Note: This list is based solely off of my own personal opinion of what I thought were the ten best movies released in 2013 and is ordered alphabetically (not including the runner-ups which are listed first); I would like to mention I have not been able to watch every movie released in 2013, including several movies that aren't set to be released in my area for another few weeks.
I'm not a huge Shakespeare fan, I remember having to read "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet" and falling asleep in class each time; his only play I've really like is "King Lear." So another movie based of Shakespeare's work usually wouldn't catch my attention, but when I heard that this movie was directed by Joss Whedon I decided to give it a chance. "Much Ado About Nothing" has become one of my favorite movies of the year, it was the single most delightful film released in 2013; it's also probably my favorite piece of Shakespeare work. It's funnier than almost every other one of his plays but manages to keep all the drama and scandal from his more serious works. This was a passion project by Whedon that he essentially mad in his free time, he shot it at his home and cast all his friends; and what he produced was some of the best film making of the year.
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright make an amazing team. They first made waves with the fantastic British series "Spaced," but became legends with the "Three Flavours Cornetto" trilogy. The first installment was "Shaun of the Dead" and then "Hot Fuzz," both of which are some of my favorite movies. "The World's End" is the final installment in the trilogy and lives up to the previous installments greatness, "The World's End" is easily the funniest movie released in 2013. The plot of the story is a little ridiculous to say the least; it involves drinking and aliens, it's better not to go into detail in case you haven't seen it (which you should definitely do). "The World's End" is one of my favorite movies of the year; it's a laugh riot start to finish that contains a surprising amount of sincerity when it needs it.
This movie has been called a modern day masterpiece, a front runner at the Oscars, and the one of the best movies of the year; and it's hard to argue with those statements. "12 Years a Slave" is based off the true events of a man named Solomon Northup, a free man born in the north (pre-civil war) who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. This is a powerful story that hits harder than you could ever imagine. Award winning director Steve McQueen has crafted a stunning depiction of one of the worst times in American history. This movie works on just about every level: the writing, acting, cinematography, ect. Certainly one of the most uncomfortable and difficult to watch movies in years, "12 Years a Slave" is damn near perfect. Expect to see this nominated for just about every Academy Award come February.
This movie almost stands in a league of its own, it might be the greatest documentary ever made. Back in the 1960's, the American government helped fund a military coup d'etat in Indonesia in an attempt to prevent the spread of communism. The result was para military groups and gangsters massacring over a million people that the new government labeled as communists. Now almost fifty years later, instead of facing war crimes the people that helped lead these killings are celebrates and political figures. This documentary follows them and gets there opinion on their former actions, and they're proud of themselves. At the same time, these men are shooting a propaganda piece about the coup. This is an amazing film that everyone should see, and the front runner for best documentary.
With the year almost over, I've been scrambling going through every movie I've seen this year and putting this list together. I was actually finished but there was still one movie released this year that I needed to see, and I promised myself I wouldn't publish this list until I saw it. That movie was "American Hustle," and I'm glad I waited. From one of my favorite directors David O. Russell, "American Hustle" is a "con" movie for the ages. Following a couple con artists being forced to assist the FBI in taking down white collar criminals, this is easily one of the best movies of the year. Complimented by what is possibly the best ensemble cast of the year, "American Hustle" has already garnered near universal critical acclaim and might be the last great movie of 2013.
This movie made me sad, not because it was sad itself but because it was the end to one of the greatest trilogies ever. Eighteen years ago an independent romantic drama called "Before Sunrise" was released to high critical praise, nine years later the sequel "Before Sunset" was released to similar reception and was even named the best of the year by multiple critics. But like all great trilogies it had to come to an end eventually; fortunately, director Richard Linklater ended this series with its best installment. Following a couple over an eighteen year period, we see them go through a fairy tale like love story to a seasoned couple at each other throats just trying to hold on to whatever they have left. As far as straight up dialog goes, no movie from this year can even touch "Before Midnight." So while I'm sad to see this trilogy end, it was a fitting end to a perfect love story.
