Another great year in movies
of which I am an unrepentant conspicuous consumer. If you read this blog regularly then you know
I am a shameless movie nut. This list
was culled from only the movies I went to see. I know there are a bunch of
movies that are worthy that I haven’t seen yet( my daughter is the one who
likes the movies with a conscience – I like seeing things blow up). I’ve also included what I considered to be
the worst movies of the year, because that’s almost more fun.
Top Ten for 2013
1. About
Time – I know you can look at the rest of this list and be semi-amazed that
I selected a romantic comedy as the best film of the year. I’m a little surprised myself but this film
about a young man who discovered a hereditary ability to travel in time
(alright so it did have some low key sci fi) is so poignant as he tries to “get
it right” with the girl of his dreams and a doting father. Great flick.
2. Gravity
– A movie that will make you feel the cold of space as Sandra Bullock ably
carries the entire movie as a stranded astronaut struggling to survive a
disaster in orbit. I feel colder just
thinking about it.
3. Warm
Bodies – who would have thought a retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story
amidst a zombie apocalypse would work so well but it does. Romeo is one of the undead trying to woo his
zombie killing Juliet while her family struggles to accept the attraction. Rob
Cordray has some of the funniest lines of the year in a supporting role.
4. Ironman
3 – this third movie returns to the roots of the first which made it so
compelling. I also liked the seemingly end of the series before it became stale
and the special effects – especially during the climatic battle just plain -
rock!
5. Star
Trek Into Darkness – it’s tough to follow up a huge success, especially
given the legions of Star Trek fans (guilty) and their expectations. This movie delivers and fleshes out the
characters of the original series in compelling and interesting new directions.
6. World
War Z – More zombies, a lot more and an interesting take on what a real
world response to this fantastical threat might be. Brad Pitt effortlessly carries a complicated
story throughout the movie and the zombies scared the bejesus out of me.
7. The
Heat– a female buddy cop movie that works so well. Sandra Bullock (again) and Melissa McCarthy
are perfect foils for each other in a movie that had me laughing to the point
of personal embarrassment – just too funny.
8. Pacific Rim – giant robots fighting Godzilla sized
dinosaurs – I’m in. In addition to
startling good special effects this movie had a lot of heart, not to mention
Idris Elba, which is always a good sign
9. Elysium
– a very smart science fiction flick that tries to expose the growing rift in
today’s world about the separation between the have and the have-nots. Matt Damon is special as a dying car thief
charged with saving the have-nots from a coolly evil Jody Foster.
10. Hobbit
– The Desolation of Smaug – While I liked the first installment, I loved
this second movie, probably due to the lack of Gollum time. Peter Jackson has taken film technology
forward again with a remarkably sharp picture and his usual awesome special
effects.
This list was tough to make
up because there were so many great movies worth considering this year in terms
of quality. The following movies made it
to the final cut, in no particular order:
Honorable Mention:
 |
| I So Know the Feeling! |
The World’s End – a movie about a pub crawl, beer drinking, and friendship. It had me at pub crawl.
Olympus Has Fallen – the White House had a bad year being taken down
twice by terrorists in cinema – this Gerard Butler one was clearly superior
Man of Steel
– interesting new take on the old Kal-El legend
Hunger Games: Catching
Fire – Much better than the first as
Jennifer Lawrence proves she can do anything.
Thor the Dark World – another Avengers winner with Hemsworth proving he’s more than a
pretty face even when Loki steals everything (including every scene he’s in) from
him
Ender’s Game
– epic science fiction and an iconic sci fi book which probably never stood a
chance of satisfying all fans but still is a lot of fun to watch
We’re the Millers – a dark, but very, very funny comedy which proves that Rachel still
hasn’t lost all her Friends’ mojo and Jason Sudekis might be the funniest guy
in films right now.
American Hustle – Just saw this last night, too funny, shot in Worcester, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence dominate
in gravity defying 1970's dresses as well as the most epic hair piece/comb over in cinema history
Top Comedy: Warm Bodies
Top Horror Movie: The Conjuring
Top Drama: Gravity
Top Romance: About Time
Top Action: Ironman 3
Best Special Effects:
Hobbit Desolation of Smaug
Worst Movies/ Biggest Disappointments. I won’t
mention Machete Kills because that’s kind of supposed to be bad as a takeoff on
B Movies. The movies below don’t have
that excuse;
 |
| If We Could Only Have Covered Our Eyes As Well |
The Lone Ranger – so, so bad, easily the worst movie of the year. I don’t know how you screw up this great
story but they managed even with Johnny Depp aboard. The one transcendent moment with the theme
music couldn’t save this truly bad flick
 |
| Son, We Have to Talk |
After Earth
– It’s time for Will Smith to sit his son down and tell him he has no future in
films. Charisma and screen presence are obviously
not hereditary. This flick also continued
M. Night Shyamalan’s decade long losing streak
The Counselor – so incomprehensibly bad that it boggles the mind, especially given
the first rate cast. You expect dark
with Cormac McCarthy but not pointlessness.
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