2013: My 20 Favorite Films of the Year

Well, we have reached the end of another great year in film. And this year seemed to be especially exceptional. I saw more films this year that seemed to capture my heart, and attention, than in many previous years. I was actually sad to see some of the films get cut from my top 20, where in the last two years they seemed to be kind of a shrug off. 2013 saw some seasoned film makers making some of the best films of their career, and a few rookies making some of the most impressive debuts I have ever seen. So, please feel free to comment and share. I would love to know what you think, and what some of your favorite films were from the year.

This was such a great year for cinema that I felt I need to share the eleven films that just barely made it onto the list:
30. Gimme the Loot
29. Monsters University
28. Starbuck (remade later this year as "Delivery Man")
27. Ain't Them Bodies Saints
26. The Broken Circle Breakdown
25. The History of Future Folk
24. Philomena
23. Dallas Buyers Club
22. The Book Thief
21. (a) About Time
21. (b) The Tower (I really struggled not putting these two on the list.)

GET ON WITH IT!!!

20. Elysium

"District 9" blew me away with its beautiful special effects, and its allegory of South American apartheid. Though "Elysium", Neill Blomkamp's newest offering, didn't explode off of the screen as vividly, it certainly captured my imagination. Matt Damon plays an ex-con-turned-factory-worker who gets radiation poisoning while on the job. However, due to his social status, he does not have access to decent health care, and thus is given 20 days to live. What follows is a taut science fiction thriller about the dangers of the ever widening class separation, and need for more accessible health care for the poor.

The Moment I Fell in Love: MATT DAMON!!!

19. Side Effects

Steven Soderbergh had quite a year this year. Before he released his Emmy-winning "Behind the Candelabra", he released this twisty thriller starring Rooney Mara as woman who kills her husband, while on an experimental prescription medication, and the therapist caught in her web (Jude Law). Soderbergh tends to get the best out of all of his actors, and his cinematography (as "Peter Andrews") is as low key and relaxed as ever. He captures Scott Z. Burns' twisting narrative with such minimal effort, that it is impossible not to find yourself swept up in every minute detail and betrayal. Unfortunately, this came out in February, so there will be no Oscar buzz, but Rooney Mara should be put on the list for Best Actress consideration, because she handles every word without a hitch.

The Moment I Fell in Love: Channing Tatum gets stabbed and killed. What's not to love?

18. Her

There is so much depth, and so much heart, to Spike Jonze's latest film, "Her". It is charming and funny, while introspective and emotional. Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore, an introvert who is going through a messy divorce, and is having trouble connecting to the outside world (despite his job writing "hand-written" letters to other people). He downloads a sentient new operating system, Samantha (voiced to perfection by Scarlett Johansson), and begins to fall in love with her. Well written, beautifully shot (thank you, Hoyte Van Hoytema), and expertly acted, this look at intimacy in an ever-changing world is the perfect romance film for the modern age.

The Moment I Fell in Love: Theodore and Samantha do a little duet.

17. The Wolf of Wall Street

Martin Scorsese has created the quintessential film about excess. Casting his now decade long partner, Leonardo DiCaprio, as real life stock broker Jordan Belfort, he managed to make a film that is loud, sleek, and packed wall to wall with unbelievable debauchery. It is also a very scathing criticism of the lavish lifestyles of men who are essentially highly paid thieves and swindlers. Terrence Winter's script is funny and shocking, while Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography is smooth and stylish. The cast clicks in all the right ways, and gives a SAG worthy performance. Be warned, however, this movie is NOT for everyone.

Moment I Fell in Love: Belfort, during his first job on Wall Street, goes to lunch with established broker, Mark Hanna (played by Matthew McConaughey).

16. You're Next

It isn't often that horror movies make it in to my top films of the year. Last time might have even been "28 Days Later" in 2003. "You're Next" just happened to have such a basic premise with absolutely stunning execution. Director Simon Wingard does everything in this home-invasion film that James DeMonaco failed to do with "The Purge" earlier in the year. It's tense, frightening, and, at times, really funny. The third act of this film may be some of the most interesting bit of horror cinema I have seen in quite some time. This became one of the least talked about films of the year, and that seemed very undeserved. You should take the time to take in this soon-to-be cult classic.

The Moment I Fell in Love: A twist in the plot leads to some seriously amusing consequences.

15. All is Lost

There is a reason that Robert Redford is movie star. There is a reason that Paul Newman worked with him so often. There is a reason he was cast in a film where his character  is the only face you see on screen and barely speaks, and it is one of the most riveting performances you will see all year! Writer/director J.C. Chandor has you spend 106 minutes watching one man fight to save himself after his boat hits a random shipping container floating in the middle of nowhere. Despite the action only revolving around a single person, the story never seems to drag. Every setback is heartbreaking, and every victory almost feels like you should audibly cheering.

The Moment I Feel in Love: It is hard to pinpoint, because I was so immersed in Redford's character (plainly named "Our Man").

