My Top Ten Films of 2013

My Top Ten of 2013

Here we are at the end of another fantastic year in film. As always, this list was extremely difficult to compose. Once again, I feel the need to clarify and justify my choices. I choose my Top 10 based on my feelings for the film, regardless of critical acclaim or universal acceptance. Many of my choices are critically acclaimed, but there are some that are not. The common denominator is that I loved these films, even if some are less reputable than others. Your Top 10 will undoubtedly be different than mine and so it should be. Films make people feel differently. What one person hates in a particular film, another person might love. So, with that in mind let's move on. Here are the critically acclaimed films I have NOT yet seen: Before Midnight, Fruitvale Station, The Butler, Rush, Enough Said, All Is Lost, Blue Jasmine, Dallas Buyers Club, Nebraska, Frozen, Inside Llewyn Davis, Her, and The Wolf of Wall Street. Looks like I got some catching up to do. And now, here are my Top Ten Favorite Films of 2013:

Movie Review: "Saving Mr. Banks" Contains Standard Disney Magic, But Is Also A Moving Drama.

Saving Mr. Banks

Director: John Lee Hancock
Cast: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, and Colin Farrell.
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including some unsettling images.

I was completely unaware of the story behind the making of Disney's classic film, Mary Poppins. Now, being in the hands of Disney Studios there is bound to be some bias on how this story is to be treated and how Mr. Walt Disney himself is to be portrayed. That being said, what is presented on screen is pure Disney magic at its best with some great characterizations by Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.

Movie Review: "American Hustle" Is Sure To Garner Oscar Noms, Yet It Left Me Wanting.

American Hustle

Director: David O. Russell
Cast: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Jennifer Lawrence.
Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and brief violence.

We're nearing the end of the Oscar season and American Hustle has been highly anticipated as one of the year's best that is sure to be Oscar bait. Director David O. Russell (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook) has gathered together the stars of his previous two films, plus Jeremy Renner, to tell the fictionalized true story of the Abscam scandal of the 70s in which a handful of politicians were arrested for corruption. So, does this film live up to expectations? I know it has for many amongst film critics, but as for myself, I expected more.

Movie Review: "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" Lands On Two Feet More Often Than Not.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Director: Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, James Marsden, Meagan Good, and Christina Applegate.
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, drug use, language and comic violence.

You already know if you're going to see this follow up to the absurd, yet classic comedy, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. I'm not going to write this review in the attempt to convince everyone to see or stay away from this sequel. Films are subjective, and no genre is more subjective than comedy. So, I'm writing to Will Ferrell fans...Anchorman fans. Like many, the first Anchorman is one of my all time favorite comedies. This sequel had a lot to live up to. While not as classic as its predecessor, Anchorman 2 is a solid comedic venture that delivers plenty of laughs.

Movie Review: "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" Is Anchored By Thrilling Action Sequences.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Luke    Evans, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug.
Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images.

The second installment of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy arrives in theaters this weekend and it is a solid improvement over its predecessor. Some still question Jackson on splitting the much smaller novel into three lengthy film adaptations, but at this point we should just accept that it's happening and go along for the ride.