Yes, I know that it is almost the end of January. But I didn’t feel that I should post a top ten list until I had seen all of the essentials, many of which did not even have a premiere date until early this month. And it’s a good thing I waited, because several of those films managed to make it to the list.
2013 was definitely one of my favorite recent years for movies, and as a result, it was hard to limit my list down to just ten. This year had it all; from thrillers, to comedies, to historical dramas, to romance, to science fiction. So, after many long hours of debating, I finally came up with the following films.
10. The World’s End
At number ten is the last film of the Three Colors Cornetto trilogy, from the comedy team of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. “The World’s End” is the story of five friends that return to their old hometown, in order to attempt to do a pub crawl that they were never able to complete when they were younger. But then, as with most Edgar Wright movies, strange things start to happen. The result is a mixture of obscure sci-fi, slapstick comedy, and even some more serious dramatic moments. It may not quite equal up to their best (for me, that will always be “Hot Fuzz”), but it comes pretty darn close. And besides laughs, there are even some impressively choreographed action scenes in this movie; complete with bar stool head-bashing, squirting blue blood, and some on-the-spot learned martial arts. It may be unrestrained, even silly at times. But it’s also a lot of fun.
9. The Spectacular Now
Although I was never able to write a review of this film, I couldn’t help but add it to my favorites of the year. Featuring strong central performances from Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller, “The Spectacular Now” shows us what would happen if the popular guy at school decided to date the awkward, book-smart girl. Before you are quick to judge, know that this is far from your usual clichéd, hokey teenage romantic comedy. It is simple, yet deep; funny, yet profound. And it never gets too heavy to handle. Even the most cynical of people might find themselves suddenly caught with something in their eye when it is through. And for such young actors, both Woodley and Teller give surprisingly sophisticated performances. Keep an eye out for them in just a few months, when they will both be starring in the Hunger Games-ish hit, called “Divergent.”
8. Captain Phillips
“Captain Phillips” is another great addition to the already impressive line-up of movies from Paul Greengrass. Featuring Tom Hanks in the central role, this tells the real-life story of the captain of a cargo ship, and of his crew’s unfortunate encounter with a group of Somalian pirates. This is a gritty, traumatizing, unsettling tale; and it is told in the quasi-documentary style typical of Greengrass’s films. Tom Hanks is unnervingly good, especially during the final few minutes of the film, when he is visibly in shock from the ordeal and has to be taken care of by a nurse. And lookout for newcomer (and now Academy Award nominee) Barkhad Abdi, who plays the leader of the Somalian pirates. It may be hard to believe, but just a few years ago this talented actor used to work as a cab driver in Minnesota!
7. The Wolf of Wall Street
And what would be a great year for movies without Martin Scorsese? “The Wolf of Wall Street” is based on the autobiography of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker that worked in Wall Street and managed to scam millions of dollars out of people, enough that he was able to live a lavish lifestyle; complete with yacht, beautiful trophy wife, and expensive vacations to Europe. The result is possibly Scorsese’s most extravagant film to date, with numerous scenes of graphic nudity and recreational drug use. At times, it does seem that it goes a bit overboard, but this is really just a way to exaggerate the themes of the film. After all, what is a Scorsese film without a little controversy? And, in the principle role, Leonardo DiCaprio gives an energetic performance that is close to perfection. (Jonah Hill’s not bad either).
6. Inside Llewyn Davis
“Inside Llewyn Davis” may be one of the most overlooked films of the year. And this is coming from the usually critically-acclaimed Coen Brothers. Taking place in the early 1960’s, the film tells the fictional story of Llewyn Davis, played by Oscar Isaac, who is a struggling folk musician in New York City. As it closely follows Llewyn’s life, this is often a dark, depressing story, although it does have its humor as well. (Try not to laugh at any scene with John Goodman). But there are also moments of melancholy beauty, especially when Llewyn picks up his guitar and begins to play. Oscar Isaac plays the character with brutal honesty; expressing not only Llewyn’s talent but also his ripe bitterness. Any other year, he would be a shoo-in for at least an Academy Award nomination. But perhaps it was just too crowded this year for “Inside Llewyn Davis” to make the cut.