14. Frances Ha

Greta Gerwig may be the most utterly charming actress in Hollywood today. For proof, you don't need to look any further than her performance in Noah Baumbach's "Frances Ha". This is the story of young dancer who is a bit of slacker, and more than a little homeless. Baumbach, from a script co-written by Gerwig, creates a stunning homage to French new-wave cinema, and directs possibly the best Woody Allen film to not be made by Woody Allen.

The Moment I Fell in Love: Watching Frances gracefully dance, though she clumsily fumbles through life.

13. Before Midnight

If you ever wanted a more realistic take on how relationships actually work, then look no further. Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, and Ethan Hawke have given you the third installment to their series that started in 1995, and it is absolutely the best of the three. After spending one night together in Paris, and finding each other ten years later, Celine (Delpy) and Jesse (Hawke) have settled down, and built a life together with their twin girls, and Jesse's son, Hank, who sees them only twice a year, which actually becomes a major point of contention for the two. Much like the previous films, this is a dialogue centered piece about the nature of love, and the hardships of relationships.

The Moment I Fell in Love: Jesse's awkward goodbye to his son is both funny and touching.

12.  The Way, Way Back

Oscar-winning film makers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash co-wrote and directed this coming-of-age film about an awkward 14 year old boy on vacation at his mother's boyfriend's summer home. He ends up getting a job at a water park, and making friends with its manager. Not only is the cast stacked from top to bottom, but Faxon and Rash's writing is just as poignant as it was in 2011's "The Descendants". Liam James, as the film's protagonist, Duncan, is delightfully fresh take on the nerdy outsider character. Watching him gain his confidence through interaction with his new co-workers has a natural feel to it that should resonate with anyone who ever had trouble fitting in.

The Moment I Feel in Love: Sam Rockwell opens his mouth, and, every time, golden nuggets of awesome drop out.

11. I Declare War

Canadian filmmakers Jason Lapeyre and Robert Wilson created the imagination of a group of adolescent boys (and one girl) with pure ecstasy. "I Declare War" is so well crafted that, at points, it is hard to remember that these are kids, and they aren't actually shooting each other. It also becomes a stark allegory for the effect of violence in society, and the desensitization of modern children. The boys may not have been the finest child actors I saw on screen this year (See: "Mud"), but they are enjoying the roles, and hitting every twist and turn with uninhibited glee.

The Moment I Fell in Love: A young boy is shot in the opening five minutes, and has to count to ten steamboats before he can get up.

10. Nebraska

Alexander Payne has ended up in my favorite films just about every year he has made one. This year he created a bittersweet film about a trusting elderly man who thinks he won one million dollars from a sweepstakes add. Along with his son, he travels to Lincoln, Nebraska to claim his winnings. The movie is filled with the usual Payne characters, his quirky writing, and his wonderful framing of the characters' surroundings. Bruce Dern plays the lead, Woody Grant, with a quiet sadness, and Will Forte, as his son, David, is at his rare best, playing equal parts devoted son and voice of reason. This is a true gem.

Moment I Fell in Love: A family trip to the cemetery turns into a hilarious family history lesson.

9. 12 Years a Slave

Steve McQueen has created the single most frightening film of 2013, and this was a year filled with excellent horror films. "12 Years a Slave" is the true story of Solomon Northup, a free man from the state of New York, who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the days before the war. Leading man, Chiwetel Ejiofor, plays Northup with a strong resilience, and a cool sophistication in the face of his adversity. McQueen doesn't hold back from the horror, but doesn't push it so far that it becomes meaningless and hokey. At the heart of the film are a cast of characters slowly being stripped of their humanity, whether they are slaves or their owners. This may be the most honest, and brutal, depiction of slavery on the big screen, and should be shown in history classes from now on.

Moment I Fell in Love: You don't really "fall in love" with this film. You endure it. I will say that the first real impact the film had on me was watching a woman get ripped from her children at auction.

8. American Hustle

David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook" unfortunately didn't make my 20 last year, so I was happy when I was so taken by his newest film. This is one of the funniest, snappiest, and most well made pictures of the year. Anybody who said differently must have walked into the wrong theatre. Russell and Eric Warren Singer's script is so fluid, and so outrageous, I couldn't imagine anyone not sitting quietly trying to catch every syllable. I also can't stop thinking about the top-notch performances from this amazing ensemble. Everybody just seemed to click so perfectly into their roles (Jennifer Lawrence, especially). This may be my new favorite David O. Russell film, and that is saying something.

Moment I Fell in Love: Christian Bale's Irving adjusts his "hairstyle" in the opening scene.

7. Mud

Matthew McConaughey has been on a role since "The Lincoln Lawyer", and Jeff Nichols has taken full advantage of that in this film. Casting him as fugitive hiding from bounty hunters on an island in Arkansas was a brilliant play. However, as good as he has been, he gets out-shined by his two young co-stars, Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, who find him, and help him evade the men looking for him, while he searches for his lost love. The deeper the boys get into Mud's backstory, the more present the danger seems to get, until it reaches its violent conclusion. The writing is Oscar-worthy, and there isn't a bad performance in the film. If you missed this Summer gem, you should go back and watch it.

