My Top 25 of 2013
Here's MY Top 25 for 2013. I have yet to see all the films on my 2013 watchlist - but I've seen most of 'em. I'll add anymore that I see that deserve a spot. IT'S JUST AN OPINION - so don't get bent out of shape about it.
It is a particularly exciting year for me at the movies. My two favorite directors, Wong Kar Wai and Brian De Palma released new movies, and a bunch of sleepers are dominating the list.
A Few months ago - I thought that 2013 might have been a pretty weak year for movies, but now that I've come to the end of the watchlist, it was actually a VERY GOOD year for movies. Seldom do I have so many 9's in my top 25, and seldom do the 8's go nearly to the bottom of the list like this. By the time I'm done there may not be a 7 on the whole list. Amazing.
will edit as I see films that deserve a spot on the list. (last edit was out of NINETY-THREE films viewed from 2013). Will likely/eventually be out of about 110.
Sometimes my top 25 lists(see previous yrs) might include films that imdb says were released the previous yr... but I go by the us dvd or major u.s. theatrical release dates... not festivals etc..
at times it was rough. had to cycle through some rough patches... Spring Breakers... it "looked" good, but what the heck was that about? Pain and Gain... much, mUCH more pain than gain... Rapture Palooza? Take me Away.
here's the Just missed list:26.The East 27.Mental 28.Nebraska 29.Blue Jasmine 30.Only God Forgives 31.The Prey(french)32.Warm Bodies, 33.StarTrek:Into Darkness 34.Maniac, 35.Fruitvale Station, 36.Before Midnight, 37.Disconnect(last of the 7's) Captain Phillips, Redemption, Grandmasters, Rush, Eden, Side Effects, Man of Steel, Gangster Squad, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Oblivion, Last Vegas, Trance, Dark Skies, Extracted, Hatchet 3, Stoker, Olympus Has Fallen, Red 2(last of the 6's)
I suggest inverting the list.............................................\/
It is a particularly exciting year for me at the movies. My two favorite directors, Wong Kar Wai and Brian De Palma released new movies, and a bunch of sleepers are dominating the list.
A Few months ago - I thought that 2013 might have been a pretty weak year for movies, but now that I've come to the end of the watchlist, it was actually a VERY GOOD year for movies. Seldom do I have so many 9's in my top 25, and seldom do the 8's go nearly to the bottom of the list like this. By the time I'm done there may not be a 7 on the whole list. Amazing.
will edit as I see films that deserve a spot on the list. (last edit was out of NINETY-THREE films viewed from 2013). Will likely/eventually be out of about 110.
Sometimes my top 25 lists(see previous yrs) might include films that imdb says were released the previous yr... but I go by the us dvd or major u.s. theatrical release dates... not festivals etc..
at times it was rough. had to cycle through some rough patches... Spring Breakers... it "looked" good, but what the heck was that about? Pain and Gain... much, mUCH more pain than gain... Rapture Palooza? Take me Away.
here's the Just missed list:26.The East 27.Mental 28.Nebraska 29.Blue Jasmine 30.Only God Forgives 31.The Prey(french)32.Warm Bodies, 33.StarTrek:Into Darkness 34.Maniac, 35.Fruitvale Station, 36.Before Midnight, 37.Disconnect(last of the 7's) Captain Phillips, Redemption, Grandmasters, Rush, Eden, Side Effects, Man of Steel, Gangster Squad, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Oblivion, Last Vegas, Trance, Dark Skies, Extracted, Hatchet 3, Stoker, Olympus Has Fallen, Red 2(last of the 6's)
I suggest inverting the list.............................................\/
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- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHugh JackmanJake GyllenhaalViola DavisWhen Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts.Three captivating characters, and a determination to cover it's tracks lifts this high-powered, violent thriller into rarified-air. A late scene involving rain, fast-driving, and Jake Gyllenhaal is truly one of the most exciting cinematic moments of the year - the entire wrap-up is very tight for a thriller. Exceptional cast. Let me note that the top three are STILL vying for a number one spot. It's close. I think it's a clear step down to \/ Charlie Countryman down there @ 7/8. This could hold onto a top 5, then again, maybe not. There are still a few well-received films on my watchlist. This is a must-see film from 2013.
- DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsBrie LarsonFrantz TurnerJohn Gallagher Jr.A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.Tight race for number 1 so far. Short Term has Long Term aspirations.
CLose, close race for #1. - DirectorDerek CianfranceStarsRyan GoslingBradley CooperEva MendesTwo men and their sons must deal with the unforeseen consequences of their actions.I was wondering why I didn't see it in nearby theaters... then the buzz wore off and I finally rented-it on redbox... great movie... this isn't the boring "Drive" clone that we all expected - it stands just fine on its' own. I say Ryan do a third movie like this and we call it some sort of tragic-trilogy. And a good one at that.
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsJoaquin PhoenixAmy AdamsScarlett JohanssonIn a near future, a lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with an operating system designed to meet his every need.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJonah HillMargot RobbieBased on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.Leo's best performance to date, but Bale and MM proved too much according to the Academy. THis movie is a blast. Fastest 3hrs I've seen in a long time. If you like Sales, F-Bombs, Girls, Money, Drugs, Fast Cars, and/or fine-direction - you'll dig THe WOlf.
- DirectorFredrik BondStarsShia LaBeoufEvan Rachel WoodMads MikkelsenWhile travelling abroad, a guy falls for a Romanian beauty whose unreachable heart has its origins in her violent, charismatic ex.A fantastic directorial debut. Great action sequences and music highlight this whimsical tale about a common man's wet-dream gone wildly real. Bond clearly has been influenced by some of the finest stylistic filmmakers in the industry(Besson, Boyle, Wong Kar Wai, etc.). Unrealistic dirty little guilty pleasure of a movie. Style and heart make up for a few flaws, but for every questionable scene there are two fantastic scenes. Amazing soundtrack. Will eventually be added to the library. Nuff said.
- DirectorPeter BergStarsMark WahlbergTaylor KitschEmile HirschMarcus Luttrell and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.Seldom do we know what's coming anymore than we do here, but it's truly amazing how "Survivor" starts rolling down the mountain and quickly becomes a runaway-train-wreck-of-a-heck-of-a-good action thriller . Pure Adrenaline.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsOscar IsaacCarey MulliganJohn GoodmanA week in the life of a young singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961.Been a lot more musical films of late, but Inside Llewyn Davis has a nice realistic edge to it thanks to some fine musical recording, a terrific cast, and a dark comedic, yet-mostly hard-hitting script. THis could creep up a bit - I'm still chewing on it. Very Good!
- DirectorSteve McQueenStarsChiwetel EjioforMichael Kenneth WilliamsMichael FassbenderIn the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.Arguably the 4th best performance of the year, but Ejiofor is excellent here. So is Fassbender and the rest of the cast. Shocking and Brutal. Excellent film.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsSandra BullockGeorge ClooneyEd HarrisDr Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first time on a space mission, and Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his final expedition, have to survive in space after they are hit by debris while spacewalking.I liked the simplicity. There is a chemistry between Clooney and Bullock, and the entire film moves as one solid, simple movement, done with precision. Doesn't overstay it's welcome or have any open-ended-confusing-agenda. Solid flick, but with another 10 or so films left on the watchlist, will it hold onto a top-ten spot... I say it's probable.
- DirectorJeff NicholsStarsMatthew McConaugheyTye SheridanJacob LoflandTwo young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.Mud is part Stand By Me, and part Killer Joe. SO far the top 10, save Lone Survivor, did relatively poor at the box-office.Late Edit - It's not top ten anymore? WOW. WHat an incredible year for movies when films like this one and the next 3-4 don't even make the top 10... great year for movies... maybe the best since 1994.... though '94 was more top heavy with multiple 10's for me.
- DirectorDavid Gordon GreenStarsNicolas CageTye SheridanGary PoulterAn ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin.
- DirectorRob BruceScott GaffneyMurray WaisStarsIngrid BackstromAndreas BarkhallMark BroderickAn examination of the legacy one athlete left to the progression of his sports.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsSimon PeggNick FrostMartin FreemanFive friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from twenty years earlier unwittingly become humanity's only hope for survival.A little disjointed late, but the script for the first half is aces, the direction is on point, and it is gobs of mostly harmless fun. Edgar Wright is definitely a bigtime director in the making(if he wasn't already).
