My 50 favorite films I watched in 2013
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- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.This is one I'm not sure why I'd never seen, but damn, I'm glad I finally did. An exceptionally original and moving story, with perfect acting all around. I just can't imagine anyone disliking this movie.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Practically every second of this is a classic moment in today's pop culture canon. There's good reason for that, and the film still holds up 30+ years later as a perfect action flick.
- DirectorKurt KuenneStarsKurt KuenneAndrew BagbyDavid BagbyA filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.An absolutely heart-breaking documentary that keeps you hooked the entire time with its twisting and turning true story. So sad, so effective.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.Everything here, from the direction to the acting to the soundtrack, it's perfect. I love this film to death, and thinking about it makes me want to watch it again.
- DirectorGaspar NoéStarsNathaniel BrownPaz de la HuertaCyril RoyAn American drug dealer living in Tokyo is betrayed by his best friend and killed in a drug deal. His soul, observing the repercussions of his death, seeks resurrection.Unlike anything I've ever seen. This was mind-blowing and affected me more than almost any film I watched this year.
- DirectorJohn HughesStarsSteve MartinJohn CandyLaila RobinsA Chicago advertising man must struggle to travel home from New York for Thanksgiving, with a lovable oaf of a shower-curtain-ring salesman as his only companion.One of the best comedies of the '80s. Simultaneously heartwarming, heartbreaking, hilarious and maddening. Love it.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJack NicholsonFaye DunawayJohn HustonA private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.The second Polanski flick I've completely fallen in love with (first being Rosemary's Baby). So dark, so good.
- DirectorDerek CianfranceStarsRyan GoslingBradley CooperEva MendesTwo men and their sons must deal with the unforeseen consequences of their actions.This is awesome. I really like the connected storytelling throughout, and some of the twists this pulls, you'll never see coming.
- 19641h 35mPG8.3 (519K)97MetascoreDirectorStanley KubrickStarsPeter SellersGeorge C. ScottSterling HaydenAn unhinged American general orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.Another classic from Stanley Kubrick. Devilishly clever and fun to watch.
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsBjörkCatherine DeneuveDavid MorseAn Eastern European US immigrant with a love for musicals has to cope with the gradual loss of her vision.Oh my god, this wrecked me. Completely one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.
- DirectorFede AlvarezStarsJane LevyShiloh FernandezJessica LucasFive friends head to a remote cabin, where the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to unwittingly summon up demons living in the nearby woods.Basically everything I wanted from an Evil Dead remake. With the original being one of my favorite films, I never wanted a remake, but this is pretty much perfect.
- DirectorNat FaxonJim RashStarsSteve CarellToni ColletteAllison JanneyShy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.I'm a sucker for this kind of film, especially when it has such a good cast as this. Really sweet.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason FlemyngDexter FletcherNick MoranEddy persuades his three pals to pool money for a vital poker game against a powerful local mobster, Hatchet Harry. Eddy loses, after which Harry gives him a week to pay back 500,000 pounds.I liked this much better than Snatch. Really funny, really clever and kept you intrigued throughout.
- DirectorTerry GilliamStarsBruce WillisMadeleine StoweBrad PittIn a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.I love movies with time travelling, and this was no exception. The kind of mind-bending sci-fi I love.
- DirectorGiuseppe TornatoreStarsPhilippe NoiretEnzo CannavaleAntonella AttiliA filmmaker recalls his childhood when falling in love with the pictures at the cinema of his home village and forms a deep friendship with the cinema's projectionist.An incredibly sweet and heartwarming little film. 'Tis a good one, and one of those that makes you appreciate film.
- DirectorRichard MarquandStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.Finally caught up with the Star Wars entries I'd never seen. This is probably the least impressive of the three original films, but that's not saying that much. They're all awesome.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsYou GeGong LiBen NiuAfter Fugui and Jiazhen lose their personal fortunes, they raise a family and survive difficult cultural changes during 1940s to 1970s China.Very sad but hopeful at the same time. Really amazing film.
- DirectorMark L. LesterStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerRae Dawn ChongDan HedayaA retired Special Forces colonel tries to save his daughter, who was abducted by his former subordinate.This is like the quintessential cheesy '80's action film. There was a smile on my face for the entire running time.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantEva Marie SaintJames MasonA New York City advertising executive goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and falls for a woman whose loyalties he begins to doubt.Another fantastically fun Hitchcock adventure.
- 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.Hilarious from start to finish. The humor never stops coming. This year's 21 Jump Street.
- DirectorKrzysztof KieslowskiStarsIrène JacobJean-Louis TrintignantFrédérique FederA model discovers a retired judge is keen on invading people's privacy.Superbly filmed and really fun to look deeper into. Easily the best of the trilogy.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsHugh JackmanRussell CroweAnne HathawayIn 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker's daughter. The decision changes their lives forever.I was kinda determined to dislike this, because I don't really enjoy musicals and the whole thing just seemed heavy-handed, but I was proven super wrong by the end of it.
- DirectorKar-Wai WongStarsBrigitte LinTakeshi KaneshiroTony Leung Chiu-waiTwo melancholic Hong Kong policemen fall in love: one with a mysterious female underworld figure, the other with a beautiful and ethereal waitress at a late-night restaurant he frequents.Beautiful film, really pleasant and a good watch (even though the first half doesn't hold up to the second).
- DirectorHoward DeutchStarsMolly RingwaldJon CryerHarry Dean StantonA poor girl must choose between the affections of dating her childhood sweetheart or a rich but sensitive playboy.I'd be lying if I said this is anywhere near the best John Hughes flick, but it's still awesome (and probably has the best soundtrack out of all of them).