The Moment I Fell in Love: When the boys began talking to each other, their natural patter made you believe they have known each other for years.

6. Inside Llewyn Davis

The Coen Brothers have created another masterpiece. This is a beautiful, dark, and funny film that focuses on a struggling, homeless folk singer during a couple of rough days in early 1961. He is a true talent, in the right place, at the right time, but he can't catch a break because of his inability to connect with other people. Oscar Issac plays Llewyn with a soulful hurt, and a cosmic loneliness that almost alienates him from the audience, and endears him at the same time. The ensemble weaves in and out of the story, giving the nomadic journey, and the Coens' script, a vibrancy that makes the film pop off screen. This has currently made its way into my favorite Coen Brothers films, and THAT is saying something.

The Moment I Fell in Love: Davis goes through his morning with a cover of "Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song)", by him and his late partner, playing underneath.

5. The World's End

Leave it to Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg to make a recovering drug addict, and his former friends, the heroes of a story about an alien invasion. Upon returning to their home town to recreate an unfinished pub crawl, Gary King (played brilliantly by Simon Pegg), along with his four high school friends, discover that the residents have been replaced by mindless automaton look-alikes. Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, and Martin Freeman are a riot as King's buddies, never missing a beat, and displaying an expert level of comedic chemistry. However, it is the fifth wheel, Peter (Eddie Marsan), who gives "The World's End" its deep heart, with his tag-along, sad sack performance. This movie is funny, emotional, and action packed. A blend that almost solely belongs to Edgar Wright.

The Moment I Fell in Love: A mad cap review of a wild night ends up in a rehab group.

4. Captain Phillips

I did not expect this movie to be the heart-wrenching, pulse-pounding movie that it turned out to be, and boy am I happy I was wrong. I went to this thinking, Tom Hanks is usually worth a watch (even in crap like "Larry Crowne"), and Paul Greengrass hasn't done anything I hate (though "Green Zone" wasn't great), so I'll watch it. Instead I got a survival tale, based off of a true story, that was every bit as thrilling as it was entertaining. From Phillips' drive to port, to his capture, to his emotional rescue, there wasn't a second of this movie I didn't love, but it was Hanks' reaction to his rescuers that sold me. I was also introduced to Barkhad Abdi, who played the desperate and tortured Muse, the leader of Phillips' Somali captors. He may stand as my personal front runner for Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars.

The Moment I Fell In Love: It is rare that I fall in love with a film in the last 10 minutes, but Hanks' complete emotional breakdown after being rescued captured my heart (Not sure if the pun was intended).

3. Short Term 12

I watched half of this film with tears in my eyes. Writer and director Destin Cretton has created, from his own original short film, a marvelous tale about abuse, isolation, and acceptance. He follows a staff member of a foster care facility who is trying to manage her own troubled life while also trying to keep a group of wayward teenagers in line. The script is achingly simple, but filled with complex characters who hurt and love with heart breaking realism. Brie Larson gives a star-making performance as Grace, and possibly the finest performance of any actress this year, and she probably won't be recognized by any of the major awards this year.

The Moment I Fell in Love: John Gallagher Jr. tells an amusing story about the time he pooped his pants.

2. Gravity

It is hard to explain exactly how great Alfonso Cuaron's "Gravity" is. It is entertaining, and supremely terrifying. It is a great survival film, and a wonderful piece of art. It elegant and visceral. Sandra Bullock plays a medical engineer who gets caught in a field of debris that leaves her stranded in space. Alone. I'm usually not a fan of her's, but under the direction of someone like Cuaron, she carries the film easily. Her panic and fear infects every frame, and keeps the viewer feeling uneasy. Coupled with the dazzling use of 3D (one of the few times I have ever said that) it almost feels like you are right beside her.

The Moment I Fell in Love: The slow push across empty space, while we listen Hank William Jr.'s "Angels Are Hard to Find".

1. Fruitvale Station

There was no film as utterly heart breaking or devastating as "Fruitvale Station" released in 2013. Ryan Coogler's relives the last 24 hours of a young Oakland man who was shot and killed by the police in the early hours of New Year's Day. His star, Michael B. Jordan, is likable to the point that you dread the eventual ending (which he showed actual footage of to start the movie). I liked Jordan on "Friday Night Lights", and in last year's "Chronicle", but I didn't enjoy any performance from this year the way I enjoyed his. He is natural and comfortable as Oscar. Which made his death in the film even harder to process, as I sat in the theater slack-jawed and wide-eyed. Octavia Spencer, playing Oscar's mother, may be in line for another Oscar nod. The reaction she has to his death is the single most moving scene I saw this year. I was not prepared for this film, and it made a lasting impression on me. I hope it will see some benefit for its raw and honest portrayal.

The Moment I Fell in Love: Coogler's decision to show actual cell phone footage of Oscar Grant's murder is bold and instantly jarring.