- DirectorNicole HolofcenerStarsJulia Louis-DreyfusJames GandolfiniCatherine KeenerA divorced woman who decides to pursue the man she's interested in learns he's her new friend's ex-husband.Very tidy script. Great cast. Very realistic. This is what Before Midnight should have been.
- DirectorJohn WellsStarsMeryl StreepDermot MulroneyJulia RobertsA look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.
- DirectorJames PonsoldtStarsMiles TellerShailene WoodleyKyle ChandlerA hard-partying high school senior's philosophy on life changes when he meets the not-so-typical "nice girl."Teller, one of the best young actors, pairs with one of the best(if not the best) young actress(es), Shailene Woodley. Similar sub-category as "Perks of Being A Wallflower", and nearly that good. Having a film this good yet this low on the list speaks to the overall quality of the films in 2013 in general. Amazing year!
- DirectorThomas VinterbergStarsMads MikkelsenThomas Bo LarsenAnnika WedderkoppA teacher lives a lonely life, all the while struggling over his son's custody. His life slowly gets better as he finds love and receives good news from his son, but his new luck is about to be brutally shattered by an innocent little lie.extremely well-executed.
- DirectorGabriela CowperthwaiteStarsTilikumDave DuffusSamantha BergA documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.The interview from the guy that participated in the capture of Tilikum is worth the price of admission all by itself. To imagine the impact, not just of that moment, but the weight of the future impact that he now felt responsible for... that was one of the most heart-wrenching/amazing scenes from all of 2013(that and "Prisoners" driving scene at the end). I think the film could have given us even more to look at and consider. It's a bit short and less-than-informative, but some of those moments in the middle are mouth-dropping, engrossing film-making at it's finest.
- DirectorNat FaxonJim RashStarsSteve CarellToni ColletteAllison JanneyShy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.Sam Rockwell supporting Oscar nod a distinct possibility. The ENTIRE cast does a fantastic job here.
- DirectorBrian PercivalStarsSophie NélisseGeoffrey RushEmily WatsonWhile subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being protected by her adoptive parents.The lighting, the cinematography, and most especially John Williams score are, in a word,.. exceptional! The acting is first rate. Great film! The criticisms seem to be nit-picking - that's always sign of a good movie. It's fresh on me, and I've been steadily moving-up the list solely in comparison to the other films around it. Simple stuff, but done right.
- DirectorJean-Marc ValléeStarsMatthew McConaugheyJennifer GarnerJared LetoIn 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is diagnosed with the disease.
- DirectorDavid M. RosenthalStarsSam RockwellJeffrey WrightKelly ReillyThe tragic death of a beautiful young girl starts a tense and atmospheric game of cat and mouse between hunter John Moon and the hardened backwater criminals out for his blood.Tie
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsRachel McAdamsNoomi RapaceKaroline HerfurthThe rivalry between the manipulative boss of an advertising agency and her talented protégée escalates from stealing credit to public humiliation to murder.I just fail to understand how a film that is made with so much care rates as low as it currently does on IMDB. Passion is just that. It's the typical De Palma flare for trash, camera play, music, mystery, murder, and his unrefined screenplays(like life is that polished anyway). This is excellent, but it IS a slower-paced thriller that probably won't endear itself to young audiences.. If you wanna see a seasoned professional put it all together - watch this. If you want action - I'm sure you can find something else at the theater or redbox. Both female leads are incredible.... and beautiful, and unpredictable. WHy do I always feel dirty after De Palma? Love it.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsChristian BaleAmy AdamsBradley CooperA con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive partner Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild F.B.I. Agent, Richie DiMaso, who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and the Mafia.it's extremely well-made fare, and Christian Bale is really in a dead-even heat here with MM(Dallasbuyersclub) imo... great performance. the rest of the cast is great too... BUT... two problems with this. A. it's just a little bit TOO MUCH like Goodfellas in it's approach and tone, and B.the story isn't half as interesting. I guess I just expected something great in terms of plot and I didn't get it. In every other way this film is a success.