movies in 2013

By the hyman of Olivia Newton-John!

I’ve seen a lot of movies this year. A lot more than I ever have in my life. Whereas before I see something like three or four movies – maybe five in a good year – this year, I’ve seen 22, including doing something I don’t think I’ve done before (and probably won’t again): see three new movies back-to-back.

Picking a top ten was easy. Picking the movie that would top it was harder. There were two amazing movies this year that could have easily been my movie of the year, but in the end, it went to a movie that has stood out for me since I first seen it in February. I’ve really still got to properly read the book, though.

Full top ten in descending order below

10 – This is 40

Stupid romanic nonsense. But I like stupid romantic nonsense.

9 – Wreck-It Ralph

Come on. This isn’t a massive surprise. It is massively charming, though.

8 – Pacific Rim

This is as close as any of us is going to get to a Zone of the Enders film (hence, the Yoji Shinkawa poster above).

7 – Flight

This was my surprise of the year. Washington put in a stellar performance in this.

6 – Lincoln

Perhaps a bit too long for its own good, but DDL does good in an otherwise terrific film.

5 – Zero Dark Thirty

Yup, a mighty thriller. Terrific.

4 – Anchorman 2

This, like Wreck-It Ralph, is also of no surprise. Brick absolutely steals the show in this one.

3 – Django Unchained

Christoph Waltz got an Oscar for this. But he didn’t get all the Oscars. He should have gotten all the Oscars for this.

2 – Gravity

Only one of two movies I’ve seen – Tron Legacy being the other – that uses 3D and makes good use of it. Outstanding.

1 – Cloud Atlas

Incredible world-building from the book (which I’ve still got to read properly), helped out by the vision of the Wachoskis. Their best film since The Matrix.

Honorable Mentions: Star Trek: Into Darkness, Iron Man 3 Fast & Furious 6, This is the End, The World’s End and Jackass: Bad Grandpa.

Please don’t ever see this film, you’ll be depressed afterwards for wasting two-to-three hours of your life that you’ll never get back again: Movie 43.