Top 13 Films of 2013
Another year, another list of films that I believe are the best (or at least, they’re my favorites) of the year. Though there’s quite a few films I wish I could have seen before the end of the year, many of which may have been added to this list of 13, but alas the following are the best of the films I did see.
13. Blackfish
This riveting documentary focuses on the controversy surrounding the deaths of several people by killer whales kept in captivity, more specifically the case of Tillakum of SeaWorld. The film is a strong, and heartbreaking, case against keeping any animal in captivity for human entertainment. This isn’t just a documentary – it’s a real life psychological thriller.
12. Saving Mr. Banks
This is the first time Walt Disney has been portrayed in a major motion picture, and in what other film other than a Disney one? But the focus here isn’t about Walt, it’s about P.L. Travers and her inability to sell the rights to her famous Mary Poppins story to Disney. The film is a joyous, hilarious, and at times even depressing ride. Sure, there are plenty of story elements that are severely embellished for the film’s sake, but for the most part it works. Tom Hanks does his best to portray the whimsical Walt Disney, but it’s Emma Thompson who steals the show as the bitter, hard-to-like, but sympathetic central character.
11. Fruitvale Station
Based on the true story of Oscar Grant and his death at the hands of a BART police officer on New Years day, ‘Fruitvale Station’ is a great film featuring a star-making performance by Michael B. Jordan. This is a powerful drama depicting a man who’s attempting to turn his life around for the better, but dying before ever getting the chance to do so.
10. Prisoners
‘Prisoners’ is an intense thriller boasting probably a career-best performance from Hugh Jackman. The story involves every parent’s nightmare – the disappearance of their child. As Jackman’s character searches for the kidnapper, the film takes a drastic turn when he himself captures a suspect and does everything in his power to find answers. Jack Gyllenhall also does great work as Detective Loki, the person in charge of the kidnapping investigation, and someone who has never lost a case. The twists and turns are unpredictable and effective. It’s an emotional and scary ride.
9. Pacific Rim
One of the more original blockbusters of the year is a passion project from the great Guillermo del Toro. The film has great action and special effects, especially in its gigantic robots called Jaegers. But its the human elements in the two lead characters that makes the film more grounded. I’m excited to revisit this universe and its characters if a sequel ever comes to fruition.
8. Star Trek Into Darkness
The second installment in the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ film franchise is one of the best blockbusters and sequels of the year. It’s not necessarily bigger than its predecessor, but it’s definitely darker and more layered. We see more of Kirk and Spock’s relationship, as well as Benedict Cumberbatch’s marvelous take on one of the series’ most infamous villains. The action is fantastic, and the energy is kept up from beginning to end.
7. American Hustle
Director David O. Russell may not have returned with a film as great as ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, but that’s a hard and unfair thing to expect of him. What he does offer is an exciting ride with a crazy bunch of characters. Most of the main actors were in O. Russell’s previous two films ‘The Fighter’ and ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, and they return here with a great deal of energy and fun. Based on the real life FBI ABSCAM operation in the 70s and 80s, ‘American Hustle’ is focused more on its wild characters rather than its story, which actually ends up working here. Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, and Jennifer Lawrence all delve deeply into their roles and it pays off. Lawrence is the standout, a shocker to no one, as the unpredictable wife to Bale’s character. Jeremy Renner is great as the sympathetic politician who gets caught up in the other characters’ schemes. And Robert De Niro also shows up for about ten minutes, but it’s probably some of the best ten minutes of screen time he’s presented in years. Also, “science oven.”
6. The Spectacular Now
Yet another coming-of-age indie drama and love story, however ‘The Spectacular Now’ stands out from the typical due to its natural story and the strength of its two leads. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley are remarkable here as two youths who fall in love. Teller is slowly becoming one of my favorite young actors due to his ability to stand out in many of the films he’s featured in. Woodley already proved she can do great work in 2011’s ‘The Descendants’, which was my favorite movie that year. The film focuses not only on the romance, but the joys of being young. The characters feel like real life teenagers, unlike other films that feature cookie-cutter teens. This is a warm and beautiful film.
5. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The sequel to one of the biggest films of 2011 is even bigger. The stakes are higher and the danger is more apparent. It’s both sad and awesome to see our favorite characters back in the games again, this time against a wild bunch of past Hunger Games victors. The casting is excellent, with great new additions like Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone, and Sam Claflin. The special effects are better than ever, and the filming style is more stable and clear this time around. Truly, ‘Catching Fire’ is one of those rare sequels that’s better than its predecessor, even though it does end on a huge cliffhanger.
4. Frozen
One of the biggest surprises of the year is Disney’s new animated feature ‘Frozen.’ The company’s new princess film is up to par with some of its greatest classics like ‘Mulan’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘The Lion King’, and many others from the Disney Renaissance era. It succeeds on the areas that ‘The Princess and the Frog’ couldn’t, in terms of clever storytelling, wit and humor, and show-stopping tunes. I can see myself enjoying ‘Let It Go’, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and several of the other songs on the soundtrack for years to come.
3. The Heat
The funniest film of the year once again proves the potential for Hollywood to produce more well-made female-driven films. From the same director who made 2011’s hilarious female ensemble ‘Bridesmaids’, this new comedy features the unlikely pairing of Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. Both play their typical character types, Bullock being straight-laced and McCarthy loud and aggressive, but their pairing pushes both of their comedic abilities. The laughs never end in ‘The Heat’, and both Bullock and McCarthy have plenty of time to shine with their comedy. This is just a really, really, really funny movie.
2. Gravity
Alfonso Cuaron’s space film is something that needs to be witnessed. It’s a technological marvel, with excellent use of 3D, and it’s an encapsulating experience. The filming style, using many long takes, makes you feel like you’re in space with the characters. The technique also makes the 90-minute film feel really short due to having less shots. Though the film is a realistic take on the sci-fi genre, it’s also pretty terrifying. Who knew space debris could be so scary? ‘Gravity’ is one of the most exciting and groundbreaking films to come out into cinema in a while.
1. Trance
I wish more people could have seen Danny Boyle’s (‘Slumdog Millionaire, ‘127 Hours’, ’28 Days Later’) latest film, one of the most overlooked and under-appreciated of the year. This psychological thriller is one hell of a ride, full of clever twists and turns. The story is very compelling, with several memorable characters, but the standout here is the film’s great execution in its editing. The psychological aspects of the film couldn’t have worked without the right editing. We see some scenes repeated several times, with some information shown or not shown at the right times. And those key information are pretty important. Going into the film, you can’t trust everything you know and see. Everything is up in the air. As for the main actors, James McAvoy is great here as usual, but it’s Rosario Dawson who’s the true standout. She portrays a strong, crafty, and independent female character in an cast filled with men.
‘Trance’ did for me what ‘Inception’ also did back in 2011. It pushed the boundaries of storytelling and reminded me of the magic of cinema and its ability to absorb you into a story. I fell in love with this film the first time I saw it and knew I had to see it again right away, which I did the very next day. This film was released early in the year, in April, but it stayed in my mind the entire year. This is why it’s my number 1 favorite film of 2013.
Honorable Mentions – these are some films I saw this year that are not necessarily the best of 2013, but they’re memorable to me due to the experience, whether it’s due to the company I was with while seeing them, or for any other reason. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience watching each of the following:
Ender’s Game
Films of 2013 I Wish I Could Have Seen (in no particular order):
The Wolf of Wall Street
12 Years a Slave
Her
The Act of Killing
Captain Phillips
Inside Llewyn Davis
The Butler
Nebraska
Dallas Buyers Club
Kill Your Darlings
Don Jon
Much Ado About Nothing
Disconnect