Ranking De Niro's 2013 Films

I guess the title is pretty obvious. Let's see, the living legend Robert De Niro has collected two Academy Awards wins from seven nominations, a Golden Globe from eight noms and a Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement awards. He starred in classics like The Godfather Part II, Goodfellas, Raging Bull and Casino. He recently scored his latest critical hit Silver Linings Playbook for Best Supporting Actor in 2012. But in 2013, his films were critical flops. In 2013, he released six films. We won't count American Hustle although he's one of the film's many high points because his role was a minor one and uncredited. Also, no love for his so-called ensemble comedy The Big Wedding and Killing Season. Wedding was a total failure even Summit let You're Next to use the poster for the viral promo for that home-invasion thriller. As for Killing Season, it was only in limited release and come on, would you watch John Travolta as a Serbian war veteran? Also both films have scores below 6 on IMDb.

The Family / Malavita (September 2013)
First off, the trailers looked fun. It has a great cast that joins the Oscar winner with Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones and Glee's Dianna Agron. But in reality, the film was just okay. It even made fun of De Niro and Scorsese's own Goodfellas. Did I mention that Scorsese produced this film? Although it's sometimes funny, The Family is a bizarre, violent comedy that's only fun for the first time around
High point: Dianna Agron kicks asses
Low point: De Niro watches a mob film
WW gross vs. budget vs. RT score: $68m/$30m/29%

Last Vegas (November 2013)
It's the old guys' Hangover! That was the hype. But was it fun like The Hangover? It teamed up legends like Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline, but the movie doesn't turn out to be legendary. It was a bland, boring comedy-drama about being old. Positive side: it's slightly better than The Hangover Part III and the film got decent success thanks to the cast's appeal.
High point: can't think of any--maybe that sappy part about De Niro and Douglas' friendship
Low point: that guy from LMFAO does the 'wiggle wiggle' in front of De Niro's face--mega insult to his stellar career.
WW gross vs. budget vs. RT score: $134m/$28m/47%

Grudge Match (December 2013)
Once again, the trailer was deceitful. It used Macklemore's Can't Hold Us to a great effect but I can't hold myself to focus during the actual film. Stallone looked like he was forced to do the job because it paid bills and De Niro seemed very happy making bad films. I've never watched Kevin Hart before, and is he just that funny? Because it wasn't funny at all. Alan Arkin is funnier. Grudge Match is a sappy drama about aging boxers that wants a long-awaited rematch because a girl was jealous 30 years ago. It could be a great film that makes fun and homage of their old selves as Rocky Balboa or Jake La Motta. But it's just like a parody. Best way to watch Grudge Match? Watch that Can't Hold Us trailer and fast forward the film to the 'climactic' grudgement day.
High points: the bromance during the final fight and De Niro kicks ass while referencing his son's name
Low points: all that drama and exposition before the fight
WW gross vs. budget vs. RT score: $41m/$40m/30%

Rank from watchable to unwatchable
1. The Family
2. Grudge Match
3. Last Vegas

and when you include the three I dismissed

1. American Hustle (duh)
2. The Family
3. Grudge Match
4. Last Vegas
5. The Big Wedding
6. Killing Season

"You talkin to me, Nic Cage?"

at least The Big Wedding looks more fun than the grim Killing Season. 2014 doesn't look kind to De Niro as well, The Bag Man with John Cusack seems like a joke. However his 2015 slate looks better with a biopic Hands of Stone with Edgar Ramirez. Here's to De Niro making great films again hashtagcheerz


Anyway, we're still on for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 review. I'm betting it to be bad (or good, as I've been avoiding trailers since the first spoilerish trailer)