- DirectorMike NewellStarsHugh GrantAndie MacDowellJames FleetOver the course of five social occasions, a committed bachelor must consider the notion that he may have discovered love.Hilarious! That's about the only word to describe this one.
- DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonVera FarmigaRon LivingstonParanormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.Superbly effective horror flick. I'm OK with this ghost/haunting/possession obsession in the current horror scene if they keep putting out movies this good.
- DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEthan HawkeJuliet RylanceJames RansoneA controversial true-crime writer finds a box of Super 8 home movies in his new home, revealing that the murder case he is currently researching could be the work of an unknown serial killer whose legacy dates back to the 1960s.A decently original plot compared to most horror films released nowadays. It's also quite frightening, especially the found-footage films, which are creepy as all get out.
- DirectorTi WestStarsSara PaxtonPat HealyKelly McGillisDuring the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.Man, I really like TJ West. This is a slight step down from The House of the Devil, but that's not really a knock on this, because it's still pretty fantastic.
- DirectorWoo-sang ParkY.K. KimStarsY.K. KimVincent HirschJoseph DiamandA martial arts rock band goes up against a band of motorcycle ninjas who have tightened their grip on Florida's narcotics trade.I'm so glad this was unearthed. A worthy entry to the '80s Asian-American-lost-father-drug-gang-rock-ninja pantheon.
- DirectorHal AshbyStarsRuth GordonBud CortVivian PicklesYoung, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.Awh. Super sweet and really funny. Cult classic for good reason.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsCary GrantPriscilla LaneRaymond MasseyA Brooklyn writer of books on the futility of marriage risks his reputation after he decides to tie the knot. Things get even more complicated when he learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are habitual murderers.Perfect old-school B&W comedy. I love the play and this is a perfect adaptation of it.
- 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.Admittedly overrated, but the scenery is breathtaking and the acting is pretty damn good too.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.I'm not a big Western guy, but this is probably the best one I've seen. Epic.
- DirectorSion SonoStarsRyo IshibashiMasatoshi NagaseMai HoshoA detective is trying to find the cause of a string of suicides.Shocking and deep. J-horror just gets it so right.
- DirectorLee TamahoriStarsRena OwenTemuera MorrisonMamaengaroa Kerr-BellA family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.Heartbreaking and an interesting look at today's Maori people.
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellWoody HarrelsonSam RockwellA struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.Bound to be a cult classic a la "Lock, Stock." This is a lot of fun and the cast is stacked. Gets better as it goes on too.
- DirectorAdam BrooksJeremy GillespieMatthew KennedyStarsAdam BrooksMatthew KennedyConor SweeneyA murderer, a priest, and a delinquent try to bring down a father-killing madman.Certifiably insane and the best Troma-related product since Poultrygeist. Gotta catch more from these Astron-6 guys.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.Pretty cool, I like the way the story progresses. And Dustin Hoffman is great.
- 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.I feel like there's too much going on here, and it felt a lot like Argo in its Oscar bait-ness, but I can't say this wasn't a great movie - and the performances are fantastic.
- DirectorSean ByrneStarsXavier SamuelRobin McLeavyJohn BrumptonWhen Brent turns down his classmate Lola's invitation to the prom, she concocts a wildly violent plan for revenge.I'd wanted to see this one for a while now, and it didn't disappoint. Humorous while still being pretty screwed up.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsRooney MaraChanning TatumJude LawA young woman's world unravels when a drug prescribed by her psychiatrist has unexpected side effects.Keeps you guessing throughout! Better than I expected it to be.
- DirectorAlvaro PasseriStarsTony DomeniciCarlo BonSharon MarinoWhen five teenagers embark on a boating trip, they stumble on an abandoned yacht in the midst of a storm. Unbeknownst to them, there are also ferocious mutated prehistoric fish running amok on the yacht.I've always fancied myself a trash connoisseur, and this is in the top levels of trash. Ridiculous, nonsensical and fun from start to finish.
- DirectorGeorge ClooneyStarsPaul GiamattiGeorge ClooneyPhilip Seymour HoffmanAn idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.Political thrillers like this always keep me interested, and I'm a sucker for Ryan Gosling.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.It's often suspenseful and filled with good performances, though it felt a little Oscar bait-y and I liked other Best Picture nominees better.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsJason SchwartzmanBill MurrayOlivia WilliamsA teenager at Rushmore Academy falls for a much older teacher and befriends a middle-aged industrialist. Later, he finds out that his love interest and his friend are having an affair, which prompts him to begin a vendetta.Y'know, not my favorite Wes Anderson film, but it's still a whole lotta fun.
- DirectorBen WheatleyStarsNeil MaskellMyAnna BuringHarry SimpsonNearly a year after a botched job, a hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.Original (hitmen + horror) and intriguing the whole way through. It all kind of stops making sense, but never stops keeping your attention.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsGregory PeckLee RemickHarvey StephensMysterious deaths surround an American ambassador. Could the child that he is raising actually be the Antichrist? The Devil's own son?So many absolutely classic moments (the babysitter scene still chills) and overall just a successful '70s horror film.
- DirectorMalik BendjelloulStarsRodriguezStephen 'Sugar' SegermanDennis CoffeyTwo South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.Engrossing and inspiring; a really interesting story.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsEmilio EchevarríaGael García BernalGoya ToledoAn amateur dog fighter, a supermodel, and a derelict assassin, all separately struggling to find love, find their lives transformed by a devastating car wreck in Mexico City.Not really sure about the second segment here, but the first and last are intense and great.
- DirectorHiguchinskyStarsEriko HatsuneFhi FanHinako SaekiThe inhabitants of a small Japanese town become increasingly obsessed with and tormented by spirals.Absolutely insane and perfectly Japanese.