By: MattInRC
I realize the calendar on the fridge reads 'July' and not 'December,' but who cares? In a year that's seen some terrific films, 2013 is shaping up to be a better year overall than 2012. We've done a dizzying 49 theatrical reviews so far, and from that list we've come up with our top 10. Of course, we think this list will change as the second half of the year gets underway, but for now, they're the Best of 2013. Before we get started, a quick note: we did not have access to 2012's Zero Dark Thirty until January 9th, so we'll call one of our pinch hitters in to sub out.
10. Stoker (Click here for a full review)
One of the most bizarre films in recent memory, Stoker is one part murder mystery, another odd sexual romp. Here's the deal: after the death of her father, India's uncle Charlie arrives to live with her and the unstable but sexually available mother. Soon, India realizes that Charlie has an odd affection for her, ripping a bigger hole into a family still grieving over the death of India's father. Stoker is expertly shot, and our trio of Matthew Goode (Watchmen), Nicole Kidman (Eyes Wide Shut) and Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) make up one of the creepiest troupes all year. It's a little disturbing but well worth your time.
9. 42 (Click here for a full review)
Based on the biography of Brooklyn Dodgers slugger Jackie Robinson, Writer/Director Brian Helgeland impresses with his casting of Chadwick Boseman as Robinson. Harrison Ford turns in an amazing portrayal of Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, who gets the cojones to sign the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. I have no idea why Ford suddenly reappeared as the actor we all knew and loved, but we're glad to see him back. 42 is instantly a top 5 sports movie classic, a rich and rewarding story, and one of those films that will probably outlast a lot of films from 2013.
8. Trance (Click here for a full review)
I'm such a sexual deviant, because I love the psychology behind people's desires. Trance presents such an excellent case for what happens when people's desires outstrip reality, you'll forget the full frontal scene with Rosario Dawson. James McAvoy (X-Men: First Class) plays an art dealer who involvement as inside man gets him far more than he bargained for. There's a terrific love triangle here between Dawson, McAvoy, and Vincent Cassel (Ocean's Twelve), and Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) will definitely appear on our Best Direction list at year's end. It's a terrific film, and one I suggest you pick up.
7. Snitch (Click here for a full review)
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises so far, Snitch tells the story about a hard-working businessman (Dwayne Johnson, Fast Five) whose son gets arrested for harboring drugs. His descent into the drug world in order to save his son is more like Alice in Wonderland, plunging further down the rabbit hole. The story by Justin Haythe (The Lone Ranger) elevates Johnson's street cred as a legitmate actor, whose character gets deep into Prosecutor Susan Sarandon's back pocket. The suddenly-everywhere Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan) also makes an appearance, while Director Ric Roman Waugh produces a gritty and well-conceived drama that will keep you glued to your seat.
6. Gangster Squad (Click here for a full review)
Another film that represented a pleasant surprise in early 2013 was Gangster Squad. Saddled with a 5-month release delay (after Sandy Hook), the film is a fun ride through 1940's-era Los Angeles, as an elite team of detectives tries to upend gangster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn, At Close Range). Newcomer Director Ruben Fleischer casts Ryan Gosling (Drive), Emma Stone (Amazing Spider-man), Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men), and Robert Patrick (T2), and certainly shows us that he can balance A-List actors around other well known names like Mireille Enos (World War Z). If you're into period pieces like The Untouchables, you'll want to at least rent this one.
5. The Great Gatsby (Click here for a full review)
In year that saw several high-profile films delayed by either political events or by the studio's concerns, The Great Gatsby proved that you could have a deep, rewarding film among the explosions, nudity, and paper-thin plots that make up Summer movies. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed, Shutter Island) hits it out of the park as James Gatsby the prolific booze runner and wealthy socialite. His wingman 'Old Sport' (Tobey Maquire, Spider-man) narrates our story and details Gatsby's fall from grace, and Director Baz Luhrmann, who collaborated with DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet, turns in an elegant, graceful, and stunning interpretation that's sure to remain on our top 10 list, or at least among the Honorable Mentions.
4. Iron Man 3 (Click here for a full review)
Iron Man 3 is more of a victory lap for The Avengers than anything else, a buddy-hero film that had a terrific first act. Not to say that I hated the rest, including the Air Force One rescue or the 'House Party' protocol in the third, as Robert Downey Jr (Sherlock Holmes series) turned in another great Tony Stark. The idea of Stark out of his element, and the use of the Extemis storyline was great to see adapted for the big screen. And while some fans were shocked to see the reveal of The Mandarin (including myself), I was very happy with Sir Ben Kinsley's portrayal, even when the reveal is made. Guy Pearce (Memento) plays a really good bad guy, and is one of the most underrated actors of our time. Well cast and shot by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang), Iron Man 3 is still eclipsed by the original in our opinion.
3. Man of Steel (Click here for a full review)
A beautiful and elegant superhero flick (can you believe I threw both of those into the mix?), Man of Steel easily outdid Iron Man 3, proving DC and Director Zack Snyder (Watchmen) aren't out quite yet. The film boasts one of the best ensemble casts, from Russell Crowe (Master and Commander) and Kevin Costner (Field of Dreams), to relative newcomers Amy Adams (The Muppets) and Henry Cavill (Immortals), with Supes given the CGI time to properly kick around Zod (Michael Shannon, Premium Rush). There's lot to like here, even if the critics panned it: Hans Zimmer might be the front runner for Best Score of 2013, and writer David S. Goyer (Dark Knight) pens a story that emphatically answers whether the 21st Century needs Superman. Check out the destruction of Metropolis as well, which makes the carnage of The Avengers look like a warmup.
2. Star Trek: Into Darkness (Click here for a full review)
As an old-school diehard fan of The Original Series, I was disappointed by the first film, plot-holed, alternate-reality Trek that looked and sounded great. Director JJ Abrams (Alias television series) returns with a knock-out punch for Into Darkness, a film which reunites a deep and talented best cast and returns us to the best aspects of The Original Series. Although some critics lamented about Khan - played with full effect by Sherlock wiz Benedict Cumberbatch - I thought writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Transformers) hit every mark by powerfully telling the story between Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and Bones (Karl Urban) as friends who will do anything to protect one another. With Abrams deep into the Star Wars universe, I hope he continues to craft Star Trek and eventually returns our heroes to the original timeline. Catch this one on the big screen for sure.
1. Oblivion (Click here for a full review)
Actor Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible series) gets a lot of crap thrown his way for his religious beliefs and weird former marriage to Katie Holmes. But as an actor, there are few better than Cruise, who produces the most engaging Science Fiction film in recent memory. Playing the astronaut Jack Harper, Cruise begins to realize that his job of defending a ravaged future Earth is not what it appears. Cruise is surrounded by an great cast, including Morgan Freeman (Dark Knight series) Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace), Andrea Riseborough, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Mama), all of whom actually make Cruise a better actor. Director Joe Kosinski (Tron: Legacy) makes Cruise and Risenborough an 'effective team' by keeping things focused on Harper's spiraling reality, until he must make the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity. It won't garner him any Oscars, but Cruise still makes terrific films, and I emerged from Oblivion with greater respect for him and his work ethic.
What's your Top 10 list so far for 2013? Comment below and let us know!
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