The Best & Worst Movies of 2013: The Best

Again, this is more of a "Favorites" list but none the less I can say with confidence that I think these are some of the best films of 2013. Now this could be I thought it was great from a film making standpoint or from a pure enjoyment factor. Either one.

And again I haven't seen many of the stuff that's being called the best and that's getting a lot of awards buzz. Still haven't seen Blue Jasmine or Fruitvale Station and so on. But I still saw some really good films. And feel free to share your own favorites of the year. I love to hear people say what they enjoyed watching. 

P.S. Forgive any grammar or spelling problems.

First off some honorable mentions that didn't make the list, but I still really enjoyed:

2 Guns

All is Lost

Captain Phillips

The Counselor

Escape Plan

Frozen

Gangster Squad

The Last Stand

Lone Survivor

Mud

Pain & Gain (Yes, I actually enjoyed a Michael Bay film)

Saving Mr. Banks

10. The World's End

D: Edgar Wright

W: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright

S: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine

The final part in the Cornetto Trilogy, the British comedy team of Frost, Pegg and Wright bring this remarkable clever comedy trilogy to an end with some similar themes of the previous two installments (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) mixed in with another genre the trio love, the Alien Invasion flicks. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost trade roles this time as both display great acting chops with their respected characters and work great together with themselves, as usual, and with co-stars Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman and Eddie Marsan. Of course the highlight of the film is not just the action scenes and jokes but all the little gags and tributes to movies they drew influence from. Hot Fuzz still stands as a my favorite of the three but this one is certainly worthy of being a part of this trilogy.

09. Pacific Rim

D: Guillermo del Toro

W: Travis Beacham, Guillermo del Toro

S: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi

Probably the most fun at the theaters I had this year. A film that is fully aware of the subject matter at hand and makes the best of it. While the giant monsters and giant robots are certainly a thrill to watch there is a story involved and an engaging one at that. Seeing the way the robots work and the people operating the suits is very interesting. And the people in this is what makes this stand above something like the Transformer movies. These characters and interesting and diverse enough without going over the top. Another way it stands out is that it's not about ONE singular force using brute strength, it's about people from different background having to come together and using their minds to stop this common foe. A true treat.

08. Gravity

D: Alfonso Cuaron

W: Alfonso Cuaron, Jonas Cuaron

S: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris

After watching this film with my friends we began to wonder whether or not we thought the film was actually good. We wondered if we were just liking it because it looked pretty and had great CGI. Well we unanimously agreed that not only were the special effects great but there was a good story there as well. This tense thriller has our main character (portrayed by Sandra Bullock) out of her normal environment trying to survive. I love those types of films. I get the sense of claustrophobia she's experiencing, the wanting to survive and how scared she is. And no one can blame her. Sandra Bullock gives a spectacular performance and is able to hold her in own in one of the most visually spectacular films in recent years that still keeps its story intact. 

07. Rush

D: Ron Howard

W: Peter Morgan

S: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl, Olivia Wilde

I don't know a thing about Formula One racing. But that factor did not stop me from loving this film. Much like the movie Saving Mr. Banks this movie is more about combating egos. This film avoids many sports movie cliches and instead decides to show them as professionals and shows that while the two bicker and argue about who is the better racer they do have a mutual respect for each other. While Chris Hemsworth gives a good performance as the macho party animal James Hunt, Daniel Bruhl as his Austrian opposite Niki Lauda steals the show. 

06. Dallas Buyers Club

D: Jean-Marc Vallee

W: Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack.

S: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto.

First of all I say I love this new mature turn Matthew McConaughey has taken in his acting career.  Now onto the film, to quote Brad Jones of TheCinemaSnob.com "If you don't have any kind of heart in you, this movie will give you one and tug at it for two solid hours." This film, based upon a remarkable true story, shows how people can change in a good way and shines a light on a topic that is very relevant to today and worth discussing. The film is full of two power house performances. Matthew McConaughey was born to Ron Woodruff and is simply amazing in every scene. The other great performance is from Jared Leto, the physical transformation that both he and McConaughey went through is astonishing and haunting. I'm still debating who I think will win best actor, I have no doubt that Jared Leto will take home the Oscar.

05. Inside Llewyn Davis

D: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

W: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

S: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman. 

