Spool Film Podcast

Listen to the review of the year podcast using the player above or on soundcloud.

The real reason we decided to do a Spooool top five last year and have our own separate lists was because there was no way Argo would be coming top of Páraic’s poll nor The Master at the top of Nigel’s list. Also we wanted to create a list that would show what best represents what we, as a website run by two people, like and look for in a film.

This year there was very little argument about what we would include, perhaps only their ordering. So read on and see this year’s list of Spooool.ie’s best films from 2013. A black and white indie, a gritty English drama, a heartwarming biopic, a coming of age teen movie and a foreign language love story.

Running through all these films in an intense emotional core, people trying to figure out their place in this world and what direction their lives should be taking. Late twenties anybody?

Thanks to all our guest reviewers, writers, contributors and friends of the site which make Spooool.ie the best wee film website punching above its weight. See you in 2014.

[quick Best Of 2013 links: Nigel’s Top 10, Páraic’s Top 10, Top 2013 Docs, 2013 in Irish cinema, Friends of Spooool lists, and Guest essay from David Turpin essay on 2013’s lurid cinema]

While the story concerns a relationship between two women its themes and motifs have been seen many times before; passion, obsession, jealousy, infidelity, rage, insecurity, power, longing and loss. It is in the performances that the film sits shoulder to shoulder with the greats.

Exarchopoulos and Seydoux transform what could have been a tiresome melodrama into an emotionally draining experience which you will be unable to forgot for some time to come.

The centre of the film is the relationship between Duncan and Owen. Owen is the father or big brother Duncan needs in his life, his humour, care-free attitude and always knowing the right thing to say makes him the ultimate role model for any teenage boy…

For Duncan the real love interest is his Mum, he is trying to make her see how much better off she would be casting off her loser boyfriend and coming back to him.

The directing team of Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glen Layburn have produced a masterpiece about one of Belfast’s maddest characters, Terri Hooley, during its maddest time, the troubles.

Good Vibrations is an exhilarating experience that leaves you warm on the inside, humming some of the best songs ever penned and giving you ideas about changing the world.

The true tragedy of a film like this is the frustration at viewing the circle of poverty. You just know that Arbor and Swifty are born into horrible lives where their welfare is way down the list of priorities for their parents…

The film doesn’t judge or chastise and instead just leaves you wishing these kids could be given a better start in life and paid a little bit more attention by those around them.

A funny, touching and honest examination of love between female friends and how one woman tries to find her way in life…

Frances is a fantastic role model, she keeps getting dealt shitty hands but manages to dust herself off and get back in the game.

The post 2013’s Best Films (Joint top 5 and Podcast) appeared first on Spooool.ie.