My Top 25 of 2013
These are the best 25 movies that I saw in the theater in 2013. While I didn't get a chance to see everything in the theater that I wanted to before 31 Dec (Saving Mr. Banks, Walter Mitty, Nebraska and Her), I did see around 99 other movies. Some movies on my list are Oscar Worthy some either had an impact on my life and finally some were just plain fun.
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25 titles
- DirectorMalcolm D. LeeStarsMonica CalhounMorris ChestnutMelissa De SousaWhen college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays, they discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be reignited.Watching this sequel to the 99 classic, I was truly touched on all human issues the film deals with that I have experienced in the last fourteen years. This film won't win any Oscars but then it wasn't made to.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsMichael B. JordanMelonie DiazOctavia SpencerThe story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.Michael B Jordan gives easily one of the top three performances of the year with his portyal of Oscar Grant. While he may not win the Oscar, his performance will make him a star.
- DirectorSteve McQueenStarsChiwetel EjioforMichael Kenneth WilliamsMichael FassbenderIn the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.One of the most important films of the last ten years.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJonah HillMargot RobbieBased on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.Leo gives the performance of his carrer with this one. He's easily the best actor of his generation.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsSandra BullockGeorge ClooneyEd HarrisDr Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first time on a space mission, and Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his final expedition, have to survive in space after they are hit by debris while spacewalking.The most visually stunning movie of the year and the best use of IMAX since Avatar. I do feel that anyone could have pulled of Bullock's role, it's the directon by Cuaron and visual effects that earned this one a spot on the list.
- DirectorPeter BergStarsMark WahlbergTaylor KitschEmile HirschMarcus Luttrell and his team set out on a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, in late June 2005. Marcus and his team are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.As a vet this one really hit for me. The best war themed movie since Black Hawk Down.
- DirectorJustin LinStarsVin DieselPaul WalkerDwayne JohnsonHobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries, but Dominic unexpectedly gets sidetracked with facing his presumed deceased girlfriend, Letty.Six movies in and tweleve years into the trilogy these movies just keeping better.
- DirectorLee DanielsStarsForest WhitakerOprah WinfreyJohn CusackAs Cecil Gaines serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events affect this man's life, family, and American society.A proper return to form in acting Oprah and another great performance by Forrest.
- DirectorJustin ChadwickStarsIdris ElbaNaomie HarrisTerry PhetoA chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.Mandela was an iconic figure and while a mini series may have been a better way to tell this man's storty, this was still an amazing performance from Idris Elba.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHugh JackmanJake GyllenhaalViola DavisWhen Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts.A thought provking film about just how far parents will go to protect their kids.
- DirectorBrian HelgelandStarsChadwick BosemanT.R. KnightHarrison FordIn 1947, Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and faces considerable racism in the process.Long over due biopic of Amercia's past time greatest legends.
- DirectorChris BuckJennifer LeeStarsKristen BellIdina MenzelJonathan GroffFearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.Who knew Disney could get back to the magic of their classic?
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsChristian BaleAmy AdamsBradley CooperA con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive partner Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild F.B.I. Agent, Richie DiMaso, who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and the Mafia.Not Russell's best, but feature some of the best acting from an ensemble all year.
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsTom HanksBarkhad AbdiBarkhad AbdirahmanThe true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.Tom Hanks could do this role in his sleep, but it's the performance of the pirates and the direction by Paul Greengrass that make it work.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsBrad PittMireille EnosDaniella KerteszFormer United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.Not big on Zombies, but this was a very smart well made zombie flick
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsIan McKellenMartin FreemanRichard ArmitageThe dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, their homeland, from the dragon Smaug.Wasn't too big on the first one, but with a good story and one of the best action sequecnes of this year, this was a lot of fun.
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsChris PineZachary QuintoZoe SaldanaAfter the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.Tons of fun and one of the best sequels of the summer
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.Didn't read the books but I'm looking very forward to the sequel.
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsHenry CavillAmy AdamsMichael ShannonAn alien child is evacuated from his dying world and sent to Earth to live among humans. His peace is threatened when other survivors of his home planet invade Earth.Coming from a non Superman fan, this was nowhere near as bad as the critics made it out to be. Michael Shannon was a great villian!
- DirectorEvan GoldbergSeth RogenStarsJames FrancoJonah HillSeth RogenSix Los Angeles celebrities are stuck in James Franco's house after a series of devastating events just destroyed the city. Inside, the group not only have to face the apocalypse, but themselves.Funniest movie I saw this year
- DirectorGeorge Tillman Jr.StarsSkylan BrooksEthan DizonJordin SparksA coming-of-age story about two inner city boys who are left to fend for themselves over the summer after their mothers are taken away by the authorities.An amazing film wth a star making performance by Skylan Brooks., that sadly didn't find an auidence.
- DirectorDerek CianfranceStarsRyan GoslingBradley CooperEva MendesTwo men and their sons must deal with the unforeseen consequences of their actions.Gosling and Cooper's Performance made this a winner. While I understand the need for the fate of Gosling's character, had he been more in the film and not adversited as a lead then maybe it would be higher on the list.
- DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsGerard ButlerAaron EckhartMorgan FreemanSecret Service agent Mike Banning finds himself trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack and works with national security to rescue the President from his kidnappers.Ass kicking action action at it's best. The film was meant to entertain and it did just that.
- DirectorLeslie SmallTim StoryStarsKevin HartHarry RatchfordWill 'Spank' HortonFilmed at a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden, comedian Kevin Hart delivers material from his 2012 "Let Me Explain" concert tour.My favorite comics star continues to rise
- DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonVera FarmigaRon LivingstonParanormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.A well made horror flim, that was also smart.