The Best Movies of 2013

Every year I sit down and comb through the large number of films I've seen to go ahead and share a number of my favorite films of the year. Are these the best? Yes, I think so...are there other good titles, of course!

When it comes to a Top 10 list....these are the places to start when looking for the best that was released during the year.

A couple of films that didn't make my list...but could have.

Rush - the Ron Howard directed film was truly an adrenaline rush and really came down to the last cuts on my list. Formula One racing at it's best (and worst).

Enough Said - I have such a great affection for this film that it was hard to leave it off the list. James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus deliver such chemistry in this "adult" romance.

The Way, Way Back - I think Liam James delivers one of the better performances of the youth in 2013 and in fact could be a name to watch in the future. Loved everything about this from Sam Rockwell to Steve Carell and everyone in between.

Fruitvale Station - If you haven't seen this special little film, do yourself a favor and look for it. Octavia Spencer an Michael B. Jordan are spot on. The cool thing about this film is it doesn't try to make Jordan's character perfect and without flaws, he has flaws, just didn't deserve the outcome that befell him.

Saving Mr. Banks - Probably number 11 if I had to make that decision. You can't go wrong with Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers (creator of Mary Poppins). PG-13 rated but something for the whole family.

NOW ON TO THE ACTUAL Top 10...well kinda...

10a) Sound City, Muscle Shoals, 20 Feet From Stardom
Look, these three music documentaries show just how good it can be combining the best of music
into a film. Sound City is Dave Grohl's homage to the studio that launched some of the best rock albums from the 70s through the 90s and the sound that made the studio special. Muscle Shoals takes you to that one place in America with a truly special sound that was there for everyone from the Stones to Tom Petty. And 20 Feet From Stardom shows you the amazing women and men that share the stage with some of the biggest stars in the world and in fact are heard on more of the biggest records than most artists ever are a part of. These three films will let you experience generations of music, generations of special moments, and will bring back oodles of memories. Taken together, they had to be mentioned in my list of the best of the year.

10) In A World...
Lake Bell stars, wrote and directed this film that truly caught me off guard. You know the phrase "In a world..." that has started many of the most iconic movie trailers of all time. Well what if the world that Don Lafontaine dominated among the males in the industry had a female trying to join the ranks. Lake Bell's directorial debut is something special and movie fans young and old will feel this film from start to finish.

9) Her
I'll admit, I was skeptical sitting down to see Her. The premise alone sounded a bit weird, but yet
intriguing. A man (Joaquin Phoenix) in the near future falls in love with his operating system. (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) And Spike Jonze hits a home run with this story. I found myself smiling at Phoenix and his relationship and the way Jonze tells the story is truly enjoyable.

8) Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks can do no wrong in my book, and this film is no exception. But when you add the incredible directorial talent of Paul Greengrass to the mix, it really makes for an intense look at the Somali pirates attempted takeover of Captain Phillips' ship. The way the film was put together to the last detail is why I love Greengrass' work.

7) Frozen
The best of the animated lot in 2013, Frozen is a complete film that has a story, laughs, music and fun. Since it's release there has yet to be a single person that I personally recommended this film to that has told me they have not had a good experience. It's a wonderfully fun family film.

6) Short Term 12
This is the little film that could in my best of 2013 list. Brie Larson delivers a performance that, in my mind, puts her alongside some of the best performances of the year. The story is a spot on emotional roller coaster for her, and she delivers in a big way. Check out the trailer below.

5) Nebraska
This black and white effort from Alexander Payne had me from the get go. Bruce Dern is phenomenal as everyone reports, but I think the underrated actor here is Will Forte. He delivers in a role that has comedic moments, but is more serious than anything we've seen him in. June Squibb is also solid in her performance as Dern's wife so much so that she seemed real to me.

4) American Hustle

Any of my top 4 this year could be number one on any given day I write this. Hustle delivers first rate performances from an all star cast. Christian Bale is the standout here as the physical appearance makes you forget who he is and takes his performance with him. I also really found myself enthralled with Amy Adams (not a hard thing to do). This actress has come so far in her performances throughout the years that I really can't wait for her to play any role at any time.

3) 12 Years a Slave
This is hard to watch at times but oh so necessary. Director Steve McQueen gets the best from  Chiwetel Ejiofor in his role as Solomon Northup. Ejiofor's performance is powerful and moving and his costars elicit everything from compassion to anger in their various roles. This is harsh and real at every turn and it is done absolutely brilliantly.

2) The Wolf of Wall Street
Can Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio work together on every film? Although each time I see the pairing I wonder if it can be nearly as impactful as the film before it, they ALWAYS deliver. This is a raw film, but it doesn't apologize for being adult at every turn. The visuals, the mood, the setting, the acting, the directing are ALL here. Not to mention the soundtrack, the score, the script...oh I could go on. I love this film in all it's harsh reality.  Under appreciated here is Jonah Hill who delivers for a second time in the big time film in a supporting role (Moneyball was the other).

1) Gravity
This number one has a bit of a star by it. If you see films, the way they were meant to be seen (on the Gravity).
big screen) this is the most incredible ride of the year. Sandra Bullock delivers a mesmerizing performance as she is lost and floating through space. You feel ever emotion through the look at her face. You feel the fear of the vast unknown. You feel alone looking at the world from afar that Alfonso Cuaron has crafted. Every emotion you should have, happens in this effort. Every feeling you should have, happens in this effort. Everything that is right about a big screen experience happens in this effort. See it in a darkened theater with no cell phones no talking and no light...you won't forget it. (For those of you that wait for BluRay to see this film -- PLEASE....turn off all the lights around you, remove ALL the distractions, turn your phone on silent, and escape into the world created by Cuaron...if you don't do all those things, you will not see the greatness that is

So there's the list -- if you don't follow my advice for how to view Gravity, I can imagine that would move it's way down the list a little. But If you do nothing else, find a film or two on this list and check them out. You'll be glad you did. 2013 had a really good end to the year and it makes me hopeful for what 2014 has in store.