This movie almost seemed to made for me in a way. Down on his luck average Joe fighting against the elements both natural and spiritual, awesome folksy soundtrack produced by T-Bone Burnett and an amazing performance from one of my favorite actors John Goodman. Yep, I'm sold. What seems almost like a sequel to the Coen Brothers' also amazing musical odyssey O Brother, Where Art Thou?,  the story about a down on his luck folk singer just resonates so much to anyone who works in a creative field and it shows that hey you may not catch your big break, but there's no need to stop doing what you love. The soundtrack to this film is amazing, personal favorite track being Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song) sung and performed by Oscar Isaac and Mumford & Son frontman Marcus Mumford. The performance by relative newcomer Oscar Isaac is amazing and he does great justice to the Coen Brother's dry comedy and drama. Also I want to shine a special spotlight on John Goodman's performance as a heroin addicted, loudmouthed, jazz singer Roland Turner. He is simply amazing. Seriously how has this guy NOT gotten an Oscar Nomination yet?

04. Prisoners

D: Denis Villeneuve

W: Aaron Guzikowski

S: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis

This is one of the creepiest and chilling thrillers I've seen. The thing that makes it even more scarier is that it seems like this could happen in real life. The film is a jigsaw puzzle that keeps the audience constantly asking questions and whether or not the actions taken by the characters is right or not. Do the ends justify the means? It's hard to talk about this film without giving away big spoilers but it is a great story. Also worth noting are the performances, especially Hugh Jackman. Jackman gives without a doubt of the most intense and complex performances in his career. It may be his best as of right now. Yeah, better than Les Miserables, I stand by it. Also spectacular performance from Jake Gyllenhaal's experienced and smart aleck Det. Loki (he's also rather mischievous. So the name fits).

03. 12 Years a Slave

D: Steve McQueen

W: John Ridley

S: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch

This movie is without a doubt the most important film of the 2013. A movie that is a lot like Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List,  in that it deals with a subject that maybe tough to watch portrayed on screen and if given to the wrong hands could be mishandled severely. Luckily in the hands of British born director Steve McQueen, we saw the personal hell one man went through during 12 years of his life that he will never get back. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives so much in this amazing performance that it's hard to put it into words. but his performance isn't the only one worth noting. Michael Fassbender gives one of the most terrifying performances of the year and newcomer Lupita Nyong'o gives a more than a spectacular performance as the tragic slave girl Patsey. Give Nyong'o the Oscar. 

02. American Hustle

D: David O. Russell

W: David O. Russell, Eric Warren Singer

S: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams

This film was a blast to sit through. David O. Russell was definitely paying tribute to Martin Scorsese in this film but gives the film his own personal flair as well. Just based on the trailer you would assume that the film was about innocent Bradley Cooper being drawn into the life of crime by Christian Bale but it's not. Yes Christian Bale certainly does play a hustler and crook but whenever it seems like his family or friends are in danger he wants to drop out because he doesn't want to cause an extreme amount of damage. It turns out that Bradley Cooper becomes more of a villain in the film but I don't want to reveal too much. This is a film stuffed with pure acting gold. Everyone in the film brings in their all; Christian Bale giving another truly fantastic performance as the conflicted con man who wants to set things right again, Amy Adams playing a woman isn't turn sure about what she wants and show that through he hidden identity, Bradley Cooper as the crazy and self-absorbed FBI agent, Jennifer Lawrence playing the ditzy but somehow persuasive wife of Bale, Jeremy Renner as politician who goes through small bit of corruption just to make things better for his town, and an overlooked performance from comedian Louis C.K. 

What can I say, it's a treat. 

And what made my number one spot?

01. Nebraska

D: Alexander Payne

W: Bob Nelson

S: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb

What made this film earn the top spot? The character of Woody Grant. Bruce Dern brings so much subtle greatness to this role that it is hard to describe. The character of Woody Grant, even though he is a senile and frustrating old man, is a completely sympathetic and relatable person. I was stunned by the fact I was relating to this man. It's along the same lines of the Paul Giamatti character in a previous Alexander Payne film (and a personal favorite film of mine) Sideways. It pains to not tell you more about why I love this character and this film. Why? Because I want you to watch it and experience it for yourself. As hard as I may I know my words will no do it justice. Please go watch this movie, you won't regret watching it. I certainly hope you don't regret it.

So that's it for 2013. Like every year it had ups and downs but we did come out with some good stuff. Here's hoping the 2014 has great film as well.