Director Paul Rachman’s Favorite Movies of 2013
In the lead-up to the unveiling of our definitive Top 50 Films of 2013 list, we’ve asked some friends of Paste to tell us their favorites of the year. Tune in for a different list each day. Today’s contributor is Paul Rachman, who directed American Hardcore (pictured), among others, and is one of the co-founders of the Slamdance Film Festival.
Her
It was a pleasure to watch Spike Jonze lead the path for Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johanssen (in post) through his first writer-director sortie. The film had both an old Hollywood romance air to it while also forging thoughts about the very near future. Only Spike can do that.
Una Noche
First off I’ll admit that I was a mentor of sorst for this film for several years, but despite that I still think that Lucy Mulloy’s debut was one of the most exciting and accomplished indies of the year. The critics at large gave it high marks to boot. Lucy is a skilled director who will take on complex stories and deliver them with excitement, wait and see.
American Hustle
I was a college kid during this era. I remember people like this. David O. Russell nails it. Jealous it’s so good.
Only Lovers Left Alive
Comforting to see Jim Jarmusch come back to hang out with the exiles, losers and outcasts he knows so well. I feel comfortable with his characters In this film. I can hang there.