film feels a bit unfinished some plot points arent fully
developed or are developed inconsistently, and there are places where cheap jokes are thrown in
despite the seriousness of the situation. Also, though hes definitely worth watching, Christopher
Eccleston was wasted as the Big Bad, who needed much more screentime (especially given who
was under the makeup).

That said, Dark World is certainly a great film, and feature some great acting, great writing, and
just plain greatness. Rene Russo would have stolen the show as Frigga if she wasnt sharing a
set with Hopkins as Odin (in all his scene-chewing glory) and Hiddleston as Loki (who, of
course, is absolutely brilliant, and is alone worth watching the film for). This is to say nothing of
the (pre-credit) ending, which I will not spoil here (the one spoiler I refuse to make, because it
really needs to be seen to be believed). And the mid-credit scene really peaks my interest for
what else is coming down the pipe
Verdict: A- Minus not quite an A-, but getting there.
7. The Worlds End
-Summary: Five friends are brought back together to complete a hometown pub crawl, which is
interrupted by revelations that the town isnt all that it seems. The third in the Cornetto/Blood
and Ice Cream Trilogy
-Reaction: I havent seen the other two Cornetto films I dont do zombies, and Hot Fuzz didnt
really interest me at the time because I had no idea who Simon Pegg was and why I should care.
I also dont like films that are primarily comedies, as a rule. There are exceptions, of course, but
most of them are thirty years old.
That said, I never regretted seeing Worlds End.
The films only flaw was also its strength it changed gears multiple times between the
addiction issues of the main character, along with the strain it causes his friends, and the sci-fi
Body Snatchers plot. The shifts made it (slightly) harder to focus in on the comedy, surprisingly
enough, since you were trying to keep track of what exactly was happening. But, at the same
time, it was necessary to tell such an interesting and complicated story (though I do hope people
dont come away with the message that alcoholism saves the world not the intended message,
but one that could be inferred by less discriminating viewers).
Verdict: A6: Frozen
-Summary