"Frozen" was easily my favorite movie of 2013, not even a competition. I grew up watching classic Disney movies, they were some of the earliest movies I remember seeing and I absolutely love them. But the past couple Disney movies lacked the magic that the classics had. "Frozen" has that magic, it is a perfect throwback to the Disney movies we all know and love. With both funny and sincere writing, likable characters, and great songs, "Frozen" is a gem. I'd say this is probably the best animated Disney movie since the Lion King. I'll admit the movie's not for everyone; it's aimed more at kids than anyone else and there is lot of singing. But All I know is that I loved it. It's a perfect family movie, anyone who loves classic Disney will love it, and it's the front runner for best animated feature at the Oscars.
This movie almost brought me to tears, possibly one of the most heartbreaking movies I've ever seen. "Fruitvale Station" is based off of the true story of Oscar Grant; a former convict, father, and grade A screw up. On New Year's Day 2009 while he was trying to get home after partying with some of his friends, he was fatally shot in the back while handcuffed by a police officer who was arresting him. The story drew massive media attention and controversy, both for the police officers actions and the fact the who incident was caught on camera. "Fruitvale Station" is the debut movie of director Ryan Coogler who knocked it out of the park and has already won several well deserved awards for his work. As far as debut movies go, this is one of the best I've seen in years.
"Gravity" has been the sleeper hit of the year, making over 400 million dollars and has been met with near universal critical acclaim. Possibly the most visually stunning movie ever released, "Gravity's" shock and awe value has left both critics and audiences with their jaws on the ground. I haven't seen a movie this year that has pulled me into it like this one. Following some astronauts that get stuck up in space after some debris hits their shuttle, they must somehow survive in the most hostile environment known to man with the hopes they can reestablish communication with their people on the ground. "Gravity" is the thrill ride of the year, it's one of the single most heart pounding movies you will ever see. This is the must see movie of 2013, if you haven't seen it clear your afternoon and make sure to see it in 3D.
If I had to choose what was the best movie of the year, I'd choose this one; the reason I think "Mud" is the best movie of the year is because it brought every aspect of film making together better than any other film released in 2013. Matthew McConaughey's Oscar worthy performance, Jeff Nichols directing and perfect screenplay, beautiful cinematography, a great supporting cast, and a story that captures the American spirit; "Mud" stands head and shoulders over almost every other movie this year. Only his third movie, Jeff Nichols has quickly become the director to watch out for; he might not win best director for "Mud," but he'll win it one day. This is an incredible movie and one I'll personally remember for years to come. While 2013 had plenty of great movies, none are as good as "Mud."
I don't believe any other movie this year had "The Place Beyond the Pine's" ambition or confidence. A bold cinematic vision, this movie continually shocked the audience throughout its three act structure and left everyone watching speechless on more than one occasion. The movie is much deeper and more philosophical than it may appear, a dark story spanning multiple generations telling the story of how a fathers actions can ruin his son's life. This movie has fantastic acting from the whole cast, a clever and powerful screenplay, audacious directing, and some of the best cinematography we've seen all year. While some have watched this and called it a long and pompous art house piece, I see a misunderstood and one of a kind film that years from now people will be calling a masterpiece.
This is a landmark piece of cinema, maybe more so than any other movie on this list. Not only is it the first movie to be shot completely in Saudi Arabia, it's also the first film ever made by a female Saudi director. The story revolves around Wadjda, a young girl who's part of this new generation of Saudi's who are looking for some change and don't necessarily agree with the rules of the country's current administration. Wadjda wants one thing, a bike; unfortunately girls aren't supposed to ride bikes, it's almost taboo. But Wadjda doesn't care; the problem is that a bike is way out of her price range. So she decides to enter a Quran trivia contest which has a SR1,000 cash prize. "Wadjda" is the feel good movie of the year, plain and simple. Heartfelt and sincere, "Wadjda" is a serious contender for best foreign film.
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