My Top 10 Best and Worst Movies of 2013

We are all painfully aware that most of the critically acclaimed films of 2013 won't be gracing our local theaters until the first quarter of 2014. It's horrible. Who knows whether Alexander Payne's Nebraska might turn out to be the best movie of the year? Or that 12 Years a Slave will probably stun you for weeks? The Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis, David O. Russell's American Hustle, Dallas Buyers' Club, Her...too bad we haven't seen them yet.

So from the movies I've seen this year, I bring you my best and worst list:

Enjoy!

MY TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2013

10. On The Job



Erik Matti's action-suspense is refreshingly entertaining for a local movie. Competent performances by the cast, and a surprising one by Joey Marquez.

9. The Conjuring


I am not a horror fan, but this one gave me the heebie jeebies.


8. What Maisie Knew




A searingly painful insight into child neglect. This film will twist your heart and you will weep with angry tears.

7. To The Wonder




Terrence Malick's mesmerizing poetic montage beautifully explores the meaning of love and all its forms.

6.  Hunger Games: Catching Fire



Not a fan of the books, but this second installation gives us a high quality sequel, with Jennifer Lawrence proving once again that she's probably the best actress who ever lived.

5. Star Trek: Into Darkness



I am not a Trekkie, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie down to its tiniest sci-fi detail.

4. Jobs




It's all about Steve Jobs the man, not the entrepreneur. A heart-rending insight into this highly complex and misunderstood man, his genius, and his creative process.

3. Captain Phillips




Very well-executed true story. Here, Tom Hanks delivers the highest level of performance of an actor in a leading role, which left me weeping like a baby.


2. Frances Ha




Funny, adorable, and will make you feel better about yourself. Hahahaha.

1. Gravity in IMAX-3D




And the Oscar for Best Director goes to Cuaron for this cinematic breakthrough. This is not a movie anymore. This is an outer-space experience!


THE TOP 10 WORST MOVIES OF THE YEAR

10. Runner Runner



Wasted potential. Sloppy performances. Lazy, lazy, movie.

9. Smashed




Brilliantly acted, clever concept, bland execution.  Please pass the cinema salt.

8. Paranoia




Another waste of time. Facebook is more entertaining. Why, Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford, did you allow yourselves to star in this...?


7. The Place Beyond the Pines




Derek Cianfrance's triptych of torture. Like a bad telenovela.

6.  Despicable Me 2




I almost cried here. Cried from excruciating boredom.

5. The Hangover Part III




Simply put, unbearable.


4. The Smurfs 2




I was itching to throw rotten tomatoes at the screen the entire time.

3. Man of Steel




You just want to crawl under your sheets and cry for the injustice of this movie. This is no Superman movie. It's just a long string of noise.

2. Sapi




Hilarious. But it's supposed to be a horror movie.

1. The Counselor



Director Ridley Scott and Pulitzer-prize winner Cormac McCarthy, plus a plethora of highly respected actors, shockingly deliver a hideously written, amateurish, forced, and supremely bad movie. Shamefully poor acting by Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz, Yuckiest movie of 2013. Pure nightmare.


And there you have it! Happy New Year! May 2014 bring more GREAT movies than bad!

Comments