5. Mud
And speaking of overlooked, this is a film that is almost completely unknown, despite its number of well-known actors. “Mud” is a coming-of-age tale set in the deep south of De Witt, Arkansas. Two young boys encounter a boat that has somehow been lodged in a tree, and they also meet a mysterious man living nearby named Mud, who asks for their help. What follows is a riveting story of companionship, broken romances, lost connections, and even a full-on gun showdown. Matthew McConaughey plays the title character, in one of his two great performances this year (the other being “Dallas Buyers Club.”) It may not get the same recognition or attention as a Hollywood film, perhaps simply because it is an indie that was not hugely advertised. But, of all the films I saw in 2013, this is the one that you would have to try really hard not to enjoy.
4. Nebraska
“Nebraska” is the latest offering from director Alexander Payne, who is notorious for his tackling of simple, realistic stories. This one may be his most ambitious, though. “Nebraska” is about a man named Woody Grant, played by Bruce Dern, who receives a bogus sweepstakes offering in the mail from a magazine in Nebraska. And, despite his great age, he is determined to receive his “winnings” at any cost. It may seem painful to witness the actions of a senile old man, but Payne never allows “Nebraska” to get too arduous. What would seem sad is somehow made light of, and many of the funniest scenes in the film contain people as old as Woody himself. Though I have not seen some of Bruce Dern’s older work, I believe it is safe to say that this is one of his greatest performances. Will Forte and June Squibb, who play Woody ‘s son and wife, respectively, also hold their own against the veteran actor.
3. Her
Spike Jonze is one of the most unique and interesting directors out there today. His films do not just showcase entertainment; instead they exist as monumental works of art. “Her” is easily his best. Taking place in a future that may not be too far away, “Her” concerns a lonely, middle-aged man, who purchases the latest in technological inventions: an artificially intelligent operating system (OS). He soon finds himself falling in love with his OS, named Samantha, despite the obvious fact that she is not real. From the outset, this seems to just be a sci-fi satire relating to our dependence on technology. But Jonze gets all existential on us instead, and leaves us wondering what exactly happened by the time “Her” is through. It is a wonderful adventure to get there, though, helped along the way by great performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson, the latter of which is never seen on screen (but she should have been nominated for an Academy Award anyways). Were it not for the next two films on this list, this would easily be my number 1 choice.
2. Gravity
In a year full of science fiction movies, most of which had superheroes of some sort, nothing could come quite close to the exhilarating “Gravity.” This is one of the most impressively realistic space films I have ever seen. And yet, it is a relatively simple idea for a movie: a group of astronauts get caught in a wave of space debris, which wipes out all of their equipment and kills all but two of them, and those remaining are forced to find an alternate means back to our planet. But this is also a philosophical tale, as it expresses the stages of loss and acceptance in a fight for survival. The main astronaut is played by Sandra Bullock, who painstakingly and emotionally forgives her past and attempts to fight her way back to Earth. Whether you call this a roller coaster ride, a space thriller, or a science fiction, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is having a giant screen in front of you, a huge surround sound system connected to it, and a comfortable arm-rest to either side. Trust me, you’re going to need it.
1. 12 Years A Slave
When I originally heard that Steve McQueen was going to direct “12 Years A Slave,” I knew that it was going to be something special. Each of his films are impeccable masterpieces, though they are not exactly what you would call “pleasant.” So far, he has made a movie about hunger strikes, a movie about sex addiction, and, now, one about slavery. They are all unflinching portraits of reality, even if we choose to believe that such a reality does not exist. But slavery did exist for millions of people, and for hundreds of years. And “12 Years A Slave” is just one of those many stories. And it is perhaps one of the most relatable as well, considering that Solomon Northup was a free man that was eventually brought into slavery. It is a heart-wrenching story, told through oddly beautiful cinematography and flawless performances, especially by those of Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup, Michael Fassbender as the slave driver Edwin Epps, and Lupita Nyong’o as the beaten slave Patsy. It is a hard subject just to think about, and an even harder one to witness on screen. But it is also important to put yourself through it; to truly allow yourself to understand the horrific brutality that slaves went through. Sometimes called this generation’s “Schindler’s List;” this is the essential film of 2013 to see.
So that sums up my picks for the top ten movies of 2013. I can’t wait to see what lies in store for us in the upcoming year.