Top 10 Films of 2013

All right, boys and girls... All right, boys and girls…it’s that time of year again! This year was the toughest yet, as I was worried I wouldn’t even get to 10 “best” films of the year. Of course, thanks to the end of the year glut of prestige films, I was finally able to pull the list together.

This may be my most divisive year. When you first start reading the list, you may even think “All right…he’s off his rocker. Really? That one?”. But stick with me…for I have my reasons. So without further ado…

10. About Time

When I first saw the trailers for this movie, I thought “Huh. I didn’t like it the first time around when it was called ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’.” And to boot, it had Rachel McAdams…AGAIN. Everything about this film was set up to make it fail. Then…things started to shape up differently. In a move unlike any other Hollywood film, the main conceit of the story is told within the first five minutes. No lengthy set-up. No “hurry up already!” screams at the television. It moves along at a fast pace, constantly playing with audience’s expectations, and before you know it, you’re so invested in these characters and their stories, that you don’t realize just how much you’ve fallen in love with them until the end…when it “gets” you. Funny, heartwarming, engaging…it’s the most touching film of the year.

9. Last Vegas

Don’t lie. You saw the trailers and laughed, but thought, “The best stuff was in the trailer. Pass.” I implore you to rethink your stance immediately and seek this film out. Like “About Time”, this film is unexpectedly touching, and may “get” you in the end. A story of life-long friendships, lost love, taking chances, and not giving up as you get older…it’s so much more than the “Four old guys go to Vegas for a weekend” conceit.

8. Fruitvale Station

Despite knowing the outcome, this was one of the more compelling films of the year: short, straight to the point, and tragic…just like this young man’s life. Coupled with can’t miss performances (criminally overlooked by the Oscars, in my opinion), this is one of the best dramatic films of the year. Bring tissues.

7. World War Z

One of the best times I had in the theater all year. Fun, fast, exciting, suspenseful…it’s everything a good 3D action film is supposed to have going for it. Add to that the stellar acting that we normally don’t get treated to in films like these, and it’s a recipe for sheer awesomeness. Having said that, this may also be the movie that doesn’t “hold up” as well on the small screen, as it was made for big screen spectacle…but give it a try either way. You won’t be disappointed.

6. The Way Way Back

One of the truly great indie comedies of the year. Come for the cast alone: Sam Rockwell, Allison Janney, Toni Collette, Steve Carrell, Maya Rudolph, and Rob Cordry…stay for the hilarity. Smartly written, deftly acted, well executed…this is one of those films that came together to form a perfect storm of greatness. Another criminally over-looked film by the Oscars…and every other award show this year.

5. Now You See Me

Like “World War Z”, this was another “great time at the movies”. Part comedy, part action film, part whodunit…all spectacle. It’s “The Prestige” crossed with “The Usual Suspects”. And like “The Sixth Sense”, when it all comes out at the end, you’ll be so flabbergasted that you’ll just HAVE to watch it again to find all of the clues. Watch it, go along for the ride, and I dare you not to like this film.

4. The Conjuring

The best horror film of the year…and the only GOOD one. (Theatrically released, that is). And considering all of the horror movies that came out in 2013…that’s a tall order to live up to. But James Wan spun a carefully crafted, truly scary tale, filled with almost any and every thing a person may be scared of in real life. To tell you what those things are would be a spoiler, as there are some great edge-of-your-seat/jump-out-of-your-seat moments to be found here. So grab a copy, find a friend, turn off the lights, and enjoy a sleepless night…and have yourself a fun ol’ time watching this old-school horror film.

3. Her

Original. Fresh. Funny. Clever. Well-acted. Everything a person could ask for in a film unlike any other you have ever seen. Part love story, part social satire on the ever increasing ridiculousness of dating and connecting in the technological age…this is the movie that all others should strive to emulate. Because if there were more films like this, people’s belief in film could be restored.

2. Enough Said

I just…I mean…pardon the pun here, but enough just can’t be said about “Enough Said.”. Riotously funny. Heartbreaking. Cringe-inducing. The most honest look at dating, love, and parent-children relationships committed to film in years. I’ll find many films that I will recommend to people and say “I highly enjoyed it”. But it’s rare to find one where I loved it so much that I wanted to watch it all over again…right after seeing it the first time, and think “This movie should be watched by everyone. Period.” This is one of those films. In fact, it would have been my number one pick this year, had this next gem not been released…

1. Gravity

Um…wow. Seriously? And honestly, from the box office numbers…that’s all I have to say, because clearly you’ve all seen it. (And if you didn’t…well…sucks for you. Get thee to a 3D screening of it as fast as you can…b/c 2D at home will do it absolutely no justice.) Could there be a better cinematic achievement this year? To quote the always eloquent Mariah Carey from “American Idol Season 12” (and yes, that was sarcasm dripping in globs): A-plus-mazing…Hashtag Pow.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

These films were also amazing films, and just missed my picking them for my top 10.

42 – The actors really elevated what could have been a “typical” biopic. Touching, frustrating, and some genuine moments of humor to break the serious tone…this is one of the better biopics of the past few years.

The Heat – What’s there not to love here? A Sandra Bullock/Melissa McCarthy team up…raunchy hilarity…more surprise cameos than you can count…and it had heart to it. One of the funniest movies of the year.

12 Years A Slave – I know. Shocker. It should have been in my top 10. While this is a landmark film about slavery, and gave the world a wonderful new present (Miss Lupita Nyong’o), the film was just a bit…much…in its unflinching realism.

Saving Mr. Banks – Much better than the trailers led it to be, and much funnier/touching that you would think. Emma Thompson, as always, was the best thing about this film.

Dallas Buyer’s Club – At first glance, the movie felt more like a film that was “just okay, with a hell of a lot of great performances.” But after thinking on it awhile, I realized just how much the filmmakers were saying with the film. However, it still wasn’t enough to edge out some of the movies that moved me more.

Catching Fire – Fun, fast-paced, and Jennifer Lawrence. Need I say more?

Prisoners – While the cast is to die for, and plot has more going for it than the trailers led you to believe…it’s the fact that so much IS going on, that it kind of bogs down the goings-on just a tad. Couple that with the “twist” any savvy movie-goer can see a mile away (or rather, not so much the twist, as who’s involved in it), and it just missed the mark for top 10 worthiness.

Short Term 12 – It takes a lot to make a very small film stand out amidst all of the giants that surround it…and this engaging, thought-provoking film did it in spades. It won’t be everyone’s favorite, but if you want to see how a film can keep you interested without robots or explosions…this is the one to see.