One of the advantages of not being a professional journalist is that I can deliberately overlook buzz, making my first experience with a film or video game something entirely special - and surprising. At least two of my picks this year fall in this category, so I tread very careful waters in un-spoilering any description of those works. If you can, get your hands on 'em before someone spoils the experience! Now, on with the show:
Film:
If ever there was a "the buzz is distracting" film, it's THE MASTER. Paul Thomas Anderson's follow-up to THERE WILL BE BLOOD is, yes, based on the inner workings and early goings of L. Ron Hubbard's Scientology cult, and a fascinating exposé of what goes on on behind its tightly closed doors. Nevertheless, the movie is ultimately less about the group than about the individual experience, in particular the brutal but compelling relationship between Philip Seymour Hoffman's eponymous villain and Joaquin Phoenix's loose cannon apprentice. Like Daniel Day-Lewis before him, the give-it-all performance by Phoenix is a shoo-in for the Best Actor Oscar.
Sarah Polley's highly personal STORIES WE TELL is a documentary about a family secret. Aaand... to say more would be a disservice. Suffice it to say, there's something about the Polley family, and over the course of 90 or so minutes, our hero sets out to resolve it. Of course, this being an indie/arthouse doc, her approach to the form is a bit unusual. Try not to spoil it for yourself!
The Blockbuster counterpoint to last year's TREE OF LIFE, CLOUD ATLAS is an art film for the masses. It's grand(iose). It's philosophical. It tries to say something about the meaning of life. And it's one hell of a thrill ride. Tying together stories of multiple characters across multiple generations (the element of reincarnation is key here), it paints a portrait of a world where everything we do is fated... and where the "chosen ones" have something greater to contribute to the Tree of Life (or the Matrix (or whatever you feel like calling it)). Tom Hanks and Halle Berry are the big names filling multiple roles, but it's Jim Sturgess (as both a 19th century lawyer and 30th century freedom fighter) and Ben Whishaw (as an early twentieth century composer) who give the standout performances. Hugo Weaving (Elrond, Agent Smith) is also a treat as the villain who just won't go away.
Video Games:
It may not have had the perfect conclusion, but damned if the MASS EFFECT TRILOGY isn't one of the all-time great space operas, comparable even to Star Wars or Trek. (And Garrus Vakarian is at least as cool as Han Solo.) As blockbuster interactive entertainment goes, there ain't much better than this Canadian-made series. The epic finale sees Commander Shepard (customise your appearance, gender, and first name) facing off with the evil Collectors for one last galactic brouhahaha, Home Team Advantage. As Earth fights to stave off the invaders, a rogue faction of humans (led by Martin Sheen in a great voice performance) is hatching its own nefarious plans, throwing you in the middle of a conflict fought on multiple fronts. The choose-your-own story-telling is top notch - those who've been around since the first game will see the consequences of earlier decisions play out here - and features at least one heart-wrenching decision that you'll be contemplating for days and months to come. Hell, I still feel bad about my choice... which is, of course, the point of this series. It's always been best when it puts the big decisions in the hands of the player, and there's just nothing else like it out there. Amazing.
Bonus Can-Con Award:
As usual, a special shout-out to a homegrown favourite, Toronto's Drinkbox Studios and their Game of the Year nomination for Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack!